"...the field is white all ready to harvest..."-D&C 4


Saturday, May 30, 2015

May 25, 2015

Well,,,,
     It is very weird for me, right now to express how I feel... I'm happy that I could work in the service of the Lord and feel the spirit in such a way as I have here... But at the same time I know I may never be in a world were ALL my focus is the salvation of Gods children. It will be tough leaving this life. This week I want to stay focused... Its going to be more difficult then learning Chinese. We are setting my final interview, and a farewell with my converts in the mission. I just feel sick and nervous and need to just trust in the Lord and accept the changes that he gives me.  This weekend we have a young man of 19 that we found, who is going to get baptized. Soo if there is no complications.. and if its the Lords will, I can leave the work with a friend being baptized. That is my last desire as I finish here. Pray for us and our safety, and that we can find those who need us.. 

I love you all and if I don't write you all this next Monday... I will see you in person. 
                                                                                                                     Elder Woods
 
3 John 1: 13-14

 

May 18, 2015

Hey,

    I have no time. We are running behind in everything.
     This week was good, we are seeing miracles. This week they dedicated the temple of Cordoba, Argentina... and its really special seeing the growth in the country.
and well.... I will just tell you all about it here really soon. Stay safe and Be obedient to the Lord! 
 
                         Love you family! Thanks for all that you do! 
     
                                                                                               Elder Woods

Sunday, May 17, 2015

May 11, 2015

So... Yeah.... I have few things to say..  I loved talking with you all,
(We got to talk to Mitch yesterday for Mother's Day!)
and well... Dont be trunky... (pack your trunk early and forget about the work)
thats the goal numero 1. goal numero 2 is Find a golden family before I leave! 
I love you all very much! 
 
Elder Woods

May 4, 2015

I HAVE NO CLUE HOW IM GETTING HOME!!!!!!

     I think you all should call the offices... jaja I did get told something about four corners regional airport... or something like that... I should get home like the 2nd ..por ahí no sé.. and yeah...
( Mitch arrives home on June 2nd. He will be flying into Farmington at 12:50pm)
 
     As for what you should bring... um all that it says... a good jacket... like it doesn't matter what they say... bring a good black jacket... good shoes.. like good leather... good soles. shirts.. more short sleeve. SLEEPING BAG... believe me... houses here don't have heating.. they are bricks.. and sleeping bags save lives. but yeah.. just bring what it says.. jaja
(A friend's son just got called to the same mission)

T    his week was good, we found 20 new investigators... TALKING WITH EVERYONE!!! We are teaching a ton, and from our work a married couple and a young man of 18 and a girl of 14 went to church... it was stake conference and the Elder Zapallos came.. who just recently spoke in conference it was powerful and they all have dates for baptism now... we hopefully can see some miracles here. The area hasn't baptized in.. a while. Other then that we are just trying to fix a bit of the mentality of the members. They think that the missionaries are here to be best friends and just hang out with them, and well the sacredness of the calling isn't really recognized... we are going to change that. I have offended so many members, for just wanting to be obedient.. Like how will our investigators learn obedience to the Lord if the members don't even know?

     This final stretch is LOCO but I'm enjoying it. It's a good challenge as Ammon says, to prove to this people the power of my God! I'm excited to go home, but afraid. I fear I will lose the spiritual high at which I find myself. I see too often that missionary's return... and are almost the same. I desire to be a new man, a different person. I think that is just weighing the most on my mind... wondering if I really made the change and was converted as I had desired. But the world is full of changes, and we accept changes and change fast! 

     You made me think of a talk called, ¨beware of Pride¨ It talks alot of comparing ourselves to others.. I don't believe that we ever need to compare ourselves to others, but we must look to the only one who actually is perfect.. If we forget others and solely focus on comparing ourselves to Jesus Christ... and what we can change to be more like him.. I think that is what God meant when he said be like him. 

    But really that's all I have. The week was good, some days I'm overwhelmed with thoughts of home, and other days, I don't even think about anything other then building the Lords Kingdom. 

I love you all and will talk to you soon. This Sunday, I'm going to call.

Les amo y les espero lo mejor! Nos hablaremos pronto! Un abrazo fuerte! 

PS.. I knew Elder Wiggins really well.. hes a great kid! 

April 27, 2015

Dear Family......
IM BAAAACKKKK...
Well it seems that I can´t escape... I'm back in Gonzales Catan... but this time in a different area... this is.. like the most dangerous area of the mission..... I never thought I would say it.... but I have been in da hooood for tooo long! I'm going to come back like a Vietnam vet.... haha 
 
God did not want me to take pictures... ever.
(Note from mom: We haven't received pictures for almost 4 months. I was beginning to think camera #2 had been borrowed!)
 
No but its a good area, I'm with a companion, from Chile. He is called elder Ponce. He's a good elder just starting out, and doing good things. This area has not baptized in a... while. but we are going to baptize this next month... I'm sure! We found a girl and she went this sunday and we found a guy... AND HE WENT THIS SUNDAY... miracles..
 
But no I'm enjoying every minute of every crazy thing that happens and the even not so crazy, little spiritual moments... The mission is great, I'm tired a lot but this is maybe the most important thing I have ever done... I dont know why people dont extend.
 
As for where I should come in... Im thinking Albuquerque... from what they told me. The Trek is really awesome, I want to go camping when I get home, that will be fun... But no.. not a lot of news... in my old area there was a few baptisms. and they are going to baptize more of the families we were working with... SO many blessings. 
But no... other then that I'm just getting to know the area, and we are going to make it incredible.. always leave a place better then how you found it, right? 
 
But I love you all and hope that you keep us in your prayers! We always need them! 
 
Love Elder Woods

April 20, 2015

     So transfers have come, and I'm leaving the area, presidente, me dijo que tiene.. wow I started writing in spanish without realizing it jaja sorry, president told me that he has a special assignment for me. and so we will see what that is, I don't think I will be zone leader, in fact I think I'm going to get an area that is hard, or a companion that needs help. But I'm excited to just be in the service of the Lord! :)) 
     Something super intense happened today also, because president confused my letter with someone elses saying that they wanted to go home... and well he called me today in the morning really mad, because the farewell of converts and missionaries was last night for all that were in my group, and he was like I wish you told me sooner elder, but if your done, then you dont need to be here, and was like talking about sending me home tomorrow... I almost threw up... like STOP THIS IS MADNESS WHY DO YOU WANT ME TO GOOO!!!! and then after like begging that he in his fury didnt send me a casa, We all realized that it was just a big misunderstanding.... but I just about showed up like the movie the return missionary... ¨jared, why are you home? I thought it was next month¨.... I almost cried but it helped me to see how much I love the work.
     Yesterday I gave a talk in sacrament and looking at the ward that was grown from 85 people to now regularly like 110 (yesterday we had 116) in church, I have seen the Lords hand here in this little area. We have 2 people whom I love that are going to get baptized this weekend, but I won´t be there :( and they who are going to be baptized are bringing their family to church, and there are less active families returning, and recent converts talking and bringing more people to church... I came to an area that was wealthy and difficult, and I have seen more miracles and blessing then maybe all my mission... My joy is full. I Couldn´t believe that President was going to ¨send me home¨ when I really feel that this life and work is my home. My mind and body are exhausted but I know God has commanded that we work in his viñard and if I can I will.! 
     We will see each other soon, but I see that when one understands the purpose of the Lords plan and really sees one purpose, the vacation is never there, the whole time leading up to live with God once again, is preceded by a hard labor time. 
     Keep watching conference. Make plans.. on how you will change to do it better, and just be obedient. The Lord blesses humble obedience. Do a review, a self check. and choose to change and live EVEN more like Christ.There is room for improvement always. I'm excited for the temple of Cordoba. Its were my trainer in Utah is from. and IT will be something really beautiful. 

