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

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

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"

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Azua Zone Conference Pics from Elder and Sister Johnson



The office couple in Seth's mission keeps a blog and we always watch for news or images of Seth and his companions. This week, Pres Almonte held a zone conference in Azua and Elder Johnson posted two pics with Seth in them. The Johnsons' blog is davidypam.blogspot.com

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

Monday, November 1, 2010

What are those blank pages in the agenda used for, anyway? Azua w/ Elder Kleiner

Hey Family how are you all doing. Im doing good. First week back in
Azua. It was really good. Ive already seen to of my baptisms from
SY. That was lots of fun but they also told me the Joselitos (the
baptism i had with the long hair) is already inactive and his
girlfriend is pregnant. Idk why but that hit me really hard and made
me pretty sad.
Im in Pueblo Arriba of Azua. Its the most western part of Azua. It
is a branch and they called a new branch pres yesterday. He is a
great man and i really look forward to working with him. Our
appartment is nice but smaller than the old one we had. Its a lot
cleaner though. We had to clean it out pretty good from the old
missionaries that were living here. Its just me and Kleiner. The old
elders didnt leave us with anything so were basically walking blindly
but were learning as we go. We did lots of contacts to get to know
new people. It was a good week. It was nice to finalyl go shopping
again. Elder Kleiner and I are trying to start cooking mroe in the
house. I love the kid. Hes great. His spanish is coming along
quickly and hes got a great heart. I hope that we last another
together after this transfer too. His parents should be proud of him
and for the kid he is. Hes got his head on straight and is a great
missionary.
Oh and b4 I get. Brother Brown sent me keatos letters and tell him
that if keato has another emergancy that he can avoid digging through
the trash if he would just use his agenda. Why else to the put so
many blank pages in the agenda?!?! I use it all the time when the TP
is gone.
I havent heard of tomas or whatever it is until your email but people
in the internet center are talking about it right now. that would be
pretty cool if it came through here. we will have to see.
I got tatum crouches invitation and told all the missionaries that it
was my girlfriend sending me a dear john haha they all believed me
until Elder Urry saw it and was like no thats your cousin i know her!
Haha maybe the real one will come with more time. Ill try it again
when i get marens to see if they fall for it again.
I didnt realize how dirty haina really is until i got here. I
remember getting to azua and thinking it was dirty when i was born in
the mission but now it looks clean as can be compared to Haina. Its
hard to explain without living there but wow Haina is really dirty.
This week I had a first. For the first night in my whole mission i
slept without a fan and was able to sleep!!! It was a little cool a
couple of nights ago.
I cant really think of anythin else to new. I sent out several
letters this week. I hope that they make it home. One for the
Browns, Grandma, Karlie, Maren, Mom, Dad, (fud and duds is coming),
Jessie, and Haley. I hope they make it. If not know that I wrote
them and write me back one way or another!!!!!! Bro Brown is my only
true fan outside the family hahah.. Im also sending one for Papa so
if you could forward it to him when it gets to the house that would be
great.
I cant believe my hump day is this week. Def mixed feelings. I love
this work and the knowledge I have of my loving Savior. I want all to
come until Him. Its the only true security. I love Him. I love you
all very much and Im so grateful for your love and support.
Love you all lots.
Elder Wilson

note from Seth's Dad:
Seth is craving letters. Use the address on the top of the blog. Thanks!