Monday:. The start of our week started off great there was an American
member visiting on a business trip because he works for Boeing. So he
called us and asked if he could take us to dinner so we were thinking he
Wa going to take us to dominos or burger king or something like that and oh we're we wrong he
took us to this really nice Italian restraunt called mafia which was
super delicious. And then we just played some basketball and shot some hoops
for pday:) got my free throw percentage back up to 90%!
Tuesday:well today we went to the hospital to visit one of the members
but turns out he wasn't in the room so we walked in, on an
older gentle men who yelled at us to get out so that was fun. Then
later we had a lesson with Maria to just go over all the baptismal
questions so that was great she seems very prepared for her baptismal
interview! So we are real excited about that. Then the rest of the
day was out in the street contacting since our two other lessons
didn't show up. But hey we got to talk to some people and testify
about the church doesn't get much better.
Wednesday: well today we started off with weekly planning which went
pretty well. Then we went to go and do some pass bys but no one seemed
to be home today. Then later we had our first English class on
Wednesdays which was great. Then back to the streets for more
contacting!
Thursday: today was intercambios with the zone leaders which was good
I was with elder priest who is from Southern California. So they
didn't have to much planned, so we mainly just contacted but that was fun just
joking around and testifying and sharing the gospel message with those
that would stop and listen to us in the street. The I went to their
correlation with them which was cool to see how much there branch
mission leader is concerned about the branch and the investigators.
Then it was back to contacting and then over to the piso with 8 other
missionaries. So that made for an interesting night haha!
Friday: today we had our zone conference in Leon which was great we
focused on the purpose of the Book of Mormon this time and how we
should try to place the Book of Mormon in people's hands more. With
all the stuff we have learned about from the conference we have put it
to good use being able to give out three book of Mormons which was
super cool and we will be giving another one out this Wednesday to a
future investigator so that will be really cool. Then it was off to
English class where we sang some one direction some taylorswift and
hark the Harold angels sing and then translated them to Spanish so
that was a lot of fun.and then we had correlation to go over what we
were able to accomplish in a he week with Julio or branch mission
leader.
Saturday: well sadly today was shingys last time playing ball with us
until he goes back up to Zimbabwe and then down to South Africa to
study so that will be good for him. Basketball was great lots of
blocking shots and forcing turnovers. Then basketly the rest of the
day was just going around and passing by people we can teach. The
first stop was Jose morales but they were super busy having a family
reunion but they did introduce us to the whole fam so that was super
awesome! Then we managed to give out two Books of Mormon but no
references but that's okay.
Sunday: well we will just say that church was a very uplifting
spiritual experience. Today the speakers were Elena one of the YSA who
gave her talk about virtue which went super well. Then the next
speaker talked on the gift of speaking with the tongues of angels and
the great opportunity we will have to here the profit and the apostles
in this coming general conference for all of you whether member of
this faith or of another I encourage you to take some time and watch
these great bare there testimonies about god it can truly change your
life. It has changed mine.
Thank you all so much for all your love and support and hope all is
going well with every one. Love you all.
Love, Elder Strong
Monday: well today was kind of just a relax and chill pday. Started of
by waking up doing studies and then spent the rest of the day at the
church playing a card game called smash up which is this really fun
card game. Then we also ordered dominos so that was super good? Then
later in the day we had a lesson with Jose and his wife. It went well
but his wife is just now slightly starting to open her heart back up
to God so that's a great starting point and hopefully things will
continue going well with them.
Tuesday: today we had a great lesson with Maria about tithing at first
we had no idea what she was going to respond but she said she will be
more then willing to pay tithing as a member of the church so that's
good. Well the rest of the day was mainly passing by people who
weren't home and contacting so there's not to much to say.
Wednesday: today was a day that was mainly full of contacting which
was alright we managed to get a couple new references. Then in
district meeting the focus was on diligence and obedience so that was
really good since it is through those two things that we can bring
miracles to pass. Then we had lunch with Juan joe and his wife where we
had payaya which was pretty good but it's also interesting. Then we
ended the night by passing by Nicole's house to check up on her since
she hadn't come to church the last two weeks. To find out she was in
Madrid. Still was good to hear she still went to church.
Thursday: today all we really had was a lesson with Fernando where we
talked about what he needs to know before becoming a member of the
church I feel like he is ready but at the same time he has many
questions so we'll have to get on those and help him with that. But
he's a great guy and will enter into the baptismal font in his own due
time.
