Elder EJones: I am---

This last week we went to Tarija to have a conference with our new Mission President. He is really great. He's really excited to be here and to be able to work with us. I can tell that he has a love for the Lord and a desire to serve Him. But not just serve, but to work along side us to be able to serve the people and the Lord. He served his mission in Chile and when he was there, part of his mission was Copiapo where Hyrum served, so I thought that was way cool!!

We had cambios this week, and I'm staying here with my comp. So that's good. We are hoping to find more success and to help strengthen converts so that they can help others to come unto Christ.

This week we were able to baptize Gissel, Maybelin, and Nayeli. Two of them are sisters and the other is their cousin. They have progressed lots in the past couple of weeks and were able to get baptized. I think this week to they are gonna go to a youth conference activity. One thing I'm learning is to help all not only to come unto Christ and gain a testimony of Him, but to keep that testimony with them and become converted to the gospel.

One thing that I have loved this week comes from what I have been able to read in John. Christ talks may times of who He is as the son of God. Here are a few of the things that he teaches and tells us: (John 4-10)

I am the living water
I am the bread of life
I am the light of the world
I am the door
I am the good Shephard
I am the Son of God

Its been a good week!! Hope to make this next one better!!

Elder EJones: Miracles This Week

 

This week lots has happened. We were trying all week to find the Velasquez Family so that they could get baptized. But every time that we passed by their house they weren't there. We were able to find them Monday, but the day that they were supposed to have an appointment they were not there. The problem is that they phone that they have doesn't have service. It's like an iPod, so it doesn't work to send texts or to call. We found out finally where their family lives in Bermejo and we were able to look and find them on Saturday morning. We talked to them about the baptism that they were supposed to have. But when we were talking to them, the oldest daughter started talking about her questions and that she didn't want to get baptized. We talked to her for about 5 minutes, and then she told us that she would get baptized. So she did get baptized with her mom, and her two others sons didn't. They are 10 and 8, but their mom talked to us about some problems with her family so they weren't gonna get baptized that day.

That afternoon we were able to teach them a little and get them interviewed for that night. But here comes the story of the day.

In the afternoon we had filled up buckets of hot water from our house to take to the church because they told us they wanted the water to be warm. So we filled up paint 5 gallon buckets with hot water to take to the church. We took them to the church and began to fill up the font. We turned the font on to be able to fill it up as we left for their interviews and to pick them up to get baptized. When we came back the font was a little flooded and a few members were cleaning the font. The thing is that we had to run to the members house to do the interview and when we got back it was a little flooded, but for us the most important thing was that they were there. They had made the decision to get baptized.

Anyways, so we start getting everyone to change and stuff to be able to take pictures and start, and one of the members who was cleaning up the water called over the branch president and to us to talk with us in the president's office. He basically tried to yell at us about the water and that apparently there were bugs in the water. (Like there have been in every one of my areas). He basically told us everything that we did wrong and all that we needed to do to be better because of the little mistake we made. He told us that the font overflowed a little because we were in their interview. He was like "These are souls, you need to be doing a whole lot better." It got us kinda frustrated that he started going off at us when we were doing the best that we could. He then looked at the branch president and told him to deal with it and to do what he needs to do and then he left. Then the branch president was just like, "Yeah elders, don't worry. Just go get changed. It's all good."

It was the worst in the moment because we were in a hurry trying to get it all done and it started late, but our branch president was really chill and was like don't worry and then let us change so that we could start.

But this week was good. We were able to find the Velasquez Family, teach them, and they were able to make covenants with our Heavenly Father and receive the Holy Ghost.

Alex, who is 19, also got to get baptized. For me it was really cool. Something I have always wanted to do as a missionary is be able to help a young adult of that age to come unto Christ. And he did!! He's the best. He has progressed from the start. He has tattoos on his arms and when he read the word of wisdom pamphlet he said to us, "What am i supposed to do? I didn't know." But I'm really happy this week!! We were able to see lots of miracles. I know that the Lord loves us and has a plan for us.

I have a testimony of the plan of salvation and of the importance and the necessity of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost!!

Elder ZJones: Power Outage at the Church

Yesterday morning at 7:00 there was a power outage in all of Argentina. As we were looking for people to take to church, it was pouring rain and nobody had electricity. When we got to church there were members waiting for the meeting to start. We just had sacrament meeting.

It was a blessing to be able to partake of the sacrament. Even in circumstances were there is no electricity or power, we were able to take part in an important decision for the week, go to church and renew our covenants.