I love you all, thanks for the examples you are and for the work your doing to help others! 

Love Elder Woods

April 13, 2015

hahaha I love the Picture mom, La mujer araña!!!!

So family, I'm like realllly tired. I'm actually having a hard time seeing all my missionary friends going home and staying here. Its like I have two conflicting battles, I want to go home... but I want to stay. So hopefully this week can pass and I can start the next transfer full force. Also We have two women for the end of this month that are going to get baptized! They went to conference and this last yesterday they loved the church, our mission presidente went to the meeting... I don't know why... but he was there, and everyone started to talk about their conversions, it was a crazy good fast and testimony week. This week also we are taking care of a zone and trying to take care of our area, and they made us in charge of the money of our zone... its intense, and today we received a new companion... who is waiting a week to go to Brazil for his mission... he hasn't even gone to the mtc... so like... IM TIRED. we are taking care of him and trying to not like let the mission work fall apart! 
 
But other then that I'm going to try and make this next month and a half. a good experience! and then... I will probably take a nap and rise from the bed(tomb) on the third day. haha
 
I love you all, put to practice what the conference teaches... sooo blessed are we to have the gospel! :)
 
La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Días es verdadera, sin duda. 
Un abrazo, Elder Woods

Sunday, April 12, 2015

April 6, 2015

     Sooo this week was awesome, we had investigators listening to prophets. I could understand English and Spanish, and well now I have some more answers to my questions in life.... As for my favorite talks... all of them were soooo good. There's one that talks to return missionaries and how to stay a full active in the life after the mission... ¨read the scriptures, every day, every day, every day¨ and well I loved the talk by Elder Holland and Elder Uchdorf...

BUT I loved one by the Elder Nelson... It talked about the Sabbath day...
   
     Now I want to talk about the difference between magic and Celestial Priesthood Power. Magic are things that entertain us for short periods of time and that are tricks and illusions. Priesthood power is the power of God given to man to provide marvelous changes in the human heart and life. The power given from God has no equal and may not be replaced by short tricks or illusions. Now I make the question... with which of the two would you like to fill your life with... and when? 
Would it make sense to put off the Lords divine influence for quick tricks and worldly entertainment... 

    I know that I have been in the mission for a long time, but I promise you that when I get home I will make it my first priority to watch those and listen to those who can provide me with  knowledge, reminding me of my true purpose and joy in this life. 

    I had a great Easter and we did nothing other then watch Conference and do all we could to bring others. I remembered that it is through Christ alone that death was conquered from the fall of Adam and Eve, and that through His suffering sacrifice of His life we may have life... But are we willing to make those sacrifices? Are we willing to give our time, for our heavenly father? 
My testimony has been strengthened and Now I will strive to grow my treasure in heaven before that of this world. 

I'm excited to see you all. This month we should have a few women make the choice of Baptism. 

The Church is True... don´t put it off for other things. Live obedient, keep the sabbath holy, and be true to the church of Jesus Christ. 

I have seen miracles, and know that Jesus Lives. I love you all and pray always that you may make the decisions that will bring true happiness! 

Love, Mitch... Elder Woods

March 30, 2015

Hey family,
     Sooo to keep myself the least homesick, I'm going to be making these short, hahah We will talk sooon enough.. Weird. 
     As for the week we had a great baptism. It was filled with tears and happiness and everything else you can imagine... I got attacked by a wild cat living in the church... also a less active we found is now active and we got her and her boyfriend to get married, it was beautiful... but they partied the whole Friday night before and left the church destroyed.. it was like murphy's law... everything that could have happened happened that day.... but it all worked out! :) 
     This week we also had a woman we have been teaching go to the church and she loved it... she's now going to get baptized this month of April. We had a woman just walk into the church and tell us she was looking for the truth... and well yeah.. miracle. Then we found a family and taught them the restoration and the mom gave a prayer asking if this was something true, and just started to bawl. Just crying and was like Lord I don't know what's happening or why I'm so emotional but I feel that this is the truth! and then prayed that we keep coming so that she can follow it. Also her family told us that they never let ANYONE enter their house but that they just felt something and like... ANOTHERRR MIRACLE!!!! also our recent converts are just doing great and well... I don't know how I entered into an area that had very little and was supposed to be hard... and now we are just being sooo blessed. I don't know why. But I am very happy. 
     The baby pictures are really great. I cant wait to meet her, and as for movies... I'm excited also, but more for just having good family time. That will be nice! 
    Work hard! Have faith in Christ, and !BE OBEDIENT! 

I love you all, Elder Woods.
PS, mom your not boring, positive thinking, you are the best mom ever. :)

UN ABRAZO FUERTE!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡!¡

March 23, 2015

    Hey family we are good, we are doing good things. We have helped families return from less activeness and our converts are great. They are growing, and wow the changes are incredible!!!! We have some people whom with we are working. One man who is a police officer is going to get baptised this saturday... we are seeing miracles.
     We are hitting a patch of tiredness and we are slowing down a bit. We have to just remember why we came and finish strong. I am sprinting to the finish. Thanks for doing all that stuff for school, thanks for doing that really! Love you all. Sorry we never have time. I'm good. I lack nothing and the mission is miracle filled.
 
I CANT WAIT FOR CONFERENCE!!!! That will be incredible. Make sure you are preparing to receive the counsel that the Lord will pour out upon you! Receive it humbly and with intentions to put it to work!

LOVE YOU all! You're all the best!
Elder Woods

March 16, 2015

     We contact 100s of people. I personally am well known for talking with everyone, because I see it as a soul passing by, and you never know. We invite and others can accept it or not. But if there is no invitation there can be no response, there can be no action of repentance, and thus without the loving invitation there can be no salvation. Talk with everyone. That's all the Lord requires. We are rejected... maybe 90 to 95% of the time, but the 5% of golden families and people there are, are mucho más valuable and worth the work. Christ invited the world... and how many are truly following Him... without His invitation to follow Him and change, we could not be saved, nor achieve perfection.
     This week has been great. We are working with a family who's children are now listening to us. They aren't even members but they started to share with their friends and we are going to teach all of them... its stemming out fast and we are seeing miracles! Also we have a family that we found, that the husband is less active of 9 years and his family are not members. They are all going to church and want to all be baptized. They need to get married no más, and then they will be ready. We have a family home evening with them and its going to be incredible! I'm sooo thankful for the chance to be here and help and be helped by these people. They teach me so much through their faith and sacrifices!
    The Lords teachings are truly instruccions to live happy. We just have to take the time to put it together and not skip steps. I love you all and thank you for all you do for me. Thanks Dad for looking into the school! 
I hope everyone is good! and that you always remember the real purpose for living here in this earth!

