March 20, 2017

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

This week was quite the week with my birthday, the work, changes, AND we moved! I felt very loved this week and had many days of celebrating with the missionaries, members, oh and cake haha 

Summary of our week

Monday - Spent most of the day with the Hermanas and visited Hermano Ramon

Tuesday - Normal work day, but for Distrcit meeting we celebrated my birthday with cake (thanks to Elder Silva - there was even 20 candles)

Weds - Woke up to a Mexican dance and song from Hermana Gonzalez, got lots of calls, spent time with families who helped make the day extra special :) was a perfect birthday

Thursday - MOVING DAY! Was pouring, but we manged to get everything moved - couldn't have done it without the Hermana Leaders and the Elders in our Distrcit - We even rode in this truck of the mover and we were basically off roading in the rain! Luckily we were able to get some work done.  I had a division with Hermana Rolim and we were able to talk with Zulma..she wants to get baptized, but she does need a bit more time so that she truly has a firm testimony.  We shared Mosiah 18 and that really made her think about baptism.

Firday, Saturday, and Sunday -

 We had a great lesson with Beatriz and Marcelo - we shared Heleman 5 :12 - it is the scripture where it talks about how Jesus Christ is our rock and foundation.  He is our strength to overcome all things.  I truly feel like we can have a baptism with them.  Just need a bit more time like Zulma - just need to fully act on thier faith

We had the big Relif Soceity celebration with our stake - was fun to be with all the Hermanas from all the wards

On Sunday we taught the primary - sure was so fun! We sang songs and taught about prophets, general conference, and the Book of Mormon.  The cutest part was that they asked if we were going to teach again this upcoming Sunday

BIG NEWSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

I am staying in PJC for this upcoming change! We found out yesterday who is staying and who is leaving.  Tomorrow we will find out who our comps will be - was crazy to hear that I was staying - I even started writing my goodbye cards and they were planning to have a farwell for me too haha (have been here for a long time - with this next change It will have been 6 months here, BUT I am so happy here) The members were sure happy to hear that I was staying - Hermano Ramon Ortega said that I should just get a PJC citizenship card.  What is sad is that Hermana Gonzalez is leaving.  We will find out where she will be heading to tomorrow.  I will be with Hermana Perez for one night and then I will have my new comp. 

Hope you guys have such a great week! Sure sounds like you are all doing so well.  SO happy to hear from the boys - they are sure busy! Send them my love! Thanks for your love and support! Sure love hearing about everything.  Also congrats to Em and Kevin! So exciting! Thought that was cute that she was wearing the watch in that one picture! Tell her I am happy for her.  ALSO I LOVE THE STORY ABOUT THE MISSIONARIES AND THE PICTURES ARE AWESOME- Send them my thanks! Those elders seem fun! AW miss the McCollam family.  Missionaries sure love FHE with members - we have a combined one with the elderly Hermano Ramon tonight and we are going to make Mexican Tacos again, but with the hermanas and elders!

Love,

Hermana Alexander

March 13, 2017

THANKS FOR THE BIRTHDAY WISHES xoxoxo

SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH

I cannot believe that I will be 20 in two days! Looks like Dad and Michael celebrated well.  Sure lovin´ Mikeys long hair - suiting him well. (is long hair the thing back in the states?)  That will be so nice to have Sister Missionaries in our ward - you will have to let me know where they are from. We have daylight savings too, but next week.  We are heading towards fall - WOOOO and we get one more hour! 

