Week #101

Hola Familia,

It was been such a spiritually exhausting week, but I AM HAPPY. I can´t even put to words some of the experiences that I have had this week. It was a week of ups and downs and a week of uncertainty. Throughout my time as a missionary, I don´t think I have ever felt so much spiritual exhaustion, miracles, and happiness at the same time. Let me tell you a little how it went down.

The Vasquez Family was preparing to get baptized this weekend. They had their baptismal interviews and they were super excited! Something came up however and the question became real to see if Ariel was actually ready to get baptized. At first we felt that maybe he wasn´t, so we told him that and he got extremely discouraged from the set back. He had been striving and giving everything to be prepared to get baptized with his family and to hear that hurt him a lot. Going home that night, I was absolutely devastated. I remember all of my set backs with my foot. I would have a goal, I would give everything to reach that goal and come back and play, and then I´d realize that I wasn´t ready. It hurt me badly. I often found myself doubting myself and asking myself if I could keep moving forward. I usually had thoughts of giving up. These painful memories came back and I felt them for Ariel- but this time they were much spiritually deeper. Some tears did fall down that night and I was in a lot of pain for him and his family. Not only was Ariel discouraged, but his wife and his daughters felt the same way. They started doubting if they could do it. I started doubting our decision, maybe Ariel IS ready... maybe we´re wrong. I struggled a lot with these thoughts but I also felt like Alma when he feared to do what was wrong in the sight of God. I prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed and prayed. We prayed, we pondered, we thought it out. No matter what we were doing, these thoughts could not leave my mind. What were we going to do?

The next day we talked to President Cifuentes and he explained to us a lot about the repentance process. He told us that Ariel could still be ready but that he needed to understand a few things. Along with being ready or not, Ariel and his family had a desire to follow Jesus Christ and change. They had changed so much at this point and becoming better everyday. We visited the Vasquez Family that evening with some hopes of finding the answer, but the visit was very uncomfortable. They were discouraged and Satan was doing everything he could do to ruin the spirits of this family. I was starting to get a little discouraged for Ariel. He was having thoughts like I had when I experienced set backs. Maybe I should quit. Maybe it isn´t worth it. Maybe I can´t do this anymore. Satan just couldn´t work on him like he worked on me, I wouldn´t allow it. We got back from the appointment and we started a fast. This fast turned out to be one of the most miraculous fasts that I had ever experienced. 

That night I talked to President and I told him how I didn´t know what to do and I was scared to do what was wrong. He told me, "don´t worry, you will know, you will know." Those words stuck with me and will stick with me forever. We visited the Vasquez family on Saturday morning- the day of their scheduled baptism. I had woken up a little earlier to read the Book of Mormon and I read a story that was pure inspiration for Ariel Vasquez. When we got there, Ariel had no desire to get baptized. But let me tell you how the Spirit works- it touches the hearts of the children of men and it works miracles. After sharing the Book of Mormon story, Elder Paleka bore a powerful testimony that brought tears to each one us (including each one of the daughters). In that moment I had no doubt. Just like President said, "I knew". They were ready. And the confirmation to my heart that that was the right decision was powerful and distinct. They were truly ready.

It was an unbelievable baptismal service. We had to fill up the baptismal font with buckets from the neighbors water because there wasn´t water pressure in the Church. The water was dirty, cold, and there was very little of it. But the excitement and the Spirit that was felt touched my life forever. Two families got baptized- The Vasquez Family and the Villagrán Family. There was a total of 8 baptisms and 16 people dressed in white. We sang "Be Still, My Soul" and Sis. Cifuentes played the violin. It was an incredible night and my joy was full.

On Sunday was my birthday and probably the happiest birthday that I´ve had in my life. Watching each of the Vasquez´ walk down the aisle and sit down to receive the Holy Ghost was a treat to me. Each of them (especially the daughters) had smiles from ear to ear and the Spirit was great. I gave a talk on the Atonement and it pretty much summed up my entire week. I am a literal testimony this week of feeling the strength of the Atonement. What an experience.

At night, President and Sister Cifuentes invited me over and surprised me with a birthday cake. I´ll send you a video that they took. Thanks for everything and especially the prayers. I truly feel your love.

Love, Elder Bosco II

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1. All of the baptisms together

2. Family Night with President

3. "surprise" birthday cake haha

4. Dogs at church

5. "Surprise" birthday cake haha

6. McDonald's Run

7. Just with the Vasquez Family

 

WEEK #100

Hola Familia!

I often think about what I´m going to write, but today I´m not really sure what to write about. There isn´t a certain story that comes to my mind. I had some amazing experiences this week, but I think I´m just going to share with you guys how I feel right now.

