did you not get an email last week? I sent and email last week! I sure hope you got one! Man!
Well
i am almost 20! Wooohoo! ok yeah that over with...
Back to missionary work!
This week we worked so hard! We really did. We fullfilled all that our president asks of us. This week we plan on doing it as well and I would honestly like to say there is no reason for me ever to not do it. Laziness. It is not easy that is for sure. But it is worth it! This week on Sunday night we felt so successful so Obedient that we had done everything we could have. We had some pretty funny events happen too. We wanted to get a baptismal date but she said she still has some things she wants to fix before she wants to do it. BUT I went to church this week. I felt much better...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! Sorry late I sent you a letter I hope you got it. My dutch is a big Joke. =).
But now I think I have a sinus infection. I am going to be going to a doctor soon. My face hurts. Right next to my nose. But i talked with sister Martineau about it and she told me to do the neti pot... =) i did it this morning and took a video of it. but then as well I am seeing a doctor. Today we went up to Oranjestad on the Bus. we got there bought some dushi yui shirts and then some bags. all of which i have pictures attatched. DUSHI YIU means (sweet child) Its from a surf shop here and it just makes me laugh every time i hear it.
This week i believe we got a record for flat tires. But my companion didnt crash this week. We had three people feed us and an adventist lady is giving us homemade bread! Woohoo!
We were contacting a guy who said that he really wants to follow Jesus Christ but everytime there is an opportunity where he can steal something and decides not to he wishes he had. so he said it is just so miserable following christ. Then he told us he had never asked god for help. It was great so see him realize that he really can and needs to ask God for help. He said he made up a bible game and no churches would let him use it. So a leap of faith and trust in the promptings of the spirit i told him to come to our church and we would make an activity out of it. I was really nervous... But he never came to church.
This week was a great week work wise, came home sweating like crazy every day. My shirts are turning brown... I think i am going to use that hundred dollars on one more shirt so i don't have to wear a longsleeve shirt on sunday.
JOSH MISSION LIST!
AT LEAST 8 SHIRTS and PANTS.
If he is in a hot place he wont want to wer the same clothes over again and at least eight will last him every day of the week plus P-day. i had 8 shirts but one got a big stain in it. Pants i have 6. So that is what i will get Thank You so Much grandma and Grandpa.
This week we were riding home one day and dogs love to chase us here. So we were riding and i kicked to get him away and kicked him in the face... he yelped and ran away... I felt bad but then i almost fell off my bike laughing Becuase as soon as i turned around I passed a house with a Big BIG black man in tighty whiteys standing on his porch with his beer out saluting us. it was pretty funny.
We met a wonderful lady this week who was really interested in church and everything but didn't end up coming i really have a lot of hope for her. She has a big family too! Woohoo! THIS SATURDAY WE HAVE A BEACH CLEANUP! we are going to clean the beaches in orangestad. I get a cool ARUBA MORMON HELPING HANDS VEST! Yeah! I really hope president brings me back here next transfer. I am loving this transfer. My companion is honestly the best one yet. I would love to stay one more trasnfer but becuase of immigration days i have to leave the island. =( so i will most likely be going to curacao. Woohoo!
DAD FAVORITE SCRIPTURE DEFINITELY IS ROMANS 1:16-1716 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...... 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
I found that in response to a prayer and absolutely love it! WOohoo!
Wow. What power has that scripture.
Right now I am reading Truth restored by Gordon B Hinckley! What a life Joseph Smith and the Saints had. He was arrested and acquited 37 times before his death. Then the last time he said in his journal "i told them that if i was to be arrested again it would be my death, if not i was not a prophet of God." Surely enough it happened.
Then the mormon batallion was called to go out. the mormons had been pleading the goverment for relief and safety from the mobs and they said they couldn't do anything other wise they would lose votes. Then all the sudden the government comes back and pleads for 500 men. They agreed and Brigham young told them if they didn't complain and said prayers each morning and night they would not have to fight. Surely enough after an over 2000 mile journey through iowa to texas new mexico colorado arizona and ending in calfornia the fight was over and they returned home. What a grueling trail. The goverment issued a certificate of congratulations to the mormon batallion and said "a search history would result in vain to find such a valiant march made by a batallion so brave. They crossed plains whare animals didn't dare go for a lack of water. Crossed mountains that only goats roamed and fields only savages and wild beasts would enter. but they followed the admonition of the prophet and were saved.
