April 28, 2014

     Well this week we have walked SO much, I am working with my companion trying to teach organization and planning but the thing is... he isn't quite there and I dont know if he listens to me at all... So we just kind of wander and teach. We are playing scratch golf right now, without any real vision or plan, we just are talking to the world. haha      I am trying to get some pictures in on this email so I dont know if there will be a lot of... content but a picture is worth a thousand words sooo, we will go with that haha
     This week we have found a few people but this is really I think a trial of my faith, because I went from my last area that has had like a billion baptisms, all of which were people I found and taught :( and I missed the fruits of my labor because I got put in another dead area and I am trying to bring it back to life... Its frustrating. But I still am super happy to see the people I love take the step into baptism. Im just sad I didnt get to take those famous baptism pics with them... UGH I have been super sad about that but on a happier note, we are planting seeds a ton here and helping all that we know.
     Our president is about to leave in a few more months and well the mission is in full force preparing for the new president. I hope we get some baptisms in that time before he leaves. I am positive we can do it, My comp is the hardest comp I have had yet, but such a great guy. I dont want to say we fight but there are some intense moments here. This time in the mission is super tough, but I have noticed that throughout my mission every transfer is harder... so That is great I have good learning experiences in the future :) Im almost to my year mark, weird to think... I remember leaving the car like it was yesterday... time is flying and I have changed a ton in this year, Im thankful that I have another to do even more.
     Also in two weeks is MOTHERS DAY! So be prepared, we are going to do it!!! So maybe it wont feel like I'm in the bottom of the world.  Just know that I love you and that the church is true. I cant wait to see you all!!! But for now... The lord needs me to walk and be patient. How great is my calling! :) I am thankful for the blisters because they make my feet tougher haha Asi es la vida!

                                                          Elder Mitch Woods

      All these stories, haha and one day I will tell you - that one with the dog... it followed us for two days straight. I named it Francis. We saved him from another dog and well he followed us EVERYWHERE! He got on buses with us, crossed busy roads, and well slept outside of the apartment all night. We went into lessons and he waited for us. One day someone took him off our porch and got rid of him. We didn't see him for three days, then Sunday we were out looking for a family in our suits and I heard a bark and it jumped on me and then followed us to church and well now Francis is always going with us... I love that Dog haha :)

 

 

 

April 21, 2014

Well,  Happy late Easter :)

 

     I am pretty jealous, I thought about spare rib and well... sleeping on a Sunday. It was a glorious dream/thought but we just worked like normal, and had a super long week. My companion is great, a little crazy the drugs have left him with some... effects and well he struggles with some things. But hey we all struggle and I'm thankful to be with this crazy old man haha This transfer is my hardest for sure because well, things are just hard. I never want to talk bad, soo Its just an obstacle to tackle and then keep moving forward! 

      I haven't had chocolate, but this week was the birthday of my Comp and so I treated him to Ice cream... It was GLORIOUS!  

     We have been dealing with so many churches, for Pascua (Easter) all the churches are out and about and well, I don't know why they all see our tag and want to Bible bash, luckily we can shut them down with love and move on! haha But yea I saw this one thing the other day, it was a bunch of people walking in the street with torches and like 10 people in these black costumes de like the Ku Klux Klan holding a giant cross with a person on it, and a truck in front with speakers with like people singing really sad mourning music... It was like a really sad mix of a funeral and halloween... it was intense.

      Also we have bikes... they are PRETTY beat but we took them out one day, and fua I almost died, I'm getting pretty argentine bobbing and weaving through traffic! Then we also had days where we ran A TON! I'm getting in pretty good shape as far as running, I'm like straight pocahantos... I run for DAYS!!! but asi es la vida.

     I think its important for us to remember that we can always use Christ in our lives. I thought about the atonement and how lost people can be, but through repentance we can get rid of it all, and of a real understanding of where we should be. Every person can change but it first takes the step to recognize it. In fact the 5 steps of repentance are, 1. Recognize your mistake, 2. Feel bad for what you did, 3. Confess to God or someone in the church who can help you, 4. stop doing it, leave your sin in the past, and 5. Fix what you have done, restore everything you have damaged.