It´s starting to hit me.. and I never thought it would. Elder Paleka and I are in Mar del Plata today and we had the chance to hangout a little bit with Martín Villalobo this morning. We walked along the coast and talked about his family and how he´s doing. He´s doing extremely well. Oh how the Lord has blessed me to have gotten to know him here. As we stood there watching the waves, it started hitting me. I´m really going to miss this. I love this place. I love the people. I was watching the Atlantic Ocean with two of my best friends in the whole world. I can´t stop having feelings of gratitude to the Lord for sending me here and CHANGING me here. This place has changed me. Through all the hard times, mistakes and trials, I have improved and I´ve become closer to my Father in Heaven. 

I don´t have much to say this week but I want to bear my testimony. I know that this is the work of the Lord. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. I love the mission. I love every bit of it. I wouldn´t have changed it at all. Through all the up and downs, the Lord has been with me every step of the way. I have met people who have truly shown me what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This time has allowed the Lord to shape and mold me. And even though I haven´t always been as submitted to His will as I should be, He has allowed me to learn, progress, and grow. The mission is the best way for the Lord to truly shape us into the person He wants us to become if we let Him. The beauty of it all is that I still have plenty of time left to keep improving and learning from Him.

Thanks for the love and support. Keep the Vasquez Family in your prayers. They´re hopefully getting baptized this Saturday!

Love, Elder Bosco II

Weeks #98 & #99

#98 May 13

Elder Paleka, Elder Killinger, and I. We played some basketball with President. It was super fun

Hola Familia!

I´m happy to see everyone in Disneyland without me again.... hahaha. Just kidding. The mission is even happier than the "happiest place on earth". So I guess you should be jealous. haha. We had a lot to do this week and I wanted to share with you some experiences that I had with an open house in a Church. There are two senior couple missionaries that go around Argentina and do open houses in the Churches. This last weekend we did one in Bahía Blanca and it was an awesome experience. In the morning we got paired up with some members and invited members, less active members, and investigators to the open house. Then Elder Pina trained us on how we should have the stations. It was a great set up. Everyone that came was taught about the Savior and His ministry, the Great Apostasy, the Restoration, the Book of Mormon, Thomas S. Monson, and a few other principles (Pretty much lesson 1 from Preach My Gospel). Then they went to the baptismal font and two Elders dressed in white showed them the font and taught them about baptism. Then they went into a room where we handed our Books of Mormon, pamphlets, and cards to put referrals on. Afterwards they went to rooms where they were taught about the self-reliance program, the Relief Society, Institute/Seminary, Young Mens/Young Womens, Priesthood, etc. I had the privilege of guiding the groups around and listening to the Sister missionaries testify of the Savior and His Church. 

What´s interesting is that Elder Pina told us that the sister missionaries were going to do the teaching because their testimonies reach the other side of the veil. I thought it was very interesting and it didn´t take long to realize that he was right. Guiding the people around and listening to the sister missionaries testify of the Savior was a powerful of experience. Some of the sisters had experience and others were brand new to the mission and brand new to the language. But what I realized is that it doesn´t matter the experience as much as the worthiness and the desire to teach. These sisters would get up there and testify of the Restoration with broken spanish, but there was a Spirit and a power that was felt- or at least I felt it. I felt the Spirit testify to me that it was true what they were saying. The Church of Jesus Christ has been restored in these Latter-Days. Thinking of the power of these Sisters´ testimonies, I realized that this power has always been super strong in my life. Having a mother and three sisters that have borne me their testimonies through words and examples throughout my life has made me who I am today. Just like Elder Pina said, their testimonies have thinned the veil out for me. I know without a doubt that their examples and testimonies have led me towards me Savior Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven. So I just wanted to thank you all- Mom, Amber, Karissa, and Alexis. Thank you for being a blessing in my life. I will forever be in debt to you four. Love you!

I´m excited to talk to you in a few days. I´ll let you know a little more about what´s going on in the mission! Love you all! Have a great week!

Love, Elder Bosco II

 The open house at Church

 The Menendez Family with Elder Dement

 Then they had transfers and he sent Elder Dement home to Texas and he is now back at the office with Elder Paleka (another previous companion) and doesn't have to travel except to do Zone conferences. He called us on the 15th instead of Mothers Day. He looked great. Here is his testimony that we recorded.

Week #99 May 18

Hola Familia!

It was great speaking to all of you on Sunday. I can´t believe how big Ella has gotten. She´s just the cutest little girl ever. I don´t have much to say to you today because I just talked to you guys, but I wanted to tell you about a family we are teaching. We are teaching a family of 5: Ariel (dad), Laura (mom), Juliana (15), Ariadna (11), Angelina (9). They are getting baptized a few weeks from now. Elder Paleka was teaching them when I got here. I´ve only known them for a week and I´ve already fallen in love with them. We get to their home and they all gather around us. We say a prayer. We take turns reading the Book of Mormon. We teach them, testify to them, invite them, and then we end with a prayer on our knees... Okay.. maybe it´s not THAT perfect, but pretty close. I mean when was the last time you´ve met a 15 year old daughter who leaves her room with a stomach ache to listen to the missionaries because she wants to? Or when was the last time an entire family has testified to you of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon (without being members)? When was the last time that you´ve met a couple with children that decided to get married (5 years ago) just because the Bible says that they should be married? This family impressed me the day I met them. I invited Ariadna to read the entire Book of Mormon (with pictures) with her little sister before their baptisms. We visited them the next day and she had already read half of it. This family has the goal to make it to the temple and I´m so grateful for the chance I´ve gotten to know them.