I saw a picture of the Prophet Brigham Young. and below it said Modern Day Moses. I completely understand why.
I Know this church is true! I know we have a living prophet and Just as an early convert of the church said regarding the Book of Mormon " either God or the devil has a hand in that book, man could not have written it." I know we have it directly through the power and inspiration of God himself! What a wonderful message!
I Love Being a messenger of him!
Sometimes I like to argue a little too much. and it is something I am working on. I don't understand why so many people harden their hearts to God himself!
All we ask is that they ask God what is true. How many people don't do it! they say they believe in God but dont believe he will tell them the truth.
This morning I also noticed that you know what. To my knowledge we are the only church that Really firmly states that the lord himself has said this is the true church. Other churches believe theres is the true church by interpretation of the Bible. for example this morning i was reading a testigo book this morning and they said that christ didn't begin to reign in the heavens untill 1914. Not only does that have absolutely no importance to us and our salvation... but the said that a bunch of students cae up with that calculation. Then they show world events that are proving that God turned over his reign to his son. that things started to get worse as soon as 1914 passed.
Very strange. But religion and everything fascinates me. It really does! I am trying to not argue with people or its not really argueing more persisting. But I love this gospel and the more and more I read the scriptures the bible especially the more and more I gain a testimony of the need of the b
Book of Mormon the more and more the book of mormon makes sense. Who else can explain the baptism for the dead scripture in Corinthians who else can explain the third heaven in Collosians who else can explain the Two powers the order of melchizedek and levitical found in Hebrews. I Love learning about the gospel! Why did I not read my scriptures more before my mission!? AHH!I LOVE THEM!
I Love you All! Thanks for emailing me.
Erika you are pretty! Congratulations!
Adios! Ayo! Todoeloe!
Elder Ellis
June 22, 2009
Here family. This is the letter i recieve from my mission president every week. This week is great becuase it is about two people i worked with a whole lot when i was in Arecibo and Hatillo. They are great members! Really Great!
Elders and Sisters,
Every missionary, sooner or later, must decide why he or she is here. What motivates our service, our daily labors in the face of heat and discomfort and disappointment? The answer to that question will make all the difference.
At the end of his mission, Ammon spoke of his love for those he had helped come unto Christ:
Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted. Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day. (Alma 26:5-7.)A key phrase is found in verse 7, "and they are his". What does this mean?
Paul taught:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)The Lord has prepared thousands to receive His restored Gospel. They are His because He suffered and paid the ultimate price for them. We have accepted the work of seeking them out, teaching them by the Spirit, and inviting them to make sacred covenants with Him. Can we see that each one we find is precious to Him? That we have taken upon ourselves a sacred stewardship, for each one? That we will account to Him one day, for each one?Do we love them as He does?
Ramón Caraballo and Efrain del Toro were sitting together about 2 1/2 years ago, talking about life's problems. Ramón said, pessimistically, "There are no opportunities in life!" Efrain had been struggling with personal issues that seemed too big for him. He could see no way out. He felt that he lacked the power to resolve them. As Ramón spoke, Efrain turned and saw two young men dressed in white shirts and ties, approaching on foot. He recognized them as Mormon missionaries because he had visited briefly with two other missionaries nearly a year earlier. Then, he had no real interest. But now, when he saw the two missionaries, he felt something different. He replied to Ramón, "No, there really are opportunities in life!"
The missionaries were looking for an address. They were lost. Efrain helped them, and then readily agreed when one asked if he was interested in learning more about their message. A few days later, they arrived at his home a few minutes after the appointed hour. They found him sitting outside his home, waiting for them, pointing at his watch as a mild chastisement for being late. He insisted that they return almost daily, and soon he accepted their invitation to be baptized.
What did he find when he attended church, and as he became involved in his branch? Friends, real friends, who stood by him and helped him, loved and cared for him. He found a diligent branch president who shepherded him along the path to full membership and activity in the restored church of Christ. He was spiritually nourished by the word of God in sacrament, quorum and other meetings. He received and fulfilled assignments, and was ordained a priest. He helped the full-time missionaries teach their investigators. Eventually, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Later, he invited the missionaries to contact Ramón, who also accepted the invitation to learn more. Efrain helped teach Ramón, and bore his testimony often. Ramón was baptized. He entered into the same path Efrain had found 6 months earlier.