Friday: today we had another great lesson with Maria about the plan of
salvation which went really well since this was her second time
through that lesson which was super awesome! She didn't remember a
whole lot and my comp hardly said a word during the whole lesson so I
don't know if there's something going on. But all in all it was a
great lesson and we even got to help some of the youth get teaching
experience so that was fun. Then we had English class which was a
blast with my group we told jokes talked about vacations and sang
songs which ranged from taylor swift to the Beatles to one direction
so we had a blast. Then we had correlation with Julio which was great
he even cracked a few jokes about how small people always get the
cutest girls so that was super funny haha.
Saturday: well today started off with a wonderful basketball activity
where these two guys from Zimbabwe showed up and they were actually
pretty good. Man it's so cool over here in Spain I have played
basketball with people from all over the place. From Zimbabwe,
Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Colombia, Spain, Ecuador, and even some
one from Australia that's so cool to think about. Then later it was
just a day full of contacting and pass bys. But we did manage to get
in with an old investigator so that was nice. And then it was off to
the piso for the night.
Sunday: well today went pretty well I actually got to give another
talk this week so that was a great experience. I talked about the talk
from general conference what lack I yet which went really good. Us as
people of the world lack in something in some aspect every day and
strive to become perfect. In this talk it says we can become perfect
in Christ and that really made me think for a while and then it just
made sense! In this life we can never become perfect like Christ or as
Christ but through the atonement we are made perfect in Christ. So
just remember that every one you have a great friend whose name is
Jesus Christ and he has given you the best gift any one can offer you
which is his atonement in which through we can break through the bonds
of sin, trial, difficulty, sorrow and so much more, and to all my
favorite missionaries out there and all of you great member who are
putting in their part if you feel like you aren't having success in
your missionary efforts just remember one thing when other reject mock
you reject and shun you you are standing side by side with the
greatest life this world has ever seen which is our loving savior
Jesus Christ. I love you all so much and hope you can find the chance
to serve some one this week. Well hope you all have a great week and
I'll talk to you guys next week.
Love elder Strong
Monday: well today for pday we went bowling which was a lot of fun I have lost all of my skills though haha! But we all had a great time just joking around! Then later we were just doing lots of pass bys but with all the parties going on here now it seems like absolutely no one has time so we might not have much going on until next week. But with the lords help we will find stuff to do and people to teach.
Tuesday: well we had intercambios so my comp went with elder schwanke while I went with elder Ward. It was really nice just getting new perspectives on things. We did a whole lot of contacting and did manage to get two references so that was really cool. One of the guys even came to us to ask us to meet with him. I know that the lord will always help us be in the right place at the right time. Then we had dinner with one of the menos activos in the ward so that was awesome! Then we just talked with them for a bit and they said they are going to come to church and to the activity we have this Saturday.
Wednesday: well today started off with a very great district meeting where the main focus was on obedience power and becoming a successful missionary. As we got talking we talked about how we truly are in the place of Christ representing him since he can't be on earth right now doing this work. So we must remember that if we want to get up late that's saying Christ would get up late. If we don't want to contact in the street that's saying Christ wouldn't contact in the street that just completely changed my perspective on things. Then later we had a lesson with Jose which went well we talked with him about the restoration and at the very end his wife came in and listened. So we talked with her about overcoming trials and how God puts trials in our lives not to punish us but to bless us. She then agreed that she will listen in on our next visit, so that will be great.
Thursday: well today everything was shut down to celebrate one of the virgins that the celebrate in the Catholic Church. We were going to head over to one of the pueblos to visit the members but the buses were all off schedule because of the fiesta so that was to bad. And then all the pass bys failed us so just a day full of contacting!
Friday: we had another lesson with Maria today which was super awesome she is making such great progress towards her baptismal date that we have scheduled for the 8th of October that will be a great day. We also were able to teach English class today so we mainly just shared stories because all the people who usually come to English are pretty fluent already. Then we had correlation with Julio which went well and we talked about a few members that want the members to visit them so we will have to get on that this week.
Saturday: well basketball was great today although my companion plays super aggressive against all the really young kids that come play so I make sure to try to get the kids to score and it usually works which is so fun seeing how excited they get when they score. Well today we had a lot of time contacting which was good, got a couple new references. Then we were suppose to make something for the activity for the ward tonight so my comp tried to make brownies and well let's say he didn't quite follow the recipe so they didn't turn out well. Then I decide we would just make chocolate chip pancakes instead which every one loved. It was a really great activity getting to try food from every ones home country it was really neat. Then we got another reference contacting our way home.
