Elder HJones: Work for Blessings

So this past week was really good.

Recently, we have read a talk by Elder Uchtdorf called "Fourth Floor, Last Door" as a mission. And that has literally happened here in Vallenar!! We worked hard during the whole month to see little success. But this last week of the month we saw miracles and a bunch of progress.

We baptized! Brian got baptized. He is 15 years old and I won't ever forget his baptism. 2-3 weeks ago we talked to his mom about the church and baptism, but she didn't want anything. She told us to stop teaching Brian. So we kinda "lost hope" with him. But he kept coming to church with his friends. And he loved it. He told us that its the only church where he feels like its true. The only church where he has felt the Spirit and the presence of God. So this week we started working with him again. And prepared him for baptism. When it came to getting permission, his mom was okay with it. She is willing to support her son. Then, she surprised us and came to his baptism, and the Spirit definitely was felt. And after the baptism on Saturday, she wanted to come to church. So on Sunday she came to church and also stayed for the class! It was so cool to see the change in her, and now we are working more with her!

And Ana. She didn't get baptized. She told us that she want to tell us when she is prepared. But she came to the baptism. Brian's mom is her friend. So, they came together. Actually, Ana invited Elena to the baptism and the church on Sunday...and Ana she isn't even a member! She we are also seeing some progress from Ana.

And yesterday at church we had 8 people attend with us! We are working more with the members and they are helping us more. We are also teaching an awesome family that came to church. Jaime, Jocelin, and Thiare. Jaime and Jocelin conviven (cohabitate), but they are awesome. They want to get married, but obviously it's a process here. But they want Thiare to get baptized. So please pray that they can progress and get married fast! jaja

This next week is full of meeting. Tonight we travel to Antofagasta for consejo de lideres. On Wednesday we have a zone training, and on Thursday we have a conference in Copiapo. So we will be traveling a bunch this week. But we will also be enlightened and learning!

Love you guys. Les quiero mucho, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Instruments in the Hands of God

Hello everyone!

What a week!!! A week of pure miracles!

Milagros was baptized! It was awesome! A lot of ward members and family came. Milagros has family from Jujuy (Argentina, an area where my Dad served when he was on his mission), so I was able to talk with them about the culture there. They have lived there all there lives.

This week we had interviews with Presidente Resek. I love interviews! We talked about the area, the members, and the zone. He is really happy and I am happy to be working with Elder Burk.

I got a call from the President's assistants today. They are going to put two more elders in our area. So this morning we have been rearranging our area and stuff. We are excited to be focusing on what we have now.

La Familia Grimaldo is doing well. They came to church and are processing. La Familia Rios is doing well, too. We will be passing by to visit them tomorrow. It's hard to find them sometimes. La Familia Guzman told us to come back tomorrow. We will be visiting them and helping her to feel comfort!

Other than that, it was a good week, just really hot. It is so humid! This next week we have a conference with the Area Seventy. My companion and I have a taller (workshop) about the Book of Mormon. Pray that we will teach well and help the missionaries in our zone know how to better use the Book of Mormon in their teaching.

I was reading this week in Alma 17

 9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

God wants to use us. As His children, he has a lot in store for us. He want us to be in TUNE with His Spirit so that He can use us to do His work. He can do all things, but wants to use us so that we can grow spiritually and learn to trust in His and be in tune with Him.

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Los Olivios

Hola,

We had cambios this week and I'm in a new area, Los Olivos. The members here are super good and helpful to the missionaries. As we strive to be missionaries in all aspects of our lives we become more like Christ. Seeking out those who don't have the message of the restored gospel, and filling the emptiness with everlasting joy and hope.

Members are just important as the missionaries. As we minister to all those around us, we will become one.

Elder Ulisses Soares gave us three ways to help those not of our faith, or those that are recent converts, or less actives.

1. They need brothers and sisters sincerely interested in them
2. They need an assignment
3. They need to be nourished by the word of God

I know that as we strive to work together we will see the hand of the Lord more in our work and in our lives, I've seen it here and know that the Lord performs miracles and loves each of us.

