I love Argentinos

2 more days and I have 6 months in the mission. Como, que, WHAT. So crazy how fast the time is flyyyyying by. This week I decided to stop counting the days and make the days count. And it really was such a good week. We saw so many miracles. And its just such a testimony to me that obedience truly brings blessings. Our investigator that decided to stop talking to us decided to start talking to us again (WOOT WOOT) and I just love her with all of my heart. Even though she had decided to stop talking to us she didn´t stop reading or praying. Which is like unheard of in the mission. And she told me that she has started praying before reading and the other day she was praying and praying for an answer and she opened the Book of Mormon up to the perfect verse that was exactly what she needed. And it’s just such a testimony to me that God really hears all of our prayers. No matter if you´re in some random town in Argentina or the most famous capital of the world. He hears us all. “Heavenly Father desires that we drawn near to him so that He can drawn near to us” He is always waiting to hear from us and pour these blessings upon us, all we have to do is turn to Him.
“Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet.

Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.” Marvin J. Ashton

Something that I have gained such testimony of in the mission is the use of our agency. The way we use our agency in all situations is something that is so very valuable. Whether we are wasting our time on an argument that literally has no significance(which is a regular thing when you are with the same Hermana 24-7), or maybe wasting our time on people that aren´t seeking the best for us, or maybe wasting our time away in the things or the world or maybe saying things that really don´t need to be said. Whatever it is, it´s these little things that break us down. It´s these little things that hold us back from reaching our full potential. Every time we participate in these temptations of Satan we are taking steps backwards on this path that God has prepared for us. It´s so important that we see things through the eyes of God and not as the world sees them. We need to have Charity, the pure love of Christ if we really want to feel this joy and happiness that we have the potential to feel. I really have the greatest testimony of Charity. Because really it’s so hard to just let things go, to stop thinking about yourself and forgive someone that has hurt us. It´s even harder when you are with the same person for 24 hours 7 days of the week. But what I have learned more than anything is how much more we can grow in this life and learn if we just act in the way that Jesus Christ would act. Just put our selfish desires away and think WWJD.

I love the mission and I love Argentinos. And I love learning about Jesus XD lol okay I just really love this gospel with my whole heart and some more. The mission has CHANGED my life. So if you are thinking about going.. GO. And remember who you are and to write me and to enjoy life. Because lifes what you make it, so let’s make it rock!

Jajajajjaja

Hermana Jarvis

It rained here for a solid two days straight and we remembered how much we really hate the cold 

 

 

Un dia, 9 liters of Maté

Livin la vida loca I tell ya. This week I discovered a new love. Mate. Its this tea stuff that literally everyone and their dog drinks here. But they all drink it with like a whole half cup of sugar but if I did that I would probably die so I have only tried it a couple a times without sugar and it was gross. But this week I tried it with this fake sugar splendid stuff and before I knew it I had drank 9 liters hahaha and I cannot tell you how many times I woke up that night sprinting to the bathroom. But really it’s the best thing ever and I would just like to recommend it to the whole world.

Our investigators that are freaking bomb decided that they don´t want to talk to us anymore because we don´t worship Mary. Soooo that was a blow. But I have faith that we can explain things more clearly to them and help them recognize why we do and don´t do the things we do. But other than that this week was good! I don´t really remember much to tell you the truth haha. Today a man stopped me in the road and told me his name is Angel. And that he lives alone. And he is going to wait for me at the chapel. And so I walked away very fast.hahaha

But really this week was so good because I have really had this burden of believing in these things I preach everyday be lightened. Before the mission I remember always hearing people talk about how they know the church is true. How they know that José Smith was a true prophet and all of these things. But I’m like are you just saying that because everyone else is saying it or what? Even to start out the mission I didn´t know if these things were true without a doubt in my mind. I even hated sharing my testimony because I didn´t want to tell these people that “I know” these things are true when I didn´t. I really just wanted to serve a mission to help people know that they aren´t alone in this life. But these past couple of weeks have been so different. I have truly come to KNOW with a surety in my heart that this is the Church of Jesus Christ. That José Smith restored this gospel through the revelation and the Power of God. I honestly never thought that I would feel this way. But this belief that I have had for my entire life has truly turned into a knowledge.

“That's the way it is when Jesus Christ becomes a reality in your life. It isn't that He somehow makes you do things that you wouldn't do otherwise. Rather, you find yourself wanting to do what He would do and respond as He would respond in an effort to bring your life into harmony with His. And an interesting thing happens whenever you attempt to place your feet in Christ's footsteps. If you really concentrate on trying to walk the way He walked—loving, caring, serving, and obeying each step of the way—one day you'll look up and discover that His path has led you directly to the throne of God. For that is and ever has been His great purpose and mission: to lead us to our Heavenly Father so we can dwell with Him in His heavenly home.” M. Russell Ballard

A testimony is not something that will come with no effort. It´s not something we can just hope for. I have gained a testimony of this gospel through studying for 3 or 4 hours every single day, through dedicating my time to really find an answer, and through submitting my will to His will. I cannot even tell you the happiness in my soul. Because I made the attempt to find an answer. And I received one. I am so grateful for this gospel. I literally don´t know where I would be in life without it. I can honestly say that I know without a doubt in my mind that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. And I just want EVERYONE to experience this joy. I also really like this quote from Bednar(of course): “Testimony is a point of departure, it is not an ultimate destination.” When we receive these answers it is only the beginning.