In March of 2008, at a district general priesthood meeting in Arecibo, Ramón was presented to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and to be ordained an elder. I asked both Ramón and Efrain to stand and help me as I spoke in the meeting. They related their experiences since joining the Church, and each expressed gratitude for blessings from a merciful Heavenly Father. They thanked the other brethren for welcoming them into their branch family. I asked their branch president to express his feelings about these two valiant members of his branch. With emotion, he expressed his love for them, and in response to my question, described the great sorrow he would feel if they were ever to fall away. It was clear that this wonderful priesthood leader felt toward his flock the same way Christ felt.And the missionaries who found and taught them?
Yesterday, I interviewed Ramón and gave him a recommend to receive his endowments in the Lord’s holy temple. He has been dating a lovely and faithful sister, and they have talked of marriage. His happiness showed in his face. Both he and Efrain are living the marvelous blessings of the restored Gospel. Ramón wanted to tell me about something that happened to him shortly after his baptism. He learned that his sister had been diagnosed with cancer. She had signed authorizations for surgery to remove the cancer. She was not a member. Ramón had learned that Melchizedek priesthood holders can give blessings of health using consecrated oil, but he was only a priest. So, he invited his sister to receive a blessing from the missionaries. She accepted, and the blessing was given.Ramón’s eyes filled with tears as he told me what happened after the blessing. Some time later, but before her scheduled surgery, his sister had more tests. This time, every single test came back negative! Her cancer was gone, completely. The surgery was cancelled, and his sister is healthy and well today. Ramón bore fervent testimony to me that the Lord healed his sister. His faith was strengthened.Then, with a serious and earnest look in his eye, Ramón explained why he wants to go to the temple. He recently dreamed that he saw a deep pool of water. He saw three people swimming in the pool, and somehow sensed that they needed his help. When he awoke, he understood that the three were his father, his mother and his brother, all of whom died without hearing the Gospel. Ramón has worked diligently with his family history consultant to prepare their names so he can do the work for them when he goes to the temple, after receiving those same blessings himself.The ripples in the pond will go on forever.Why are we here? To find Christ's own, and to invite them to return to Him, to Him who bought them with his blood. And to do all within our power to keep them secure within their newfound faith. To love them as He does, and to pay our own little price that they may find Him again. To labor all the day long, every minute of every day, that we might not miss even one.
To lose ourselves in His work, and thereby to find ourselves. And that will make all the difference.
President and Sister Martineau Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission
Elders and Sisters,
Every missionary, sooner or later, must decide why he or she is here. What motivates our service, our daily labors in the face of heat and discomfort and disappointment? The answer to that question will make all the difference.
At the end of his mission, Ammon spoke of his love for those he had helped come unto Christ:
Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted. Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them. But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day. (Alma 26:5-7.)A key phrase is found in verse 7, "and they are his". What does this mean?
Paul taught:
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. (Acts 20:28)The Lord has prepared thousands to receive His restored Gospel. They are His because He suffered and paid the ultimate price for them. We have accepted the work of seeking them out, teaching them by the Spirit, and inviting them to make sacred covenants with Him. Can we see that each one we find is precious to Him? That we have taken upon ourselves a sacred stewardship, for each one? That we will account to Him one day, for each one?Do we love them as He does?
Ramón Caraballo and Efrain del Toro were sitting together about 2 1/2 years ago, talking about life's problems. Ramón said, pessimistically, "There are no opportunities in life!" Efrain had been struggling with personal issues that seemed too big for him. He could see no way out. He felt that he lacked the power to resolve them. As Ramón spoke, Efrain turned and saw two young men dressed in white shirts and ties, approaching on foot. He recognized them as Mormon missionaries because he had visited briefly with two other missionaries nearly a year earlier. Then, he had no real interest. But now, when he saw the two missionaries, he felt something different. He replied to Ramón, "No, there really are opportunities in life!"
The missionaries were looking for an address. They were lost. Efrain helped them, and then readily agreed when one asked if he was interested in learning more about their message. A few days later, they arrived at his home a few minutes after the appointed hour. They found him sitting outside his home, waiting for them, pointing at his watch as a mild chastisement for being late. He insisted that they return almost daily, and soon he accepted their invitation to be baptized.