Elder HJones: Vamos con Fe

Ako ay si Elder Jones. ("I am Elder Jones" in Tagalog, the language in the Philippines.)

So this past week my testimony of the Restoration grew even more.

We have been teaching a lady named Ana. She is around 65 years old and many in her family are members of the church. She has doubts about the church and some in her family are of a different religion, which has stopped her from taking the next step of baptism. But my companion and I felt like we had to teach the Restoration to her again.

And when we did, the Spirit was super strong during the lesson. As the lesson went on she understood more and I could tell the the Spirit was working within her. And in the end we bore our testimonies and invited her to be baptized. Before, when we asked her to get baptized, she was always hesitant and gave excuses. But this time she said, "Yes!" And when she gave the closing prayer, she asked God that everything will work out for her baptism this Saturday! So this week we are going to work with her so that this weekend she can get baptized!

We are also working with Wilson and Brayan. Please pray that they can progress a little more to get baptized this weekend as well!

Work work work, its what we are doing. Actually, it's what makes us happy. And we are gonna keep doing it. Thanks so much for your prayers! Love you guys! Que tengan una semana bautismal!

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Families

A lot happened this week!

We had divisiones on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. We worked with some Elders in our zone.

On Monday I worked with Elder Villa from Mexico. He is newer and works like he has a lot more time. He is progressing really well!

On Tuesday I worked with Elder Elliot. He worked super hard in our area. Usually, missionaries don't work super hard when they are not in their area, but not on Tuesday! Elder Elliot was fun to work with. A good leader.

On Wednesday, I was with Elder Perez from Columbia. We talked about his progression since we were together as companions. It was awesome to work with him and we found a golden family!

Milagros will be getting baptized this week. It will be awesome! We are excited for her.

* * *
In the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission, we have the goal for this year in 2019 to specifically work with families, and that every month, every companionship can help four families become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are excited because this past week found many families that we will be helping!

3 Nephi 14:24-27
24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

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.

I read this this past week and learned a lot. As Jesus explains this, everyone listened. They listened to His council and learned from Him. But it is as we do that we are converted, not as we listen. We all have to act and do our part to show that we want our foundation strong and in Jesus Christ. We must gain a solid testimony and witness that Jesus is the Christ and we will not only listen to Him but follow and keep His commandments!

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Cambios y Fe

Yes, I had cambios!

I'm in a new area with a new companion. My area is Los Olivos en La Colorada and our area takes in a lot more of the city. My new companion is Elder Torres from Peru. So this is my third companion in the mission, and my third companion from a Latin American country. In reality, I'm super glad that I'm getting companions from here because its helping me to learn Spanish a whole lot faster.

Well, I finally got to feel what everyone says about the mission: That it's much harder to leave the people here than it is to leave your home. I had to leave Quior 2 yesterday, and it was kinda rough. All the investigators that we had and all the converts---so hard to leave when you build bonds with them and then have to say goodbye. But it's all good. I'm doing super well I'm and super excited to be here in Los Olivos. And our house is an apartment on the 8th floor so the view is the best thing.

So this week I read a little talk in the January Liahona and I found a quote that I loved. It was from a story of a man called to be the stake president and he didn't think or feel that he was qualified for his calling. He said, "I don't think I can do this. I'm not in their league." Area authority's response: "Well, I suppose you're right. You can't do it, but the Lord can. He has the power to do His work, and if you will be worthy and work hard, He will do it. You will see!"  AND HE DID!!

Remember that! No matter how much we feel like we can't do something, trust in the Lord, and He will guide us to do all things!!

* * *
There seem to be two distinct levels of faith.

The first level is the faith to try, the faith to thrust in our sickles. The second level is the faith to do. It is more than the faith to thrust in our sickles—it is the faith to reap.

That subtle distinction between the faith to thrust in our sickles and the faith to reap will make all the difference in our lives. To live again with our Heavenly Father and to live productive and joyful lives on earth, we need to develop the faith to reap.