Les amo!
Elder Woods

March 9, 2015

Soooo, this week was great.
     We are having transfers this week, my comp and I are staying together :) 
We are the only ones, the rest of the zone all have changes, its going to be crazy! The area is doing good, and I know we are going to see miracles!
     I hope marah is happy and that I'm proud of her non partying ways. I've learned that being the ¨fun guy¨isnt always the right choice! Just know I'm thinking about you all! The mission is good, I love it sooo much! Its helped me see my weaknesses and start the changing process. Its helped give me a vision for what I want in my life! Which is simple: be a good husband, father, and just follow the steps of Christ. I want to be a hard worker, and I want to always give of myself. 
     This church is true, there are many churches with truths, but only one will allow someone to follow Christ and his pure doctrines. I'm thankful for this chance to be here and have my eyes opened to the world. 
     This week I invite you guys to look for opportunities to do something for someone else, which is maybe something even that you don't want to do at all. Gain the attributes that our savior has. 

LOVE YOU ALL,    Elder Woods
 
sorry this is short :/
 

March 2, 2015

         FAMILLLLÍÍÍAAAAA COMO ANDAAA!!!
     Well, I have a few things of business, the debit card still works, and the BAPTISM WENT GREAT!!!!  We are going to see if we can get another for this month!! I dont know how the Lord is blessing this area a ton, it is a hard area but like... lately we are seeing miracles!!! The family that got baptised last week, we had a lesson and they invited there family/daughters who have like 30 years o más and wow It was great I feel like they are going to get baptised also... MIRACLES. we will see though. Also for Marah 
FELIZ CUMPLEAÑOOOOOO hermanita :) 
Sooo yeah, Im exausted we are coming up to the next transfer in a week, and then it will just be two transfers mas... but my body knows that It should be ending in this next transfer.... ITs going to be a mental battle.. I feel like if I can endure to the end here.. then I can do it in the life hereafter. As for getting a call to BULGARIA,,, voy a orar por él that language... will be like locura, but thats were the Lord will use him to plant seeds and harvest the work! Im excited to see more miracles!
 The life is like a race... 1 Corintios 9:24    We will obtain the prize!!! 

I love you all, espero que estén cuidado y feliz. 
Un abrazo fuerte! 
Elder Woods
 
HEYYYY MADRE!!!! COMO ESTÁSSSS!!!!!!!!!!   Hey how is life? going ... up there :) do you miss me yet? I'm wanting to hit the ground running with work so with dad I need you guys to be looking for some good working oppurtunitis... :) sorry I'm putting you to work, but it would really help me out! and yeah... how is the home and Farmington? Someone looked my house up on google earth... and told me that it is like a house... and dirt... I saw the picture and wow... Nuevo Mexico, isss.. brown. like.... its just brown. haha 
Love you mom.
Thanks for all that you do mom, sos la mejor (your the best) :)
Give marah a good handshake from me for her birthday! 

February 23, 2015

THE BAPTISM WAS GREAAAT!!!!!!!!!
    That family is awesome! They brought alot of family members, and they said they loved the church, and now we are going to try and teach them. Also we had some investigators go and see it and everyone left happy. It took the man David, who is 70, three times until he went completely under... he left laughing. Then when the member we had baptize him, was leaving, he hugged him and was like hey thanks for trying to drown me.. hes funny.
     But it was amazing, and now this weekend we are going to have another baptism of a young girl of 17 years, who told us she wants to prepare for the mission,,, she is already doing her personal progress!! She's awsome, and then we have some other great guys we are working with for the middle of march.... like we have been seeing some miracles lately..
     I'm good... just kind of skinny and tired, but I gotta sprint to the finish!!! I have been really thinking to much in the future, ITs weird, coming to the end. Sometimes, its like before the mission, the anticipation, and the fear, and its just getting closer each day... the time is flying by... and its just weird.
     We have some noche de hogares planned also for tonight, and they always help the family, soo good job for doing the Family home evenings. I bet you see some differences and the little blessings that doing the littlest things of obedience brings... Dont let the struggles get you down ever... just always remember that if we are obedient the rest is undoubtedly the Lords will. We just need to accept that will while doing all He asks... I love the scripture 1 Nephi 3:6
Everyone knows the verse 7... but the verse 6 I feel is just as important... read it and wonder how can we be highly favored by the Lord?... its corto pero dulce
 
I love you all and know that all will work out and I know if we are accepting his will we are happy and thankfull in every circumstance. 
                                                      :) Un abrazo fuerte      Elder Woods

Sunday, March 22, 2015

February 16, 2015

     I hope you all understand that I want to write but I have no time ever because I am doing like a million things on the computer... I actually today had to fill out some paper for the flight home.... weird.
      But this week has been good we have been doing a lot of divisions and finding tons of people. We don't know why but the Lord just poured tons of blessing on us. This next weekend we have a baptism of two people and then after we have a girl named Jimena going to get baptized. We also have another guy who went to church this week and is going to get baptized in march... he smokes,,, but that can be changed.
     Also the recent converts here are awesome... I just read a scripture today in Corintios 9:24.... It talks about getting the prize... But not in a competitive prideful way... but in race against all that is evil. I thought about a podium and how out of everyone few really do finish and achieve the prize... and then I thought of Mathew when it says.. many are called (to the challenge) but few are chosen (to receive the prize). Blessings are so seldom easy to receive, true happiness is a course, and it comes from dedicated obedience and endurance, overcoming all obstacles...
     This week will be a good one. We have some more divisions planned and we will go with the assistants, so that they can train us more... I'm excited. The church is true! I know I need to CHANGE a ton of things, still it is awesome the way we learn from the things that push us.
     I miss you guys too, and washing machines... and food. and other worldly things that really don't bring true happiness. That's why I know that the Lord's will is all one needs. Its true, when you have less, you can have more. I truly believe the Lords kingdom will be filled with people who had nothing in this life, because I know here the Church of Jesus Christ is full of humble men and women... Build your treasures in heaven.
I love you all!!! Pray that we always have people to accept this gospel.

Elder Woods

February 9, 2015

Marah is growing up... weird haha
     I have no time we are just working a full!!!! Sprinting to the finish! Pray for us and that the work goes how it should! I'm happy, this week was a good week, and we had a couple people in church! the old couple we found have gone 3 weeks now and are excited for their baptism.. its incredible! our recent converts here all have callings and recommendations for the temple.. :D 
Less actives are returning.
The church is true!!! 
Be Obediente, Love others by serving them, forget yourself and do the Lords Will!

