May 8, 2017

HEY so changes happened this week and I couldn't be more grateful! I will admit that it was hard to say goodbye, but I knew that my work there was complete (was a bit easier to do the goodbyes) I am currently in Mariano with Hermana Roncallo - who I LOVE! She is from New Jersey.  This is her last change in the mission, so I will make sure she ends with a good last change.  We have only been together for a few days, but it feels like we have known eachother for awhile.  It is nice to switch it up and have an American comp.  We also are in the ward with the Assistants to President and another companionship of Elders. This area is huge with 3 companionships.  We are the only Hermanas in our zone and combined with the Elders in the Chaco. ALSO I am super close to San Jorge! It is nice being close to everyone again and the office!  Hopefully I can run into some members from San Jorge on the bus one of these days.  As for Pardo, she is in LOMA which is close as well. Changes were crazy, so many of my good friends returned home this week.  So happy for them.  I cannot believe I have a year on the mission - sure goes fast.  Will be home before I know it.   This area is seriously so great - really excited to get to know it better.  We are helping Adrian,(he has his call to Chile) with his preperation with his mission.  We had a good lesson with him and we all bore our Testimonies with him.  We also have a baptism date set with Artarasio.  He is 77 and attended church with us this week.  This area is full of very special people.  It seems really right to be in this area.  President Evans even told me that I am needed here.  Seriously cannot wait to meet more people and keep the work going forward. I also met Naty.  We talked about the importance of prayer, scripture study, and Holy Ghost.  Also taught Lorenzo, he is an elderly gentleman who is in a band.  We taught him about our purpose here on earth.  I will make sure to take lots of pictures this week.  Hermana Roncallo and I still need a picture together.  We are going shopping today down in Asunsion.  There is a Forever 21 and other shops.  Might get some new things - sure is time.  Also I am going to help her with her going home outfit.  I do have farewell pictures that I will send in just a bit.  That is exciting that you have sister missionaries now.  Also poor Adam about his rash.  SUPER EXCITED TO DO SKYPE! We are doing it on Sunday! Hope you all have a good week.  LOVE YOU ALLLLLLLL

Hermana Alexander

May 1, 2017

CRAZY THINGS ´BOUT TO HAPPEN

So yesterday we found out about our changes! Hermana Pardo and I are both leaving! We are a bit shocked, but we are both excited at the same time.  Sure in this experience together.  We should leave for the office tomorrow night around 10:00 or 11:00 and we will be able to know what area we will serve in.  I am a bit nervous, but I am beyond excited for a new area - it will be a good change.  The Lord knows what's best.  I am a bit sad to leave all those here, but will make sure to take lots of pictures and make sure to find a way to keep in contact with them after the mission.  

This week were able to teach Andres, the brother of a recent convert.  He actually opened up to us and was willing to participate in the Noche de Hogar that we planned. We talked a bit about faith and how all the blessings that we recieve come from our Heavenly Father.  .  We also had a good moment with Lettycia  (our investigator) she has been struggling with family issues - we expressed our love for her and even gave her mint ice cream haha.  She has desires to get baptized and attend church, but with her parents....a bit difficult.  I know one day she will be able to chose. All about timing.  

This Sunday I gave a talk on the importance of keeping Christ the center in our lives and one way we can do this is by reading the scriptures. It was also really special to sing with Hermana Pardo.  We sure invited the spirit.  Was really neat to sing Yo se que vive mi Senor in English and Spanish.  It is a lot easier to express myself through songs at times.  That is seriously so awesome that the daughter got baptized.  I do remember that family.  Seriously how happy! oh no about the strep, but that is kinda funny - shows we are truly related.  I am sure the Upstage fireside was so good.  Can you believe that I hit my 11 months?????? WOOOOOOOOOO so fast! Well I love you all and I cannot wait to tell you all about my upcoming adventures with this new change.  Thanks for the prayers.  LES AMO MUCHOOOOOOOOOO

Hermana Alexander

April 24, 2017

HEYYYYYYYYYYY

This week was sure another great week! Enjoying every minute since changes are coming up.  We find out this Sunday who has changes.  Actual changes are on Tuesday (kinda freaking out a bit, but whatever happens will be good - what is even crazier is that I only have 4 changes left) OH GOOD NEWSSSSS - I RECIEVED MY PACKAGE!!!! It was such a surprise during District Meeting.  Our Zone leaders went to Asuncion for a conference and  happened to remember that I had a package.  Want to thank you for everything that was in it.  Sure felt loved!  Oh Hermana Pardo wanted to thank you for her Easter Basket and all the treats.  We had Family night with the Gonzalez family and we decorated eggs with them last night with the coloring kit you sent.  Sure was fun for them and me.  They don't have coloring kits here like we do in the states.  

Also, I was able to be apart of Jorge´s 1st Birthday PARTY.  We helped Hector and Vania with the food and everything they needed.  At the end while we were cleaning up we had a huge cake war with the left over cake - was such a good time! 