Also I can not even tell you how excited I am for General Conference. I feel like a little kid who has a ticket to Disneyland. I am literally counting down the days. I literally sound like that annoying kid in seminary in 9th grade. jajajaja.

Okay I love you all and I just love life and I hope you do to. See ya later haters.

XCXOXOXOXO

Hermana J Diddy

Mi babes

Rain Rain rain baby rain

Drugs in the Area or no?¿

Semana de felicidad

I just talked to an Amish couple. Sooooo I can now cross that off my bucket list. I also am a lil upset about the liter here. Argentina really doesn´t have very many flaws. But if I had to choose one it would be the litter literally EVERY WHERE. I just wanna pull first grade teacher on everyone here and have them all pick up five things.

We have transfers today and I am staying with my companion for another transfer. This is her very last transfer and she might actually think that she has already ended the mission because sleeping in for her is now a regular thing. So I am trying to keep her alive and ready to work haha so I will let you know how that goes. This week was hard but so good. And also Hermana Zarada left me for another area. And im a lil heart broken haha.

We have this amazing investigator who is literally my bestie. Her name is Patricia. One day we were walking in the street I saw her and her fam and I was like hey whats up can we share a message and they were like yeah, but we are catholic! But I don´t even think I had the opportunity to say more than five things because they talked so much hahaha. But she proceeded to tell us how she has had evil spirits visiting her house and her kids have felt them too and its been going on for 2 years or something like that. Just super messed up creepy stuff. But we really didn´t even have time to tell her anything about the church because we had to go back to the apartment cause it was getting late. But I invited her to church not really thinking much of it. And she came! And then we started visiting her with her family and they all have committed to baptism. Patricia (the mom) is so pumped about the gospel. She reads the Book of Mormon everyday and always has questions and this week she came to church again and she BORE her testimony. I was in shock and so very full of joy. The other day we were talking and she’s like everything about your church makes so much sense. Like why would a perfect lil baby get baptized when it doesn´t have any sins? And I’m like, I know right! She really has strengthened my testimony so much and helped me realize how very special our church is and how it all makes so much sense. And also she said that for the first time in a long time she can actually sleep through the night without feeling super sketched out. Miracles, I tell ya.

Also wow the sweetest little family. The Islas family. They are the cutest thing in the world. The other missionaries before us were visiting them and the mom was suffering from cancer. The dad was just about to get baptized and then the mom passed away. And they have 3 little girls. And after the mom passed away they kind of cut cords with the church and really didn´t want to talk to missionaries anymore. But I really just felt that we needed to talk to them. So we went over there and the daughter told us that she didn´t want to receive us anymore. So one day I called their dads cell phone and set up a date to come chat with them. But that also fell through. Then the other night we went to one of the farthest areas to visit an inactive family and they didn´t answer the door. So I told my companion that we should try one more time with this Islas family. And we went over there and they let us come inside and chat with them.  And wow. I have never felt the Saviors love for someone that strong in my entire life. I went on to share D&C 50:40-46 and we talked about how we really are just little children. We can´t comprehend all things in this moment but if we go forward with faith and build our foundation on Christ we will never fall. And I just felt the spirit so very strongly and I started tearing up so bad they literally probably thought I was crazy. But in that moment I just gained such a strong testimony of the Saviors love. Not only for me but for all of God´s children. I don´t even know these people. But I know that our Heavenly Father does without a doubt in my mind and I am so very grateful to be an instrument in his hands and help others feel that love.

And I just want to end this with the sweetest little quote Maddie sent me, “I used to pray that God would feed the hungry, or do this or that, but now I pray that he will guide me to do whatever I’m supposed to do, what I can do. I used to pray for answers, but now I’m praying for strength. I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us and we change things.” -Mother Teresa

God changes us so we can help him change others. We have this perfect ability in our church to help other feel the love that we feel. And there is no better time to share this beautiful message than today.  I am so very grateful to be here and recognize that love and the plan that he really has for each any every single one of us. I can´t even begin describe the joy I feel sharing this perfect message with the people of Argentina. I love the mission so much. Remember to be happy and count your many MANY blessings. There really are so many things to be grateful for and happy for we just need to open our eyes. I love da mish mish.

GET CHA FEET IN THE WATER

Hola Chicccccs. Happy Birthday to my very best friend Branson Maxwell this past week!!!!!!!!¿¿¿¿¿¿!!!!!