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Elder Woods

February 2, 2015

Hey family,
     So things are going really great, The Lord is BLESSING US A TON!!!!!!! WE have some great families that we are working with, and they like all went to church this week, and if you can believe it we found another great family that has gone to church 2 and they are just so like... Mormon already and they have a date for the 21st to be baptized. I'm super excited for them. Then another family that just have been great, we went and by teaching them found a woman to teach that lives next door. Lately the Lord has just been blessing us SO DANG MUCH!!! We have another young guy that went with his less active girlfriend and loved it... so we are going to try and get them married and BOOM! It was just great in the church we had recent converts helping investigators and less actives, and less actives just opening up and coming back... I love the work here!
      I'm always stressed and nervous now that I'm running the zone... My new companion, well he has like 16 months and has never been a leader ever and now I'm training him as zone leader and trying not to let the zone burn down... So If I am just obedient and work hard... WE ARE GOING TO SEE MIRACLES.
     I have no time. I am trying to plan some things and get them organized for a family home evening and then for the zone. But I'm good. My new comp Elder Pawskett is good. He's from Utah (its going to be 7 months with Americans :/ ) my spanish is not as good as it should because im always with Americans! Give me a dang brown elder!!!!!! 

SO just pray for us to have people to teach and strengthen the church!!! GRACIAS

PS, I saw the beard of Blake.... just filthy... tell him to follow the example of the living prophets!!!! jajaj but it is beautiful. tamibien la bebè is preciosa

Dad... your a an animal, thanks for being you! 

LOVE YOU ALL THANKS :))))

Elder Woods

Sunday, March 15, 2015

January 26, 2015

    WOW,  this week has been  a sad one... ( a friend from home passed away)
But it was also good, we had a baptism with a great woman, and we have been finding some good families. We have transfers and Elder Dahl is leaving. I'm super sad, he was a great companion.
     Now we are just a full getting ready for changes and everything, sorry, Just know that I love you all and we are safe and happy!
                                                               Elder Woods

January 19, 2015

    So this week was INSANE!!! I don't have pictures because I lost the card to transfer pìctures... so one day. Also, let me tell you, this Wednesday we got a call at like 11 saying we had a meeting with the mission president and the stake president. We had to be there in 2 hours and the traveling was like a ton of time... so we book it back to the pension and got on some suits, we fly to the offices and while we were waiting we were told we were going to get a new companion,,,, One elder had his area closed and needed a companion, so we have been in a trio this week, with an Elder Lyman. He's from Oregon... interesting elder. Trios are a little more difficult but It was fun. Now today he's going to a new area. The thing that was difficult was that we have two beds.... so I made like a bed of the few thin blankets we have and slept on the floor.... I'm excited to have my bed tonight, but yeah. We also had a division, in which I stayed in my area, and I received a really young elder from Spain and Elder Lyman. It was an intense day, we taught all day and found some great people and one less active family is now going to get married :D so it was a great division, but it was like super intense. I felt like a little bit babysitter and then like in charge of the area and the zone.... I didn't die, it made me much stronger!!!! 
     WE have one lady that we have been helping quit smoking and she is going to get baptised this next weeeeekkkk IM STOAKED super excited! It feels like toooo long that I haven't helped someone into the waters of repentance!!! 
     Sean wrote me and wow... hes like.. done. TIME HAS FLOWN BY!!!! unreal. I'm scared of even thinking about going into the world... the worldly world. I'm going to be... super awkward, I'm just now getting to be what I think is an okay missionary. 
     DO your noche de hogar,,, FHE tonight and always remember the Lord and his example, learn it, apply it, become it!!!
                                                      I LOVE YOU ALLLLLL   Elder Woods

 MOM EAT A BURGER AND FRIES IN MEMORY OF ME,,,,,,,,, IM SOOO HUNGRYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! But yeah, its crazy also if you want to improve your relation with Christ and understand who he is more... you should read Jesus the Christ...its phenomenal. :) I love you mom

January 12, 2015

     So this weeek has been intense but awesome. I had divisions with the assistants and I learned a ton. We found some people to teach but the problem here is that everyone smokes or isn't married So we continue in the search. The area is difficult but we just need to start a small flame here and then we will see the forest fire take place we are going to make miracles :)
     It is weird to think dad that we are on the final stretch of 2 years. Its been never ending but at the same time super fast. I talked with the president this week, I don't know if he has called you or what but because my return date was like a week before I entered the mission I'm able to extend. So we talked about it and If everything works out Ill be getting home now on June 3rd which really isn't a big difference, but when will I be able to serve and work in the mission field of Argentina any other time... I wanted to get a job and work... but I thought and I'm going to prioritize the Lords work over my own. I'm just like a bad penny you cant get rid of me jaja I'm the missionary that wont die!!!!
     But this week was fun we had a zone conference and we made some home made nioquis. They are like potato noodles... sooo good. But the word Caseros, which is our name, it means home-made in spanish... I don't understand why its named that but we have been focusing how everything is homemade in the hands of the Lord and we just need to follow what He's told us to have it come out in his own special way.... always putting in the secret ingredient of LOVE .... you better believe we are loving everyone here... jaja But I think its true If we convert ourselves first mom, we will be able to convert others... Its something I learned in the mission. I came here not really knowing why I came, but now I see the whole world differently, what really matters, what things I need to be careful of. and ultimately it sounds weird but how to be a father and guide a family back to God. Which if we think about it, if we are slowly progressing to be like God and he is the best father of all... it makes sense that I would learn that jaja.
     We are working with a girl who is a recent convert from a while ago and she started dating another member and well now she is pregnant...they are both sad, and I thought wow if this kid just understood how God sees us and his expectations. I look at the difference between them and then Hailey and Blake and like One family is welcoming a baby with love and bright futures while the other looks at the baby as a punishment and looking at the baby as something that will take away from their future! I realized that the two sins that are more serious are killing and sexual sins... because the both deal with life... taking a life irresponsibly or bringing one into the world.... Life is SO precious... and now I'm slowly understanding a little more.

But I'm good, Loving life and just TIRED ALLLLL DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY We have to give all to the Lord every moment good and bad...and that's how we will become as He is. I invite you all to think of a list of things that you can "GIVE to the Lord" and see how he will perfect you even more! Les amo siempre, son los mejores del universe, que sigan y sean obedientes al nuestro padre celestial:)   Elder Woods   PS We had to pay for two houses so I was enjoying all da money!!!!
                                

