Interesting Facts!

We have had quite the experience here during these past couple of weeks. Here are some facts you´d maybe like to know:

• We are going to have a branch activity this Thursday and plan to watch a movie
• Elder Thorn and I have already talked to more than 400 people since our arrival. How many people do you think talk to the missionaries worldwide on a weekly basis??
• We made empanadas yesterday! They tasted great, and I will have to make some when I come home. One of my earlier entries might explain more about this Argentine food!
• Elder Thorn and I might do a presentation in a private English school here in Concepción del Uruguay!
• The Zone Conference last week was my last one, unless I serve again later in my life!
• Our Branch President is only 28-years-old!
• Not one active member has a car in our branch. Lots of people here in the city take buses, walk, or ride bikes, just like us :)

I also have some interesting info from scripture studies this week! Some of you may already know this information, but I´d like to share it:

• Luke and Mark were not called as part of the twelve apostles
• Although Luke wasn´t one of the twelve, he still wrote his gospel and Acts. He practiced medicine, and he maybe accompanied Paul in his travels.
• Paul took three missionary journeys. Look at the scale on Map 13 in the back of the Bible. Elder Thorn and I walk quite a bit, but Paul traveled and ventured incredible distances!
• Two of the twelve apostles have the same name: James. 
• Paul´s Epistles in our New Testament are in order from longest (Romans) to shortest (Philemon), except for the epistle to the Hebrews, since he maybe didn´t write it. So maybe Paul didn´t even write the epistle to the Hebrews. Who else could it be?
• During part of Paul´s early life, he was persecuting Christians. However, when he was on his way to Demascus, he saw a vision of the Lord. There are maybe some interesting parallels between Paul's experience here and Alma the Younger in the Book of Mormon. I might study that a bit more this week.

You can look up these topics in the Bible Dictionary if you´d like to learn more about them. I found these facts interesting.

Anyways, I hope you are all having a great week. I have learned so much on my mission and appreciate your support.

Bye,

Elder Jones

A few Q&A from email: 

1.      Are you focusing more on new investigators or working with less active members?

We try to focus on both. We only had around 12 people in church on Sunday, so we really need to get some more families active in the church, whether they be less-active members or new families that we find on our own. I also found out that our Branch is independent, which means there is no district president due to a shortage of active priesthood holders. So our Branch President reports to President Giuliani and his counselors. We are a pretty small unit here in this town!

2.      How was your Zone Conference?  Where did you have to travel?

The zone conference went well. We had roughly 20 missionaries there, so it was smaller than other typical zone conferences. We practiced teaching methods and listened to some workshops from the President, his wife, the assistants, and the zone leaders. We had to travel to Concordia! So yeah, we took another three hour bus ride. I slept most of the trip on the way there. If I´m not mistaken, the alarm went off at 4:30am that morning!

3.      Guess the weather is pretty cold.  Equivalent to January???

To be honest, it really isn´t too cold. I am in a sweater right now, but there defintitely isn´t any snow here! Maybe in another couple of weeks or so the temperature will drop more. We plan to gather prices together today so we can buy a heater maybe next week.

Modern-Day Pioneers

The mission has changed my perspective of life. It´s been a long journey, a learning experience, and it´s still not over! I believe that each of us keeps moving onward. We are modern-day pioneers.

Here in Concecpión del Uruguay, for example, I have seen some extremely dedicated members. These people sacrifice their time and render service to the church. They are definitely modern-day pioneers. This small little branch could be compared to a handcart company. We work and strive to press forward, serving in our different callings and positions. We might not be as strong as others, but we keep striving to move forward.

I believe that each of us is a modern-day pioneer, to an extent. Just like the pioneers of old, we can accomplish amazing goals over time.

The Pioneer

Step by step, little by little,

Moves a Pioneer.

He has no doubts weighing him down,

His Savior is near.

His progress cannot be denied,

Each and every year,

As he follows the Prophet´s voice,

His modern-day seer.

His family gathered around him,

The loved ones so dear,

Will strive to keep moving forward,

With hearts of good cheer.

When the hardship comes upon him,

He might shed a tear,

But later he continues on,

With no signs of fear.