On Saturday two families in our ward were sealed in the Temple. The fathers of the families were asked to share their testimonies about there experiences. The spirit was strong and it was awesome to hear the changes that covenants have made in their families. They both had different journeys, but they both can now receive the same blessings! I know this church is true and that temple covenants will bring us back to Him!

Elder ZJones: Crazy Week

I think just about everything happened this past week!

- I got sick this week with a fever and headache

- I had my interview with Presidente Resek! We talked a lot about the importance of having a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

- We had Stake Conference. Elder Clayton from the 70 came and spoke to us. He spoke a lot about sharing our testimonies and sharing the gospel with those around us.

- My companion broke two toes while playing futbol. He had a cast on for a couple days and can barely walk! We will see what happens with him!

- Baptisms. We were able to baptize 3 kids from a part member family. They loved it. The mom cried during the baptism and they are excited to continue to come to church. We are going to help the parent get married!

- Elder Clayton and Elder Bragg came and talked with our mission

I know that this is the true church! I know that the things that I learn here on the mission about conversion, obedience, diligence, etc are meant to help me for after the mission and during my life!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Being a Shepherd

This week was better than last week! Thanks for your prayers.

This week we baptized two people, Gabriel and Miguel. They were super excited. Gabriel is 23 years old. A lot of people in the ward know him. He was happy. Miguel enjoyed it as well. He can barely see and walk so it is always hard for him. On Sundays, we are literally helping him everywhere so that he can go to the bathroom, sit down, get to his classes, etc. It is hard because there are only like two other members that help us with him. All the other members just watch us! jaja what are you going to do??

For preparation day, it was my companions birthday! He turned 23 years old. He wanted to go back to his old stomping grounds, Lujan 2. So we went and visited converts and families there. It was fun.

This past week, I almost gave a talk in church about missionary work. But the bishop, at the last second, said I didn't have to because a member from the high council came.

I was reading a talk by Elder Gary A. Stevenson this week that I was going to share in my talk I didn't give. I want to share it with you.

As children of a loving Heavenly Father and as sheep in His flock, we enjoy the blessing of being individually ministered to by Jesus Christ. Simultaneously, we have a responsibility to provide ministering assistance to others around us as shepherds ourselves. We heed the words of the Lord to 'serve me and go forth in my name, and … gather together my sheep.'

Who is a shepherd? Every man, woman, and child in the kingdom of God is a shepherd. No calling is required. From the moment we emerge from the waters of baptism, we are commissioned to this work. We reach out in love to others because it is what our Savior commanded us to do. Alma emphasized: “For what shepherd … having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? … Doth he not drive him out?”11 Whenever our neighbors are in distress temporally or spiritually, we run to their aid. We bear one another’s burdens that they may be light. We mourn with those who mourn. We comfort those who stand in need of comfort. The Lord lovingly expects this of us. And the day will come when we will be held accountable for the care we take in ministering to His flock.

We have a lot to do. The Lord needs our help. He needs to use us to teach his children. We are shepherds and He needs us to find His sheep. Like He explains, He knows all His sheep by name. He needs us to create our own flock and know them by name.

Elder HJones: Milagros!

So this past week we had the awesome opportunity to see a couple of miracles. We were able to see our people enter into the water of baptism! It was an awesome experience! Sandra, Constanza, Carolina, and Pia were all baptized. It's always a great feeling when God puts people in your path that are already ready to hear and accept the gospel.

"Si quiere llegar donde pocos llegan, haga lo que pocos hacen." I saw this quote this past week and I liked it. If you don't understand it you can put it in google translate. haha

The Church is true. God loves us. And we can show our love to Him by keeping His commandments!

Love you all!

Elder Jones

ZJones: Happy Mother's Day

District Council and last day in Lujan

I don't have a lot to say just because I was able to talk with my family yesterday! It was awesome to spend a little time with them! It is weird to think that that was my last Mother's Day in the Mission. It does go by super fast!!

Elder Marquez and Me

Today I also received my TRUNKY PAPERS! NOOO!! My release date is the 30th of July. Super close.

This week was great. We found a lot of new people and helped many to be baptized.

Twins!

This week we will be working with a couple people.

1- Poala and her kids (Kevin, Tomas, Antonela, Oriana). They have been to church before and want to come. They also want to be baptized, Kevin not so much. But the hardest part for them is getting up in the morning! They are worse than Ezrom and Corom getting up for scriptures in the morning! Can you imagine that!!! haha

2.Adaliada's friend- My companion and his former companion baptized an older lady and she brought her friend to church. We still haven't gotten to know her yet, but we will be passing by during the week.