Easter is a day to re align our lives with that of the Lords Will, and how great it is to not have guilt, or question your life... its pure PEACE! peace on earth, how great would that be huh.

     I am sad I'm not with the family, but I am so grateful for all you have done to help me repent and be were I am now.. I miss you. You have no idea, I don't know what I did right to be born with you guys in Nuevo Mexico but wow. I now see.

     God needs me here and for what purpose I never know.. ever, but I will be the tool and if I'm just a nail in the lords hand I will take as much of a beating as necessary and maybe I can help put in place more of the Lords love for someone else. 

 

I love you all, I'm glad you are striving to fix things and bettering at the same time, stay close to the framework of the church don't doubt anything and then you will be okay...always! 

Happy Easter... save me an egg haha  I love you and the Lord loves you! 

Mitch! :)

 

Ps mom, do you have the bishop's email and brother larsen's? I want to write them!

Tell Mark and Chuck Webb and Bro Moeller I say hi!  Love you!!!!!

 

April 14, 2014

 

     I have no time, I got transferred. I'm in the zone of Luján and the area of General Rodriguez. Its awesome. My comp is an old drug addict who has 25 years and well, he is difficult and weird, But we are going to fix this area and help tons of people. I'm excited, I love it here! Its a lot of city and farm land, its the biggest area in the mission. We are in a branch and well the branch president is cool. We are Loving life! All I can say to you guys is be obedient to the Lord in all things, be diligent in your faith and after time you will see miracles, I love you alllll 

                                             PS. I got a camera :)   Mitch

 

 

 

April 7, 2014

     Hey we dont have anytime because we are going to look for a camera, but we have transfers today. This week was pretty slow, we havent found anyone real new. Lots of people that listen but dont want to do anything. We went to conference, it wasnt the same like in Utah. But... they had the stake center full and a little room with a little bity tv that showed it in english... It was like 3 missionaries haha, I learned so much. It made me home sick, but even more pumped to do the work. I love it here! Its hard everyday and those quotes dont even explain how tough it is. If it was just walking thats fine, but this is pure mental. I can feel myself going into a mode of pure work. I hope you guys learned a lot. Did you here the shout out from Elder Ballard about Buenos Aires? He came like... a month ago, but its because God trusted me in the BEST MISSION IN THE WORLD! Other then Salt Lake haha, :)
     Transfers are always tough, we are all wondering what is going to happen. Im still in villegas, its been more then 6 months I think. I only have 2 areas in my mission. I dont know what that means that I stay in areas for long times... I heard that its a goood thing, but hmm maybe the president just doesnt want me to ruin other areas haha :) Its starting to get cold here, but like a different cold, a wet cold. You cant defend yourself. I was walking and it was freezing... but I was like sweating. I dont understand this bottom of the world thing.
     I saw some wild turtles... and they were really aggressive. Another dog bit me, I think its like the 3rd time! I deserved it, I hopped a fence and SURPRISE! haha I take contacting serious, but that was kind of funny
     We have baptisms set for April, but I feel like Im going to leave, soo thats sad. If Im close I can go still visit that baptism! I think It will be good to experience something else, Im super tired of walking in mud everyday. Villegas is a little different than Argentina and like a whole new world compared to The States. Thats why Im going to try and get some pictures!!!!     
     WOOOHOO, oh heres a story, Mom... I ate Cat! I almost forgot, we went on divisions or splits and I went to another area, and this bolivian family asked if we wanted some noodles and chicken. I was like okay sounds good. We waited and there was a ton of kittens running around, then when we got the food I was eating it.. it was goood, but different and the bones where weird, but I ATE IT ALL! And then after me and my comp for the day we felt weird, also there where little bitty organs and we were like fua hermana it was awesome thanks, where did you get your chicken I havent had something like that, is it a type from Bolivia? She smiled and told us that it was cat.... LIKE WHAT THE FETCH! Are you kidding me... But it was good, at least It didnt taste bad. haha
     But thats all I can write today! Ill let you know what happens with all the transfers, and let me know what President Carter says... lets see if he speaks good about me haha Love you!!! 

                         Mitch