Week 42 - Progressing Investigators

HEY, how are you?! My week was good! We were slammed with lessons, and there are so many great people, but none of them came to church this week.... I feel really good right now. Excited for transfers! Because today is the last p day of the transfer, our district got together and played soccer and basketball, I still know how to ball out, fyi, and then the zone got together for a lunch at some peruvian restaurant.

Can you believe that we're closer to Christmas than January? Geez. It's August. Once ol' Santa comes to town, we're gonna be on the home stretch pops! I love, love, love, my time out here, but that doesn't mean I don't think about coming home from time to time.

Above is Brad's email to me and below answers to Katherine's questions

1. I feel really good, we walk a lot, so I feel like I am in really good shape, other than I'm getting fat, sooo.....
2. We have a mountain of new investigators, some really good ones, but none came to church this last week, but that's alright. Considering we've only had 1-2 lessons with each of them, I expect a lot of good things this week!
3. I don't have any pics of the outside, I will check my camera and see what I have!
4. 2 Nephi 22: 1-3. We will occasionally do things that offend the Lord, but he hasn't turned away, and he won't turn away. The joy we draw will be everlasting if we trust in Him, and make him our ¨song¨

Week 41 - New Investigators & Zone Conference

How are you doing? We have to contact a lot now, President said each comp has to contact 5 new people every day, so we have a lot of new investigators, but nobody is progressing quite yet. We are working on it, though.  This week we are slammed with appointments, so I really think we will have progressing investigators the next week. I am almost positive. We had zone conference as well. President Jensen from the temple (president of the temple) blew our minds with Book of Mormon doctrine. Let me tell ya, he´s gonna be an Apostle. And he went out of his way to talk to me, and we talked about Stewart Glazier as well, they are both awesome guys. And President Hansen taught a killer class as well.  

We went and played soccer this morning, which reinforced my dislike of soccer, and then we went to Luigi´s, and now I'm here! I love you so much! Have a great week!

Maria Vargas, Brad, Elder Infante

Week 40!

My week was slow, but we did get to go to the temple which was awesome!! I heard and saw the video of Logan (Amy and Justin's son, who was just called to Cusco, Peru) opening his call, that's awesome!! He will be close to me, and will experience much of what I have experienced, but from what the Peruvians tell me, and a fact, is that Peru is a step above Bolivia. And he will see a wonder of the world (Machu Picchu). Lucky dog.  I don't have a real story this week, but I do have a scripture: Jacob 3:1, when you read you'll understand why I like it so much. You can compare it with D&C 45:3-5. 

Today for P day, we played indoor volleyball as a zone and then we went to a Bolivian buffet.... I prefer Golden Corral! ;) I did get the package.. When I first saw the toilet paper, I questioned my parent's sanity, but then, after using the paper, I can't thank you enough. Bliss. Pure bliss.  One day this week we did splits with the zone leaders, which was great! And then we were just contacting a lot, looking for new investigators. 

I love you all!  Have a great week!

Week 39 - 9 Months Down!

I am good, this week wasn't anything too special! But it certainly wasn't bad. Just a normal week as a Bolivian missionary! Today, we played soccer, the district, and I am a pretty good goalie, if I do say so my self. ;) Then we went to the missionary watering hole called Luigi's. And now I am here writing to you.

Katherine asked Brad the following questions:

1- what's your scripture this week and why?
2- interesting memory/story from the week?
3- Any new investigators?
4- tell me about the something you have experienced that you might not think I should know about. I promise I can handle it!

1. 2 Kings 6:16. Just whenever I feel like everyone is staring at me because I´m white, or the people in the buses are all mocking at me because I´m from Gringoland, this scripture pops to my mind. I really enjoy it. 2 Kings 6:16 - And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2. On Thursday night, I gave 4 blessings in a row (blessings of the sick), and all of the blessings that I said, the people are alright now, so the Priesthood is real and functional, in case you forgot. ;)
3. No new investigators this week, we are primarily working with the less actives for now.
4. A clown shouted Chau Gringo and was laughing at me as he drove past me, which is kind of strange, but not to strange for where I live.

