September 26, 2016

AWWWWW it is so good to hear from you guys. Seriously love Mondays.  YAY Ellee had her sweet baby.  Let me know what she names her.  I love them babies.  Ellee looks so good.  LOVE the pictures of Adam.  What a stud.  Lots of stuff happened this week. You should be proud of me haha I am writing in my journal lots.  So I will just share with you  some of the highlights from this week.  Also, last Monday when Hermana Scott and I were grocery shopping we met a German guy who spoke English.  It was so werid haha Also this is the last week Hermana Scott and I have together :(  We have changes next weds.  I will no longer be in training..pretty cool. 

Sept 20th

Today we taught Monica, Yisel, and Jessica. We talked with them about the Sabbath day and sincere prayer.  I shared with them how I came to know that this gospel is true.  I also told them how I made the decision to go on a mission. 

With Pablo, Pedro, Jessica and Isabel we read chapter 8 in first Nephi.  We explained the tree of life vision.  Hermana Scott drew the vision for them.  

We ended the night so well.  We taught Francisco along with his friend Wilson.  Maria Lousia, her son, and daughter, Rocio, were there too.  Hermana Scott prayed that we would be able to have the spirit with us.  We spoke with power and the spirit was so strong.  In the beginning Wilson was trying to find ways to object to everything, but in the end he accepted the Baptsimal question.  We read verses in Nephi and the promise in Moroni.  In the end we ended with a prayer and all knelt down together.  Francisco offered the prayer.

Sept 21

Today I was able to work in Compo Grande.  We had divisions.  I was able to work with Hermana Trujillo.  We had a pretty successful day.  We had 4 lessons - not so common in Campo Grande.  I was able to see Gabi again.  She is doing so well and working on her Personal Progress.  Also earlier today I had language study with Hermana Evans and Hermana Trujillo.  I also ate with President Evans, Hermana Evans, and Hermana Trujillo.  I felt like I was the real MVP HAHAHA It was nice to have a break from San Jorge, but I really love that area.  ALSO we went to the house of a retired race car driver.  They speak ENGLISH.  Both the husband and wife.  The guy wasn't home and when we got there the wife, Carmen, told us that she would take us wherever we wanted to go.  Sooooooo she drove us haha She is from Bolivia.

Sept 22

AWWWWWWWWWW Francisco accepted the date of Oct 8th to get baptized.  He is seriously so ready for this step.  We taught part 1 of lesson 3.  He was getting all teary eyed.  He definitely felt the spirit.  He will be such a great member.  I know the Lord has great things in store for him.  He would be a great missionary too.  I seriously want our family to adopt him!  ALSO.....haha when we were walking home from Porto Fenix I realized that I had a HUGE blister that burst.  I tried walking, but could barley go anywhere.  We were in a sticky situation- we should have been in our house and there were drunk men around the corner.  We called Marilyn and Hno. Bael.  They took us back home.  We got in the car and Marilyn drove on her motor behind us.  I felt like a princess.  God is so good.  Earlier we taught the Word of Wisdom with Maria, her sister, and mom.  We played a game and they  had a good time.  It really helped them understand this commandment.  With Mikeas, Pablo, and Pedro we taught them the Ley de Chastidad.  We had a good lesson.  They told Hermana Scott that she looks like Mary Jane from Spider Man and that I look like Supermans chick hahaha

Sept 24

We had lunch at a member of our wards house and her granddaughter just kept singing to us hahaha she totally reminded me of how I was when I was little.  I always loved having an audience.  We had good lessons with Evert and Marilyn and her mom.  With Evert we talked about testimonies and we were all able to bear our testimonies. It was a great thing for him and everyone.  With Marilyn we shared the scripture on how Christ's arms are always open.  We had noche de hogar with the Cardozo family and had a testimony meeting.  Hna Cardozo shared hers.  It was very sweet. It definitely sparked her faith back.  She said she would go to church again.  Also we met up with the Elders and Hermanas to give them baptismal suits and what was funny was that Hermana Martin had bought chicha with her money and the Elder started offering it.  We all had a good laugh.  

Sept 25

We had lunch with the Blancos and talked about Conference and Prophets.  What was funny was that we asked who our prophet was today.  Hno Blanco was like Ezra Taft Benson....Hna Scott and I were like he is one of our prophets....he then remembered and said Thomas S Monson.  We all laughed and Hno Blanco said that I can now speak Espanol haha.  We also found another family and we taught her and her daughter about the restoration.  The spirit was so strong.  After the lesson I started to feel awful so we went home.  I had a 101.7 degree fever.  I stayed home all day yesterday...today I'm still not feeling well so we are going home after.......hopefully I will feel better soon! I am so excited for Conference.