As for the spiritual side we contacted lots and were introduced to Ana.  She is 26 and has a baby on the way.  We shared the Prince of Peace video with her and talked a little about the Plan of Salvation. She kept wanting to watch the mormon message videos and enjoyed learning more on what we had to share.  We are hoping that we can have another visit with her this week and to meet her husband as well.  He is very Catholic, but hopefully all will go well.  Valentina has a date set to get baptized in June which will be such a blessing. We also contacted the Olazar family.  We shared the video with them and are looking forward to our next visit.  Oh yesterday, we happened to run into the family of Alexandra, who was a contact from the park.  We shared a bit about of the plan that God has for us and the importance of prophets.  One of the Hermanas actually spoke with Elders who were in our area a long time ago.  Rocio has a girl who was so cute and said that I was from Ingles hahaha I had fun teaching her a bit of English.  We helped them learn how to sing Soy Un Hijo de Dios.  The spirit was sure so strong.  Oh Hermana Pardo and I will be singing this week in church! Really excited! We'll be singing Yo se que vive mi senor - I may sing a verse in English - need to practice.  Also a family in our ward is preparing to enter the

Temple! We are helping them..AND from them we have a new investigator! Have a visit this Tuesday.  Sounds like everything is going well back home.  Tell everyone hi.  Hope everyone has a great week!  Our P day has been good - went to shopping china.  oh and about skype we can skype on either saturday or sunday! 

LES AMO MUCHO XOXOXOXO

Cake Fight!!

Happy 1st Birthday Jorge!!

Happy Easter!

Nanda dying eggs for the first time!

April 17, 2017

HAPPY EASTER

Looks like you guys had a great time at Yosemite.  Sure loved the pictures! The boys look so good! Hermana Pardo and I love the Easter eggs that you guys made for us! We are both heathy and were able to have a great working week.  We contacted lots and made sure to share the Prince of Peace cards with everyone that we passed by.  The video sure testifies of our Savior.  This week has been extra special.  I seriously love testifying of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  He lives.  Through Him we can have peace and eternal life.  He made salvation possible.  I know that He loves us.  
We had Zone Conference this week.  The main topic was about the importance of Prophets and how we can be better at explaining what a prophet is and why we need prophets.  We were given a lot of great scripture references.  Working with the members was also a topic that was greatly discussed.  I also had a division with the Hermana Leaders.  I worked with Hermana Santos - it was our last division together since she heads home this change.  Hermana Rollim and Hermana Santos helped us find more people to teach.  This week was also the Birthday of Hermano Ramon.  He turned 77.  We had a great BBQ with him, his family,  ward members, and the missionaries.  The tradition here in Paraguay for Easter is to only eat Chepa and they celebrate 3 days - the day of his death, have a day of rest, and have a day to remember His Resurrection.  Other faiths do some interesting activities for these 3 days. This Easter Sunday was super speical and full of rain.  Hermana Pardo and I taught the YW.  Sure was a great experience.   I hope you guys have another great week! LOVE YOU ALL!

Hermana Alexander

Mosiah 16:8-9 
8  But there is a resurrection, therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ.
9  He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened, yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.

Happy Birthday Hermano Ramon!

April 10, 2017

Motto for this week : I WILL SURVIVE

This week was definitely not a typical working week for Hermana Pardo and I.  We were in our house most of this week, but manged to work some of the days! (blessings)  I ended up having strep (could barley talk and had a nasty cough) and a fever.  Hermana Pardo got sick too! After I started getting better, she got sick.  Then when she got better, I got worse. There were days I felt capable to work (thanks to the blessing of health from Elder Salazar and Elder Encee), so we worked and did what we could without overworking ourselves.  With the minimum days we had we were able to get 4 new investigators and we sure had some amazing lessons.  We even got a baptismal date with one of our new Investigators, Cornelia.  She was a blessing contact.  We contacted all day and found people, but not really people that were super interested -  BUT with faith and diligence we were able to find her - she was our last contact of the day  We have taught her about the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration.   She is 19!  We also ran into Osmar and finally found out where he lives! Still is a bit hard to contact him, because he doesn't have a phone.  We also have a time set to visit one of our new investigators Belen.  Hopefully our first lesson with her will go well. 

This week, Hermana Pardo and I truly recieved the love from the members.  They would stop by to make sure we were okay and even dropped off lunches for us.  We were able to work a bit on thursday, friday, and saturday.  Sunday, I recieved a high fever and could barley move.  President Nunez and Hector (recent convert) came to our house and gave me a blessing.  I seriously am so grateful for the Preisthood.  Through the power of God, I was able to make it to Sacrament Meeting and yes, I bore my Testimony.  Later that day we slept a lot and today we are both heathy! I still have a bit of a cough but we can work and go about our normal schedule.  I know I am heathy thanks to those blessings and through the prayers in my behalf- I truly felt like having Hermana Pardo and I sick, our ward became more united and that it was so great that Hector and President could give me a blessing.  God is truly mysterious.  I am grateful for afflictions and hard times.  