As great as they sound, Satan is trying even harder to keep them away from making the decisions that will bless them forever. They have experienced a number of trials as a family. The change of government caused a loss of job, Ariel is struggling to stop smoking, and Satan is trying every possible way to keep them from following the Savior. But what I love about this family is that they WANT IT. They truly want what is good. They pray for strength and I´ve seen the faith of their prayers. We talked to Ariel about quitting smoking again yesterday and we all truly believe that he can stop. We are all in this fight as a big family. 

I love the mission and I love teaching families. Having an eternal family has been a goal my entire life and there isn´t anything that makes me happier than being able to help a family accomplish the same. I love my family and I know that we can be together forever and ever.

Have a great week! Love you all!

Love, Elder Bosco II

Week #97

Hola Familia!

I´ve honestly had such a great week here in Bahía with Elder Kropelnicki and Elder Taylor. I served with Elder Kropelnicki about14 months ago in Mar del Plata and we only got to serve with each other for 3 weeks. It was an incredible 3 weeks and it was extremely sad when he had to leave in emergency transfers to Santa Rosa in order to fill in some holes in the mission. I truly enjoyed serving with him because we´re very alike, we work similarly, and we look alike. Everyone thinks we´re brothers haha (the only change would be the Russian last name Kropelnicki haha).

I´ve been thinking about my growth here on the mission, Looking back, I can definitely see a growth of maturity and understanding. But it came at a slow process. Much like the way that the Savior learned and grew Himself. The scriptures say that he was filled with the Spirit and he grew grace upon grace. I´m not saying that I´ve grown as much, nor as fast, as the Savior grew in His early years, but what I am saying is that we go through the same process as the Savior went through. We learn line upon line, precept upon precept until we gain a full knowledge of all things. Thinking of this eternal principle, I began to think of how I´ve been blessed like that through diligence in the mission field. I realized that I´ve grown strong roots in simple principles of the gospel by simply talking with the people and sharing my testimony to them. It´s the hardest part of the mission because contacting (or tracting) usually ends up as a failure, or is it? When I say failure, I mean that many people don´t want to listen to us or don´t accept the message that we teach. Many times they don´t share our beliefs and they find us annoying trying to teach them what we know to be true. What I´m saying today is that it has never ended up as a failure for me. Sometimes these people progress, sometimes they don´t, but I promise that the Lord has ALWAYS blessed me grace upon grace. Little by little, my testimony has been strengthened through contacts in the street that didn´t want ANYTHING to do with the Church. But I remember these moments because I learned many lessons. Let me share one that just happened yesterday with Elder Kropelnicki at about 6 o´clock at night:

We contacted a man named Nestor who started talking about the United States (because he realized that we were from the States). He started talking about Donald Trump and other worldly leaders and the corruption in the worlds. The power just doesn´t seem enough and they all want more. He started talking about the Catholic Pope Francisco and what he does. After he spoke a little bit longer, a thought came to my head to speak about a world leader that we can count on, even our prophet Thomas S. Monson. We testified to Nestor that there are GOOD leaders in this world that we can follow and know that we are doing what is right. I asked him if he knew that there was a prophet of God on the earth TODAY. He said, "No, who is it?" I said, "Thomas S. Monson" He said, " Who´s that?" In that moment we explained a little to him about Joseph Smith and how Thomas S. Monson is the living prophet today. We showed him a picture of him and he said, "Wow, you killed me with that one, I had no idea." Today we´re going to bring him a talk by our Prophet so that Nestor can learn a little more. As we were leaving his house, Nestor said, "I honestly had no idea, I´m interested to hear more about him."

Walking away from his house is when the Spirit taught me something. If many of the people in this world claim to be following the Savior and have desires to follow Him, then why don´t they know of the man on this earth that is most like Him? As much as I would love to, I can´t see the Savior right now. I´m not ready yet. The least I can do is follow the man on this earth that is most like Him- with all the priesthood keys to act in His name and with all of the Spiritual Gifts that the Savior possesses. We can look at, listen to, and follow Thomas S. Monson and know that he is guiding us right behind Jesus Christ because Thomas S. Monson is the closest man to Him on this earth. There´s one problem, the majority of this world DOESN´T KNOW WHO HE IS! They´ve never heard his name in their lives. How are they supposed to follow the Savior of the world then? I´m not sure. 

I know that Thomas S. Monson is a living prophet that guides us so that we can live in God´s presence again. I hope we can hear his words and follow him.

Thanks for all the love and support! Love you!

Love, Elder Bosco II

 This is the biggest empanada that I´ve seen in Argentina! So Good!

Mar del Plata!