Hey yall how you doing!!!
NExt time I write it will be 2011!!!My black year is over!!! I am doing very well!! I loved the call to the family. Enjoyed talking to you so much. Its cool how after how much everything have changed over the last year the family always stays the same!!! IT was as if we hadnt miss a second together.
My week was amazing. Def hard because there is a TONNN OF alcohol in the streets and parties everwhere. All the appointments we put didnt show!!! Kinda frustrating but we are having success with Paulina. She went to church on Sunday. On Sat we passed by and taught her and she said se was going to go to church on sunday and she asked where it was and we said in the mesopotamia (which is a good 25 min walk for an elderly woman like her) and I thought she was going to say wow thats too far but she said wow thats not far at all. I will be there. We asked if she wanted us to pass by to find her and go with her. She said no shed go on her own (usually means that they arent going) but she showed up and it was amazing. She even chanted out loud during the prayer, luckily I didnt have an allergy attack :) We will have to tell her that we dont do that in our church!! But after I went up and asked her if we could come by tonight (monday) and said we were goingf to take away much time and she said you guys dont take away my time. When you say that you offend me. The time is of God its not mine. I love her soo much shes soo amazing and "gets" everything!! I sure hope she will get baptised!!! I know she will.
We have another lady named Sureilis and she is going to get baptised the 8th of January and another family for the 29.
I got a package with brownies from the Rollisons and A letter from Maren last week. They say theres more coming. Sister Webster says she sent me one too!!! Thanks to all that sent something! I am way spoiled!!!
It was a great week!! I wrote keato a letter and am going to send it to the browns to forward it on. I loveddddddddddddddd talking to you all soo much!! I have the best family in the world. Thanks for all you do and who you are.
Love
Elder Wilson
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to all!!!
This week had several days that were FREEEZZZINNGGGGG!!! For the first time in my mission I wore a long sleeve shirt out to work!!! It was so weird and I didnt sweat at all and then the next day I wore the same shirt again!! Ive never been able to wear a shirt twice because they always get drenched with sweat!!! On Weds I had to blow in my hands to warm them up!!! It was def a first!
THis week was amazing! We met a family. The husbands name is Manuel and his lives with his wife and three kids. He is just soo sincere and is absorbing the gospel. He couldnt go to church on sundsay because it was his turn to water the crop and if he missed it his time wouldnt have come around for another week and his beans would have dried out but he says next sunday without a doubt will be there!!!
WE are also teacching another couple. Paulina and Cesar/ They are like 60 and amazing. They soak up second of our teachings. They absolutely are progressing amazingly. We also met a lady that has a facha for the 8th of January.
Friday was probably the most successful day Ive ever had in the mission. He taught lots of lessons and had a lot of success. It just felt so good. I thought wow I always want to be a missionary for forever!!!
Thanks for the packages. I loved the calender, oh wait i shouldve waited until christmas to open it. WHOOPS!! haha but i knew it was the calender and the calender is always my favorite!!! THis one is even cooler than last years but i did see a picture of dud wearing
MY basketball shorts!!!! HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?!?! hahaha
I got a letter from Haley FINALLY! haha thanks a bunch buns. Looks like dearelder.com works and I loved hearing from haley!! (and everyone else)
Everything is going well here. Elder Noel is doing a lot better this week. I stopped and talked to him for a little bit and told him I was sorry for the discussion we all had and that we were here for the same purpose and asked him to forgive me. He said that it was no problem and gave me a big hug. We are best buddies now. Ive seen a 10000 percent change in his countenance. Goes to show was a little sorry can doo. Like dad always says about relationships with women...if you want to get along with them, say sorry even when your not wrong :) sorry to throw you under the bus dad :)
I read the talk Faith- The choice is yours by Richard C Edgely and that was an inspiration for me. Its true. We choose faith. There will always be things to try and bring us down and try to deminish our faith but we choose to have faith and theres not better way to strengthen it than reading the scriptures. I love the Book of Mormon and preach my gospel and the New Testament.
I had to pull the alergies excuse out again this week because i started cracking up during a lesson when a lady went off about being bipolar. this time I said it was the dust that was giving me allergies.
I sent off letters to the Browns, Haley, and the Kleiner family. I dont know if they will make it but the thought it what counts!!!
I love you all so much and IM soooo grateful I have the best family in the world and that I have the knowledge of the restored Gospel of
Jesus Christ. I love my Savior and all he has done for me. I love you all very much and thanks for all you doo!!!
Love
Elder Wilson
MErry Christmas!!!
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
I think your dog needs to go outside?
Wealthy family in Azua
Elders and members playing basketball in Mesopotamia San Juan
Haitians being deported. (Seth is 30 miles from Haiti)
Elder Moya and Elder Martin
Wueeyyyy
How are we all doing in Tucson?!?! I saw the video of Mikayla.