He always has his goal in mind,

From which he´ll never veer,

As he listens to the Spirit,

With a careful ear.

Step by step, little by little,

Moves a pioneer.

He has no doubts weighing him down,

His Savior is near.

Thanks for everything you guys do for me. I hope you have a great week. Keep trekking onward!!!

Elder Jones

Editor's Note- here are some Q&A from Elder Jones:

1.      So how big is your Zone and where do the Zone Leaders reside?

Our zone is pretty huge, with 18 missionaries! The Zone leaders work in a city called Concordia, which is like a three-hour bus ride from Concepción del Uruguay, my current location. We had a zone meeting this last week, so I had some long bus rides :)

2.      Is the Branch President the only active Melchizedek Priesthood?

The Branch President definitely carries a big load. We have some other active Melchizedek Pristhood holders, but there aren´t very many. Despite the small numbers, everything seems to function rather well. We help a lot as the missionaries. This past Sunday, I taught Priesthood with the help of my companion, and then I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.

3. You back to doing your own laundry?  

Yep. Yep. And Yep. We wash by hand. In both San Nicolás and here, we have been on our own with the laundry. I guess it is a good experience and makes us appreciate washing machines and dryers. Anyone reading this can try to handwash all of their clothes in a bucket this week and then hang them up on a line if they want the experience. Then you could say that you feel like Elder Jones haha.

More Info about the City!

Wow, so we have TONS of ground to cover on foot while walking to all of our appointments and looking for new investigators. The downtown area is rather wealthy, but the economic classes vary depending on the part of town. To be honest, we have a little bit of everything, since the city includes many different types of houses/layouts. It all just depends on where we go to do missionary service. We have both cement and dirt roads too. 

We have also ran into a handful of people who speak English, which is kinda fun. There are a handful of schools here, and the English teachers seem to be pretty solid.

We have a couple of plazas throughout the town as well. The biggest one is downtown! Sometimes we proselyte in these plazas since we can find some families there together every once in a while. The plazas include benches, fountains, and just plenty of space to take in some fresh air.

It is a great city filled with great people. Elder Thorn and I will keep working hard, and hopefully we´ll bring a few families to the knowledge of the gospel truth!

Thanks for all of your support.

Elder Jones

P.S. On Sunday, we had 27 people including us, which was an improvement from last week! And I like the city a lot!

                                                     Elder Jones in front of his new apartment

                                                   Elder Jones and his new comp, Elder Thorn!

Our City Called Concepción del Uruguay!

Wow, this is amazing! We have SO MUCH work to do and so little time. Today we have to buy a new fridge, and we are slowly getting used to the city, learning the streets, and meeting both members and investigators. This past week has passed by quickly, and I will try to summarize some of the most interesting details.

 

Wednesday. Last Wednesday was probably one of the LONGEST days of my life, full of activity and plenty of traveling. After saying a few goodbyes, I woke up and left San Nicolás on a bus at about 7:30 am, with my suitcases packed. After arriving in Rosario, I met up with some other missionaries who watched my suitcases while I traveled to the mission home to meet my new companion, who happened to be Elder Thorn! He is from California and had been waiting for his visa in North Carolina for around 12 weeks. So he is already trained, but I will train him and show him around here in Argentina. It´s definitely different than his other temporary mission. We are both excited :).

 

Alright, so after eating lunch and getting everything done at the mission home, we finally could leave and head toward the bus station, where we would take a bus to Concepción del Uruguay. Guess what? This bus ride took FOREVER! Haha. It´s good that the chairs were comfy since the ride lasted around five hours. Yep, FIVE HOURS!

 

Obviously there are a ton more details, but long story short, I woke up and started my day early in the morning and ending up arriving at Concepción del Uruguay around 10:30pm, where a member helped us get to our apartment. We were tired but we´ve worked especially hard these last couple of days! It´s been a good experience.

 

I love the city. Even though we only had 18 attend church on Sunday, I know that we can help the small branch. The branch president is 28 years old, is working with some sort of advertisement and also  studying to become a teacher, and his wife is expecting a baby in about 3.5 months. Yeah, he is pretty busy. We also help him with the tithing after all the meetings. Elder Thorn and I should be able to provide some much-needed service here during the next few weeks.