What did he find when he attended church, and as he became involved in his branch? Friends, real friends, who stood by him and helped him, loved and cared for him. He found a diligent branch president who shepherded him along the path to full membership and activity in the restored church of Christ. He was spiritually nourished by the word of God in sacrament, quorum and other meetings. He received and fulfilled assignments, and was ordained a priest. He helped the full-time missionaries teach their investigators. Eventually, he received the Melchizedek Priesthood.
Later, he invited the missionaries to contact Ramón, who also accepted the invitation to learn more. Efrain helped teach Ramón, and bore his testimony often. Ramón was baptized. He entered into the same path Efrain had found 6 months earlier.
In March of 2008, at a district general priesthood meeting in Arecibo, Ramón was presented to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood and to be ordained an elder. I asked both Ramón and Efrain to stand and help me as I spoke in the meeting. They related their experiences since joining the Church, and each expressed gratitude for blessings from a merciful Heavenly Father. They thanked the other brethren for welcoming them into their branch family. I asked their branch president to express his feelings about these two valiant members of his branch. With emotion, he expressed his love for them, and in response to my question, described the great sorrow he would feel if they were ever to fall away. It was clear that this wonderful priesthood leader felt toward his flock the same way Christ felt.And the missionaries who found and taught them?
Yesterday, I interviewed Ramón and gave him a recommend to receive his endowments in the Lord’s holy temple. He has been dating a lovely and faithful sister, and they have talked of marriage. His happiness showed in his face. Both he and Efrain are living the marvelous blessings of the restored Gospel. Ramón wanted to tell me about something that happened to him shortly after his baptism. He learned that his sister had been diagnosed with cancer. She had signed authorizations for surgery to remove the cancer. She was not a member. Ramón had learned that Melchizedek priesthood holders can give blessings of health using consecrated oil, but he was only a priest. So, he invited his sister to receive a blessing from the missionaries. She accepted, and the blessing was given.Ramón’s eyes filled with tears as he told me what happened after the blessing. Some time later, but before her scheduled surgery, his sister had more tests. This time, every single test came back negative! Her cancer was gone, completely. The surgery was cancelled, and his sister is healthy and well today. Ramón bore fervent testimony to me that the Lord healed his sister. His faith was strengthened.Then, with a serious and earnest look in his eye, Ramón explained why he wants to go to the temple. He recently dreamed that he saw a deep pool of water. He saw three people swimming in the pool, and somehow sensed that they needed his help. When he awoke, he understood that the three were his father, his mother and his brother, all of whom died without hearing the Gospel. Ramón has worked diligently with his family history consultant to prepare their names so he can do the work for them when he goes to the temple, after receiving those same blessings himself.The ripples in the pond will go on forever.Why are we here? To find Christ's own, and to invite them to return to Him, to Him who bought them with his blood. And to do all within our power to keep them secure within their newfound faith. To love them as He does, and to pay our own little price that they may find Him again. To labor all the day long, every minute of every day, that we might not miss even one.
To lose ourselves in His work, and thereby to find ourselves. And that will make all the difference.
President and Sister Martineau Puerto Rico San Juan West Mission
June 15, 2009
This week i have really been struggling mental wise. I really want to contact and want to do it. I am pumped in the morning and then when i get out i just keep talking myself out of it. Now that Elder Johnson is my companion and is learning the language i have really had to step it up. and DO!This week i had a wonderful conversation with a testigo. They came to our door. Of course they didn't want to accept what i was saying but i was trying to share it with the most love for them i could.I don't think i could be with a better companion. We get along great. We both see things pretty much eye to eye except he's about a foot taller than me. and i just overall have loved these first few days. Last transfer was just different. I really struggled to feel the spirit. it was hard on me. But towards the end i really just tried to put differences aside and continue on and try to complement him instead of bring him down.This week we had a good experience with one of our great investigators jenny. Almost like the power of a member refference. She is not a member yet but has just as much excitement. She knows the book of mormon is true and knows that god has a plan. The questions she asks are to seek information instead of to disprove. but she invited her brother over to speak with us. He sat there content the whole time as we taught the lesson. Then afterwords he leaned forward and asked us. in english "i don't understand spanish so well, could you come back and explain that in english or papiamento?"