First, unlike the faith to thrust in our sickles, the faith to reap is not faith in ourselves. It is not the same as self-confidence or positive mental attitude. It is not even faith in our families or friends—all of which are good. The faith to reap is faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement. It is faith in His power, not ours.

Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step that we take to be able to enjoy all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has for us. He wants us to be able to access his power in our lives though faith in him. Faith is a word of action. I've learned as a missionary we can't do anything without faith--and our faith must be in Jesus Christ and His Atonement!! He live!! We grow our faith by acting on our faith!!

Love you lots,
Elder Jones

Elder HJones: "Joy is a Gift for the Faithful"

So this morning I was reading THIS TALK by Pres. Nelson, entitled "Joy and Spiritual Survival." And I found something that stood out to me. It says:

"If we look to the world and follow its formulas for happiness, we will never  know joy. The unrighteous may experience any number of emotions and   sensations, but they will never experience joy! Joy is a gift for the faithful. It  is the gift that comes from intentionally trying to live a righteous life, as  taught by Jesus Christ."

I can testify of this as I have seen it on the mission. I have worked with people who changed their lives to experience the joy that comes through the gospel. And I have also worked with people who only want to experience the emotions and sensations of the world. Like Pres. Nelson says, "Joy is a gift for the faithful." And it truly is, joy enters our life if we are faithful.

This week we are working with Wilson and Ana. They both have felt the Spirit and know that they need to get baptized. But fears and doubts stop them. Pray that they can overcome them and that we can help them experience the joy of this gospel.

Con amor, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Semana de Blanco

We had the baptism of the Guzman Family! It was such a huge blessing to see the progress they have made day by day! I can tell you that members participating in missionary work, works! We passed by with members everyday to help the Guzmans feel the spirit with those in the ward. They have learned to love the gospel and have many friends who are now helping them. They invited their family to come and there were about 30 extended family members at the baptism!

We had zone conference this past week! We talked about the power and authority that we have as missionaries and the Importance of the Book of Mormon. If we study, ponder, and teach with the Book of Mormon, we will not only gain a testimony, but know how to share it with others and what to say. Share the Book of Mormon!

This week we are working with Carlos Gonzalez. He wants to get baptized. His brothers are members but his father doesn't want him to be baptized. We will be praying to help him. We are working with Milagros as well. We are preparing her for the 26th of January. We will also be using the Guzman Family so that they can share the new things that they learned with there family members! And they are excited to enter the temple! I love this gospel and know its true!

Have a great week!! Love You All!

Elder Jones

Elder EJones: Talk?

This week was good, like a normal week.

Finding and teaching more and more people everyday. One thing I learned from my companion, Elder Bello, is showing the lessons that we teach to people and letting them choose what message they want to learn and be taught. It makes it so that they can feel they have a message that they want to learn and one that can help them.

We helped an investigator wheelbarrow lots of dirt from the front of her yard to where she is building her house and it was super fun.

Things here in Quior 2 are really good. We are finding really good people that are progressing and they always need our prayers to keep pressing forward and having faith in the Lord.

So this week, we walked into the church like seven minutes early or so, and one of the brothers comes up to us and is like "Yeah, so the two people that had talks today can't make it...so can you two give 10 minute talks?" So Elder Bello and I gave sacrament meeting talks and had like two minutes to prepare. I felt like it was giving a lesson mas o menos (more or less), but it was funny how we were asked to speak and it was good.

I also got to bless the sacrament in Spanish which was really cool. I'm so grateful that the gospel is the same, that the Atonement is for everyone no matter where we are or what language we are speaking.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. That in anything, when looking for answers or direction, we can turn to the Book of Mormon and find what we need. I know that it testifies of Jesus Christ, and that he truly lives. This gospel is true, and the Lord helps us as we help ourselves, and get lost in selfless service to others!!

. . . And this Saturday we find out if we have cambios, so well see. If I don't leave, I think for sure I'll be here for two more cambios because Elder Bello ends his mission in March. I like it here in Quior.

That's all for now. Praying for you.
Elder Jones

(P.S. really miss salads haha)

Elder HJones: Working Hard!

