Elder ZJones: Bienvenido!

photos by Angela Ferguson

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:

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 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

Missionary Jones Boy #3

Zeram received his mission call in the mail today 

and patiently waited for two hours for family to gather before opening it.

He has been called to serve in the Argentina Buenos Aires West Mission. 

He reports to the Argentina MTC August 17.