3.A less active family- We found a less active family this past week. There are 3 in the family and one of the kids hasnt been baptized. We will be helping them to come back to church and to help the kid to be baptized! Please pray for them that we will find them during the week and that we can help them and commit them to come to church this weekend!

Elder ZJones: Many Have Come Unto Christ

GENERAL CONFERENCE!!

I am super excited and know that the Lord will be preparing us with the changes that He will be making! I have some questions already in mind that I will be writing and looking for the answers during conference!

Everything is good here! We have had a couple tough weeks lately. During the week we find a ton of people who have the desire to learn and want to come to church. Yet, as we pass by on Friday and Saturday we either can't find them or they don't want to go. It is hard because, you know, if we don't get people to church, they can't feel the Spirit in church and won't progress. So we are praying a lot about that and will be working hard to commit the people to go to church.

This week we will be working to help a kid named Antonio to come to church. He is 27. He wants to be baptized and has been to church before. We will see what happens. Other than that we will try to pass by those who we found last week to help them progress.

Blessing: On Sunday, we were out working and heading back the our apartment. As we were walking and contacted, everyone was rejecting us. We saw a family a street in front of us. We started singing (as a joke) "Families can be together forever!" jaja We went and contacted them and they were very receptive. We invited them to church and they want to go. They have 4 small kids and they are excited to go to church as well. It is the Garcia Family(Finally a last name that is common,jaja). Pray for them that they will progress.

In this month, we baptized 227 people in our mission! Everyone is super excited!

My Companion is awesome, Elder Candela. And he doesn't speak with the theta! He lost it while serving his mission. He will try to cook me some Spanish food.

Have a great week!
Love, Elder Jones

Elder HJones: MILAGROS!!!

So this past week went really well. We had the wonderful opportunity to have two baptisms.

We baptized Elena, she was a miracle. I still can't believe how she came to church and got baptized. But God is a God of miracles. He has a plan for everyone. The first time we talked to her she didn't accept us, she didn't want to listen. But on Saturday, she got baptized and it was awesome.

We also baptized Karen. She was super prepared. From the beginning she wanted to go to church and get baptized. Now we are working with her family. This next week her daughter, Coni, is going to get baptized. It is awesome to see that God prepares His children. And it is awesome to be an instrument to help them receive it.

Muchas gracias por todo! Les quiero!

Elder Jones

(the pictures don't want to send, but next week ill send you guys a bunch!)

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: 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.

Elder HJones: MILAGROS!!!

Everything is going super well here in Chile. It is burning hot [because it is going into summer], but we are still working really hard.

This week was AWESOME! We saw miracles and God blessed us a ton.

So to make a long story short, we baptized SEVEN people yesterday!! It was super awesome! We baptized an entire family and it was really cool to see. It was the grandma, the mom, and five children. One thing that  have learned during my mission is that we can never give up on people.

We knocked on their door a while ago. The grandma was really awesome. But when we past by their house again, they didn't progress a lot because they could never find time to listen to us. So we stopped passing by. And that is what I have learned in the mission, we can't give up on people. It's not going to be easy, but we can't throw in the towel so quickly.

So a couple weeks later we were talking to some kids in the street. They were playing soccer so we started to talk with them. well, we meet up with one of the kids that lived in the house. He was really receptive and in my mind (I'm sure it was the Spirit telling me), I knew that he and his family were going to accept the gospel. Something told me that God was calling the people that lived in that house.

So we started passing by again and they were all so receptive. They listened. They asked questions. They felt the Spirit. And they all came to church and all of them wanted to get baptized. They were definitely prepared! So yesterday, seven of God children entered in the water of baptism!! Silvia, Erika, Bayron, Brandon, Jacob, Tati, and Gregory! Miracles!

We have a couple more friends progressing as well. Two girls that always come to church with a member: Nicil and Francisca. They are always in the church during activities and such. They want to get baptized but we need permission from their parents. Nicil and Francisca work a lot so it's really hard to find them. And we are also going to focus on a young adult named Rody this week. Another friend of a member. He is really awesome. He is about 24 years old and really receptive. Please pray that he can feel the Spirit and that he can show his faith by coming to church. He works on Sundays, but his boss is a member. So she is willing to give him work off, but he needs to ask and show that he wants to do it. 

And tomorrow we have a conference with Presidente. Three zones are meeting with Presidente. I am always excited to have zone conferences with him because the Spirit is so strong. Today we played soccer with Presidente. And when we were starting, he told me that tomorrow at the conference, I have to talk in front of everyone and tell them what we did to baptize the seven people this weekend. So that's gonna be fun...