Sunday, January 18, 2015

January 5, 2015

  HAPPPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!
    This is the home strip (stretch ?), I'm super excited to work hard, I'M EXHAUSTED! I cant explain how much of not a leader I am. The new calling is unreal, we never have time for anything, like taking it slow cant happen if we want to achieve all of our goals... sooo wow. The area is a tough area but if an area baptizes or has success I believe depends a lot on the missionary... so we are going to harvest the success the Lord has planned for us. We have done a billion divisions with other Elders and wow its like I'm a traveling elder, This zone is real city, like Buenos Aires is huge and I've gotten to know a little but not all... its impossible... and for all my mission I have been like outside of it or in like the outskirt ghetto... and now I am like a kid with no clue how to work...its a whole lot different here. I assume I will finish my mission here and I want to leave the area better than how I have found it. That is my goal. We are teaching a few families. One is an older woman who wants to get baptized and is on date for the 24th but she needs to stop smoking! She's going to do it, then we have a little kid who loves the church and goes with his grandparents, he wants to be baptized the 17th and then we have one young woman, who also is praying and reading and going to church with the goal for the 17th.... sooo We have good plans for this month! I'm glad you guys passed the new year happy and tranquil
      Funny story we spent new years with a group of elders on a high-rise building and watched fireworks.... I have a good video... but then when we came back the next day there was a guy, I think we has drunk... but completely naked... like 75 years old... in front of our house... I was like what... is... this... turns out he was sick, because when we got closer we realized he was using the bathroom... haha right on our porch.... Argentines really know how to start the new year right! haha Also we played soccer against the elders of the Mission office, like the assistants and secretaries.... and we beat them.. so also I'm batting 1000 with my soccer winning haha :) 
     Basically things are good. I have never ever thought I would die from exhaustion like I do now... but I feel like I'm close to seeing a miracle, so we will keep pushing :)
                                                 I love you all!!!  Elder Mitch Woods
 

Life is a game we start on earth....
and end in heaven... just keep hopping
 

December 29, 2014

    

Well this week has been a good week. We worked hard and had a few people in church. One woman we have now has a baptismal date, and this next month we will have some people to baptize and keep active and grow in the church until the celestial kingdom... :) But we are working a ton to fix the zone because I got here and they have baptized 1 person out of like 30 missionaries.... that's like super bad... the worst I have ever seen. I have little time here but we didn't baptize anyone this month... This isn't a problem, I think we can just improve on our obedience to the Lord, work to have the Spirit, and give everything to find the chosen people. This area is reminding me a lot of Utah. Like the ghetto areas, it was like a whole different thing, I could find people in different ways. But here we are going to work more with members and maybe this is why I was sent to Utah, to learn how to help this area here :) I'm excited my comp is a stud, this week was his birthday also, he now has 20 years, and well, We are pumped to see the miracles that the Lord will give us. Ill try and send some pictures and let ya see, Its a goal to get better with the pictures and what not, I love you all, it was awesome hearing you!!!!
                                                                         Elder Woods

 

December 22, 2014

     Bueno I have no time at all... but just so you know I hope your being safe... be smart and don't push it too much. I'm going to call Thursday at 5... I don't know when that will be for you all.... maybe like 1 its the only time I can... soooo I hope it works.
     As for transfers, I got changed out of my area and now I'm with an Elder Named Elder Dahl from Texas. We are in an area called Villa Tesei en the Zone Caseros, and its fun but its exhausting. This Elder Is a super hard worker and we are working a ton. We are the zone leaders here and the area is pretty big, so we are traveling all the time, but its fun and tiring at the same time. Also this area is super wealthy, like I have never seen anything like it before. So pray for us that we can put the camel through the eye of the needle jaja Rich people are difficult but we are have miracles and loving it. I do miss my son and my last area though, I wanted to spend Christmas there. No one here knows me and well... its going to be a boring Christmas it looks like. Pero, not my will but His will be done. I love you all and Ill talk to you soooon
                                                                   Love you Elder Woods
                          Why fotos sometimes don't get sent... and why really... well nothing gets sent.

Monday, January 12, 2015

December 15, 2014

FUAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWW The bebe ya viene, no lo puedo creer!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ESPECTACULAR!!!!!!!! :))))
 
     What a great Christmas gift, now for every time that she thinks of her birth she can think of also the birth of the Lord. With all that's been happening I have actually really thought about how important life is to the Lord, that to Him having a family that loves us and a place to grow is number one! Its said that the two sins unforgivable are that of murdering and that of fornication. and bueno denying the holy ghost. But Just like we should never kill someone and take their life, to God it is of equal importance in how we treat the bringing of life to this world. That the greatest gift that God could give us was the Life of one of his sons... Juan 3:16 That god so loved the world he sent his only begotten son... Like wow. Life is a special thing. 
     I will forget  myself and go to work haha as for my son, yeah I have been training for this transfer, and the transfer ends on Wednesday, so I assume I will be with him another transfer. But after being with my last two comps and now everything I'm exhausted, This week especially, I had such an intense week. Last Saturday I ate some sausages... not fully cooked... like 3 giant raw sausages... and well I'm lucky to be alive. I have been dying ALL WEEK and I had to do two divisions, one with an elder who was being super disobedient and then with my zone leader. On top of that we had to go do paper work for Elder Rawlins so he is legal here in Argentina, and well the whole time on a toilet or throwing up, and sometimes I got the double headed dragon and was blessed with both at the same time... if you think it sounds gross... you. have. no. idea.
     Our super ghetto toilet got clogged and I was like Stavi from The Ringer, just throwing my hand down the mouth of the toilet using hand rigged snakes from hangers we had and then throwing buckets of hot water and bleach from super high.... IT was a day I will never forget. I've lost like 10 pounds again... the weight here is always changing... BUT IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING this week we found 17 new investigators and taught like 20 something lessons... so The area was still blessed. 
     Also our mission is going to get split in the future and the president called me and we talked because my area is in the part of what will be the new mission... and we don't know when the changes will be, I think further in the year. And well I don't thing it affects me, but he wants us to really take care of it and prepare it.. so that's what we will do.
     I hope you guys are good enjoying all the wonderful blessings of this season and that Hailey is safe. If anything changes here... I'll let you guys know but as for now... Ill be talking with you guys sooooonnn :)
 
Les amo mucho
Elder Woods
 
Some other comps... my old comp elder Escobar is in my district again.. haha 
 
   
This is me lifting some funky hand made weights... of concrete... getting huge!
 