I love you guys, have a great week!

Week 38 - Temple Trip

This week was fine, nothing special, neither bad! No new investigators worth noting this week, we didn't contact a whole lot. But this Wednesday we are going to the temple as a zone, which should be awesome! When I get home I would like to do the first morning session once a week or every two weeks, something like that.

Katherine asked Brad the following questions:
1- Best memory this past week?
2- How are the investigators coming along?
3- Favorite scripture for the week and why?
4- How is your health?
5- Reasons you love your mom?

1. My best memory this past week, last Monday night a great guy in the ward took us out to eat mexican food like home style, so that was awesome. First time in 8 months, I went again today too!
2. The investigators aren't coming along too well at the moment. We are going to be working more the less-active members this transfer. They are progressing, just working over their fears to get back into the church,
3. 2 Nephi 4:16-35 (Nephi's Psalm) because it talks about why the things of the world bring us down, if only we trust in the Lord, we will be okay. Just because we are human doesn't mean that we have to give way to temptations and worldly things, we just hold to the rod and we will be just fine.
4. Edited for this audience :) He is fine; just typical health issues related to being a missionary in Bolivia
5. Because she is the most Christ like person I know, I do miss her little cheek kisses, and the mission has made me realize more than ever how much I do love you!
My companion is fine, I did pull the taser out on a dog though, my comp almost peed laughing. I yelled at the dog and he just thought it was so funny to hear me shout at a dog with a taser in my hand. 

Oh well! I love you!

Week 37 - No Transfer

This week was good. We talked with Williams and Deysi a few times, which was neat, they are doing great. For transfers, President Hansen sent Elder Rummler and Elder Pasten out to Potosi and Sucre, which sucks. And I didn't have a transfer. 

(I asked Brad if he liked cooking because he's mentioned it several times and a member sent me the picture below) I am not that big a fan of cooking, everybody just wants French Toast! (His French Toast is awesome) So I do it, we get the lesson as well, and it is all groovy.  

(I had an incident in Primary on Sunday with a folding chair - my kids have their mother's reaction to other people's pain and suffering!) Your chair collapsed?!? That is the funniest thing I have ever heard! But I am so sorry at the same time! That sucks. I hope T (my little brother) isn't too cruel with the jokes... Did the numbing shot hurt before they gave the stitches? That is the worst part! 

Week 36 - Williams and Deysi were Baptized!

I baptized Williams and my comp baptized Deysi!! It was pretty special. I didn't even mess up the words! It was great, we started almost on time (really, quite a miracle in this society), we had 4 investigators come, the room was full, it was great! (I asked Brad what he thought his greatest area of personal progress has been regarding the gospel) The biggest area of progress so far is seeing how there is literally an area of the Gospel to apply to every part of life, not important how or where. I am pleased with my ability to understand the needs of the people and help them understand how Christ can help and how he already has been helping them.

(Katherine asked Brad the following questions):

First question: Most valuable lesson you have learned thus far?

Second: What have you learned about yourself?

Third: What have you learned about service?

Fourth: How do you know God is with you and helping you?

Fifth: Please share your testimony with me.

Brad's Answers:

1. Nothing can replace charity. Moroni 7:47(ish) and 1 Corinthians 13.

2. After harvesting 6 days a week for the entire day, every day, I can do a lot more than I thought I could.

3. Service is the way Christ lived and died, and by losing ourselves in the service of others, we will find ourselves.

4. Because I couldn't do this work if he wasn't with me, I am not strong enough without him.

5. I don't know how to express my testimony, at least certainly not all of it. Ha, especially in this language. As our Father in Heaven sent us here to this earth, before we passed through the veil, I am sure he pulled each of aside and told us to be obedient and we will be just fine. As we came here, we did not remember this. Our purpose as His children is to help others remember their divine nature as children of a King. My testimony of the missionary work is this: As we lose ourselves in the Lord's vineyard, we fulfill the Savior's words, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  As we donate our lives (temporarily) to the Lord, we shall find it. As we deny ourselves, our wants and desires, we understand His plan, we experience the joy He offers us, we become more like Him.  Charity is the key and with the pure love of Christ, and as we try look at our Father in Heaven's children through a parent's eye, through his eyes, we can see miracles take place and lives change. I love this work!