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Monday: well today we started off by cleaning the piso because I'm not
to sure when the last time it was that they cleaned this place. Then
it was off to do some groccery shopping which was good. Then we went and shot some hoops
and played cards and emailed with the other elders and some of the YSA
and then it was off to contact until it was time to head back in for
the night.
Tuesday:well today we had the lovely opportunity with meeting with
M_ again. So today with her we focused on the third lesson which is
the gospel of Jesus Christ so my comp doesn't like teaching in a
fuerte way like I do some times so the lesson started off very slow
and then wasn't getting anywhere really so I decided that I was told that
I would bear strong testimony on my mission so I decided to do just
that. Telling her that our Heavenly Father is waiting for her to come
back and that all of the members here are waiting with open arms ready
to recieve her. The spirit just filled the room in that moment so I
asked if she would prepare to be baptized and she accepted the
invitation. Then later we had a lesson with one of the menos activos
about the plan of salvation since in the past five years she has lost
three children. I am so happy to know of the blessing that we can have
eternal families and so grateful for the eternal family I have! Sure
brothers can be annoying at times but I love them all more than
anything else in this world.
Wednesday: well today we had district meeting which went well I had
the opportunity to give a talk on humility which is something every
missionary needs in their mission. We all must remember it's not what
we are doing but it's what the lord is doing through us. Then later we
went over to a members house for lunch and talked with her about
member missionary work which was super awesome because with the other
missionaries she invited her friend to church. Then later we had a
great lesson with a lady named J_ where we talked about the
restoration and invited her to keep reading the Book of Mormon
although she's doing fine with that seeing how she is already in the
book of mosiah. So that will be great meeting with her again soon.
Thursday:well today we didn't really have any lessons with
investigators but we did have a couple cool experiences. The first
cool thing that happened today was that we were out contacting after
weekly planning when we stopped to talk to this old man who ended up
not wanting anything but then a few seconds later a group of three
university students came up to us and asked what we were preaching
about so I gave them a quick run down of the restoration! Then they
asked if they could meet with us sometime and learn more so that was
awesome. Then later we had lunch with the brosevich family which was
really good we had salad and pasta and ribs so that was legit. Then
they drove us back to Valladolid. On the way back I started talking
with their 16 year old son about mission life.
He said he is a really shy guy and asked he can come over that to
prepare for a mission so then we talked about the atonement and how we
can use it to overcome weaknesses that we have and that it is not just
for our sins. Then we talked about sacrifice and then he said us as
missionaries are his super heroes so that was really cool to hear
after all what kid doesn't want to become a super hero. Well good news
now you can by being a missionary. Being a super hero means helping
other and that's just what we do help other to find the path they
strayed from that leads back to Heavenly Father.
Friday: well this morning we had a wonderful lesson with M_so that
was awesome she accepted a baptism date for the 8th of October it is a
truly neat experience as a missionary when you can see the fruits of
our Heavenly Father using you to press his work forward. Then later we
had English where I just talked to one of the guys there about all the
stories from life and he told me some stories so that was a lot of
fun. Then it was correlation and then back to contacting which was a
bit sketch because the fiestas of Valladolid have officially started.
So that was fun.
Saturday: well first we started the day off by contacting for a little
bit and then it was off to our basketball activity with the youth
which was a blast. Playing some three on three. Then later we had a
lesson with F_ about the restoration he's been investigating for
five years and hasn't gotten baptized because he wants a firm
foundation before hand. So we are just going to try and help him with
that. Then for the rest of the night it was just out contacting in the
street which has gotten kinda crazy since the Valladolid fiestas are
now under way for the next two weeks! And yeah so it's been fun haha!
Sunday: well today started off with going to church and seeing how it
was fast Sunday it was really nice just listening to every ones
testimonies. And the in priesthood talked about marriage again so
that's always fun haha. Then the rest of the day we just did pass bys
and contacted and managed to got a few references so that was awesome.
Well that was our amazing week hope you all had a great week as well.
And can't wait to hear all about it! Love you all!
Love,Elder Strong
Monday: well today it was of to Valladolid for the first time to meet
up with my new comp from Idaho who's name is Elder Pitman. So after
the hour train ride and then a short five minute wait it was off to
the chapel where we wrote! And shot some hoops because they have a
small basketball court here so that's super awesome! And they even
have voltage Mountain Dew! Well after pday was over it was to do some
pass bys and make a ton of phone calls to get some lessons set up
which was good! Then back to the piso for the night!