Hilarious. What a character. She ws going crtazy. It was good to
see toby too!! :)
Im doing pretty well here. I love the new area and the new people.
The ward members seem to love me and my comp is great. They all say
that Im already dominican. Makes me feel really good. I feel like
they really accept me and that makes life a lot easier. Mesopotamia is
the furthest most outward part of San Juan. We live right in front of
a big army base thingy. WE live with two other Elders. Elder Carruth
from California and Elder Noel from Haiti. I got made
district leader. It is pretty weird because I am the oldest in the House and in the
District. Its weird being the oldest in the district. I still feel
so young. One of our zone leaders is going home this week. His name
is Elder Martin. Hes from Texas and reminds me a ton of Jake and even
looks like him a little. I sent a picture of him home. He and I are
already best buds after a week and we tore up everyone in basketball
today. We played on an indoor, wood floored court. The first time in
over a year doing that. As Dad would say i was en fuego today and it
felt good. We kicked everyone else butt. I couldnt miss from three.
Our house is pretty disgusting. Its a three story apartment and we
live on the bottom and wow the sewage pipe from the story above us is
leaking into our shower. Its kinda gross but the house always has
light (electricity) and water so I love it. Always having light is a
major blessing that I will never ever take for granted again!!! The
water is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freezing everytime we
shower. Theres a kid from Arizona that knows Tatum, Elder Kiely or
something like that. He has a water heater thing thats like a shower
head. its like 800 pesos, like 23 dollars around there. Thats what I
am going to buy when the credit card comes from Christmas money. It
works sooo well. I dont know why more missionaries dont have it...
Elder Morgan is from Utah valley and loves BYU so its a bummer U of A
lost I dont have bragging rights. HEs a good kid. Lots of fun. We
get along really well. His dad also served in Japan Idk if it was the
same mission.
On the way here I wrote a 2 hour bus ride alone without any other
missionaries! That was kinda weird not going to lie. ITs been awhile
since I was alone!
This week we were teaching a man and was going great. He accepted a
baptism date and everything. I was thinking wow this is soo easy!
Then as we were talking more and more we started to realize we was
kinda crazy. At the end we were trying to get him to pray and so he
repeated me what I said. At the end I said in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen and he heard me wrong and said bless my wife and then I
said "that too" and idk I guess you had to be there but it was
hilarious and we both started laugh histarically but I didnt want the
guy to get offended so I was like "I think you dog farted" and Elder
Morgan said "oh wow ya it smells really bad", still cracking up and
the guy gets up and beats the living day light out of the dog. IT was
soooooo funny.
I had to speak on my first sunday here. I spoke about conversion and
Alma 5 and how we as members of the church need to make sure we are
having the change in our heart always happening. How were building up
Zion not just ourselves. A lot of people in this country say that
Salvation is individual. I talked about how thats not true. We are
here to build up Zion. To lose our lives for God in order to have him
save it like it says in marcos 8. I think it went pretty well.
But life is good here. Im really enjoying everything. MY back and
neck have been bothering me kinda bad in this last week. Idk if
theres anything that I can do to help that?
But other than that I got a package from fud and dud. Thanks a bunch
as you can see we already put the tree up!!! They say that the other
packages are coming later in the assistants truck because it was too
much for the zone leaders to carry the packages for all the
missionaries here in san juan.
I love you all so much. Thanks for your love and support. I feel it
everyday and I am very grateful for that. I love you lots! Until
next week.
Love
Elder Wilson
Elders and members playing basketball in Mesopotamia San Juan
Haitians being deported. (Seth is 30 miles from Haiti)
Elder Moya and Elder Martin
Wueeyyyy
How are we all doing in Tucson?!?! I saw the video of Mikayla.
Hilarious. What a character. She ws going crtazy. It was good to
see toby too!! :)
Im doing pretty well here. I love the new area and the new people.
The ward members seem to love me and my comp is great. They all say
that Im already dominican. Makes me feel really good. I feel like
they really accept me and that makes life a lot easier. Mesopotamia is
the furthest most outward part of San Juan. We live right in front of
a big army base thingy. WE live with two other Elders. Elder Carruth
from California and Elder Noel from Haiti. I got made
district leader. It is pretty weird because I am the oldest in the House and in the
District. Its weird being the oldest in the district. I still feel
so young. One of our zone leaders is going home this week. His name
is Elder Martin. Hes from Texas and reminds me a ton of Jake and even
looks like him a little. I sent a picture of him home. He and I are
already best buds after a week and we tore up everyone in basketball
today. We played on an indoor, wood floored court. The first time in
over a year doing that. As Dad would say i was en fuego today and it
felt good. We kicked everyone else butt. I couldnt miss from three.