 

December 8, 2014

      This week was a RAINY week, and it was a good one, I had to travel a little to visit some other missionaries because their area was a little.... in need of some things. But it was awesome the Lord blessed us a ton, I was with one Elder from Texas... super strange but awesome elder, and then the only Elder in our mission from Ecuador, he was really funny and we found a bunch of people that went to church despite the huge rain storm on Sunday, Then I got back and me and my son we were super happy to be reunited haha He was taking care of our area with an Elder from Mexico... It drained him a little especially for being new, but he's a champion so it worked out well...
     As for advent... We haven't had like any time but we read a little and It was fun. The families like  it alot, but translating stories is turning out to be a little more challenging then expected....
     We found some funny new people to teach. One guy who is like super thug and is like 24 years. His name is Rodrigo. He's gone with us to church two weeks now. One day we passed and he had this huge black eye, I was like did you get in a fight and he's like nooo noooo woods, I'm not a fighter.. I asked what happened and he told me, bueno this guy came and got my pants dirty, so I just returned him the dirt to his pants... he has a ways to go but he's funny and really a good kid. We also taught like a family of 15 the other day... we clapped a house got in... and BOOM just so many people... but like grown they all had like 20 or more years... that was super awesome teaching everyone, we are going to pass by and see what they think about the book we left them haha.
     Then this Friday, this family gave us this things called Chorizo... which is just Sausage... but giant these things, I'm telling you... we didn't know how to cook them, and our oven doesn't work... so we were like we will cook it with oil and a pan... and well I haven't really learned how to cook just yet... long story short we ate these giant bloody sausages with a ton of grease and oil and I'm pretty sure raw in the middle... It didn't help me physically or spiritually in any way shape or form... If I ever get sick or a parasite/worm it came from that... so That was a moment that I put on my list for future wife- someone that can cook. 
     Other then that my arms are full of bug bites because there are a billion in the apartment... and well I'm happy. The mission is fun, a little stressful pero bueno, that's a given and well... yeah ITs been a slow week, alot of our other investigators are struggling so we are going to pray but its not looking good. As for music... I'm good, I like don't have any idea of what kind of music there is now... I'm way out of the Loop of everything... basically I feel a bit separated from the world... that's probably a good thing though. :) ITs just SUPER HOT and RAINY all da tiempo.
 
We are coming up to transfers also this next week so I assume we will stay together and that we will keep working here. I love the area and the ghetto haha 
 
Also I love you all, enjoy the Christmas spirit... Save it for me when I get back. 
 
LOVE YOU, Elder Woods
a District meeting were the others... didn't show up... so it was successful and my comp learned a whole lot haha... The others got confused on where to go and like went super far away...

December 1, 2014

     Sooo you went down to the south... was it humid... was it hot? Feeeeel my pain. In my area were I am it floods... like FAST FLASH FLOODS. This last saturday it was raining out of no where.. and well we had like 3 appointments and we went to the first one, and she was outside and looked at me and was like ¨today no elder. Its raining¨ like no duh I came 2 miles in the rain to talk with you, so she denied us, we went to the other, the same thing, and the last... they werent home.. sooo we walked in water that was up to my mid thigh, and we clapped houses. and we shared Christmas cards trying to get into a house. We found a few people who have potential but they didnt let us in the house... 4 hours in cold water and wind, Im surprised we arent sick. But its alright.
     So basically this week has been super great. I don't remember if I told you but  Elder Christofferson came to the mission and spoke with us.. Buenos Aires is awesome because its where all the apostles and prophets come through. so We listened to him, and at the end he gave us an apostolic blessing... it was super powerful and we have just been seeing miracles come to pass according to what he told us. We found some awesome people this week and they went to church. We have been talking about Christmas with everyone and we are teaching people about Advent jaja I don't know if that will get me in trouble but we already have two families doing advent this month :) haha

     Also we are sharing this video the church made... its incredible, Its called, él es la dádiva... in English it should be like He is the gift... look it up, it really lets us see what Christmas means..
 
    This is always my hardest month missing home. I'm dying inside, I want to ski and be with the family and... bueno that is I guess the natural man and I need to keep it at bay. ha But I miss you all. The mission is fun but the Work load is unreal, my district is basically all people disobedient and then my angel son of the mission. So I have been doing a ton of divisions with the others and trying to get them to work, and at the same time taking care of my area... The mission like I know the church is true because I would not be able to do these things on my own, I feel like angels sometimes are carrying me from place to place.
     We pored cement on the roof of a members home, to strengthen it... I'm not an engineer but I feel like things they do here are maybe not the most efficient.. but.. when in rome.. ahaha
     Thanksgiving.... Bueno.. That day we ate a few chicken nuggets and rice that we had gotten. Luckily I forgot it was thanksgiving or it would have made me upset.. haha
     I saved my comp from crazy drunk robbers and we have shared the message with everyone... The mission.. is unforgettable.. I truly know it has changed my life.. We have a young kid who should be getting baptized this next week, so we are excited and all we can really do is help with the momentum and help there little seeds of faith grow. 
     The church is true... I'm going to baptize all of my friends when I get home. 
 
Also thanks for the stories mom :) we are going to use them for our advent... I bought the candles in a weird santería like store of catholic virgins and witch craft... so hopefully that doesn't curse us. but hahah we will still enjoy the stories. 
 
Also now I need you guys to look into BYU and what I need to do to go there... I think thats what I want to do.. Im tired of being far from home. Soo look into it and tell me what it says :) 
 
I love you all. Thanks for writing me every week and just know that Im still alive!!! 
 
¨I cant belive Im still standing...¨ 
 
Un beso
Elder Woods

 

November 24, 2014

Hola familia qué Onda? jaja
 
      That's slang for what's up, I have been worrying about you guys, drive safely and take car of yourselves!!!!! But yeah this week was a good hot week full of rain... its now the rainy season, its super hot and then... BOOM YOUR DRENCHED! Its part of living next to the ocean I think... ITs honestly quite an uncomfortable way to live... we are always outside because we are just looking for people all the time. 
     But yeah... asi es la vida, with Jonatan and Alejandra, well somethings happened and we are now not sure if they are getting married... so pray for them. and We have a few other families we are working for this month of December, but this Sunday... not a single person went to church!!! And well my mind is soooo fried, I haven't been as tired as I am now... we were teaching this one guy named Estevan, and I repeated myself twice and realized that I fell asleep while talking to him.... weirdest thing ever. Its been a lot like that all week so emotionally... I now think I know how pregnant women feel... always hungry and so tired you don't know what your thinking or how to act... hahah Its like ET when the alien is drinking and the kid gets drunk.. I think me and Hailey we are connected... This week we had one day were we got up at 6:30 and the rest were 5:30 or mas early, one day we got up at 3...
     We have been traveling doing paper work for my comp so he can become legal haha and then we have been traveling well everywhere. Im keeping in order the other elders because they're great but they are like doing... very little work. So I have been being a bit of a slave driver... Its actually really not fun. I've learned I like more just kind of keeping to myself and not getting on people. And on top of everything.. we are trying to baptize and help all of our converts. I think I will either die from being tired or maybe I'm learning how to not need sleep! jaja
     As for Austin... I miss that kid. As for having a 4runner... I forgot you got a new car... how weird. 
     But yeah, Things are flying by I don't think president will let me extend. so I'm a bit sad but that's okay, I heard that they just aren't letting people extend due to all the missionaries coming out. Um... que más? I cant really think of a lot that's happening. This week was a blur, I'm super tired and honestly I just need to sleep, I am a go all day every day, I think president is doing this just so I don't like go super lazy or stop working..
     But yeah, Hailey showed me a picture she is looking really big but its creepy how its just in the BELLY, it looks like tipo alien jaja but bueno, one day Ill see the baby and maybe it wont be as alienish as it appears :) 
 
I really have no more time but I hope you guys are all good, just know that I'm thinking about you and hope that you are staying safe!! 
 