And this week we have cambios! I am not sure what will happen. I feel like I am going to stay in Copiapo. My companion has quite a bit of time here, so I think that he is going to leave, but I am not sure. But I am pretty sure that I will stay and end up having more then a year here in Copiapo! yeah!

So that was my week. Full of miracles and blessings from God. I am so happy to be a missionary and to be a instrument on God's hands!

Something crazy about Chile (and I think South America in general) is that everyone drinks soda. With every meal it's soda. So the members are always giving us soda to drink. When I was in Arica it was more juice, but here in Copiapo, pure soda pop. I am getting fat. haha just kidding

It's weird that Christmas is just around the corner. People are already putting up decorations, which is weird, because there is no snow and it's not cold.

But everything is good here. I LOVE being a missionary. I think I am just gonna live here, so don't expect me to come home. haha

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: Finding and Teaching

This past week we baptized three children and confirmed two of them.

We had a great miracle this past week. On Saturday we were contacting and invited people to church. At about 12, we didn't have anyone else to visit. Every one of our citas (appointments) dropped. My companion suggested we visit a man who really doesn't want anything to do with us or the gospel. He just likes to talk. But we went anyways, oh me with little faith. When we stopped by, he wasn't there. And there you go. A miracle!

Just Kidding. . . .

The neighbor was walking by and said he wasn't there. So, of course, we started talking with him. He has been to church before and his son was baptized in the Church. He is MARRIED and we invited him to come to church and to be baptized. He accepted. He didn't come this week but we will be passing by and hoping that he and his wife will progress. There names are Ever and Adaluz.

We are also trying to help the bishop's nephew. He is 16. His name is Matias. Pray for him that he will have a desire to grow a testimony and not just go because his cousins go!

Oh and Happy Halloween. It isn't big at all here. There were like 20 kids in the street! haha

Elder ZJones: Doctrine of Christ

We had Zone Conference this past week! We talked about the importance for us to apply the Doctrine Of Christ in our lives before we share it with others. The Doctrine of Christ is:

Faith in Jesus Christ

Repentance

Baptism By Immersion for the Remission of Sins

Laying on of Hands For the Gift of The Holy Ghost and

Enduring to the End

We need to set goals and make sure that we are progressing in these things and that we know the ways that we can become better. There is no perfect member or degree that we can learn. We should continue to grow in wisdom and to be more like Christ!

Yesterday, we had a baptism for Sara and Cielo and will be planning on confirming them on Sunday. Pray for them and Jeremias that he will be baptized next week as well! Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: I love General Conference!

I loved General Conference and there were so many things that I learned.

I learned more about the importance to take upon me that name of Christ and His Church. It is the way that we show Him that we do love Him and that we know that this is His church. Especially as a missionary when everyone asks if we are Mormons and stuff. I know that as we testify that we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, they will feel the spirit and know that this is His Church.

Now we have the great chance to continue to study there words to grow spiritually throughout the next 6 months!

This week we did baptize Jeremias and Adaluz. It was awesome that the Mom, Annabella finally was able to agree to this and the kids were super happy. I am grateful for the spirit for helping us this week. A lot happened this week. Monday we had Meetings. Tuesday we were working in another area with the Zone Leaders and learning from them. On Wednsday we had a mission activit/ Party for reaching our goal of more that 150 baptisms this past month. On Thursday we had the baptisms. Friday was normal and Saturday and Sunday or course the highlight of the week! So a lot happened and many great things! We were super happy!

Have a great week!

Elder Jones

Elder HJones: Conference with Elder D. Todd Christofferson!

So this week we had the awesome opportunity to have a conference with Elder Christofferson! It was an awesome experience. One thing that he taught that I really liked, one of the last things that he said while he was bearing his testimony, he said that Jesus Christ is at the head of this Church, and that He guides it "actively and personally." I believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints isn't just directed by thoughts and impressions that are received by prophets and apostles (though they can be), but that Jesus Christ personally guides our prophets and apostles and directs them in everything they do.

We also had two baptisms this week for Valentina and Vanessa. It was super awesome. And this next week we are planning on baptizing Pia. In the beginning, she didn't want anything to do with the gospel. But she attended Church and the baptism of her sister and now wants to learn more!!

I know that this is the true Church. I know that this Church is guided by Jesus Christ and that He calls prophets and apostles that hold His power to teach and guide us and help us to follow Him.

Con amor, Elder Jones