Crazy week!

With Elder McBride and Elder Fullmer

 

Quite a detour--from Idaho to Argentina, by way of India!

Hey Mom!!

 

So this last week was pretty crazy too, lots of divisions and intercambios and interviews with President Ávila, but everthing turned out really well! Except starting Wednesday it got freezing again. But that's the only downside really that there was this week!

So on Tuesday after district meeting we did intercambios, I went to Necochea and was with Elder Pyne, and Elder Haist (the mini missionary) went to Albardón with Elder Fullmer. It was a pretty rough day for us in Necochea. No one was home, so we didn't have any of the citas that we had planned. Sorry, citas means appointments. It's a lot easier to say cita. So we just talked with a bunch of people in the street, and got a lot of the classic "point at the watch and keep walking" responses. A lot of people that didn't even have time to say hola. Haha so that was pretty fun! I was just trying to help Elder Pyne recover some excitement after a hard day.  I feel like I helped a little bit!

 

So then Wednesday we switched back, and had a pretty good day. And then Thursday we had interviews!! We went at 9 in the morning. I saw Elder Johnson and talked to him a lot about Rodeo del Medio (I'll mention all that exciting news a little later), and then we had our interviews first. Mine lasted 5 minutes as usual and Elder Fullmer about 10-15. Then we headed back to Albardón with Elder McBride! It was such a good day. He showed us a BUNCH of people that he had been passing by, his converts, old investigators, everything, and we got a LOT done that day. Me and Elder Fullmer analyzed the whole thing the next day and took out some examples from what we did to apply now for the rest of the transfer and mission. Elder McBride was just like in a dream the whole time. I can't imagine what it would be like to return to one of your areas from before, but he was super excited! We had lunch with the familia Algañaras. They made empanadas, SUPER good, and then since they had to rush off to work, we said we would come back that night. So then we went and visited a lot of people, taught some good lessons, and he just told people to start listening to the missionaries again and to come back to church (which none of them did yesterday....) We introduced him to the flia Muñoz, and he was telling all the elders how awesome that family was afterwards, and we went back to the Algañaras and they gave us even more empanadas (I didn't complain) and a torta, but we were already there later than we told them we were going to stay, and we had to call a taxi because three buses passed us headed to the station, they had already finished. So we got home a little late.

 

And then we spent the night here, and in the morning we were out again. Back to Centro. But I got to see Elder Chipman for the first time in 8 months!!! We talked about Albardon, since he started there, and he was super excited to hear about all the progress and everything. So that means all of our MTC district is here in San Juan except Elder Hardy! And I guess Elder Egbert too, since he is in Mendoza. But the rest are all here! Pretty crazy.

 

But then President Avila asked me about my shoes, since they are falling apart (the better pair, the other pair was destroyed and I left them in Rodeo del Medio), and he asked me why I had asked about shoes a few months ago (Hermana Avila had asked if there were any items of clothing or anything we needed, and I said if they had just a leftover pair of shoes, if I could have them). And I told him that was why, I only had one pair and still a year to go. He asked if there was anything that would keep you guys from sending me new ones, and I just mentioned that Jalen had lost his luggage, and after I said that, he didn't say anything else, and sent me with the assistants and bought me a simple pair of shoes. So now I have two pairs. But it just about made me cry, he didn't even think about it twice. He is a really loving, generous man. I could literally feel his love when he was talking to me, it was a very humbling experience. So then we went back to Albardón and the day was más o menos(so/so), and then Friday was pretty good. But then we lost the last three hours of the night going to do another interview for the zone leaders, which turned out super well. A man named Daniel got baptized after listening to the missionaries for 5 years or so. But he´s seen big changes in these last few months, and finally made it! We were all super happy, plus he has like 9 kids so they all are going to be a big addition to that ward!

 

Then Saturday we worked in the siesta, went to change because we went to help a family move houses, and that was pretty interesting too. It was really really humbling. They were living in a house made of bamboo and mud bascially, and they moved to an abandoned house, but a lot bigger and a real cement house. I´d never thought I would have a move done with just two truckfulls of possessions. (Did I spell that right?) But it was a super cold night, and the sun went down, and I was freezing. So we went back to the church to change, and I realized I forgot my coat. So I was just in my shirt the rest of the night. We visited the flia Muñoz, and then went home! And they came to church yesterday, and Fabian and Valentin received the priesthood. (Bishop Alvarez did it, and we participated when Valentin was ordained. We just watched for Fabian. ) And next week Bishop asked them to bless and pass the sacrament (Fabian and Valentin respectively), so that will be SUPER COOL! 