I was so excited. Then we went back and had a great lesson with him. =)
That moment made me feel so good about missionary work! It made me feel like they were really one of those people that will listen... as preach my gospel tells us to find such.
I need to get my contacts. i want to baptize. I need to be able to try the promise. I really want to do it this week and i will!
This week we also got the sisters. BIKE IS super. Man its so hot here and i sweat like a pig all day long. My shirts are turning yellow brownish... its so dry and there is so much dust. so i get wet a little dust storm comes through then everything is light brown. its great!
I am teaching the sisters and my companion papiamento. President is crazy! I just started learning this language 6 weeks ago and now he makes me island train! AAAHHH! no its good. Its only made my papiamento get better. But i don't know what president was thinking. He's the district leader though so thats good. I don't want leadership yet. Teaching papiamento is good enough. You should hear some of my phone calls. They are about as far away from communicating as possible. =) no its really not that bad. every one tells me HOPI LIHE HOPI LIHE. which is very fast very fast. You are learn fast!
But yeah i have already lost a lot of water weight. My face is getting a little skinnier. all the good stuff! Yeah! my skin darker and darker. my shirts browner and browner. My deoderant weaker and weaker. It is quite the life! That's for sure!
Tur Kos Ta Hopi Dushi Pa Mi!
Mi Ta Stima Boso!
Ayo
Me encanta ser misionero!I Love Being a Missionary!Mi Stima Pa Ta Mishonero!(dutch womps...its hard)Ik ....???.... Zendeleng
I was so excited. Then we went back and had a great lesson with him. =)
That moment made me feel so good about missionary work! It made me feel like they were really one of those people that will listen... as preach my gospel tells us to find such.
I need to get my contacts. i want to baptize. I need to be able to try the promise. I really want to do it this week and i will!
This week we also got the sisters. BIKE IS super. Man its so hot here and i sweat like a pig all day long. My shirts are turning yellow brownish... its so dry and there is so much dust. so i get wet a little dust storm comes through then everything is light brown. its great!
I am teaching the sisters and my companion papiamento. President is crazy! I just started learning this language 6 weeks ago and now he makes me island train! AAAHHH! no its good. Its only made my papiamento get better. But i don't know what president was thinking. He's the district leader though so thats good. I don't want leadership yet. Teaching papiamento is good enough. You should hear some of my phone calls. They are about as far away from communicating as possible. =) no its really not that bad. every one tells me HOPI LIHE HOPI LIHE. which is very fast very fast. You are learn fast!
But yeah i have already lost a lot of water weight. My face is getting a little skinnier. all the good stuff! Yeah! my skin darker and darker. my shirts browner and browner. My deoderant weaker and weaker. It is quite the life! That's for sure!
Tur Kos Ta Hopi Dushi Pa Mi!
Mi Ta Stima Boso!
Ayo
Me encanta ser misionero!I Love Being a Missionary!Mi Stima Pa Ta Mishonero!(dutch womps...its hard)Ik ....???.... Zendeleng
June 8, 2009
Ok so. This last week was a very different week. As most end of transfer weeks are. The time seems to pass so fast and then i realize i am starting another month another transfer and soon i will be moving on to another area...or maybe not... but everything just passes so fast.
This last transfer was good companion wise. He was very different i feel like i really finally got to know him and learned to work with him towards the end. It took a while some argueing and much patience but now i feel much more tolerant. I feel like i can put petty differences aside much easier now.
This week has also been good teaching wise. I was kind of upset because i didn't have the focus or motivation rather to get my ten contacts a day as president nos exhorto.
I practiced my dutch.... yep still dont know a thing except Ik Spreek Niet Nedelands and Ik ben een zendeling . That is about the extent of my dutch right now but should be increasing soon. We are going to start working with members to help teach us.. I still need to find a good book.