Our house is pretty disgusting. Its a three story apartment and we
live on the bottom and wow the sewage pipe from the story above us is
leaking into our shower. Its kinda gross but the house always has
light (electricity) and water so I love it. Always having light is a
major blessing that I will never ever take for granted again!!! The
water is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo freezing everytime we
shower. Theres a kid from Arizona that knows Tatum, Elder Kiely or
something like that. He has a water heater thing thats like a shower
head. its like 800 pesos, like 23 dollars around there. Thats what I
am going to buy when the credit card comes from Christmas money. It
works sooo well. I dont know why more missionaries dont have it...
Elder Morgan is from Utah valley and loves BYU so its a bummer U of A
lost I dont have bragging rights. HEs a good kid. Lots of fun. We
get along really well. His dad also served in Japan Idk if it was the
same mission.
On the way here I wrote a 2 hour bus ride alone without any other
missionaries! That was kinda weird not going to lie. ITs been awhile
since I was alone!
This week we were teaching a man and was going great. He accepted a
baptism date and everything. I was thinking wow this is soo easy!
Then as we were talking more and more we started to realize we was
kinda crazy. At the end we were trying to get him to pray and so he
repeated me what I said. At the end I said in the name of Jesus
Christ Amen and he heard me wrong and said bless my wife and then I
said "that too" and idk I guess you had to be there but it was
hilarious and we both started laugh histarically but I didnt want the
guy to get offended so I was like "I think you dog farted" and Elder
Morgan said "oh wow ya it smells really bad", still cracking up and
the guy gets up and beats the living day light out of the dog. IT was
soooooo funny.
I had to speak on my first sunday here. I spoke about conversion and
Alma 5 and how we as members of the church need to make sure we are
having the change in our heart always happening. How were building up
Zion not just ourselves. A lot of people in this country say that
Salvation is individual. I talked about how thats not true. We are
here to build up Zion. To lose our lives for God in order to have him
save it like it says in marcos 8. I think it went pretty well.
But life is good here. Im really enjoying everything. MY back and
neck have been bothering me kinda bad in this last week. Idk if
theres anything that I can do to help that?
But other than that I got a package from fud and dud. Thanks a bunch
as you can see we already put the tree up!!! They say that the other
packages are coming later in the assistants truck because it was too
much for the zone leaders to carry the packages for all the
missionaries here in san juan.
I love you all so much. Thanks for your love and support. I feel it
everyday and I am very grateful for that. I love you lots! Until
next week.
Love
Elder Wilson
Monday, December 6, 2010
Transfer to Mesopotamia, San Juan
Hey Family how are you all doing?!
Im doing great. ANother month has flown by. First things first im getting tranferred again!! I am going to San Juan to be with Elder Morgan!! I am very excited. They say its more mountainy and cooler. I dont really want it to be any cooler because I can hardly sleep at night right now because its freezing!! I dont have any blanket so that makes it harder. I sleep in my jeans (finally the have some use) with socks and the ASU beenie that Elder Kleiners parents sent me. (Im ashamed to say that I wear anything with that dumb schools name on it. I cant believe U of A lost to them. Thats why when you're the better team you shouldnt play bad schools because the 1 in 100 times that they beat you it makes you look bad)
This week was good. We had some good citas and stuff but not very many people went to church. Im leaving some baptisms that we're going to have next saturday but thats all good. Tonight were going to eat in a menos activos house named Rosa. Shes WAY rich and always cooks good food and then after im going to buy a Chimi (like a hamberger) before I leave because the a guy makes a really good one by our house.
Today we played ball out in Sabana Yegua with Elder Urry and Elder LeCheminant. We murdered all the Dominicans. They made us change the teams after several games because we were beating them so bad. Elder Urry says Im in trouble because his mom read about him flying into the river on my blog. Im giong to miss him and Lechiminant. Theyre both great missionaries.
Saturday there was an activity in the church and I was put in charge of making pop corn. Long story short I got kicked out of my position very quickly because I almost got the church on fire. I was trying to move the pot over with a paper towel and somehow it caught on fire and i threw it in the sink and put water in it. Good thing they teach us in school how to put out fires.
Im turning into mom. I lose everything. My agenda and a birth certificate are lost from me right now. The birth certificate is from one of the ladies that is going to get married in order to get baptised. Good thing Im leaving because I didnt want to tell her that I lost it. Good luck Elder Kleiner.
We had a lady that was progressing but told us she didnt want to get married to get baptised becasue her husband has over 42 woman in his life. Shes tired of beating up all off the women her husband is with. (she proceded to tell us all this right after the joseph smith story. she didnt even comment on the first vision just went straight to tell us how shes knocked out atleast 5 of the women. They fell right to the floor after she hit them!!)