 

Anyway yeah, about Rodeo del Medio, Elder Johnson just told me about a lot of the people I had been teaching, how Graciela´s kid Matias finally got baptized, how Juan Pablo blesses the sacrament every week, how he (Elder Johnson) went out to the middle of nowhere to visit one of the families and is now the first official elder to step foot out there, and they found a lot of people. And then he told me that Patricia, Juan Pablo´s sister, started reading the Book of Mormon!!!!!! She was the one who would always leave when we would try to talk about anything religious, but I sent her a Book of Mormon and Elder Johnson gave it to her and "helped her" read some verses and realize it wasn't a bad book, and it was just like the Bible. I put those quotation marks because he had to put the book right there and told her to read, and with time she started softening a little bit. That's just how Elder Johnson is haha, but now that family loves both of us! Weird how we were MTC comps and everything. But I was super happy to know about that.

 

Other than that, the week was a good week, a normal week! We are seeing good changes in the zone and we hope to keep them going upward! Constant progress is what we need! We found another family of 4 on Tuesday. Actually, the credit goes to Elder Fullmer, he was in a meeting with our new ward mission leader, and they were talking to him about their neighbor, and then five minutes later she knocks on the door, they invite her in, and they teach her about the Restoration. So now we are going to be teaching them with their neighbors, and hopefully this month they get baptized! I still haven't met them, but they told me that they are all very receptive and open, and that she specifically has been looking for the true church and true teachings for years. So we hope to be able to help her on her way! I´ve already seen this message help the lives of lots of people, I know it will do the same for anyone who takes advantage of it!

 

Anyway, that's about all the news for this week, it's been a very good week! Thanks for the pictures, the house does look quite different, but I like it! I am pretty bored with the gray and tan houses all around. Down here they have pretty random colored houses too, and it definitely brightens things up!

 

I´m glad to hear that soccer had a very good opening game as well! Oscar is doing a good job for sure! And yeah, I remember Solomon told me one time that his dad had played for a team for years, I always thought that was cool! I bet he can help out a lot! And if he can help Nathan too, even better! :) The soccer camp we went to in Oregon helped me a lot, even though me and Blake spent the majority of the time injured and on the sideline watching! 

 

Oh yeah, so more news, on Tuesday I am going to Mendoza again! Crazy, huh? I have to go to two meetings on Wednesday, whoo hoo!(That was half sarcastic, but I really am excited!!) I´ll get to see Elder Day again, and a few other elders I haven't seen for a while, so that will be cool! Hopefully the bus is at least half as nice as last time... we´ll see I guess. But that takes out another two days of work in our area, so we have to work like crazy today, tomorrow afternoon, and then the rest of the days! It will be rough, but we´ll do it. 

 

About the package, no I am still waiting for it, hopefully it is there when I go to the Mendoza this week... if not, well Bishop Alvarez might have to wait a little more time for his Sloppy Joe seasoning haha. He actually asked me if I had ever asked for it, and I told him yes, and that I was just waiting. Two more weeks in the transfer, so hopefully it comes.

 

Alright, well we have to go print pictures for the flia Muñoz and familiares, and do compras, since last week we didn't get to! Everything was closed, and all of Centro was just empty. So weird. I can't imagine Boise or New York or any city like that ever being empty. But then again, the holidays are different there, people still work, and the siesta doesn't exist either! Gotta love Argentina :)

 

Anyway, I will talk to you all next week. I'm starving, and we´re going to go play some games and ping pong with the other elders! I love you Mom! I'm glad you are happy with the house! I like it too, dont worry. Doesn't matter what anyone else says, it adds some variety, and we´re supposed to be a "peculiar people" anyway, right? Definitely standing out! Can't wait to see the finished project! 

