Elder HJones: Hay Oposición En Todas Cosas

This week I learned a lot about opposition. I learned even more that Satan is real, and he doesn't want us to be happy. He does everything in his ability to make us miserable, like himself.

We were planning on having a baptism this past Saturday for a 15 year old girl named Tiare. She is super awesome. Friday night, the day before her baptism, she called us. She told us that she was leaving for vacation the next morning (the morning of her baptism) and she wouldn't be able to be baptized. This was hard. So hard. We were so excited to see her get baptized, but it didn't work out. But she returns in March, and we are gonna work with her when she gets back.

Throughout the mission I have seen Satan at work. More then I ever have before. He is real, and he knows that the message we have is true. That our message brings happiness and exaltation. And he uses any method to hinder our progression, whether it be friends, vacations, or fear. But if we build our testimony in Christ, we cannot fall.

Helaman 5:12--
And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God,that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo,because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

And this week, I also learned a lot about love and the importance and the blessings that come from love.

One of the hardest parts about the language is when people make fun of me. The other day, this investigator in another area (I was on intercambios) kinda made me angry. We were talking with him and I was speaking wrong or I understood wrong. Well, he started making fun of my Spanish, thinking that I didn't understand, but I did. I felt like an idiot. I try so hard with the language, then people bring me down.

But I learned amor (love). It is only through love that I can help personas venir a Cristo (come unto Christ). So even if people laugh at me or compare me to their 5 year old son, all I can do is laugh at myself and love them.

Yesterday we had two investigators in the church. They are really awesome. One is a nine-year old boy named Ismael and he is super awesome. He wants to get baptized really bad. 

Have a great week!

Love, Elder Jones

Elder ZJones: New Area

New Area

Sorry about not emailing last week. I had a lot going on. My new area is Jardines in the city of Moreno in Buenos Aires Argentina. It is a pretty big area. And it is great. I feel a lot more support from the members here. The area is ready for us to find, teach, and baptize.

There are four missionaries in the area. We share the same apartment but the other companionship is in a different district. Elder Garnica is from Arizon, but his parents are from Mexico. He has one year on the mission. Elder Quintero is from Spain and has 8 months.

Oh funny story. On the day of transfers, I left my carry on in the offices. So for 2-3 days or so I thought I lost it. haha. It had all my bathroom stuff and a pair of shoes. So, guess what?  I didn't brush for three days - - -

just kidding-- I bought a toothbrush!

Right now, we have one investigators we have been focusing on named Ismael. He is gaining a stronger testimony and continues to read and pray. If you can pray that he can continue to prepare to be baptized, that would be awesome! We have a baptismal date with him for the 24th. He has the desire and keeps all the commitments that we give him. He reads and prays, so when we go by we answer any questions that he has. He even came to church yesterday!

Mate

It's kinda funny. With members and investigators, we talk about our families, and sometimes the topic of parents serving missions comes up. So when I tell them that my dad served here in Argentina and that he still drinks mate all the time, they love it! They ask if I drank it before the mission and if my family made Argentine food (YES! Yes we did!) It is always fun to talk about.

We had Zone Conference this week as well. Talked a lot abut baptism and how we can baptize four each month.

In Alma 26:37 we read:

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

I know this to be true. He is mindful of me, my companion, and my investigators. And as we know this we can have this joy and thanksgiving. I invite you all to be more like our Savior and be mindful of all people. In so doing you will receive more joy!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers! Please pray for Elder Sena and me that we can find those who are ready!

Elder Jones