I didnt get to watch the Christmas Devotional. I was thinking that you guys were probably at Zane and Suzys last night watching it but sounds like you didnt go!!!
I like what you said, mom, and its so true. All the "trials" he sends us basically always turn out to be tender mercies. Ive seen that a lot. Its hard to trust sometimes but he always knows whats best.
I love Bishop Bishop. I should write him sometime. I loved our interviews talking about baseball and everyting. Def a goof but a great man.
Tell Chani to shoot it everytime he gets it. that was my motto. you cant make it unless you shoot it.
Tell denny to just get through the MTC. Just tell him to get through the MTC and give the field a chance and to pray hard. The mission is hard. Thats what it is but if he gives up he will regret it for his whole life. tell him to think about his little boy he will have in 5 years and if he wants to be able to tell that boy that he served the Lord or if we wants to tell him he only give it 2 weeks and gave up. The mission is the hardest thing ive ever done. Im not going to tell him it will be easy but it will be worth it. Tell him to read the story of Jesus's life in the new testament especially for me in John and he will realize how hard Jesus's mission was and it will make Dennys seem alot easier. Think of all he went through.
The first part of my mission was really hard but when i got with espinola and started to work work and work then everything went away. Sometimes i still miss home a lot but thats only sometimes at lunch where theres just a little down time but when you're out working you dont have time to think about that.
Well thats all from this week. It was really great. Suposively mail is coming this week (or atleast it usually does in the first week of the transfer) so hopefully your packages will come. I love you all soo much and am so grateful for all you doo!!! Until next week
love
Elder Wilson
Monday, November 29, 2010
Thankliscious
Hey Family how are you doing
It was a good week. A very thankful week. I forgot it was thanksgiving until I looked at the Calender and it said Thanksgiving. We got a call from the ZL{s saying that mail had come so we went and picked it up. I had a card from meagan, elder kleiners mom, dearie, and brindy. Thanks for everthing definently made thanksgiving even more thankliscious.
This week we taught a lesson with a woman named Claudia. The Spirit was def strong and testifying. She has 2 kids but not married to her husband. Her husband has several wifes and we had to teach of the importance of the law of chasity. After the lesson I was thinking what in the world am I doing as a 20 year old kid teachin a 35 year old woman the importance of marriage and a family. But then I realised its not me thats teaching. Were doing the work of the Lord and it is He that is testifying and were just His instruments.
This week there were several random only in the mission stories. We walked in to do a lesson and theres this guy who supposively has 115 years old and his legs were skinnier than my wrists and they asked me to give him a pray and so we went in his room and did a normal prayer and then we taught the lesson and when we asked if we could return the old man almost died but used all of his strength to say tell them to come back! then the proceded to change his diaper pad. I thought meagan might enhoy the story.
We had district conference yesterday and Sabana Yegua was there and I saw all of my old friends!! that was a ton of fun. Two of them are preparing to leave on the mission soon. I t was so great. Only a few were missing. I really love the people from there and want so badly to visit them again. My heart is def with them.
Yesterday we met two amazing old women. Number one- Contacting and lady yells who is it. we say the missionaries. She says who??? we say the missionaries. We heear the door being unlachted and she opens the door fast and hacks a huge loogie. I had to jump out of the way so it didnt land on my shoe. We werent able to finish the contact beveause we were laugh so hard. Number two- about 90 years old. Claims to have flown to Heaven and back on a little Dove. She told us the whole story and added sound affects and said that the milk in Heaven is better that the milk here on Earth. It was a very successful day.. hahaha
The work is going well. We have lots of fechas and are activating several inactive families. I love what I do and I am grateful for this chance to do the Lords will. I miss you all at home but I know that I will see you all again! love you soo much
Love
Elder Wilson
PS If anyones sending anything for Christmas send it sooner than later because in the campo we dont get mail very often!!!
PPS will you add that if people send letters to send them to the package address because i havent gotten pouch in a long time. i dont know if its discontinued or what
It was a good week. A very thankful week. I forgot it was thanksgiving until I looked at the Calender and it said Thanksgiving. We got a call from the ZL{s saying that mail had come so we went and picked it up. I had a card from meagan, elder kleiners mom, dearie, and brindy. Thanks for everthing definently made thanksgiving even more thankliscious.
This week we taught a lesson with a woman named Claudia. The Spirit was def strong and testifying. She has 2 kids but not married to her husband. Her husband has several wifes and we had to teach of the importance of the law of chasity. After the lesson I was thinking what in the world am I doing as a 20 year old kid teachin a 35 year old woman the importance of marriage and a family. But then I realised its not me thats teaching. Were doing the work of the Lord and it is He that is testifying and were just His instruments.