I hope you all have a good week and enjoy all that comes your way! I'll do my best to do the same. Time flies too fast, so you have to have that in mind always or you´ll miss opportunities, and that's just the worst feeling ever! Don't let it happen!

Elder Tyson Gibbons

 

p.s. I got a letter this last week, and this is what it said on it! Sister Eagley, I guess your letter wanted to make a big detour! Pretty cool right? I have a letter that went through India!

 

p.p.s. To answer your question Dad, we do offer blessings quite a bit, and whenver they agree we always have the chance to explain what it is and how it helps, so it's a good teaching experience! But yeah, I definitely understand why you would be asked to do that stuff so much. I don't know why, but I've heard stories of elders who bless babies and everything. I haven't got that one under my belt yet! Maybe in the future. If not, when I have my own kid then!

They did it!

First class train to Mendoza

 

The Munoz family

 

Baptism day!

 

 

Hey Mom!

Well, I hope your worries are gone now, things turned out just perfectly! Satan has power, yes, but when the people really have the desire to do things, they don't let anything get in their way. I'll share some of the things that happened that could've gone horribly wrong, but that still ended up happening! But I'll get to that in a little bit.

 

So to start talking about the week, we went over on Tuesday and had a fun visit for María's birthday. We brought brownies, and now they are crazy about brownies, but we also met some family members! Then Wednesday we went by to find out what time the wedding was on Friday, since they couldn't answer us back (their phones broke, they didn't have credit, etc.) but she told us it was at 11 Friday morning (sidenote, that quick five minute visit we had Wednesday was actually really special for me, because it was the same exact place, time, weather, and things happening as the first day we talked to her. But the difference, she was hundreds of times happier, there wasn't a single worry or shadow in her life that day, and better said, that whole week).

 

Then we took off to the terminal, and we got on the bus to head to Mendoza. So, the bus was first class, with SUITES, or that is, personal TVs, chairs that reclined to 180 degrees, better than a lazyboy, and the front seats on top, so we could see everything. It was beautiful. And then the rest of the trip went like this: we got to the office pench, talked with Elder McBride (Elder Chipman's trainer, who trained him in Albardon, and is now the AP) into the night about Albardon and all the people he baptized and taught. (This week for interviews we are doing intercambios with him, in Albardon. He is super excited, especially since we set up a lunch with their active converts from a year ago! That will be a cool experience.) And then we woke up at 5 to go wait outside from 6 to 8 in the morning, freezing, to do some fingerprints and paperwork. We met a mega millionaire guy from Chicago though, who has lived down here for like 30 years. His wife is Argentine, and she speaks pretty good English, and he just talked to us about a bunch of stuff. Imagine if the missionaries got into his house.... It would be hard though, he got his money through the wine business haha. Then we got back on a bus at 1, after waiting and eating some panchos completos (in other words, a hot dog, but longer than normal, and completo is with everything on it. Sometimes it comes with onions or vegetables, but this one was just the four main condiments, ketchup, mayonaise, mustard, and salsa golf--the fry sauce equivalent--so that was still pretty good). And then on to another bus, not nearly as nice as the first one, but I was so tired I slept all right anyway, after watching bits of The Soloist. The music was so attracting, I really like cello music now.

 

Then we got back Thursday afternoon, and I still didn't go back home, I stayed in Retiro with ZL Elder Hone, and we went and visited some people, and two kids who were getting baptized there that Saturday (it was a good Saturday for the zone!), and we did some interviews. Then we went to their pench and I ate like everything they had in the fridge, because I was so hungry. But then Elder Fullmer and Elder Thurgood called us to tell us how the interviews went with the familia Muñoz, and they were good to go!! Elder Thurgood just said "Wow, that is one amazing family, congrats you guys!" and that just started the suspenseful weekend wait!