This week was better than ever. Elder Bednar spoke to us through a broadcast to all of Argentina and some other countries. And wow. Like wow. There is no possible way that this isn´t the true church of God on the earth today. President Chaparro told us to study some talks by Elder Bednar before the broadcast. And I really just loved this quote from “Seek learning by faith”

“We find a powerful example of the interaction among assurance, action, and evidence as the children of Israel transported the ark of the covenant under the leadership of Joshua (see Joshua 3:7–17). Recall how the Israelites came to the river Jordan and were promised the waters would part, and they would be able to cross over on dry ground. Interestingly, the waters did not part as the children of Israel stood on the banks of the river waiting for something to happen; rather, the soles of their feet were wet before the water parted. The faith of the Israelites was manifested in the fact that they walked into the water before it parted. They walked into the river Jordan with a future-facing assurance of things hoped for. As the Israelites moved forward, the water parted, and as they crossed over on dry land, they looked back and beheld the evidence of things not seen. In this episode, faith as assurance led to action and produced the evidence of things not seen that were true.”

We don´t know God´s plan for us down to every detail. But we do know that it is the perfect plan that was made individually for each of us. But we can´t let this plan take action if we don’t GET OUR FEET in the water. And act on our faith. We can´t expect God to just give us everything we´ve ever wanted and do nothing in return. If that were the case we wouldn´t learn anything. We would stay the same and not fulfill our purpose on the earth. Something I have really been thinking about lately when I’m bugged with my companion or when I am in a bad mood or just anything negative, is “will this matter in 10 minutes, 10 days or even 10 years?” and if the answer is no I will change my attitude and forget the situation. But I was also thinking of this question in a different way. “will this matter in 10 minutes, 10 days or even 10 years?” and if the answer is yes I will do it. I will act on my faith. I will do what the Lord sent me here to do. I will put my feet in the flippin water and start doing these things that will matter in 10 years. These things that will actually be important in the future. Something that has really been on my mind lately is the importance of starting today. Not tomorrow. Because tomorrow will ALWAYS be tomorrow. Just thinking of the person I want to be 10 years down the road applying these things attributes I want to have and implementing them TODAY. Not tomorrow is something that has helped me so very much in the mission. Something that Elder Bednar kept stating was the importance of ACTING and not being ACTED upon. Because no one is going to act for us. God will not soley act for us. We have to act in order to become what we want to become. We have to act in order to fulfill our dreams and our goals.

On Sunday one of our investigators came to church for the first time. And I have literally been in a drought of no progressing investigators almost all of my mission. And it has really been such a hard thing for me. Because I have NEVER NEVER NEVER worked harder in my entire life. I have never been so obedient and so dedicated to something in my entire life. And there are so many missionaries that are just not dedicated. But they are having baptisms left and right. And it has just made me think I am doing something wrong. I am not the person God needs me to be and I just didn´t know how I could possibly do more. And on Saturday night I was just thinking so many negative thoughts. Just really so sad and so not looking forward to the next day. I really just didn´t have motivation for anything but walking to my bed hahaha. But then Sunday morning came and TWO of our investigators came to church. And as we were sitting in Relief Society one of them started crying. Crying crying crying. And I was just on Cloud 9. Then after the meeting she told me and a member that she has truly never felt this way in her life. That she has visited other churches but never one like ours. And then this member said it´s because we are a family. And wow in that moment I just realize how very lucky I am to be here. To help people feel these feelings and help them love of our Heavenly Father. Sometimes heavenly Father puts us through these “droughts” and pushes to until we feel we might break so that we can realize the grace and mercy of his son Jesus Christ. So that we can realize that this is his time. This is his work and he knows what he is doing. “we can´t control the wind but we can adjust the sails” this life is what we make it. And God is our perfect guide. We can´t control everything because we don´t have the intelligence that our Heavenly Father has. He knows all. ALL. But we as Children of our father have the ability and agency to become who we need to be. To follow this perfect guide. I really have come to know that this is the true and restored church on the earth today through Joseph Smith. That this is the Church of Jesus Christ. And I am so very lucky to be a apart of the “family” that we have in the church. I encourage you to really think about how lucky we are to have this Church and the teachings that we do. And this perfect plan and guidelines for our life. This letter isn´t funny and I hate things that aren´t funny. So I just hope you all know that I am still a happy person and I still laugh at my own jokes even though no else does and I still l love hummus more than words can describe. I´m just a little tanner and a lil happier. I love you all and yeah remember to not do drugs.

XOXOXOXO

Hermana J swagger daddy

The other day I was reading in my scrips and I lifted up my arm and I was sweating so bad that the paper stuck to me hahahahha 

This is my best friend Hermana Zarada and our Resturation shampoo and then there is my comp in the back.

Also Hermana Zarada and I found a Patagonia sign in the road and OF COURSE had to take a pic. So white mormon girl. hahaha