Love,

Hermana Alexander

Moroni 10:3-5

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

 So crazy that it's our last week together!

Paraguay really is beautiful!

So green! 

Beautiful birds too!

What I love most about Paraguay..the people!

On divisions..I got to see Gabi again :)

Going to miss taking selfies with this Hermana!

Dirty foot haha but this blister was so big!

Much better!

September 19, 2016

This week was a good one! Lots of great things happening- HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK 
We taught Monica (one of our Investigators) about the ley de castidad. She and her  "husband" (who is a member) have two kiddos.  She loves the idea and everything about the Ley de Castidad.  We also taught Yisel (who is also a member) They want us to help them plan a wedding so they can keep this commandment.  We would have Monica get married and then she can get baptized the same day or another day haha.  We also taught Pablo about the Dia de Reposo and he told us that he would never miss church again...AND he is still planning on going on a mission!  Hermana Scott and I are hoping he will go to the UNITED STATES! I gave him 3 packs of trial mix lol HE LOVES THEM SO MUCH!  He says he is in love with them and when he finishes the package he wants to cry cause it is so good.  We also have a new Investigator Maria!  We taught her about the Restoration and BOY! The Spirit was SO strong!  We visited the Shiray family and talked about testimonies.  The lesson we had with them was very inspired.  We had a testimony meeting.  Bearing their testimonies was a great thing for them.  The spirit was so strong! We are hoping they will attend church.  We had a lesson with Maria, her sister, her mom, and Arnaldo.  We read in the Libro de Mormon.  When Hermana Scott was saying the closing prayer one of the baby chicks they have tried to fly onto my lap! I accidentally kicked it hahaha (completely a reflex) it scretched a bit hahaha oops.  We sure had a great laugh with them.  Maria also gave Hermana Scott and I a WHOLE BUNDIN!!!!! It is SOOOOOO RICO!!!!!! We also got to talk with Hermana Cardozo, her two boys, and Shirley.  We read chapter 3 Nephi 11.  It was a good reminder for all of us to reflect on..are we are prepared to meet Jesus?  We had a lesson with Mikeas and his mom! We found out that she was baptized.  We taught them about the importance of prayer.  We visited Marilyn and met her TWIN sister and their cousin Richard.  We had a good time.  They were like, we have so many sins, that is why we don't go to church.  We were like everyone has sins, no one is perfect.  We have the Atonement for a reason.  They are going to pray that their jobs change.  
I am going to send a picture of me on a Marilyns motorbike.  Dont worry I didn't ride it....just took a picture on it ;) mission rules! We had such a great day on Sunday!  Yisel attended a bit of Sacrament Meeting along with her daughter, Monicas son (Monica didnt go this week cause she is with her mom in the hospital)  and Jessicas daughter.  She is 9 so we are hoping to have a baptismal date set with her.  She loves this gospel.  First Monica, now Yisel!  Hoping they all come next week.  Also CRAZINESS!!!!! We have a new Investigator Fanciso who is an orphan but lives with Maria Lousia - WHAT????? Anyways he stayed all 3 hours of church and we taught him the plan of salvation a little later in the day.  Maria and her son joined.  Also Maria and Arnaldo accepted to be baptized on October 22nd.  I wonder if I will stay in San Jorge this next transfer. We will see! We also were able to teach Belen....well visit.  She is having a hard time and I received revelation that we needed to talk to her about attending the Temple. The last time she attended was in March.  We set a date with her.  She is going this SATURDAY!  We told her she will feel peace and find answers to her problems if she attends.  
We also had noche de hogar with the Encina Family.  The spirit was so strong and took control.  We talked about sincere prayer.  We mentioned how life is difficult, but with faith and putting God and Jesus Christ first we can be happy and overcome challenges.  They always have there arms extended.  The answers come, but when we are ready.  Life is full of trials, but is sure a blessing.  We have many experiences to learn from.  Also another thing we contacted and found a house with a family who have all been baptized.  We are going back to reactivate them for sure.  I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TELL EVERYONE BACK HOME HELLO! So exciting about Matthew Smith!   

Love,

Hermana Alexander

It was fun just pretending to ride Marilyns motorbike haha

Just a normal day in Paraguay!

Leaves..so that we don't get sick!