 

So Friday morning we switched companions back and I went back home to shower, something I hadn't done for two days, gross, and then we went to the wedding! It wasn't anything like a wedding they show in movies or anything, but it was legal, and they just wanted to do it and get baptized the next day! So the next setback comes, and they showed up almost 30 minutes late because their ride never showed up, and they even ended up leaving Lucila at home! And their older daughter who was going to come didn't get to come either, so it wasn't the whole family even. But they came because they knew they had to to be able to get baptized on Saturday. So we met some more of their family Friday, and then Saturday we had everything set up, planned for 6 o clock.... and we are at the chapel at 550 waiting for ONE PERSON to show up, or better said, for ANYONE to show up, because no one had yet. And it was because of this school parade they had, that was supposed to start at 4 and ended up starting at 5:30, classic Argentine schedule. It's even worse than Mormon standard time hahaha! But they all showed up. Maria's dad came with his wife (her stepmom) and her younger sister (way weird, her younger sister is only like 10, but it's becuase her stepmom had her recently) and their oldest daughter came too! And then a bunch of members flaked out, which made me pretty frustrated, but they didn't care much, they were all just super excited and happy. So I baptized Maria and Valentin, and the bishop baptized Fabian and Lucila. Maria asked me to do it because I had "changed their family so much" and I just said well, I just kinda helped, but I felt super special that she would say that. That's the phrase every missionary wants to hear, for a couple reasons. One, you fulfilled your goal as a missionary, and two, it's a family that's getting baptized! So I did that, and Maria´s reaction before entering the font was classic, she got super nervous and emotional, but she stayed strong and was so anxious to get in there after a minute or so. It was a really, really good experience. And then Elder Fullmer and I brought out our 100 brownies we had made, and they were all GONE in about 10 minutes, even though there were only like 18 of us there. Crazy huh? Now everyone wants the recipe. So I'll have to do that too.

 

But then Sunday, we called a taxi in the morning, a good friend of one of the members who gives us a huge discount, and we went and picked them up, and Maria was pretty sick from having stayed out and talked with her family members who came over AFTER the baptism (what's up with that, too scared to come to the chapel but theyll take advantage of the event to have an asado!). So Maria had no voice yesterday, and Lucila was getting sick. But they all came, and they all got confirmed! And the scariest part, Bishop asked me who was going to do it, and I just thought well, you´re the bishop, you do it! But he said "Elder, are you going to do it?" and saw my hesitation and decided that we would each confirm the people we baptized. So, for the first time in my life, and second actually, I confirmed someone, in Spanish! It was super scary, but it turned out well, and the ward was way receptive and excited, even though half of them hadn't come to the baptism Saturday.

 

But that was the end of a really amazing weekend. Actually not quite, today is a holiday, so was yesterday, so the parties continue. But we are having a FHE with them tonight too, and it's going to be awesome!!! So four straight days of amazing experiences with this family. And it won't end yet either, because next week they will get the Aaronic Priesthood! I´m super excited. I don't know if the bishop will ask me to do that, but then again, I don't think I can? Maybe I'll study that just in case...

 

So that was the week! Pretty amazing, right? :) Can I just say, I am super happy, of course!

 

Anyway, sounds like things are just picking back up this last week, with school and sports and jobs and everything! I can't believe Oscar is the JV coach, that's so perfect! He will help out a lot, and now he´ll be friends with three tall gringos that play soccer :)  I love that guy, I can't wait to see him again. I´m glad he hasn't forgotten about us! And I'm glad he´ll get to work with Nathan, and I'm glad to hear Nathan made the team!! And Kate is working too... what the heck, that's so weird. I guess I'm used to everyone following the lawn cutting trail. I guess I keep forgetting Kate is a girl. Hahaha not really, but it's weird to think she is in high school now. What the heck. 

 

Wow, I can't believe the Hiddlestons' cabin is just ash now! That's so weird, I always remember that camping trip.

 

Alright so I just tried to convert the brownie recipe I have from Elder Day into Spanish measurements. I think it looks alright, I'll just have to experiment. But if it doesn't work, I can always tell them that we bought them in a box haha. But I can't do that yet, I want to show them I can make them too!! :) But they all loved them. Could I maybe have Grandma Gibbons' recipe too? I love those brownies, and no one would steal it since I'm all the way down here! If it's not a secret, of course.

 

Well, that's bascially all the news I have from this last week! Really good news, isn't it? I'm very happy. I hope all of you have an amazing week this week! I'll let you know how things are going next week! I love you Mom! 