This week there were several random only in the mission stories. We walked in to do a lesson and theres this guy who supposively has 115 years old and his legs were skinnier than my wrists and they asked me to give him a pray and so we went in his room and did a normal prayer and then we taught the lesson and when we asked if we could return the old man almost died but used all of his strength to say tell them to come back! then the proceded to change his diaper pad. I thought meagan might enhoy the story.
We had district conference yesterday and Sabana Yegua was there and I saw all of my old friends!! that was a ton of fun. Two of them are preparing to leave on the mission soon. I t was so great. Only a few were missing. I really love the people from there and want so badly to visit them again. My heart is def with them.
Yesterday we met two amazing old women. Number one- Contacting and lady yells who is it. we say the missionaries. She says who??? we say the missionaries. We heear the door being unlachted and she opens the door fast and hacks a huge loogie. I had to jump out of the way so it didnt land on my shoe. We werent able to finish the contact beveause we were laugh so hard. Number two- about 90 years old. Claims to have flown to Heaven and back on a little Dove. She told us the whole story and added sound affects and said that the milk in Heaven is better that the milk here on Earth. It was a very successful day.. hahaha
The work is going well. We have lots of fechas and are activating several inactive families. I love what I do and I am grateful for this chance to do the Lords will. I miss you all at home but I know that I will see you all again! love you soo much
Love
Elder Wilson
PS If anyones sending anything for Christmas send it sooner than later because in the campo we dont get mail very often!!!
PPS will you add that if people send letters to send them to the package address because i havent gotten pouch in a long time. i dont know if its discontinued or what
Monday, November 22, 2010
Gratitude
Current contacting area
Campo de Azua view from a hill in area
Azua area view
Dominos w/ Counselor in Branch
Elders Urry, His Greenie, Kleiner, Wilson
Elders Kleiner and Wilson
Las Yayitas
Elders Urry and Wilson
Mean nurse
Dinner and dominos @ Branch Pres' home
Hey family how are you. another great week here. This week flew by. Marens fired and Jake too. Ever since she got engaged shes too cool to write me!!!
This week went well. Finally seeing success. I never thought it would be so hard to get white washed in but it was def tought because they didnt leave us any investigators. But now we have several baptismal dates and several other kids whose family are members.
Yesterday we spent more than an hour walking aroudn from one side of town to the other trying to get investigators to go to church but they all had excuses and we were pretty depressed but little by little random investigators who we never thought would show ended up coming. It was very cool.
On Tues Elder Kleiner got bit by a dog. hahah that was the highlight of the week!!! It was like 830 and we had to go to the hospital to get a shot for him. They didnt have the shot so we had to wait til the next day. the next day it wasnt opened until 2. Long story short we spent a lot of time in the hospital. It was more like a prision than a hospital. With guards and everything.
Another highlight was when a woman asked if I was dominican. That was a cool compliment. She said I was speaking really well. Made me feel good haha i asked her if she had met many white dominicans and she said no never and I said theres always firsts.
While waiting for Elder Kleiners clinic thing to open up we went to the park to get our shoes shined. The kid that shined them was really cool. We started talking to him and asking about life. He wasnt complaining at all just answering our questions. This is how his life goes. (hes eight years old)
His dad died one month ago. His mom has to stay at home with his sister that has some sort of disease. As an eight year old he lives in a house alone in the campo watching after several chickens. He makes about 50 pesos (a little more than a dollar) on an average day. That day he didnt go to school because there was no money and the chickens needed food. What ever money is left over he gives to his mom to cook for the family in there other house. Idk words dont discribe it but Elder Kleiner and I left def feeling ungrateful for all we have. This kid wasnt complain and just told us as if it were life. He wouldnt have even told us but wow idk. Just makes me feel so idk how to explain it but when ever anyone thinks there life is hard because they cant buy the newest xbox game or the hottest clothes think about some kid ditching school to make money to feed the chickens because if the chickens die then his family wont have food. Def made me rethink my attitude.
We had another family that the husband wanted to get baptised but the wife doesnt want to get married. After 40 years they still dont know each other well enough.
Sunday I had to give a talk in church. I went up without any notes. Read a lot and prepared in my mind but had faith that Heavenly Father would provide me with what I needed to say. It was pretty cool. I tihnk it went really well. Def a great week.
Today we went to a river and took some pictures. Im sending some home. It was a little hike but fun to get out. Elder Urry was swing on a vine and taking pictures. After the first try the other two missionaries went and then elder urry said ok our lucky has run out we should prob stop. Then elder kleiner said one more so we can take a video. So Elder Urry runs, jumps, and swings out and on the upswing the vine broke. ELder Urry flying through the air about 15 feet up and lands in the river. Luckily there were no rocks where he landed and he was ok but it couldnt been bad. It was hilarious though.