Hermana Pardo and I sure enjoyed our time together! Our days consisted of church movies, dule de leche with bananas and bread, sleep, good long talks (life etc)  Sounds like everyone back home is doing well which makes me so happy! Yosemite will be a good time.  Make sure to take lots of pictures for me :) The boys sure sound busy, which is SO good.  I had no idea that Hermana Evans had a blog! How fun! Wow I feel honored about what they said about the missionaries serving here in PJC.  LES AMO MUCHOOOOOO! HERMANA PARDO wanted me to tell you guys that she says hi. HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT SPRING BREAK!

Love,
Hermana Alexander

Our week was like this...

April 3, 2017

HEYYYYYYYYYYY first off I just want to say how lucky we are to hear from our Prophet and leaders every April and October! General Conference was AMAZING! I watched all the sessions in Spanish and then watched the very last session in English.  What was neat is that some of the Elders and Hermanas that don´t know much English wanted to watch it in English with us too. It was a good experience for all of us. I will say that watching it in English was a bit of a struggle for me too haha I loved how most of the talks mentioned how we need to have faith and confidence in our Savior and in our Father in Heaven. They sure know what is best.  I also loved how it is very important to have the Holy Ghost with us as well as reading and praying daily and being true examples.  I also loved the talk that was about one of the Elders conversion stories..Elder Costa!  Our investigator Evalyne attended the Saturday Womens session.  
This week was a good working week for Hermana Pardo and I.  Sure working lots to find those who are truly ready - this area is a bit hard.   I will say that conference was the BEST part of this week.  Today for P day we went to waterfalls.  I will send some pictures, was sure a great and fun experience with the missionaries.  I am indeed grateful for this gospel and I am greatful that we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson to lead and guide us.  I just love this gospel so much! Hermana Pardo and I are getting along so well! I love her so much! We sure have lots of fun together :)  She said I am the most latina out of her 2 other American comps hahaha love getting the latina card lol I am her 3rd comp. I have a huge cold and sore throat thanks to the change in the weather so thank heavens for medicine and sleep! The kings game pictures are so cute! Love the costumes! Matthew looked very handsome for Whitney's Jr Prom.  Oh tell dad that there is huge political protest but it is mainly in Asuncion, where I am there is no problem! Tell everyone hi and I hope you all have a good week! 

Love,
Hermana Alexander

March 27, 2017

We got here at 4 in the morning for our immigrations.  Hermana Pardo and I had to sign some papers and I had to do some finger prints again.  We head home at 11 tonight with our Zone leaders.  Was fun to see some of my friends that had immigrations too.  We sure had a great reunion.  I AM SERIOUSLY SOOOOOO HAPPY FOR THIS CHANGE WITH HERMANA PARDO! She is seriously AMAZING.  We teach super well together and get along so well.  I am her 3rd companion! And yes, I am a Senor companion again. Getting old in the mission haha  The Lord sure has blessed me with such great comps.  She is from Santiago, Chile.   
Finding new people to teach was sure a tender mercy for this new change. We were blessed to set a baptismal date with two sisters, Lettycia and Evalyn.  We actually contacted their Grandma first and she made it known that she wanted us to teach her grand daughters. Lettycia is 16 and Evayln is 15.  We also had a great lesson with Beatriz and Marcelo.  In this lesson, Beatriz expressed that she was angry with God due to her 
miscarriages.  We greatly expressed our love for her and the love that her Heavenly Father has for her.  We expressed how God works in mysterious ways. In the moment, we might not always know why things happen, but in the end they are usually unfolded in His time. I felt very impressed to say that I am here for her and that the Lord gave me one more change to help her with her conversion process.  Really think she will have a change of heart and humility.  Please pray for her and her family. I can't even express how strong the spirit was.  
We get to watch the Women's session this Saturday before General Conference.  Hermana Pardo and I are really looking forward to it.  Overall, this week was full of lessons. Oh and we were able to witness Hector give a blessing of health for the first time.  Was such a great experience.  He is a recent convert.  This gospel seriously changes lives.  He invited this old gentlemen to have lunch with us and we were able to share a message with him.  Hector doesnt know it, but he is sure a missionary himself.  We have been having some rain in PJC.  We got SOAKED! I will watch conference in Spanish.  It is such a great feeling to understand everyone and to be able to communicate.  Was really happy to hear that Hermana Pardo was my comp.  We actually knew each other before from the mission.  We have mutual friends. AND we get to speak Spanish all the time.  She is learning English too and enjoying it. I am also learning Poruguese and am able to speak it too.  So exciting about the bonus room.  Also tell everyone hi during the Upstage proformance.  Sure sounds like everyone is doing SO well.  Also mom, this is me telling you, dont be nervous about singing.  I am actually singing lots! Sure having great experiences singing with everyone.  Send Susan, Noah, Jodee, and Mike my love.  Fun that they are here to visit.  LES QUIERO MUCHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant send pics, but for sure next week when I am at cypher!

Love, 
Hermana Alexander