October 17, 2016

HELLO from Ysapy!  Boy this week was a busy one!  I took lots of photos as well so get ready for an email overload! hahaha So I will just write some of the highlights from this week.  All of the missionaries in our zone participated in a stake activity with all of the youth. A TON of youth attended which was SO awesome!  We did divisions with the other missionaries and with the youth and taught less active members in the stake.  Our investigators Claudia and Pedro attended Sacrament meeting!  The attendance this Sunday was 130! It was the Primary Program. They sure loved it and there little girl did too! It reminded me of the boys singing! aw sure miss them!  

We had a really great lesson with Andresa and Christan.  They were thinking about splitting....we had them read the Proclamation to the World and discussed with them the great roles that a mother and father play for their children. I expressed with great love that their child is their joy and I know that they want what is best for Angel.  I said the true way to happiness is this gospel and living by it's principles. The spirit was so strong!  We also taught Olga who is a member and is struggling with her health.  We read 
D&C 58 verse 4.   It talks about with great afflictions comes great blessings.  This was such a great reminder for me.  We constantly need to be firm in our faith. Through the Savior and through our faith we can do all things. She is in the hospital but was able to recieve a blessing. MARINA had her baby! It is a boy! I am very close with this family.  We were able to visit her yesterday!  We also visited a member in our ward who is struggling with her faith as well.  I discussed how we constantly need the Savior in our everyday lives.  Afflictions help us cling to our Savior.  What was sweet was that she wanted me to say the closing prayer.  I did! 
I ate bamboo as well as a tart mango with salt.  Hermana Maldonado LOVES tart mangos with salt and bamboo.  She said people from her area eat this all of the time.  I also got to experience and watch chickens getting ready to be cooked.  Their legs were all tied.  One was already dead but luckily we left before anything else happened haha 
It is starting to get SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO hot in PARAGUAY! HOLY COW! People say just wait until December!  As Hermana Maldonado would say....Santa Vaca hahaha All the electricity went out in Paraguay yesterday.  We have had lots of storms which make the weather EVEN hotter. THANK GOODNESS FOR ICE CREAM.  Today we had a zone activity! It was fun getting to know our Zone better.  We played Volleyball and shared pictures and had a water balloon fight.  YAY for p day clothes!  Hermana Maldonado loves the Sunscreen that we packed haha of course I let her use it! WOW everyone is getting engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So crazy and so exciting! I am so happy for Hanna and Abbey! Mckay visited Upstage! I am sure that was fun to see and catch up with him.  Hope he is doing well!  My Spanish is IMPROVING! WOOHOO!  Overall it has been a great week! It makes me so happy to hear that all is well for you guys!  LOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE everyone back home! Sure appreciate your prayers! 

Love,

Hermana Alexander

D&C 58:4 For after much tribulation come the blessings.  Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

Eating ice cream to try and stay cool..but wearing sweaters haha Crazy weather!!

Late night noodles after a hard days work!

Representing Paraguay!

Happy Halloween from Paraguay!

The toads here haha! They sound like cats!

Don't worry..I was really careful! 

Haha! Life in Paraguay! He kept poking their heads!

Hermana Alexander & Hermana Maldonado :)

Deysi in a tree..being the photographer! 

Cute trio!

Just your normal walk through Paraguay!

Feeding the Chickens!!

Showing us her tomato plants..reminded me of DAD!!

Marina and her new baby!

October 10, 2016

Hello from YSAPY! I got transferred as well as Hermana Scott! So another Pink Wash in San Jorge.  Changes were CRAZY!  We found out on Tuesday who was leaving, but had no idea where we were going.  We said our goodbyes to a couple of families.  Pablo was really sad....I've never seen the expression that he had that day.  People could not believe that we both were leaving.  We did all that we could for San Jorge... our time was up.  On Weds we met at one of the churches with all our stuff at 5:30 in the morning.  The Assistants to the President had lists of missionaries and I went in a specific car.  I am about two hours away from San Jorge.  

My new companion for this change is Hermana Maldonado! She is from Ecuador.  She has had many experiences in the mission and was in this area previously.  She ends her service in December.  She only speaks espanol haha this will sure be a blessing because I will keep learning.  It is difficult sometimes to communicate, but I know it will get better. Everything is temporary hahahaha  I have taught her English as well.  It will be a win win for us.  Our area is HUGE.  We have Elders in our area as well.  Elder Stark and Elder Smith.  They are Americans! Goooooo America! Our ward is seriously SO friendly!  Feel at home!  They haven't had an American Sister for a LONNNNNNGGGGGGG TIMEEEEE. Soooooo I am one of the lucky american sisters who gets to serve here! We were able to have a ward service project where we helped clean up a school.  

The Lord is seriously so great.  We were able to receive 5 new Investigators with a date set for Nov. We were just contacting and happened to contact a lady who is a member and her grandson was also baptized.  What was cool is that Christens girl isn't a member, but is interested in this gospel.  They attended church this Sunday as well.  They have a cute son Angel too!  Andresa has a date set for November 12th.  She is 19!  We also met the friends of Christen, Pablo and Pedro, and Cloudia.  Both are 19 and have a cute baby girl as well.  The other brother is 21.  They also have dates set.  They were very interested in what we were teaching them.  We have had one of our recent converts Daysi help us out with lessons.  She is sweet and helpful.  I was grateful that she told my comp that we should teach together....she hasn't really had me speak much....all a learning process. I don't know hahaha There is a reason we are together.  It can be difficult, but patience and love is a must.  She has had 3 Americans comps.  I don't think she really liked them....I think I am here to help her know American's aren't bad hahaha I try to do nice things like cleaning the dishes and taking out the garbage.  What I love about Hermana Maldonado is that she loves music! We have music playing a lot.  She likes sleeping to music as well. I bore my Testimony too on Sunday!  We have been really discussing repentance in our lessons with our Investigators and members.  We had a really good lesson last night.  We taught Paola the end of lesson 2 which is about the Plan of Salvation.  