This week was sure a week of blessings - seriously cannot thank my Father in Heaven for difficult times, but then when the trial of faith is accomplished, blessings pour! (read Heleman 10: 4-6 - sure comforted Hermana G and I this week) The family DeLeon wants us to come back and teach them - the hermano had a dream about us helping them continue to prepare for their baptisms (God is so good) We have plans to visit them this week.  Also we had conference with the District -all 5 Ramas attended! Our chapel was filled with members - seriously the work in Paraguay is growing! ALSO we had 3 investigators attend - Beatriz and Marcelo (their first time) and Zulma (her second time) In the conference they talked a lot about temples, family history, and the sabbath day.  President Evans and Hermana Evans were there too.  President Evans talk was sure great!  Also funny story - we had a frog in our house and lets just say it was really interesting getting it out haha  We are still making plans to move - the office is helping us out with that.  We also taught a hobo- he asked for money, but we thought a scripture and a prayer was better :) - it actually was really sad, but we greatly expressed the love that his Savior has for him and we offered a prayer.   Also that picture on FB - two of the boys have a baptismal date for the 1st of April.  Leo (cousins with Diego) is for sure ready and is friends with one of the young women in Rama 3 - we want her to come with us when we have a time set with him.  Another great thing is that we contacted Mabel, she was an old investigator with the other missionaries awhile back - we found her (thanks to the carpeta and the spirit) and she is so ready! We just have to help her husband have a change of heart so they can get married and that she can get baptized - Hermana Antonia is going to help us with this situation.
We have some plans with the members for my birthday and the missionaries in my District and Zone have some fun stuff planed too! Oh we also had Taco night with the Gonzalez family - sure was yummy! They are such a fun family! I will send some pictures! Oh news - hermana G had her first paracite, but is doing well and it passed! (everyone has the welcome to Paraguay at some time)  Changes are on tues, but we find out the changes on Sunday.  Anyways send everyone back home my love and I hope everyone has such a great week! Thanks for your prayers! LOVE YOU ALLL

Love,
Hermana Alexander

Helaman 10:4-6
4 Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thous hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people.  And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but has sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
5 And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.
6 Behold, thou art Nephi, and I am God.  Behold, I declare it unto thee in the presence of mine angels, that ye shall have power over this people, and shall smite the earth with famine, and with pestilence, and destruction, according to the wickedness of this people.

Getting a Liz squeezeeeeeee

These little girls are the so cute! They were making food for us 

Hermana G trying to feed me haha (was dirt - but arroz con leche according to our cooks)

We love going to the Laguna

The family of Ramon have so many pugs - was sure happy to hug this pup

Hermana Gonzalez flippin the tortillas

Pros at cooking! 

March 6, 2017

HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOO FAM BAM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD AND MIKEYYYYYYYYY - celebrate lots for me! I love you guys so much! 

This week we had a great get away and went to Concepción! We heard from Elder Batalla.  He talked a lot about working with the members in our wards and branches and gaining their trust.  We also heard from President Evans and Hermana Evans, they talked about chapter 10 in Preach my Gospel.  It talks about how we need to meet the needs of our investigators and not just teach the lessons.  (Always a good reminder to teach them on thier spiritual level) We stayed with Hermana Thomas and Hermana Fisher - LOVE THEM! Hermana Fisher was in the same group as Hermana Gonzalez in the CCM and Hermana Thomas was in my group. We took lots of pictures.  The bus drive was sure an experience - It was 4 hours..there was no air, but all of the hermanas and elders made the best of it and played games.  It sure is humid - wayyyyyy hotter in Concepción - I'm grateful pjc has nicer weather!

This week was bascially us contacting - we had some great lessons, but are struggling to get baptism dates. We found lots of people this week so we will for sure try talking to them again.  We also are going to try and look for past investigators from other missionaries that were here (thanks to the carpet)  M and B said that they need more time and just want to for sure know (in reality they know - but it is in their timing and the Lords) We actually were blessed this Sunday and recieved a reference from a member! We have an appointment to meet with his friend who attended church for the first time.  We even gave him a Book of Mormon.  He seemed very interested and his girlfriend (she lives in Brasil is a member) We also met a Brasilan frat and there is one boy victor, who is very interested in the church.  Was pretty neat though - we all read 3 Nefi 11 in portuguesse. The spirit was So strong along with the gift of tongues! I truly felt like we all knew each other before and we promised to visit them in this life - are really are good boys!  I'm learning to speak portuguesse now - lots of the people we have contacted are from Brasil, but live here. 

The mission is seriously going by soooooooo fast! Kinda freaking out haha working hard sure makes it go faster! I make the most out of everyday - my motto! It will be fun to celebrate in PJC with Hna G.  We are getting along SOOOOO well! Never a dull moment together.  The members are pumped for my birthday too! I have been here for awhile - Have connected the most with the people here!  Changes are in two weeks..I will probably leave or stay one more change...only the Lord knows.  I really DON'T want to leave.  It will be so hard to say goodbye.  It's been a good Pday. We actually have done a lot today - exploring PJC, shopping, ate, and visited with the members ahhhhh  As for Mosquitos..I have been careful and have been wearing leggings and socks when I sleep - havent gotten bitten in a long time. I have gotten spider bites - that was interesting haha but I am all good! Oh we are actually moving houses this Saturday!   We are moving closer to our church building.  The location is actually really pratical for us! It's in the middle of all of the areas we cover. 