Tuesday: Well today we had a lesson with this man who has been
investigating the church for about five years so we are just helping
him clear up a few doubts that he might have still and then hopefully
we can get him a baptismal date soon! Then later we were out
contacting in the street when nothing seemed to be working. Then I
remember what president pack said about finding creative ways to
contact. So here there are a ton of basketball courts so I saw a twenty
year old man shooting some hoops so we went over and talked about
basketball for a couple minutes which was good and then we invited him
to our bball activity but he had work but wants to play on Monday. So
that will be awesome and then we got to meet with the branch mission leader
which was great with some tortilla de patata!
Wednesday:well today we had lunch with the jobreos which was really
good. And kind of funny because they were giving my comp a really bad
time on his accent so my comp was freaking out haha. Then we talked
about the branch and a few other things with them. Then later we went
over to M_ house to meet with him and his ten year old son. He is
baptized but the son is not but wants to get baptized. So we should be
able to get him on a baptismal date soon so that will be cool. Then we
found a young man from the Dominican Republic that we are hopefully
going to be able to play a little soccer with him in a couple weeks.
So that should be great! And the we mainly contacted for the night.
Thursday: well it went something like this. It first started off with
some contacting until it was time to head over to the branch
presidents house for lunch where we had some very delicious spaghetti.
Then we decided to go contacting and do some pass bys when we found an
old investigator named Jose. He recently had to have a surgery for
some really bad digestive problems and other things so he had a super
cool story well he really wants to get baptized so that was cool to
here his story but he said he wants his wife to be supportive of the
decision before he gets baptized. Then we headed over to Hermano
juanjos house for lunch where we had some pasta with meatballs and
Carmel ice cream for desert so that was awesome! Then later we were in
the bus and my comp said I'm going to talk to these two girls who were
sitting in front of us. So he just asked them where the bus stopped so
then I came in for the save asking them if they knew English so they
said a little and I invited them to English class. And they said they
would try to be there so that was super cool!
Friday: today we saw a huge miracle well I did at least. Today started
off with having lunch with a less active family and the guy is a huge
volleyball fan and his job is helping with different professional
volleyball teams. Then later it was time for English class we were
able to have a lesson with M_one of our investigators she is
getting really close it seems like to be getting baptized we just need
to get her to start coming to church. Then we had English class when
this woman came in the door that is 90% blind asking if she could
learn English so I quickly volunteered to give her a private lesson
while the other missionaries where teaching every one else. So we were
talking for a little bit and talked about Jesus Christ. And then
started talking about her favorite things to do and she said it was to
listen to books and to my great surprise she said her favorite book is
the Book of Mormon. Then we went on talking about how she wanted to
become a nurse but can't with her situation but still gives thanks to
God every day! We all must remember to be like this great example
although life gets rough give thanks to God for all the blessings that
you have.
Saturday: well the day started off with some contacting and then a
basketball activity which was a whole lot of fun. We actually have a
basketball court inside the church which is super legit! While at
basketball we played 3 on 3 and had some fun and then everyone was
tired so I told elder pitman my comp and elder ward we should play two
verse one still managed to win but it was a very close game! Then we
had lunch and taught the restoration to Marion family which went
really well the son wants to get baptized but the mom isn't to sure!
And then to end the day we had a lesson with hermana pepa about our
true identity as children of God!
Sunday: well today was filled with quite a few super awesome miracles
which first started by two of our investigators coming to church and
then two other people came to church just because and now we are going
to start teaching them later this week. Then a menos activo came to
church just cause after five years and we can hopefully start meeting
with him soon! So after lunch we had a great lesson with Jesus about
the restoration which went really well he even accepted our invitation
to read the Book of Mormon! Well that was are great week here in Spain
love u all have a great week.
Love Elder Fuerte!
Monday: well today for pday we woke up a half hour early to catch the
two hour bus ride to Madrid to meet up with the other elders and
hermanas from the zone to catch another bus over to Toledo. When we
got there I finally managed to send my sword home so that was really
nice! And then we went on a hike around Toledo which was fun! After
Toledo it was of to email a little in the bus station while waiting
for our bus back to Cuenca which ended up being a three hour bus ride
back due to traffic!