The work is going great and I love it. I love serving the Lord. It is hard sometimes but theres always little moments that make it worth it. Moments when the Spirit is strong and reassures you that you are doing whats right. I love you all sooo much and miss you but we will tlak in a month or so!!
love you lots
elder wilson
Campo de Azua view from a hill in area
Azua area view
Dominos w/ Counselor in Branch
Elders Urry, His Greenie, Kleiner, Wilson
Elders Kleiner and Wilson
Las Yayitas
Elders Urry and Wilson
Mean nurse
Dinner and dominos @ Branch Pres' home
Hey family how are you. another great week here. This week flew by. Marens fired and Jake too. Ever since she got engaged shes too cool to write me!!!
This week went well. Finally seeing success. I never thought it would be so hard to get white washed in but it was def tought because they didnt leave us any investigators. But now we have several baptismal dates and several other kids whose family are members.
Yesterday we spent more than an hour walking aroudn from one side of town to the other trying to get investigators to go to church but they all had excuses and we were pretty depressed but little by little random investigators who we never thought would show ended up coming. It was very cool.
On Tues Elder Kleiner got bit by a dog. hahah that was the highlight of the week!!! It was like 830 and we had to go to the hospital to get a shot for him. They didnt have the shot so we had to wait til the next day. the next day it wasnt opened until 2. Long story short we spent a lot of time in the hospital. It was more like a prision than a hospital. With guards and everything.
Another highlight was when a woman asked if I was dominican. That was a cool compliment. She said I was speaking really well. Made me feel good haha i asked her if she had met many white dominicans and she said no never and I said theres always firsts.
While waiting for Elder Kleiners clinic thing to open up we went to the park to get our shoes shined. The kid that shined them was really cool. We started talking to him and asking about life. He wasnt complaining at all just answering our questions. This is how his life goes. (hes eight years old)
His dad died one month ago. His mom has to stay at home with his sister that has some sort of disease. As an eight year old he lives in a house alone in the campo watching after several chickens. He makes about 50 pesos (a little more than a dollar) on an average day. That day he didnt go to school because there was no money and the chickens needed food. What ever money is left over he gives to his mom to cook for the family in there other house. Idk words dont discribe it but Elder Kleiner and I left def feeling ungrateful for all we have. This kid wasnt complain and just told us as if it were life. He wouldnt have even told us but wow idk. Just makes me feel so idk how to explain it but when ever anyone thinks there life is hard because they cant buy the newest xbox game or the hottest clothes think about some kid ditching school to make money to feed the chickens because if the chickens die then his family wont have food. Def made me rethink my attitude.
We had another family that the husband wanted to get baptised but the wife doesnt want to get married. After 40 years they still dont know each other well enough.
Sunday I had to give a talk in church. I went up without any notes. Read a lot and prepared in my mind but had faith that Heavenly Father would provide me with what I needed to say. It was pretty cool. I tihnk it went really well. Def a great week.
Today we went to a river and took some pictures. Im sending some home. It was a little hike but fun to get out. Elder Urry was swing on a vine and taking pictures. After the first try the other two missionaries went and then elder urry said ok our lucky has run out we should prob stop. Then elder kleiner said one more so we can take a video. So Elder Urry runs, jumps, and swings out and on the upswing the vine broke. ELder Urry flying through the air about 15 feet up and lands in the river. Luckily there were no rocks where he landed and he was ok but it couldnt been bad. It was hilarious though.
The work is going great and I love it. I love serving the Lord. It is hard sometimes but theres always little moments that make it worth it. Moments when the Spirit is strong and reassures you that you are doing whats right. I love you all sooo much and miss you but we will tlak in a month or so!!
love you lots
elder wilson
Monday, November 15, 2010
Oh Holy Night
Birthday/Christmas cake. They celebrate all birthdays that haven't had cake since their B-Day
Azua Zone? (Don't know if the iguana got cake... Pres Almonte collects iguanas, I think... Tim)
Dominoes w/ Sis Almonte, Pres Almonte's wife
Proselyting in the DR
Hammock street vendor
Hey Family how are you all doing. Life is going great here. Def a harder week but life is still amazing. I was talking with a member here about how if everyone would just coutn there blessings and not what they dont have life would be a lot easier. This week had a lot of rejections and we didnt have much success. no one went to church and we went looking for all of our investigators but none of them could go but last night as the week was coming to a close, we went and had an appointment with an inactive man and his wife. They live on the poor end of town and there house isnt even big enough for us to enter so we sat outside under the stars. The lesson was amazing and the spirit was strong and I got teary eye and said a pray thanking Heavenly Father for giving me this tender mercy. All the stuggles and challenges of the week seemed worth it just to have the one experience. Testifying of the restaration I was reminded of my purpose as a missionary and reminded of the strong testimony I have been blessed with. The man committed to go back to church and the woman to be baptized. Were already planning there wedding so that she can get baptized. After so much failure Heavenly Father helped us to feel His love and it was amazing.
