Hola a Todos

"Quiero empezar...y decirles... HOLA A TODOS" hahah (you had to be there)

Keeping my head in the Game

So guess what?? Kevin helped us yesterday in a lesson and taught his neighbors, a 11 year old and a 7 year old girl. It was the cutest thing ever! He is such a capo and  is already preparing to be a missionary!!!! 

Our english classes are crash and burn.  When we run out of things to teach, we sing primary songs!!! Head, shoulders, knees and toes!!! 

The missionaries are still sick and still calling, (Haylie is still the mission nurse) BUT we made a packet and sent it out this week in which Hna Allred and I are hoping will decrease the phone calls.  Basically it says, "if you have a headache, take some advil and you will be A OK!" We presented it and said we want you all to learn how to take care of yourselves because surely after the mission you will have a headache or stomach ache and will have to fend for yourself then.

We had spilts this week with Hna Guaraglia and Hna Benitez, it was a party. I love seeing my old companions. We always have so much fun together. After bus rides and heat and humidity we returned to our area a little mummy-like and taught Mirta and her daughter Camila the plan of salvation, and Mirta then explained it to her daughter!! Great lesson! And she gave us pizza after!

 Saturday we found a few new investigators who are great, and we passed by an old investigator, Daniel, who i had met about 2 months ago, and just so happened to be super prepared to receive us. We taught the restoration and at the beginning of the lesson he did not want to commit to anything, but at the end he prayed and promised to attend church, and HE SHOWED UP!!! (late, but thats just argentina) and he brought his daughter Brisa as well! (10 years old).  He said that he had continued to think about what we had said about the power of God and the laying on of hands, he was really interested in the church lesson and wants to meet with us more frequently! MIRACLES. 

It's a party with 3 of my companions together:
Hermanas Ferre, Guaraglia and Benitez

God is good. He loves his children.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Eat lots of candy ( and save me some;) )

Love you all! 

Hermana Mathis

Hermana Guaraglia

Hermana Ferre

Quatro Amigas

The trainers and trainees at transfer time with President and Sister Allred

Alfajores, New Companions, Man's Best Friend and other Favorite Things

Meet my new companion:  Hermana Ferre from
Gilbert Arizona

Another great week here in Funes!! My companion, Hermana Ferre, is a stud and we have been enjoying our time together. Plus I get away with buying good food and treats because I get to say.. It's your first time!" On a really rainy day this week she tried her first alfajor and was converted at first bite. We were out in the cold rain in short sleeve shirts because when we left in the afternoon it was really hot and sunny, then the weather took a turn for the worse. Bienvenida a la mision!! 

President and Hermana Allred, Hermana Ferre on Transfer Day

Our new best friend who lasted through 3 hours of church

Kevin was not able to go to the temple with the youth this week because of a miscommunication about legal information necessary to travel to Buenos Aires.  The poor thing was bummed out, but we have faith he will be able to go soon!! Yesterday he received the priesthood and is doing really well. We stopped by his house to walk with him to church and we realized that it was a little late, so we ended up running to church, in our dresses, and Kevin in his suit, and a random dog  decided to follow us all the way to church. It was a sight to be seen! hahahah. And this dog, we named Juan, waited for us the whole 3 hours of church! The members can't even stay 3 hours!!! hahahaha

We had some great lessons this week and on Sunday as we were finishing up the week we reflected on how we weren't able to find many new investigators in the week.  So we set out with a prayer and a goal to find! And God placed 3 people in our path! 

We taught Luis and Liliana after we hadn't visited them in a chunk of time. When we got to their house, they were overjoyed to see us. Luis has been investigating  the church, listening to the music of the church, is impressed by the healthy lifestyle of members of the church, and has been reading the Book of Mormon. We read with them in the Boof of Mormon and were able to strengthen their faith. 

I'll close with a quote, "Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words." Be examples of the believers! Preach the gospel! I spoke in church yesterday and was full of emotion as I explained the joy and happiness we receive in the service of God, and in preaching His gospel to His children. What a blessing I have been given.

Love you all!

hermana Mathis :)

Hermana Allred: The hostess with the mostess

The Trainers on Transfer Day

Introducing Hermana Ferre to a few of my Favorite
Argentinian Things

The Light of the World: Walking on Sunshine

Let me tell you all why this week was so good...

The Baptism of Kevin

First and foremost, KEVIN WAS BAPTIZED!! Really last minute the Branch President changed the day on us and he was baptized Friday the 13th!!! I had made little recuerdos (cards) for the baptism and I put the 14th on every one... but it's all good, because Kevin the capo was more than willing to change the day. We got to the church early in the day and we had to fill up the pool (font?) Well turns out the hose didn't not connect and we quickly turned to plan B, which was filling the large pool up bucket my bucket, running from the bathroom, kitchens, using pots, whatever could hold water to get it filled. The other hermanas came in to save the day after we had been at it 2 hours and they finished the job, working for another few hours. Overall it took more than 4 hours, and it was still a little low.  Poor thing had to bend his knees real good. His mom and his little sisters came to his baptism as well as President and Hermana Allred. Kevin was shining in white and he was just so so happy!! This kid is not your ordinary kid. We have been teaching him and he remembers everything. He has read his Book of Mormon daily into the night and says that he kneels to say his prayers. He prayed to have the surety that he was doing what the Lord wanted him to do and that he prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. He explained that he was filled with a happiness and that the Spirit testified to him that it was true. He was confirmed a member of the church and given the Holy Ghost on Sunday. He came to church in his little suit and tie and he was just walking on sunshine. Everyone realizes more and more how special this kid really is. This Saturday is already a temple trip and he is hoping to be able to travel with the youth which has been his goal ever since we talked about the temple. 