 

By the way, I saw Malcolm's email, and that is so crazy thinking he is in the MTC. They can't email from Tonga? Why is that? That's pretty cool I guess though, getting to write so many letters, it's old fashioned! Hopefully it's not as snail-like as it is down here. Wow, that picture of Malcolm just shocks me, he seemed so young when I left. But he looks older already. And a lot more like his dad haha. I´m just super excited that our stake and 4th Ward have so many missionaries out, all at the same time!! It's really cool to think about. :) I love being an Elder! There´s nothing more satisfying for me right now than to be doing this. All of you who could possibly try it, should do it!

 

Elder Tyson Gibbons

Hey Mom and Dad!!!

Wow, today´s cyber session has just been crazy...so many things to do. I had to print out a bunch of forms for our binder, and then thankfully Elder Thurgood, our ZL, had invitations to baptism forms already made, so he sent that to me and I printed those out for tonight... I guess I´m kinda getting ahead of myself? :)

So... the familia Munoz is getting baptized this weekend!!! They took out the turno for marriage... guess what day... Friday! And then they´ll be baptized Saturday, and confirmed Sunday! What an awesome weekend, right? :) We were worried about Fabian and smoking, since they didn't make it to church yesterday (it's alright, they have already met that requirement, and it was because they couldn't get a taxi since they were all busy with voting and stuff. It was a crazy day yesterday), but we texted them today, and they answered back literally ten minutes ago, telling us that they got the analysis done (a requirement for the marriage), they are set to get married Friday, and Fabian hasn't smoked for 4 days now! It helps that Elder Fullmer gave him like 50 Dum Dums to eat when he wanted to smoke. And they told us that they were excited for tonight´s visit, a FHE, and we are going to plan the baptism and just review all the questions for the baptismal interview! And then Maria´s birthday is tomorrow. So we will see them again tomrorow as well to bring some brownies or something, and the invitations for their family we are going to make tonight! What an awesome day, right? :) I'm just super happy, can you tell? 

 

So then more interesting news I just got about 5 minutes ago, was that on Wednesday night I have to go to Mendoza! With Elder Wright and Elder Braithwaite, so I´m pretty sure it's to renew our visas. So that was a BIG shock since this week is going to be SOO important. But Elder Fullmer will still be here, although in a trio and in a different area, and to answer your question Dad, yes he is definitely ready. He doesn't think so, but he is way beter off than I was after my second transfer here. He will be a very good leader in the future as well. Only thing is, I have to think now of a calm way of telling him that ALL the plans we have to do this week are now up to him haha. Any suggestions? Just kidding, I have to tell him today since it's kinda a big deal! 

 

And HOLY COW! I had no idea Adriana was listening to the missionaries or anything! What a stud Tony has been. I was worried about him and his mission and all, but that news came a few weeks ago, so now I´m just super happy for him. And for her! She looks very, very happy, and it's good to know since the last news I really had was that they had fought and then gotten back together. But yeah, thanks for the picture! They both look happy. and he will be a super good missionary, and then he'll be able to speak Spanish with all us cool Spanish speakers :) 

 

I´m glad all the crazy things happening last week turned out well! What--I can't believe you made ribs for the first time, without me! I love ribs. The ribs down here are actually kinda disgusting, even asado style. Probably because they don't have the same expectations as we do up there. Oh well, just a little more time...  Wow, I can't believe Kate is in high school now. What the heck. But I'm glad she is having so many offers thrown at her!!! She´ll be very well rounded jobwise by the end of high school. And I bet Nathan is nervous about seminary. I'm sure the teacher will be just as cool, but Brother Sell definitely has a special spot in my heart. He helped me out a lot, even though he probably never saw much of that help blossom or anything. I'll have to make a trip to visit him sometime.

 

I´m glad to hear the reception went well! And that Tindall is doing good and is happy! Still working hard though, like always. That's pretty funny about the pool. I guess I never thought about it before, but she was definitely getting to be one of the older ones working there. I would get annoyed after working with 15 yr olds too, or at least I would have before the mission. I think I could get along pretty well now! I seem to have more ability of adapting myself to situations and people than before. 