On tues we had conference with pres and it was good. We learned a lot and I got some more letters from Bro Brown and one from Keato celebrating my year mark and yes keato that stupid glitter got all over. I also got one from Dearie and another one from Zane that was send 2 motnhs ago but was very appreciated. Thanks a bunch uncle/president zane/kartchner. After the conference I had an intercambio with Elder Garcia and elder Santos. It was good. We did some good work. Then on Wed I was back in my area in another trio with elder kirchman. It was fun then we woke up early on Thursday and went to the capital. The elder i was sitting by threw up like 7 times and i thought i was going to have to follow him. It was bad.
But things at President's house were good. We had interviews and ate a bunch of food and played dominos and took pictures. It was lots of fun. We got weight and blood pressure. im still a solid 205. AFter lunch we got back on a crowded bus back to azua. I was def ready to be done with busses by the end of the day.
Life is good here. Were praying for more success and have faith that we will find it. We will continue doing all that we can. I really like DC 101:8 amd its soo true. Ive been stuggling a little lately because we havent had much success but Ive realized that its been a blessing because Ive been able to try and rely on the Lord more.
I love the campo but it has its ups and downs. People always say yes to share with them but most times arent there when you come back. Theres an anti mormon video that the main church here put out so that is making it a little harder. we lost several good investigators to it. Were doing great here. I love my comp.
Tell elder day that i still dont understand dominican spanish and it still frustrates me. Somedays i can not get one anyone is saying. they talk sooo bad hahaha i dont think ill ever be able to understand everything.
Thats about all that is new from here. I love you all so much and I have the best family in the world!!! Love you
Love
Elder Wilson
sooo internet guy knows english and i didnt know and was complaining about three extra pesos... he says "taxes"
Azua Zone? (Don't know if the iguana got cake... Pres Almonte collects iguanas, I think... Tim)
Dominoes w/ Sis Almonte, Pres Almonte's wife
Proselyting in the DR
Hammock street vendor
Hey Family how are you all doing. Life is going great here. Def a harder week but life is still amazing. I was talking with a member here about how if everyone would just coutn there blessings and not what they dont have life would be a lot easier. This week had a lot of rejections and we didnt have much success. no one went to church and we went looking for all of our investigators but none of them could go but last night as the week was coming to a close, we went and had an appointment with an inactive man and his wife. They live on the poor end of town and there house isnt even big enough for us to enter so we sat outside under the stars. The lesson was amazing and the spirit was strong and I got teary eye and said a pray thanking Heavenly Father for giving me this tender mercy. All the stuggles and challenges of the week seemed worth it just to have the one experience. Testifying of the restaration I was reminded of my purpose as a missionary and reminded of the strong testimony I have been blessed with. The man committed to go back to church and the woman to be baptized. Were already planning there wedding so that she can get baptized. After so much failure Heavenly Father helped us to feel His love and it was amazing.
On tues we had conference with pres and it was good. We learned a lot and I got some more letters from Bro Brown and one from Keato celebrating my year mark and yes keato that stupid glitter got all over. I also got one from Dearie and another one from Zane that was send 2 motnhs ago but was very appreciated. Thanks a bunch uncle/president zane/kartchner. After the conference I had an intercambio with Elder Garcia and elder Santos. It was good. We did some good work. Then on Wed I was back in my area in another trio with elder kirchman. It was fun then we woke up early on Thursday and went to the capital. The elder i was sitting by threw up like 7 times and i thought i was going to have to follow him. It was bad.
But things at President's house were good. We had interviews and ate a bunch of food and played dominos and took pictures. It was lots of fun. We got weight and blood pressure. im still a solid 205. AFter lunch we got back on a crowded bus back to azua. I was def ready to be done with busses by the end of the day.
Life is good here. Were praying for more success and have faith that we will find it. We will continue doing all that we can. I really like DC 101:8 amd its soo true. Ive been stuggling a little lately because we havent had much success but Ive realized that its been a blessing because Ive been able to try and rely on the Lord more.
I love the campo but it has its ups and downs. People always say yes to share with them but most times arent there when you come back. Theres an anti mormon video that the main church here put out so that is making it a little harder. we lost several good investigators to it. Were doing great here. I love my comp.
Tell elder day that i still dont understand dominican spanish and it still frustrates me. Somedays i can not get one anyone is saying. they talk sooo bad hahaha i dont think ill ever be able to understand everything.