I ate some funny things this last week. I wanted to try some cactus. So there was a cactus broken over so i took my knife out and cut through the middle and took a big chunk out of the middle. It tasted like a baked potato kind of. But much gooeier. Not bad... I didn't know if it was edible but i didn't die...=)
We went to a lady's house to eat lunch one day ... =) She had talked about making arepas which are like venezuelan tacos. i was pumped then we got there and she had decided to make Sopa de rabo de vaca. Which is COW TAIL!!! Fun! It wasn't very good but not too digusting. Just huge chunks of bone all over and she just ate it like a pro cow tail eater. Just pick out the bones sucked on them for a while then spit them out for her dog to eat. It was cool.
Then on sunday we went to a sisters house who made.... Rice Potato salad (much different than what you're thinking of) Ribs Chicken and a big chunk of beef. More meat than i have eaten my whole mission in one meal...=) no. On sunday i had a great experience. I really felt the promise of the atonement. I felt completely clean new and ready to start working hard again. It was wonderful! I felt like afterwards i was able to teach with much more clarity and i felt the spirit working through me! Just how preach my gospel tells us we can know we are successful and the lord is pleased with us. Wonderful!
This morning my companion flew out. wednesday the other island elders fly out. thursday the new missionaries fly in including SISTERS that are taking over half our area. We had to split out area this last week find a new apartment and get a bunch of stuff in line for them. Whew.
Thursday i hand over the keys to the car and i am on bike again. WoohoO! Time to lose a little weight. I've been getting chunkier. not bad staying the same weight but now i am going to work it off again. President also made a rule a few months back that elders and sisters can't ride in the same car... and he is imposing it here in aruba too. so we are going to have to ride the bus up to do email and everything on Pday. How fun!
This last transfer was good companion wise. He was very different i feel like i really finally got to know him and learned to work with him towards the end. It took a while some argueing and much patience but now i feel much more tolerant. I feel like i can put petty differences aside much easier now.
This week has also been good teaching wise. I was kind of upset because i didn't have the focus or motivation rather to get my ten contacts a day as president nos exhorto.
I practiced my dutch.... yep still dont know a thing except Ik Spreek Niet Nedelands and Ik ben een zendeling . That is about the extent of my dutch right now but should be increasing soon. We are going to start working with members to help teach us.. I still need to find a good book.
I ate some funny things this last week. I wanted to try some cactus. So there was a cactus broken over so i took my knife out and cut through the middle and took a big chunk out of the middle. It tasted like a baked potato kind of. But much gooeier. Not bad... I didn't know if it was edible but i didn't die...=)
We went to a lady's house to eat lunch one day ... =) She had talked about making arepas which are like venezuelan tacos. i was pumped then we got there and she had decided to make Sopa de rabo de vaca. Which is COW TAIL!!! Fun! It wasn't very good but not too digusting. Just huge chunks of bone all over and she just ate it like a pro cow tail eater. Just pick out the bones sucked on them for a while then spit them out for her dog to eat. It was cool.
Then on sunday we went to a sisters house who made.... Rice Potato salad (much different than what you're thinking of) Ribs Chicken and a big chunk of beef. More meat than i have eaten my whole mission in one meal...=) no. On sunday i had a great experience. I really felt the promise of the atonement. I felt completely clean new and ready to start working hard again. It was wonderful! I felt like afterwards i was able to teach with much more clarity and i felt the spirit working through me! Just how preach my gospel tells us we can know we are successful and the lord is pleased with us. Wonderful!
This morning my companion flew out. wednesday the other island elders fly out. thursday the new missionaries fly in including SISTERS that are taking over half our area. We had to split out area this last week find a new apartment and get a bunch of stuff in line for them. Whew.
Thursday i hand over the keys to the car and i am on bike again. WoohoO! Time to lose a little weight. I've been getting chunkier. not bad staying the same weight but now i am going to work it off again. President also made a rule a few months back that elders and sisters can't ride in the same car... and he is imposing it here in aruba too. so we are going to have to ride the bus up to do email and everything on Pday. How fun!
June 1, 2009
Sorry this letter wont be so long. We are going to go to THE BEACH today! Woohoo! but this week was a great week. Like always. Ups and downs Goods bads but I AM A MISSIONARY!SOY MISIONERO! MI TA MISHONERO! IK BEN EEN ZENDELING!