Also a funny thing.....it was our second night in Ysapy and there was a rat in our house.  Hermana Maldonado and I got on a chair and she got the broom and killed it.  I will send lots of photos.  We cleaned the house this morning and later today we are going out with Daysi and just doing things around here, BURGER KING MAYBE TOO HAHA playing a lot..We also teach later tonight!  Seriously appreciate your prayers.  SEND PICS OF HOMECOMING!  So glad that you are all doing well.  OH FRANCISCO is getting baptized this Saturday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Literally SOOOOOO happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you all and seriously LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE MONDAYS.  That is crazy that Joe will be in JR HIGH.  Exciting about Josh getting braces.

Love,

Hermana Alexander

I love this family! So sad that I couldn't say bye to Francisco because he was working! We left him a note :)

Pablo and his sweet Mama!

Abel Family 

Hermano Blanco

Goodbyes to Hermana Granados!

Hermana Martin..Love her!

Goodbyes to all of the Hermanas in our District!

Vialba Family 

Matching Paraguay Jerseys! Love Hermana Scott!

My new companion haha!

So gross!

EWWWWWWW!

Ward Service Project! The shirts were huge!

Que guapa here is a hard worker!

She makes the best tortillas! And this bathroom was super clean haha

We sang Happy Birthday to him in Spanish, English, & Guarani!

October 3, 2016

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wasn´t Conference so good??? I loved every minute of it! Thomas S. Monson and the leaders of the church are called of God for sure! Seriously love them all and what they do for this church.  God is our Father in Heaven. He knows exactly what we need.  The Doctrine of Christ was mentioned a lot.  I love how they talked about really knowing about the Restoration, the Atonement, and how the Plan of Salvation is for our happiness and joy. (the first three lessons we teach on the mission) I am seriously so glad that you guys were able to attend General Conference and how neat for the boys! I love that Conference is broadcasted all over the world! I was like Hi family and America haha I am so jealous that you guys went to a BYU game! Seriously so fun! YAY for the win too! LOVED all the pictures you sent. On Saturday, I watched the Women's Conference and the morning and aftrnoon sessions in Spanish.  I actually understood a lot or at least the main points of each talk haha On Sunday though, WE WATCHED IT IN ENGLISH! LOVED hearing their actual voices. Our friend Oscar set up the broadcast.  He seriously gave us a VIP room and we were able to watch it on a huge T.V. Francisco attended the SUNDAY morning session. He is really progressing!  We taught him about the Word of Wisdom.  He has a problem with smoking.  We set some goals and I gave him lollipops haha.  SO far he is clean which is SOOOOOOOO AWESOME! He was struggling a bit and we just expressed our love for him and the Saviors and told him that HE CAN DO IT! AND he is!  

I am WAYYYYYYY healthier now! I went to the doctor on Wednesday and he told me that I had a virus so he gave me some medicine.  We also had some really well taught lessons this week.  We taught Marilyn, Andrea and her 4 sisters, Evert, The Encina Flia, along with so many others! We invited everyone to Conference and read 1 Nephi chapter 8 - Lehi´s vision about the tree of life - doing this was a great way for us to introduce prophets and how the iron rod is the scriptures, faith, prophets etc.  Some of the Flia Shiray came to the Sunday afternoon session.  Oh..funny story! We forgot it was daylight savings so it was a very confusing morning haha Conference actually started at 1 our time instead of 12! Anyways, it all worked out! Pablo is doing so well.  That is seriously so sweet that the boys pray for him.  He lost his trail mix wrapper and was so sad.  He wanted to keep it as a memory.  I told him before I leave I could give him another one.  

CHANGES ARE ON WEDS! AWWW tomorrow at our District meeting we find out who stays and who leaves.  We are only told if we leave.  We don't find out where we are going or who our comp is until we are there. I know it will be great and that the Lord is in charge.  I will sure miss Hermana Scott. Today for P day I am going to dye Hermana Scotts hair, go to Burger King haha, and just have a great last P day together!  We have been through a lot and I can't thank her enough for my training experiences! I love my mission! It is the best thing for me to be doing and to experience! I hope all of my children to serve! It makes you see the importance of this life and you really learn to be who Heavenly Father wants you to be!

Also Maria Lousias family LOVES TWIX but NOT BEEF JERKY HAHAHAHAHA  She fed us cow ears.  I sure put lots of ketchup and mayo on it haha Also we hung out a lot with the Hermanas in Loma!  We enjoyed having a bit of a break with conference!  The weather is SUPER HOT and then it rains so much and gets even HOTTER! Water came in from the ceiling and the walls are wet haha I do love the rain though! The lightening is also so crazy here! Tell the boys and our extended family hiiii I sure love them! Super cool about David getting his mission call to Africa! AWWW such a cute name for the baby! Cant wait to meet her.  Show her pics of me lol That is pretty crazy that Joe is at Sly Park! He will have a good time.  Hope you all have another great week! LOVE YOUUUUUUUU 

Love, 

Hermana Alexander 

Lunch on Saturday after the first session of General Conference!

We love the Hermanas from Loma!

Angels in Paraguay haha

Chicken Fights lol - The Elders had fun taking the pictures haha

General Conference - Sunday

It rained so much last night! We should probably get this fixed haha

The fans we have dry up most of the water :)

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!