Thats about all that is new from here. I love you all so much and I have the best family in the world!!! Love you
Love
Elder Wilson
sooo internet guy knows english and i didnt know and was complaining about three extra pesos... he says "taxes"
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Azua Zone Conference Pics from Elder and Sister Johnson
Monday, November 8, 2010
Walk toward the light. Watch for the dead fly, though...
Hey family how are you?! Im doing great. Im loving life. Cant complain. We had lots of rain in the past week. Well thursday friday and sat. Friday was so bad that we couldnt go out. Thursday i celebrated my one year in Dominican style- getting soaked and eating fried chicken with yuka and a dead fly on top. Thursday night I burned my shirt and we ate chimis. It was a good day. (i also sent a pic of Elder Urry and his Kid. hes the one that knows Tatum and is from my group. Hes in Sabana Yegua right now)
On Wed we had an intercambio. We were with elder Kirchman from Padre Las Casas. President sent them down because of Tomas but they ended up going back the next day. One of the pictures is of our sleep over. Three of us in two beds wasnt so comfortable. But the storm didnt really hit us. Lots of rain and flooding but nothing too serious. They say that San Juan got the worst.
The missionary work this week was a little slow with the storm and all. We didnt have any investigators in church which, besides in Tamayo, is the first time in my mission so that was a downer but this week is a new week.
Elder Kleiner and i cooked a little bit but wasnt too much of a success. i cooked mac and cheese with salamy and rice but it made him sick so we havent cooked to much more. He made some good tacos yesterday. The apartment is great. has some cockroaches but they all do so cant complain. Not bucket showers but this week i took several because with the rain and storms it made the water soooo COLDDD. sometimes bucket flushes if the toilet cant take what i leave in it.......... We have a washer but a dryer?!!?!?! I dont even know what a dryer is. Never seen one since i left the CCM. We have something that spins the clothes really fast to get water out and after we hack it up. THe washer is like a tub that turns in a circle...then stops.. then turns the other way... then stops... so on. not really even a washer.
The branch is great. There is lots of youth. About 110 members everyweek. They have new leader ship and were excited to work with them. Were thinking of hosting a basketball tourneyment as an activity and if who ever loses has to go to church. i dont think theres anyone that could beat us. I dont play the piano because everyone sings hymns in there own way here. They cant follow a piano haha.
This week there was a weird lighrt on the wall while we were about to go to bed. We thought it was a weird bug or something and we spent about 5 min scared to touch it. finally i touched in and we realized it was the light from our neighbors house that was shining through a little hole.
Tomorrow we have conference with pres here in Azua so should get mail. Then on Thursday were going to his house in the Capital for Christmas dinner. Im kinda excited cuz ive never been to his house. We will have interviews with him there.
Well that is my week in a nut shell. I love you all so much and im grateful for your love and support. keep it all up im grateful for all you do. Until next week!!! Love you all lots
love
I like how you decided to use high lights so that i can be sure to answer them. Ok street is san miguel. there is a big baseball field right behind it. theres no really dirrections to anywhere here and theres no streets signs. the church is on the next street over. 27 de febrero. other than that i dont know how to explain.
i def agree with brayden the hardest part is with comps but at the same time one of the hardest things is to keep your self close to God when times are easy. for example. in 911 everyone loved God and got close to Him but a month later when everything was good again everyone forgot about Him. When theres no problems with comps and times are easy is when you really have to try to keep that relationship as strong as it can be with Him. idk if i explain myself well or no.
im super dooper excited for the flashlight. ill def have to give you a users review. haha I lovey ou and your flash lights and always thinking about me no matter what your doing, even buying flashlights.
that class sounds interesting id like to learn more about that. i def have changed my thoughts in the mission. Thanks to the experiences ive had on my mission ive realized its not worth it. i get so many chances eevryday to lose my temper or to get upset with stupid people. ife is to short to be grumpy or to get uspet over little things. id say that that is the biggest change that ive had in the last yr. i dont get frustrated nor upset nor grumpy anymore. its not worth it. like u said is it really worth it to kill my brain over this. itsfunny you said to jsut take a break... i was thinking to do because everyone always has earphones in there ears. why dont people just walk and think or soemthing why dont we just put everything down for a minute and think about life and realize all we do have and not what we dont have (feel free to put whgatever you want on the blog or share with family too) you have that scriptured marked as ur fav in my scriptures. ive read it multiple times (Doctrine and Covenants Section 59: 23,24)
23 But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.
24 I, the Lord, have spoken it, and the Spirit beareth record. Amen.
i wrote mom with several ideas for the box. Im def spoiled but packages def do make my days and weeks so im not going to argue!!!
i love you soo much pops. I really do. Did you have any luck with pima or MCC. I know more now than ever that i wanna be close to home. Heavenly Father Really helped me feel calm about the decision in this last week and my worries have completely left. I love you lots
cant wait to spend time with you all and share ourlives together
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)