Oh I forgot to mention that while we were contacting we ran into a catholic apostle! He was super nice and actually told us that we could stop by again....butttttttt probably not haha Sounds like you guys are doing really well.The boys are busy with school and sports! Our backyard looks sooooooo pretty! AWW exciting things are happening.  I hope yall celebrate those march birthdays and enjoy being together as a family.  I appreciate your love and support! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Have a good week.  Also read Doctrina y Convenios 9 verse 8.  Really appreciating the importance of prayer and how we can pray at anytime! The Lord sure knows what's best for us.

Love,

Hermana Alexander

Conference in Concepción!

Have our bus tickets!

So beautiful and green!

She's the best!

February 27, 2017

First off I want to say HOW CRAZY ABOUT THE WEATHER IN TAHOE! Glad you guys are all safe.  LOVED seeing all the snow pictures! SO MUCH SNOW!  This week wasn't the typical working week.  We were stuck in the house most of the week due to my heath, BUT I am WAYYYYYY BETTER AND FEELING HEALTHY.  We were able to finish up the week the best we could.  We found some new investigators and were able to teach Beatriz and Marcelo.  We talked with them about the Law of Chastity and we were so happy to hear that they are married! They are still progressing, but really need to attend church.  They haven't attended yet....so we have to push back the date for their baptism.  All in their timing.  We also had a really neat lesson with some people from Brasil.  They mainly spoke in Portuguesse, but with the help of the Holy Ghost we were able to communicate.  We also had a great night with the Gonzalezs- next sunday we are going to make food with them.  Hna Gonzalez is going to make Mexican food.  As for today we are heading to Conception for a joint conference and to hear from a member of the seventy.  That is why I am emailing a bit early.  Please pray that we will be able to find more people who are fully ready for our message! Really would apperciate it! Having a bit of a hard time, but on the bright side we are reactivating people in our Rama.  Need members before baptisms.  Tell everyone back home that I love them! Hope you guys have a great week and I cannot wait to hear from yall next week! WOOOOO HALFWAY THERE!!!!!!!!

Love,
Hermana Alexander

Liz's first day of school!

Love this family..so glad they are back!

February 20, 2017

HEY! Hope everyone had a great Valentines Day! First off I want to thank y`all for the Valentines package! Loved all the treats and Valentines cards!  Hermana Gonzalez and I sure loved opening it together.  I was lucky to get the package so soon thanks to our interviews with President.  He came down on Friday.  We actually are heading to Conception for a combined conference on the 28th of this month.  
This week sure has been a great week - Beatriz and Marcelo accepted to be baptized on the 18th of March.  We also had a great lesson with Lucas, he is our new investigator.  He is 9 and is very interested in knowing the truth.  We taught him about the Restoration.  We also met Tatiana, she actually is friends with a member in our Rama - they are companions in school.  She seems like she could be ready and willing to keep with the lessons.  We have plans to visit her again.  We also shared a scripture with 2 hippies around the laguna.  They gave us a cool metal flower sculpture to remind us of them.  I also was able to meet Hermano Ramons family from Brasil.  He was reunited with his sister that he hasnt seen in years.  I was so happy for him.  His sisters grandchildren are members too and sung to me and Hna G in Portuguesse.  I  recorded it.  Also we re-activated Diego! We took a picture to celebrate with him.  He sure has come a long way and I couldn't be happier to be apart of his re-activating process.  
I also gave my talk.  Went really well.  It was on missionary work and how the members are involved too.  Oh HAPPY NEWS! Hermana Anotnia and Emily moved back and are in our ward again! Seriously love them! They are here to stay.  We sure have had some CRAZY weather - I think this isn't helping with my fever, but I am just taking it easy - It hit last night after a week of kinda feeling a bit off.  All is good though.  SO FUN about Tahoe and skiing! Can't wait to have cold weather.  That will be fun that Mikey is doing Tennis.  Swim will be good for matthew to keep in shape for water polo. Hope yall have a great week.  LOVE YOUUUUUUU. 

Love, 
Hermana Alexander

My hippie friends at the Laguna!

So happy for Diego!