 

That sounds rough for Chris! I am just super glad that our mission isn't getting divided and that President Avila doesn't leave until June nex year, so I'll be leaving the transfer before them! It will definitely be weird for the missionaries that came this past June, having President Avila and then another president, each for one year. But also very cool I suppose! But I'm content that it isn't happening to me:)

 

So this past week I had to give a talk again, like I told you. But it turned out SOOO much better than last time, I had a lot more time, and I actually ran over into the stake president´s counselor´s time. But he didn't mind at all, he actually came up to me after the meeting and thanked me for my "excellent talk." So I felt a lot better about it. One interesting thing that probably is different about me... I feel like before the mission, it was hard to get me to talk for longer than a few minutes. And now I have realized that it's super hard to get me to stop talking now... you probably can't believe it, but you´ll notice when I get home probably. Haha Bishop Rhead should probably give me like 20 minutes or something, I dunno. Just a heads up. But anyway, what does that have to do with anything? Well yesterday and the week before, I planned my talk but then went through multiple times to just cut out any tangent that I had put in, because I just wanted to teach the most basic doctrine. And I've realized that a big reason I talk so much is that when a tangent presents itself, I almost always take it. So I figured if I started now, planning for a very basic talk, it would help with lessons too. We´ll see. I haven't had a lesson since yesterday :) and tonight probably won't be a very basic lesson since we have a lot to talk about with them (teaching, no--just plans for this week since I'm going to Mendoza, and then for the baptism). I'll let you know more about that!

 

Oh yeah! the familia Munoz(or will be Muñoz on Friday) came to the bishop´s son´s baptism! And they came by themselves too! I think their curiosity brought them haha, but they LOVED IT! All of bishop´s wife´s family was there, or a lot of them anyway, and they just took them into their arms, even though they´re from necochea and retiro wards. But they got to know them, and the BEST part of the baptism was when I was standing by Maria and Fabian, and she was talking to one of the sisters of Bishop's wife, and the sister asked when they were getting baptized, and Maria said "well first, we are getting married the 16th, and then we´ll be baptized on the 17th" just in a completely normal voice. And then I wanted to just say YES in a very not normal voice. They are already set on it, and we are seeing the results. Also, I was talking to Maria a little bit, and she just told me "I cant believe how the people are here. They are incredible, so nice and loving and accepting. Everyone is equal here, aren´t they?" And I just said "Well, since we all have the same goal, we are all imperfect, and we need help, everyone is willing to give a hand to anyone else, because then we´ll all be happy up in heaven together." And she just started crying and agreed. It was amazing. 

 

And then yeah, they didn't make it to church, but Fabian still hasn't smoked, so everything is going good!! 

 

Well, I am goign to try and get pictures with them tonight, but if not, Saturday we will have more pictures, and I'll get those to you on Monday. :) 

 

I don't really have much else to say, haha I have already spewed out all my excitement and everything. I just hope that you all have a really, really good week! And just a little quote that I shared in my talk, from President Eyring in the 2007 conference, I believe. 

 

 

"There is a danger in the word someday when what it means is “not this day.” “Someday I will repent.” “Someday I will forgive him.” “Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.” “Someday I will start to pay tithing.” “Someday I will return to the temple.” “Someday …”

 

The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. It is that we may discover that we have run out of time. The God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. We will weep, and He will weep, if we have intended to repent and to serve Him in tomorrows which never came or have dreamt of yesterdays where the opportunity to act was past. This day is a precious gift of God. The thought “Someday I will” can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity."

 

Please don't procrastinate anything important, what he says is true! I've seen it in the lives of members in every area down here, active or less active; I´ve seen it in the lives of non members; I´ve seen it in my own life, and the result is ALWAYS the same. The goals and dreams that we hold so dearly might appear to be within reach even if we aren't fulfilling our responsabilities or living the commandments, but thanks to a modern-day apostle, we are warned as to what will happen at the last moment. In the final moment, all of those dreams and goals will be taken away, if we haven't made the necessary changes in our lives. We don't want that; neither does God, he wouldn't be happy taking away all those blessings from us, but because we didn't obey as we should have done, He has to do it. Like it says in the quote, I have no doubt that we will cry and He will cry, if we dont change TODAY. Don't let your eternal goals be hindered by a small challenge or problem in this life that we already view as just a mortal life, a dot in the eternity of God´s plan. It's just not worth it. I wasted lots of time, eventually decided to change that, and if I hadn't... well I wouldn't be here, sharing this with you, or any that I have shared. It helps to think in a bigger perspective!!