 

Even though the church is struggling a little here, I know that we can make a difference. I only have about 11 weeks left and plan to make the best of them.

 

I hope you are all doing great. Thank you so much for the support and love.

 

Your missionary,

 

Elder Jones

 

P.S. We have the whole city to ourselves!!!!!! That´s a lot of ground to cover on foot :).

Saturday´s Baptism, Transfers, and My Testimony

We had a baptism last Saturday in La Emilia, the small little branch close to our city! It went extremely well, and it was a great way to draw the transfer to a close. We also recently received the transfer list. Guess what? I have been called to train for my last two transfers (12 weeks) in another city called Concepción del Uruguay. I will pick up my new companion tomorrow, and we will just have to hit the ground running in our new surroundings. We both will just start from scratch, hoping for the best. We will have to see how it goes, and I will probably have a ton of information next week about everything.

Hey, I decided to write my testimony of missionary work as part of my weekly letter, so here it is:

I know that missionary work is tough and rewarding. I believe that the missionaries receive many blessings--temporal and spiritual--while serving the church for two years. In Argentina we gain experience, learn a new language, strengthen our scriptural knowledge, meet tons of people, and learn to work diligently. I also know that the investigators and converts might benefit even more than us, as they strive to live the gospel and apply its teachings. I know that each new member of the church has taken upon new responsibilities, many of which require work and effort. I also know that the blessings that come into these people´s lives are worth the price from such work and effort.

I believe in revelation, however small or insignificant it might be. I know that our leaders, both within and outside the mission, receive divine instruction before making some of their decisions. I believe that all my areas and companions have formed and shaped my mission for purposes known and unknown to me.

I hope that we can all participate more in missionary work. Members and missionaries work together to have success. It´s the Lord´s work. It´s a constant process. It´s a part of our lives. Let´s all be better missionaries.

Thanks for your support and help,

Elder Jones :)

Editor's Note...  A Few more comments from Elder Jones

And I hope you guys are doing great!

GUESSSS WHATTTT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I got my package yesterday, and it IS BOSS!  I´ve already made two packages of noodles! They tasted great! I love the shavers, the tie too. I can´t wait to throw the football. Maybe we will use it today, but i don´t think there will be time!

I also enjoyed reading the messages inside the box, and I will make the brownie mix soon!

It was a really great package. It also had my other shoe!! Wahoo. I will start using them tomorrow, when I go off to train! Yeahh!!!

Thank you so much. I don´t have much more time cuz i wana take a nap, but thanks for everything guys.  I really appreciate it.

Elder Jones' Birthday on May 17

Before the Baptism in La Emilia

Elder Brasher and Elder Jones 

Elder Jones on a Cold, Foggy Day

Elder Jones and Elder Brasher Playing Tennis on P-Day

Mother's Day Phone Call

It was great to talk with my family. Though email and letters work fine, skype is definitely better! It sounds like everyone has had a good time lately, and I am STILL here in San Nicolás, Argentina, about to hit 22 months in the mission! Don´t worry, though, I´m still working hard :). Anyways, here is some quick information about this past Mother´s Day.

After church yesterday, our Ward Mission Leader, Fabio Vazquez, let Elder Brasher and I use two computers in his house to skype our homes. Their family loves and opens up to almost anyone, and I am grateful for their service and devotion to the church. Around the world you find incredible, loving families, and I know that the gospel blesses their lives on a daily basis. Families like this somewhat become my adopted families on the mission! My mission has been both hard and rewarding, and members have helped me out along the way. :)

As many of you know, I started my missionary service back in July 2011. Yep, let´s just say it´s been a while haha. Even without all the old friends and family gathered around me, I´ve grown to love those whom I serve while here in the mission. The church helps the family, and the family helps the church. Both the church and its families help the missionaries, and we as missionaries try to help everyone. When everyone does their part, small miracles become a part of our lives. I promise. :)

I really hope everyone had an amazing Mother´s Day, wherever they might be living right now. I´m extremely grateful for the support and strength I received yesterday from the two most important components of my life: the church and the family.

Have a great week! Serve others when you can!

Yours truly,

Elder Jones

P.S. I love you so much, mom! It was so great to talk with all of you. I hope you have a great week.