February 13, 2017

Hey! Another change in PJC and I am still with Hermana Gonzalez - SERIOUSLY 
COULDN´T BE HAPPIER 

President Evans and Hermana Evans are seriously the best, couldn´t ask for a better Mission President. The work is going so well.  Finding more and more people.  We just need some patience with a couple of our Investigators.  They are progressing, but still need a bit more time which is fine.  We have been teaching Osmar and he is in the process of getting ready for his baptism.  He was orginally in Rama 3 and the Elders taught him all the lessons.  Now being in our area, our job is to go over the things that he still is a bit unsure about.  I believe he could be baptized in the next week or 2.  

It totally seems like things are going so well back home.  I sure enjoy hearing about what's going on with yall. That's so great that the boys will be doing trek - trek was such a great experience! 

Highlights from the week

Tuesday- we had a Zone Mayham (a faom fight war) and I said my goodbyes to Hermana Scott 

Weds- we taught Noche de Rama (we talked about missionary work - we played the memory game)

Thursday- We had a HUGE storm (the rain was so heavy) we had a pool in our house

We did a kareoke night with the Flia DeLeon - we even made torta with them (of course we had a lesson about the importance of families)

Friday- we had more rain and helped a lot with our Rama (cleaning the church, etc)

Saturday- we had pizza night

Sunday- I was ready to give my talk and President forgot that he asked me so I have to give mine next sunday - thought I was off the hook haha

P day has been good! We met hermana perez from Bolvia.  She is new and is super cool.  She will add a lot to our zone.  Hasn't rained yet haha 

Well I love you and cannot wait to hear from yall next week!

Love,

Hermana Alexander

 Saying goodbye to Hermana Scott!

February 6, 2017

LETS BE PART OF MIRACLES AND MAKE THEM HAPPEN - words of Hermana Gonzalez and Hermana Alexander

This week Hermana Gonzalez and I have sure had a week of miracles.  Our investigators, Beatriz and her husband are progressing!  They are keeping up with their commitments and are reading their Libro de Mormón and folletos.  We have had great lessons with them about the Restoration, and the Plan of Salvation, but when we came back this week for another visit they had lots of questions still about the Restoration.  We showed them the video of José Smith.  At the end we knew that they gained a Testimony of José Smith and the Restoration.  We have planned this week to teach them about Faith, Repentance, Baptsim, Recieving the Holy Ghost, and Enduring til the end.  We hope that they will accept a baptismal date too for the 4th of March.  We kinda had bad news, but then had great news in the end.  So Javier and Helena told us that they don't want to hear from us anymore, BUT we got a new investigator who was orginally in Rama 3 and he moved into our area.  He has a date for the 18 of Feb! WOOHOO! We still need to meet him, but we will pass by again today.  We also have contacted lots of people and are having times set to visit people! 

We have changes tomorrow.  I am pretty sure Hermana Gonzalez and I will have one more change together! Ester and Juan are improving as well.  They attended Noche de Rama with us and have plans to attend this sunday! They went to Brasil for a bit this week, but we are sure going to pass by next week too!   We had such a great day yesterday with an inactive family, the Nacimentos.  We played a game kinda like memory and they had to look up scriptures and match them.  We also ended with a Testimony meeting and it made me so happy to see the Hermana bare her testimony along with Diego (we reactivated him) I seriously love being apart of helping people come unto their Savior and helping them have a Testimony.  

Looks like the Family is doing well.  I am sorry for the loss of Alton, but I know that he is with his wife.  Dad I am sure that the service was really nice.  How is Grandma and Grandpa doing with this? That was nice that you did a fast with the missionaries!  You should have the boys do more visits with them or you and dad could do one visit with them.  Ward members help a lot with investigators.  I heard about the SUPER BOWL! So fun that you got together with those families.  I am sure it was a good game! CANT WAIT FOR MY PACKAGE! woah another package? Just for my birthday? haha okay! New sheets lol It is so unreal that I will be 20, but I am so excited! Hopefully I will spend it here in PJC and with my Hija! oh craziest thing...so we were walking home from church and this drunk man had water balloons and was cat calling us and he was so close to chucking the balloons at us but nothing happened.  The people in the streets were so shocked that we didn't even have a reaction haha  Typical Sundays - Elder Parada got everything out...thank goodness! Luckily he wont be here for my Birthday sooooooo he wont be able to get me back.  I loved the photos of the boys! I sure miss watching them play.  I love this gospel and I love the family that I am apart of.  I thank you for your prayers and support.  Share your testimonies often! LOVE YOUUUUUU! 

Love,

Hermana Alexander