I love you all, and hope you can all decide that TODAY you will make some important change in your life, whether it be something big or small, like the familia Muñoz´s decision to be baptized, or just a simple prayer at night and morning. Every little decision has its consequences, which can be more than we can handle if we choose the wrong road.  So make sure you choose the right ones this week! :)

 

Elder Tyson Gibbons

 

with Elder Fullmer

 

Calle la Laja

 

 

largest pizza ever

 

Grido's ice cream

 

Dog bite

 

 

Hey Mom!! So, again, this week has been AWESOME! Just as good as last week. You can send Dad´s email to people as well because I explained pretty in depth about the familia M_____. But they all came to church again!!!! It was so cool. And then A_____ showed up as well, which was really cool too. So we had a lot of investigators, and the best part is that the bishop's son is getting baptized this Saturday, and one of the questions that the flia M_____ has had for us recently is what the baptism service is like, what happens, and the clothes and everything, so then bishop announced that yesterday and invited them personally.  And I just told them, well, looks like we can answer your question very easily now if you come to the service! The thing is, they have their date for the next Saturday, so I think that would be a GREAT way to start off the last week before their baptism, seeing a baptism! So we are going to make sure they make it there :) But yeah, for more details, see Dad´s email. Basically it explains how cool this whole situation has turned out to be, and how she is pretty much already a member missionary, sharing with her family members. And the next best thing, last night a member told us he knows their whole family, and that it's a HUGE family, so obispo´s face just lit up, and mine too! There are a lot of big things going to happen here in Albardon, whether soon or in the future. :) I'm glad to be a part of it!

 

Wow, that whole youth conference sounds pretty good, even with the sort-of-strange temple trip. I'm glad the youth still got to participate though, even if they couldn't do anything for their own names! 

 

Alright, I will be looking for that package! Hopefully I'll get it soon, probably the end of this month though. And I will let you know when I get it!! 

 

So we have some extra changes this week, Elder Smith is going up to Zone Leader in Godoy Cruz, so as far as we know, Elder Pyne, his trainee, is going to get a mini missionary, and so our district is going to change a little bit. But Elder Hone came from one of the other districts in the zone and is our new zone leader. But now Elder Smith doesn't know when he´s leaving, so today we are going to celebrate a little bit, eat some tacos in a bag (AKA: taco filler put into a bag of mashed Doritos. Sounds delicious right? We missionaries eat SOO healthy) and play some games. It will be nice. He´s helped me a lot these last two transfers so I'll miss the guy. 

Wow, that's so cool you have the opportunity to do some missionary work. You just have to be confident! Remember what Elder Holland said in the broadcast, that an invitation born from our love of the Savior and our friends will NEVER be taken as offensive. I know that's true. You just have to do it with love! I'm glad you are all being examples to me still of how to be a missonary, since I am still not the perfect missionary! Keep me updated on that, and I'm glad to know you think outside the box too. Instead of just trying to shove it down the whole family´s throat, so to speak, you need to focus on the needs!!

 

So we did intercambios this week, I was with Elder Smith in Albardon, and it was a really good day. We got a lot done, and then he had to go to Mendoza, so we ended up being in a trio for the next two days, which actually turned out to be SUPER fun and it worked out really well! We just overwhelmed the whole town. I'm already used to getting stares, but us three gringos had EVERYBODY staring, everyone was probably thinking "oh no, now there are THREE of them!!" haha but we talked to a bunch of people, and had some really good visits. We also went to the end of the Calle la Laja, where we found the end of the world, or civilization at least. There was just desert with one road that we could see, I'll send some pictures! It was the siesta, and we had already had three citas drop, so we went up there and talked to the people we found. It was an adventure I guess you could say. But the day turned out to be super good afterwards. But that was the first and probably last time I'll ever be in a trio. So I enjoyed it! We went to Grido´s and bought two kilos of ice cream, it was awsome, and then we all regretted it the next morning, yet we ate french toast as well and that was pretty good too. So that was our very healthy late night snack. But then on Saturday we did the opposite, and we literally ate an entire plate of vegetables. It was two potatoes, a batata (not sure what it is in English, but it is like a sweet potato but not orange. Looks like a normal potato but with green parts), a HUGE carrot (still don't like them...) and like half of a squash. It was actually really good, mostly because I didn't feel fat after eating it, but I was still full! So that motivated me to eat like that more. Haha I don't know if that's the first time I´ve said that...