PS MOM! SEND ME SOME CHRISTMAS STORIES!!!!!! ONE FOR EACH SUNDAY, IM GOING TO DO ADVENT WITH ELDER RAWLINS :) DO IT NOW BEFORE YOU FORGET!!!! and well send other Christmasy stories and cool things you can think of... enjoy thanksgiving... maybe I will kill a chicken and like eat it in remembrance of the States. 
 
Besitos.  Mitch
 

Sunday, January 11, 2015

November 17, 2014

     Hey, I have no time, we spent all morning helping an investigator get married. They are going to get baptized in December... its sooo awesome... I love the mission here. I'm super tired, we just got more elders in the district so now I have more calls to make at night. :/ I need sleep I haven't been sleeping at all, but we have been finding family's and well its worth the pain. So Yeah still alive, slowly dying but I'm good, and well yeah I really am sorry I couldn't write more, I love when you guys write alot, I miss you guys a bunch.
                                                                                              I love you, Elder Woods
 
                                                                                           Old pictures:


                                                                       and a big river in Lujan...
                 

November 10, 2014

DONT COVER THE AIR CONDITIONERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Send them... send them to meeeee!!!!

     So the summer is here and my shirts are turning more yellow and I'm remembering how much skin cancer is in my near future! Seriously, the humidity here during the summer is like... its like... swimming, in your sweat, the sweat of other people and the dirty sweat of the earth. We entered a house that had this little bity air conditioner... and I like almost died of relief. It was glorious, just another blessing that really we take for granted. pero bueno asi es. 
     This week has been fun I continue in the same position here in Gonzáles Catán  but now the only difference is that I have a SON!!!!!!! I'm an argentine father!!! His name is Elder Rawlins he's from Virginia. He's a nice elder and well I've been working him like a DAWG haha it reminds me of when I got here. He's just super tired and well luckily he's patient, but I'm happy. New elders always bring a special spirit ready to work and ready to make miracles happen. So that has been cool to see.
     As far as furniture... hahahahaha que me importa, I have lived without furniture for like ever, I was given a little chair that is torn and beat to death and its been the most furniture besides a mattress I have seen... people here use fold up chairs and like boxes to sit on. So Maybe I will appreciate it more when I get home.
    That's to bad that marah and FHS couldn't go home with the cup, but just gotta practice harder, next year! By then I will teach here how to play like an argentine champion jaja,

 As for my birthday... the members fed me cake... and more cake... and more cake... the night I threw up everything... but it was just as good the second time. :)
     It was sad that elder Smith was leaving and he was really nervous to go, he ended up being put with an intense Columbian,, so he is a little bit anxious to see how it all works out. 
     As for my everything else, we ate ice cream and contacted houses looking for people to baptize and bring into the Light. It was good... I feel the same. I think I'm actually more little too so I don't feel any form or sense of growth jaja
     Here is something I have seen, and after hearing from others who have experienced similar things... missions in the states.... like they are GREAT, but the amount of growth I have had as a man and a worker and everything, endurance and well just every phase of emotion I have learned it here. In the states you learn doctrine and maybe... how to be professional. Outside of the states you just see and.. bueno I cant explain it, but IT IS NOT THE SAME. haha
     Today we are going to keep getting elder Rawlins ready for everything but wow we have a few family's with whom we are working and wow, its just incredible the changes in people, pray for us and that we will be able to find people, that's what we are doing now... but let me just say the Lord has not closed the heavens. He loves us and is showering his blessings on those that want to follow him, and are obeying his requests. The miracles and blessings of these restored doctrines are indescribable and endless. I know the Church is true, I know it at 21 years and I will know it when I am in the presence of the Lord doing the same thing we are doing here. Also I have been talking with the Presidente and I'm pretty sure if he lets me I'm going to extend my mission. but we will see what happens.
     I love you all. Look for me a spanish wife in Texas jaja jk give Hailey a hug and tell me how her baby Mitchellcita is doing :)
 
Much love from the bottom of the world!
Elder Woods

 

November 3, 2014

This is what I wrote Hailey... I'm pressed for time so I'm putting everything together!
 
¨OYE (HEY) HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR YOU!!!!!!!! 
 
     Wow you is old haha Sorry for not wishing you happy birthday before. I saw a little girl dressed as a witch and I thought of you... ( Hailey's birthday is on Halloween)  They don't celebrate Halloween here... it was the first time I have seen like anything... I feel the same... my birthday is the day right before a transfer so we aren't really celebrating anything. I have no time ever, I have no time to think of my birth... because were making people be born again through baptisms haha
     We are working hard now to find lots of people. The other day we got a text `in ingles` and it had the address of a family and said they were awesome... we went right away, they live super far also.. and the first time they weren't there. We went another day and well... they let us in and like wow super spiritual lesson. We taught about the restoration and the book of Mormon. The problem is that they aren't married... (por favor) I marry everyone here. MAWWAGE IS WHYYY WEEE AWE GAVVEWED HEWWWEE TODAYYY.... ( Princess Bride)  haha so this next Monday we convinced them to go with us and get married... :) we taught the plan of salvation and we talked about the temple and eternal families, IT was awesome...
     Also this whole week has been raining. so its been a STRUGGLE because when you are looking for people sometimes we spend full days clapping... my comp is really really shy and afraid of speaking Spanish. So I CLAP doors all days and talk all day... and I'm always tired. Now I have learned when its raining its a little harder... this week we are talking like mini hurricanes.. so I feel like It was more of a take my son to the mountain to sacrifice him kind of moment.. like just showing your sacrifice and that you are willing to work. Last night in the last hour of the day in the dark and rain.. we contacted a house... we found a married family of 5... we taught of How the authority of God has been restored... sooo powerful.. So we are finding people and the Lord knows of our needs... if we pray, make plans and put ourselves on the field and work... that's how we move mountains and see miracles... and I know that without a doubt. I realized I have 6 months left... and that is nothing! It is going to FLY so I will hit the ground running and sprint to the end.
     Don't worry about gifts.. I am receiving all that I really need. Pray for me, that's all I need. My comp is likely leaving and the president told me he wants me to either be zone leader or train. So It sounds like anything can happen, so just pray that everything works out! Please and we will keep praying for you all!!! I'm Thankful for you guys and that we are sooooooo blessed, that is all I need. 