The cards I made for the baptism

Ludmila gave her first talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday, 

FELIZ DIA DE LA MADRE!!! (happy mother's day--well here in Argentina at least) 

she spoke on mothers and shared a sweet experience that brought many of us to tears. Her growth in these past few months has been incredible. She carries a special light with her and it has been fun to witness this progression.

and TRANSFERS: I will stay here in Funes to train a nuevita (brand new sister) and end my mission!!! ahhhhh Time flies. I finished the Book of Mormon again this week and the clarity of the words continue to pierce my heart. For the little recuerdos we made for the baptism, we put Moroni 10:32, "Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him." Through the Book of Mormon, we are taught how we can come unto Christ, how He can make us whole, why He suffered for us, and what He wants us to achieve in our lives and for the eternities, through Him. He offers help, comfort, love, a hand when we fall. He is the light of the world,  

Mosiah 16:9 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.

Kevin and his Mom with Hermana Cadena and I

He offers us his light, and desires that we share it!!

Have a great week!! 

Hermana Mathis

Our last district meeting before transfers

With Branch Mission Leader and missionaries

"The knowledge I have of him, the wisdom of this world cannot give, neither can it take away."

HOLA FAM Y FRIENDS

Beautiful Rosario at Night with Hermana Cadena

Today we had a fun pday in the mission home playing basketball, pickle ball, and 4 square! It's nice to get a real work out in every once and a while, haha. Hermana Allred made us pancakes for lunch with buttermilk syrup and peanut butter bars!!! So good. We organized this pday because it was hna guaraglias bday yesterday:)

This week we are hoping to baptize Kevin on Saturday! He is progressing, reading all the pamphlets we give him, so happy to receive his own personalized Book of Mormon and has began to read it as well. He really is a great kid. He ponders a lot and is constantly paying attention as we are teaching.  He is very intelligent. 

In divisions this week I saw FIORELLA!!! It was the very best. It had been many months since I had seen her and she is doing so good!! She talked in church a few weeks ago. She is reading the scriptures daily and is attending seminary every day at 6 in the morning! It was such a joyful encounter with her and her wonderful mom Marilin! She reminded me, "Hermana, its already been 7 months that I was baptized!" I couldn't believe it, time flies! Although it seems like she has years as a member because of her maturity and her knowledge. I shared with her a few verses in Alma 26 and spoke about the joy of missionary work. She was a miracle that God placed in my path as I have been in His service!

Fiorella (notice the Nevada T-shirt)

It has been a good week--one where we have testified of Christ when it seems like we do not have the answers. He is the one who strengthens us in our trials. Trials have surely come in these past weeks, but my testimony of the Savior continues to be strengthened. I echo the words of Brigham Young,

"The knowledge I have of him, the wisdom of this world cannot give, neither can it take away." 

I am grateful for the knowledge I have of Him-one that I will always have and will never be able to deny-one that I hope to continue throughout my life. I love my Savior. He carries me daily. This is His work. I am so grateful for the messages we were able to hear in this past conference that testify of Him. He gives us the resources to learn about Him and to know Him. We have to take advantage of them! 

Love,

Hermana Mathis :)

Basketball with the President 

This is the work of Jesus Christ

Hermana Hansen Celebrates one year 

Hermana and I with our last "trunky" agendas

4 Square 

Pancakes with Buttermilk Syrup in the Mission Home

Harvest Moon over Rosario

Choose the Lord's Way When the World's Way is Placed Before You

Buen dia familia y amigosss

What a great week it has been! I hope you were able to watch general conference because it was THE BEST. I went into the conference with about 15 questions and every single one of them was answered. We truly receive revelation through the prophet and apostles of the Lord. 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng&cid=HP_SU_1-10-2017_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_ Watch conference here if you didn't get the chance! I promise that you will feel God's love and receive answers to your prayers! 

We brought Kevin to the church to watch conference with us on Sunday and he was just eating it up (as well as the brownies we made.) He was full of great questions and was amazed to see a picture we showed him of our prophet and apostles. He also loved hearing more about the Book of Mormon and remembered the talk by Elder Callister with details, explaining the point that the book was written by revelation, not brilliance! I love this kid! He is progressing and is planning to be baptized October 14th! 

Flia Esmay (Jose the cab driver) have been having a hard week and they weren't able to make it to the FHE in the mission home which was a huge disappointment. Fortunately we still had a spiritual thought with two members from Funes and the Allreds, and we ate cake :) I also shot some hoops with Pte. Allred and beat him in PIG;) mission accomplishments! But keep the Esmay family in your prayers! 

As I was reading the Book of Mormon this week in between conference sessions I read Mormon's words and reflected on the many sacrifices that he made, as well as his son, to stand up for righteousness and continue believing and exercising their faith even amidst a generation of wickedness. I know that when we follow the words of prophets and accept their counsel in our lives, apply it, we are happy and have peace in Jesus Christ. Choose to be humble, to be happy, and to choose the Lord's way when the world's way is placed before you! 

LOVE YOU ALL!! 

And congrats to my cousin Elena, my trainer Hna Whitworth, and my last companion Hna. Bennett who are all engaged!!!!!!!!!!!

Hermana Mathis :)