Bundin..It's sugar with ground up bread and milk.

 :D Dear Abby 

BYU lost to UCLA  Right hope you learned the language we've been praying for you not much going on but school this week at school we're experiencing what its like to be disabled.  I also forgot 2 things so my teacher said I was like classic dory so lol classic mistake  my church class is doing bells for a song in the primary program 

LOVE JOSH 

P.S SORRY FOR DOUBLE MESAGE 

JOSH! 

Thank you for your prayers!  You mentioned something about your teacher and classic Dory? Have you seen the Dory movie???? Is that out??? Let me know if it is a good one which I am sure it is :)  Love primary programs! The bells will add a lot to it! Love you! 

Hey Abby, 

How has your week been? I had a water polo tournament this weekend in the bay area, we even played Levi's high school and beat them.  Today, I registered for the ACT which is kinda scary.  I feel old now.  Also homecoming is coming up, and mom is flipping out trying to make me ask someone, and I have no idea who I want to go with. Anyways, it is always fun to hear from you, and I wish you as well as your companion safety. So have a good week!

Matthew

MATTHEW! 

HOMECOMING WITH A DATE IS A MUST! Are there any girls you have in mind of asking?????? hmmmmm?????? Go to scandia after! I always did that!  awwww the ACT! That is pretty scary! You will have no problem with it though! YOU ARE MR. SMARTY! I love that you play water polo! Mom sent me a picture and it looks like a fun group!  Did you get to see Levi??? Also I can help with asking ideas! You and Azzie need dates!  Anywho I know you will ask someone great! LOVEEEE YOUUUUU

Hey Abby, 

How has your week been going? I have been passing the sacrament, and haven't messed up, yet. Also, school has been going well I did the best at the Fall Math State

Testing in 6th grade. Anyway, Hope you do well and don't get sick, bye!

Love Joey

JOE JOE! 

I still cannot believe that you have the priesthood.  It sure is a neat gift you have.  Passing the Sacrament is so important!  I know you are great at it! AND the members are grateful that you pass it! Also great job about the math portion in State Testing! You boys are sure smart! LOVEEE YOUUUU! 

Hello Abby,

I hope your week went well.  The Sunsplash dance was fun.  I heard goldfish was a hit.  Rocklin beat Clovis West in football barely by scoring a touchdown in the 4th quarter. BYU lost 17-7 to UCLA, Butch played amazing.  He hits hard.  Anyways have fun!  Do you see these Emojis????

-Michael

MIKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OOOOO Sunsplash dances are always fun! Did you dance with a lot of girls???? Was it also a tri stake???? YAY FOR ROCKLIN!  Seems like the team is good this year!  Where is Clovis West? Such a bummer about BYU! Glad Butch is having a good season!  Who do they play next? LOVE THE EMOJIS.  BYE DUDE LOVE YOUUUUUUU

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Hi Abby how has your week  been going. I think it's going good. my first flag foot ball game was great we lost.are soccer was great we lost come on. I don,t care it doesn't matter. i hope you hove fun on your mission bye abby LOVE ADAM.

CHUBS! 

You guessed right! My week has been good! So fun that you are playing flag football.  Mom sent me a picture of you! I am sure you run so fast and are such a great player!  Soccer and football are sure fun sports.  Look at you mr. athlete! Its okay to lose sometimes...I predict you will WIN THIS WEEK! LOVEEE YOUUU

HEY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I SERIOUSLY LOVE P DAYS CAUSEEEE I GET TO HEAR FROM YA´LL 

You guys all sound so good! Love the indiviudal emails!  That is a bummer about BYU losing to UCLA.  Who do they play next???? Glad Butch is having a good season!  That is exciting that Joey and Micheal are moving up with Scouts.  Is Michael going to start his Eagle project soon???? ;) Also so exciting about Jack and Ryder! Priesthood Power! The Scout pictures of you and dad embarassing them is so great! Adam looks like a stud in his flag football picture! Wish I could watch him play.  In 2017 I can! Thats really good that Michael will be taking guitar and golf lessons.  Is he doing golf with Azure? HAHAHA Love the picture with the bear head.  Is that from Star Wars??????? AWWW I miss josh´s laugh! So contagious! Maroon 5 just came on and made me think of him.  My singing bud :) Josh that is so neat that for the primary program your class is doing the bells.  What songs are you doing? Also have you seen Finding Dory? Is that out yet?????  Also YES Matthew needs to ask a girl to homecoming!  When is homecoming? The last weekend in Sept????