Tuesday: well today started off great we had a lesson with E_ which
was good we talked about the importance of service and expressing gods
love for others. So that was awesome! Then a lady named P_
stopped us in the street when we were contacting asking us what we
were preaching about so she had some time so we gave her the first
lesson and cleared up some false information that she had running
through her mind she wasn't interested in another lesson but it was
good to clear a few things up for her:) then the rest of the day a few
more people stopped to talk to us and tell us we are teaching false
doctrine so I just smiled and bore a quick testimony that I know the
church is true. As a missionary I don't really like the world to think we have the restored gospel we know we do! So go out and tell the world! Then we were suppose to have an intercambios
tomorrow but then we got a call saying that they missed their bus
which I don't know how that's all that possible but oh well!
Wednesday: well today started off with a great little blessing of
finally being able to teach Pablo. Which was good he has a lot of
questions and seems like he has a complete desire to learn. Then half
way through the lesson one of his friends came up to give him
something and then we asked him if he would like to listen to us so he
agreed. What a shocker that was to us! Usually here in Cuenca people
just say no but today we got a two for one deal haha! Then it was off
to district meeting where we talked about how we can be effective
missionaries and have success. And a quote came to my mind that a
friend sent me about Michael Jordan
if you don't have difficulties you will never have success. That is one of the many great lessons I have learned in my time here in the mission field. Then later we had a lesson that we thought was just going to be with a member but then she invited her menos activa daughter in and then the daughter invited her boyfriend so that was awesome we are being so blessed this week! So we talked about difficulties and faith and everyone participated in the lesson so that was legit! And the boyfriend wants to learn more so that's going to be awesome!
Thursday:well today we had a great lesson with E_ about how families are eternal and the resurrection which went really well! Many missionaries may say they left home to baptize lots of people while on there mission well my goal and why I left might be a little different then your typical answer. I left everything behind for two years of my life so I could help families become eternal with helping them on their path and journey to the temple. One thing I thought about to my self a lot before my mission was how can I freely except such a great gift of an eternal marriage with a beautiful daughter of God and an eternal family if I'm not willing to first sacrifice a little to help others find and receive that same joy that they can have through a temple marriage and creating an eternal family.
Friday:well today was a day completely filled of contacting so lots of walking around which wasn't all that bad! Exspecialy since it was the Spain basketball game verse the United States in the olympics so when ever we walked passed a bar some one was always talking about the score and last I heard was the USA was winning at the beginning of the third quarter. So there are some interesting reasons people don't want to talk to missionaries but my favorite of all time was when my comp was telling these two guys that we are here talking to the people of Cuenca and then they said sorry we aren't the people of Cuenca we are the animals of Cuenca so that's something different! Oh we also managed to find one of Donald trumps biggest fans his name is Pablo and every time he sees us in the street he always tells us how trump is going to change America and how every country needs a leader like trump haha! Well that was our Friday for ya!
Saturday: well today was the big day to find out if I will be changing areas or staying here in Cuenca for at least one more transfer. Well the day started of with basketball with C_ and some of his friends which was good although with the heat they didn't want to play an actual game so we played some knock out instead! They even managed to get me out a few times not quite sure how that happened haha! Then it was off to shower and run over to the branch president house to have some lasagna for lunch that was super good! Then it was off to a branch activity that we had in one of the pueblos where we went to watch some of the primary kids and one of the youth in a Alice in wonderland musical! So that was awesome and also had a small bbq! So it was a very great day! Then it was right after the musical we received a phone call from elder Castro saying that I will be heading to Valladolid on Monday! My comps name is elder pitman and he's from America so that will be a change after being with natives that don't speak English for about 4 to 5 months. So got the suitcases packed and need to eat all the food I have super fast haha! I'm super excited!
Sunday: well today started off with giving my final talk here in Cuenca which went really well I mainly talked about the talk what lack I yet so that was good! Then in Sunday school we had a temple prep class because some of the members with some ex members saying things that aren't true about the church and temples and all that stuff. And seeing how not many of the members here have been to the temple or have a knowledge about some of the things in the church yet these people have been attacking these members with tons of false testimony. I don't get it some times it doesn't make much sense to be so harsh to some one just because they believe in God! Then in priesthood we talked about marriage perfect topic for elder kempf since he goes home this week haha! Then it was off to finish up packing and then lunch and then off to the bus! Once we got to Madrid we were waiting around for about an hour or so for the other elders but eventually we made it to there piso with all of our stuff! And then tomorrow off to Valladolid. Well hope every one had a great week! Love you all!
Love Elder Strong
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