 

So I'll keep you updated with the new elders and everything! And with the familia M_____.  Another cool thing I forgot to mention in Dad's email is that they have already told their family members that they are getting married, and all their family members are just shocked, but instead of acting weird they are super supportive! Some have already told her that they want to know more about what's going on, so that will help in the future too. :) But they've told all the family already, so it's going to happen! Yeah!!!

Well I need to get going, I love you Mom! I hope the funeral turned out well, and that people can understand the love that Christ has for us, to be able to feel comforted. And I hope that you get back home safely! Enjoy the last week of summer! :) Change is neccesary though, without it we would never have to grow up or adapt or learn. So take the best out of everything that happens! That's what God wants, after all. This is all here for us, and He has given us everything we need. We just have to step up and actually use it, and not sit on the fence or the sideline. I imagine that any fence-sitters will be choosing one side or the other soon, who can be comfortable sitting on top of one?? As for me, I am completely happy and content with the decisions I have made, even in the last few weeks! I actually have never been happier on my mission. :)

Elder Tyson Gibbons

 

p.s. I have to speak next week again, hopefully they give me more time! But I'm going to try and keep it super simple. I´ve realized my mind goes off on tangents too easily sometimes. We all have things to improve, right? 

 

 

Hey Dad! Well I´m happy that the first thing you asked was about the familia M______, because they are getting married!!! But, the other news... yes they came to church again! All of them. So that was a really good sign, and all the members were super welcoming and I know they already feel at home. After church, all the members with cars left just flying, and they were left with us and a few other members, and so they were late to their lunch with their family (they do what we always do, going to Grandma and Grandpa's house) but, even though they were rushed to get over there, I noticed that at the same time, they were in no rush at all. They were just standing outside talking to a few members, and then we went over and talked for 20 minutes or so, and that's when I realized that they are a lot more solid than I would have ever hoped!! They have found that Pearl of Great Price that we are offering, and they want it sooo much.  But then, to add to that already frenzied excitement we have, we visited them this week and she told us that her family members are starting to ask how they have had so many good changes in their family, their house, if they are really going to church on Sundays, and she just tells them well, yes! These visits with the chicos and the church and the members have given us what we have been missing all along. And she told us that she talked to missionaries 25 years ago, twice, and then shut the door on them. And she even told us that she can't believe how things happen so perfectly, that now we found her and she was willing to listen because of the situation with their oldest daughter, and now they´ve found the solution to their problems. Basically, I was just sitting there crying because I had a small, fleeting glimpse of God´s infinite wisdom and planning for even the seemingly insignificant life of ONE of his children, let alone their family. It's those moments that lead you to a stronger testimony, and I told her that they have given me just as much as I have tried to give them, and so then we were both crying, and it was a really good experience. So yeah, that's the familia M_____.

 

Elder Johnson was training, yes, but some of the elders had already received half the training or the whole training in the States (Elder Fullmer didn't because he got put with his MTC comp, weird right?) and also he went up as Zone Leader, that's why he´s already coming here. So hopefully I will get to see him sometime before I head out! If I head out soon. I actually really love it here! Just like my other areas. But, the odds are against me, I've been in all areas three transfers now. It's a trend, I call it! 

 

I'm glad youth conference went well, and the wedding too! It's weird hearing that Becky's married. She´s the first one from our little group that has chosen that path! But if she´s happy, then that's the important thing. And I am sure that her parents are super happy too. 

 

Well I'll send some pictures with this email since it's a little shorter, but just of some fun stuff that we´ve done recently! I love you Dad, and thank you for all your advice and help! Many of the quotes you have sent have stuck in my mind, and they are helping me improve the little details, like the last two weeks. I don't know if it's obvious, but I am just happy. Happier than I have been in this whole time.

 

Elder Tyson Gibbons