Love you!!!    Stay blessed :)
Elder Woods¨

October 27, 2014

   
So This week has been a good one, we have been fighting to keep Satan from destroying our happiness hahah... we had been passing almost everyday with this family that just got baptized... I understand the importance of having a testimony. I'm not just putting any person in the waters of baptism... this family is awesome their names are Norma, Juan and Elias... they are a testimony builder of how the Lord puts us were we need to be... When I arrived to my area with my comp.. well I still don't know what they were doing but they were not working with anyone, they had no investigators and I was super freaked out like wow... what do we do... so My first night there we left the apartment... and I was getting on my comp for well... not having/working with people and I said bueno elder we are going to just start contacting houses. and he was freaking out and I said were do you want to go and he told me I don't know. I don't know what to do and was about to cry... he is one to cry often... but to each his own. whatever helps you cope with stress. he was like there is a house right there and he was like but I don't know Elder I don't know what to do... So I said bueno elder that house right there is were we start. We don't have anything else to do.. that first house was Norma Juan and Elias... I felt like Nephi... I knew not before hand where to go but the spirit guided us. and we had a miracle happen. This weekend was something special for me...
     Now also at the end of this weekend we had nothing.. and I was stressed that we weren't finding new people to teach, we prayed and yesterday we found 7 new investigators... the Lord is guiding us as we work but the key is just working being worthy and putting ourselves on the field so that the Lord can help us accomplish the rest. I haven't seen meet the Mormons.. I haven't seen like... anything, I think this is how it feels to be Amish... jaja.
 
    But this week has been a great week as far as being happy. I have little time to talk. I know that we are here on earth for a reason and that is to be obedient to God and the reward is an eternal life of happiness. I know that we will continue progressing after this life and that we can accomplish all of this with the family unit the Lord has blessed us with. 
     Tell everyone that I love them and to pray for us and that we can continue being instruments in the Lords hands! :) 
 
                                                              Un Besito, Elder Woods
 

October 20, 2014

    Sorry I have no time I spent a lot of time writing some of my converts and friends since I never write them.... PERDONÁME!!!!!!! I will be better.
     This week was a great week, we had the family that is going to get baptised this weekend go to church and now they are ready!!!! We also have another girl we have been teaching who is going to get baptised the following week and after that we are going to have a wedding and another baptism.. I am excited so hopefully we can endure everything well...
     I don't know if I ever want to leave the house to go camping ever again... I feel like this has been like a 2 year campout and as far as hunting goes.... maybe some day... I think my neighbors are hunting a lot I always hear them practicing or something... hahah jk 
     Also another miracle that happened The other day a guy stopped us in the street and told us he went to Paraguay and liked our church there... and said he loves God and wants to get married.. in his words

¨That is my house right there... if you guys want to come to my house and teach my family and invite us to your church we will go, I have no problem with that.. if you want I was like... bueno sounds good to me. Then I asked did you get baptized in Paraguay? ¨No, I never reached that point but I would love to be baptized with my family¨  soo yeah we visited him found out they're not married, talked about the temple and bueno he is going to go this sunday!!!! :) his name is Rosalino... super cool guy. We are going to get him married her in the near future!!! I swear I marry everyone.. its getting ridiculous.
 
     Other then that the week has just been working, praying, and running back and forth. I'm going to sleep today... estoy tan cansado.. wow I'm tired sorry... 
 
     Elder Smith is good... I'm starting to understand his Spanish now haha and he is starting to come out of the cocoon.
     I love the miracles we are seeing,,, I'm super hot now, its getting really hot and humid... but I'm just sweating faith and love haha I love the restored truths we get to share with everyone! I'm all good hope you guys are too....

                                                           LOS AMO, Que Estén bien y felices.
                                                                                 Elder Woods

                                                                           Giant grub thing... monster

October 13, 2014

Wow that picture of Marah.... kind of weird looking... I don't like it. She doesn't need to date. haha
 
    So this week we have a bit of time to write so I will see what I can put down... As for mission work its been a little depressing we have had a lot of people's agency (ability to decide) destroying everything... really when you are teaching people to change their lives obviously you need to have patience, but honestly, its so frustrating sometimes... still haven't achieved perfect patience.. Because here in Argentina people will use any excuse, ANY excuse to not do something.. like fuaw I stubbed my toe, bueno God will understand why I didnt keep the commandment of going to church, I know he commanded it and that if I keep it I'm showing him that I love him and want the blessings... but he understands how bad my toe is.
    This really happens, like they are sooo close to understanding.. but they don't. So we keep teaching and teaching... sometimes I feel like my mission is teaching me more then these people... maybe that's what I needed, who knows. I remember for the longest time I felt sooo bad for not baptising people. I felt like I had failed the Lord and I think this week I realized that really the Lord is using us in ways that we dont see, maybe I won't baptise but I will plant seeds in the hearts of men, until it explodes out of their chest and throws them into the waters of baptism... thank you for keeping up with the blog! Now all my followers will know of me. haha
    It was weird today Brother Gladden wrote me... I thought he hated me... I feel bad for what I put that poor man through... I need to like bake him a cake when I get back home. haha I need to repent with many people, I am going to show more love when I return, and I won't even complain about your green bean caserole... I'll just wait till your not looking and put it in a napkin and store it in my pocket... like I have done so many times here in this great country. ;)
     Our area is full of drama, everyone is screaming and everyone is crying and everyone is kissing on the corners and subsequently everyone is about to have babies... the emotion here is like just a little tooo high. I enjoy my time alone in the shower... oh soo much. We are teaching a woman about the church and she like loves the church, wants to be baptised, and is reading the book of mormon... likes it. agrees with it. But believes that she just needs the bible. We talked FOREVER about how we need the Lords word continually and if he loves us we will continue to receive his guidance throughout all the years.   If people really believe in God you think they would rely a little less on there own understanding!!! I want to climb the wall and preach humility to these people like a prophet of old! 
     As for fotos... I have the camera.. its got fotos... but none of these computer places have drives for putting pin drives.... its ridiculous... So bueno we will see in the future how we handle this. There are many things in the world that you don't think of until you experience... 
    I will give you two examples... here in Argentina there really isn't sidewalks that conform with any regulation.... its really like hiking a flat mountain... of trash and rocks and whatever else there is. This week I have stubbed my toe... like cien veces(100 times) My toes hurt SO bad.
Secondly we use colectivos a lot, its a bus... and well this week I saw what happens when we are sitting next to a little girl who throws up around other women who have week stomachs and well lets just say.. domino effect. (Yo He VISTO UNAS COSAS) 
 
     I love the mission haha but dang I miss serving in the states!!!! Also I counted in our apartment... I counted 20 Giant spiders on our ceiling... I fed one a cockroach. IT was crazy. Now we are going to go play soccer with the kids of the ward I'm excited. I love what I am learning and I think the lord taught me this week the importance of HOPE I invite everyone to study what is hope and put it in your life, you will see how happy you are! 
I love you all, just remember if you love the problems and are thankful for what they teach us, you will love life! 

Todo mi amor y cariño! Les Mando todo a ustedes! Los Amo!!!

Elder Woods 
                                                       Giant bottles of pee on the street

Playing with the cucarachas...