This week as well i really realized how much i love spanish! I LOVE IT! it is so much easier for me than papiamento. Just becuase it makes sense to me. Papiamento doesn't make sense becuase its too easy! I have gotten used to the spanish grammer and structure and so anyhting other than spanish structure throws me off even english sometimes. I feel like it is my second native language. Although it isn't, i feel that confident with it. I can understand almost everything. I am learning new words everyday but i feel fluent and feel like it is a beautiful language. Now papiamento will be the same soon. But Dutch... uhhhh... There arent as many people here in aruba that speak just dutch nor are there many that know it good enough to really teach me. I need a dutch for dummies book. a very basic book.
but yeah. I will be feeling great when i can understand it good. I want to learn many languages. many more =) French i am working on a little with some hatian people. and as well our neighbors are from the philippeans so maybe a little tagolog. Who Knows! but yeah this week I learned many great lessons. This week i was very humbled by someone that knew a whole lot about the bible. I tried to convince him but tried to do it by logic with scriptures from the bible and he would bring back other scriptures from the bible or tell me more about the story of that person in the bible. There are many scriptures that i have in my head that prove (to me) certain things. But i really don't know as much of the background. I remember the part in chapter 5 of preach my gospel that talks about answering doubts with the book of mormon but i just kept wanting to prove him wrong with the bible. I made a great mistake and the contact never really got anywhere. He did invite us to go back but i have quite a process of repentance to go through in regard to the first impression that he got of me and the church. It wasn't anything bad just back and forth bible bashing. But he knew much more. Then our next cita i tried to really apply what preach my gospel says and use the book of mormon and the testimony i have to answer their doubts. I felt the spirit so strong! I really did i knew that i was doing what i needed to do.
I love debating. I do, but as i learned this week I don't know as much about the Bible as I would like but i do have a testimony that it is true and that the Book of mormon is true as well and by sharing that testimony i felt strong and like i had the help of my heavenly father. It was great. The best part was at the end of the lesson they were talking to each other and i know they understood. They understood perfectly it was a great exerience!
That is my week more or less. I learned a lot. about the scriptures and about everything! WOoHoO!
I Love you all! Mi Ta Stima Boso! Yo Amo a ustedes! (sorry dutch will come)
Elder Ellis...
This week as well i really realized how much i love spanish! I LOVE IT! it is so much easier for me than papiamento. Just becuase it makes sense to me. Papiamento doesn't make sense becuase its too easy! I have gotten used to the spanish grammer and structure and so anyhting other than spanish structure throws me off even english sometimes. I feel like it is my second native language. Although it isn't, i feel that confident with it. I can understand almost everything. I am learning new words everyday but i feel fluent and feel like it is a beautiful language. Now papiamento will be the same soon. But Dutch... uhhhh... There arent as many people here in aruba that speak just dutch nor are there many that know it good enough to really teach me. I need a dutch for dummies book. a very basic book.
but yeah. I will be feeling great when i can understand it good. I want to learn many languages. many more =) French i am working on a little with some hatian people. and as well our neighbors are from the philippeans so maybe a little tagolog. Who Knows! but yeah this week I learned many great lessons. This week i was very humbled by someone that knew a whole lot about the bible. I tried to convince him but tried to do it by logic with scriptures from the bible and he would bring back other scriptures from the bible or tell me more about the story of that person in the bible. There are many scriptures that i have in my head that prove (to me) certain things. But i really don't know as much of the background. I remember the part in chapter 5 of preach my gospel that talks about answering doubts with the book of mormon but i just kept wanting to prove him wrong with the bible. I made a great mistake and the contact never really got anywhere. He did invite us to go back but i have quite a process of repentance to go through in regard to the first impression that he got of me and the church. It wasn't anything bad just back and forth bible bashing. But he knew much more. Then our next cita i tried to really apply what preach my gospel says and use the book of mormon and the testimony i have to answer their doubts. I felt the spirit so strong! I really did i knew that i was doing what i needed to do.
I love debating. I do, but as i learned this week I don't know as much about the Bible as I would like but i do have a testimony that it is true and that the Book of mormon is true as well and by sharing that testimony i felt strong and like i had the help of my heavenly father. It was great. The best part was at the end of the lesson they were talking to each other and i know they understood. They understood perfectly it was a great exerience!
That is my week more or less. I learned a lot. about the scriptures and about everything! WOoHoO!
I Love you all! Mi Ta Stima Boso! Yo Amo a ustedes! (sorry dutch will come)
Elder Ellis...
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