So this week went pretty well. Honestly, it was pretty crazy!

So on Monday there were cambios. (transfers)

And on Thurday we had consejo de lideres (leader's council). When the zone leaders go to Antofagasta to have a conference with presidente. With the conference and cambios really close together, the cambios were kind mixed up, so for most of the week our zone was empty. We didn't have that many missionaries in Vallenar. So my companion and I were working in three areas to keep things going. By Friday, all the missionaries had arrived and everything was back to normal. But we walked a ton!!

On Thursday, I traveled to Antofagasta for the conference with presidente and it was really awesome! One of the best conferences that I have attended in the mission! We talked about chapter 8 in Preach My Gospel, about goals and plans.

My new companion is cool. Elder Ambao is from the Philippines. His Spanish is really good. There are about three missionaries from the Philippines here in our mission and their Spanish is really good. So maybe their language has some similarities. He has 20 months in the mission, which means he only has two cambios left. (He's my first companion, besides my trainer, that has more time then me in the mission! Crazy!) And we are getting along! Everything is good. And the new assignment as zone leader is good. I'm learning as I go. I have only been zone leader for one week, so there is still much to learn.

And this past week we worked SUPER HARD. Elder Ambao and I both are just giving everything and this past week was awesome. We always got to the pension super tired, but we worked during the day with everything we had!

And we have some awesome people that we are teaching:

Sebastian- 19 years old, he has already come to church a couple times, but wants to receive an answer that the church is true. Please pray that he can recognize his answer.

Bryan- 16 years old, he always comes to church and wants to learn more, but his mom doesn't want him to listen to us or get baptized.

Angel, Jocelin, Yaritsa, Angel- and family that we found, they are super awesome! They want to come to church and get baptized.

Jose, Artemia, and Fam.- The mom and dad are really receptive.

So that was my week. Full of things to do. But that's the best part of the mission. There is no time to relax, we are here to WORK!

Elder ZJones: A New Year

This week we saw some miracles.

It was raining on Sunday when we went looking for people to join with us for sacrament meeting. And, we came up empty handed, but..............

La Familia Guzman came to church all by themselves--in the rain!! They surprise me everyday. They know that this gospel is true and want to be baptized, but think they think that the process is fast. They want to wait for months (or years) until they understand everything. I explained to them that when I was baptized I was 8, and I didn't understand much. All I knew was that Joseph Smith was a prophet and that baptism was something good. It is when we receive the Holy Ghost we will have a guide that will help us to learn in the months and years ahead.

Pray for them: Santyos and Graciela. They are reading, praying and even started "Come, Follow Me!"

Milagros is 19. Her parents are active members. He is our ward mission leader. She doesn't have much interest. We invited her to pray and read. She did, came to church, and told us that she cried when she did it. We have a FHE today with the family. Pray for her. Milagros Boudino.

Lastly, Carlitos Gonzales. We thought he was a member until the sisters told us no. We stopped by yesterday. His brothers come to church and want to baptized him. We have to have permission for there dad. Pray that he will open his heart!

That's about it. We had consejo de lideres and have zone conference this week. Pray that we will know what our zone needs to hear!

Elder EJones: A New Year!

3 Nephi 11:33
And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God.

This week the Familia Guerra was baptized. We've been working with them for a few months now, from their wedding, to their progression spiritually, and now to their baptism. I know that the Lord has a plan for all of us. And I know that we can all learn and participate in that plan by being baptized. It is the door for further knowledge to learn and to grow and to become like our Savior Jesus Christ.

Here's a funny story: So we had an appointment at a house that we contacted this last week. And we were waiting outside the house for the residents to come. Over here, there's not really any doors so we just yell like "Buenos Tardes" and clap and people come to their door openings. So we were calling and waiting for a family in a home and we saw a volleyball on the ground. My companion and I started yelling "Wilson" because that's the name of the volleyball, right. And then we started laughing because we realized the name of the guy that lived in that house is named Wilson!! But he didn't come out because he wasn't there but it was still funny.