Have a great week!

Week 35 - Baptism on Saturday

This week was really good! The most exciting thing is that Williams and Daisy are going to be baptized this Saturday at 11:00 a.m., so I am absolutely thrilled for them. That is going to be awesome. They haven't decided who is going to baptize them, but that doesn't even matter. And their kids who are 7 and 4 just love me and like playing on my back every time I sit down. 

Miguel is a great guy (Miguel sent the pictures below... nice guy), returned missionary, he is the nephew of my pensionista (she and her family is who Brad lives with, she cooks them meals each day) and he lives in my area as well, we see him often and we got to teach with him as well. 

At times the mission is crappy, these people are all Catholics or J-Dubs (Jehovah Witness) or self pronounced pastors, and as Joseph Smith said, they all interpret the Bible differently. Lol. But I love the mish all at the same time. The good far outweighs the bad. Far.  (Catholicism is very prevalent in South America in general) 

(I asked Brad what his mission was like, as far as, baptisms/missionary/2years, the number of lessons taught in a week, etc.) The average missionary probably has about 10 baptisms, more or less given on luck, if they were ever in Quiriza (Brad's first area... It was a service area not a proselyting area, which made it difficult to teach) (lol), stuff like that. We were the lowest in South America last November, but we have stepped it up quite a bit. 10 full lessons a week I would say is about average, at least for my zone. Maybe a 12 lesson average mission wide. But come what may and love it, I love the mission.

Week 34 - Progressing Investigators

How are you doing?? I am doing really well, this week has been great! Daisy and Williams both came to church and both have a baptismal date for June 11th.  I am feeling much better this week, not perfect, but better.  My investigators are doing much better, not having problems with the W.o.W., (Word of Wisdom) which is perfect, and both came church yesterday, I am so happy with them.

My weekly story is I was walking to my house at night I didn't see that one of my wolves was hiding and he came out of nowhere when it was pitch black, and I think I said a bad word, I don't remember, but it scared me!  

(I asked Brad if he had a feel for the upcoming transfers, also his companion was having some issues that may cause a change for him this week.  His issues are unrelated to Brad, in fact they have been getting along really well) Transfers.... I dont know. From where I stand now,  I will be in a trio with our DL and his comp Elder Rummler for the next three weeks until transfer day. But I would like to train, I am not picky though.

I hope you all have a great week.  I will talk to you soon!  Love you guys!

Week 33 - Joy

I am feeling a little bit better, I still have a cough. My investigators took a step backward, but are again on track, we have to push the date back two weeks, I fear, but still before the end of this transfer, I think. That's okay though, she came to all of church yesterday (Daisy), and Williams had work. And Williams and Daisy are so great, when we come back, we will definitely visit them! 

When you teach people the Plan of Happiness, you can see light enter their eyes, literally. It is amazing. The people are so good, they just need to let us in the door! I love my mission.

My scripture this week, oh man. I don't know if I brought my paper. Well, 2 Nephi 2:25 I think. Adam fell that men might be, and men are, that they might have joy. At times during life we let really stupid and menial things bring us down, but that isn't our purpose, that isn't part of the plan.  Joy is the plan, and we have so many ways to achieve and maintain it, but we sometimes refuse to keep it with us.

I have to go, love you all and have a great week!

Week 32 - Black Plague and Progressing Investigators

This week was really good teaching wise, but unfortunately I have received the black plague Friday, Saturday and yesterday, but I am feeling a little better today.  Elder Stoker and I have been hanging out today, we went to Burger King. We put a date on Williams and Daisy (their baptism date is June 4th), which is dope, and two other investigators came to sacrament meeting. So, I am happy with the way things are going in my area.

(I told Brad he needed to get an anti-biotic if he wasn't feeling better soon)  If I don't improve by Wednesday, I have to call Hermana Hansen! I had an interview with Pres. Hansen this week, and we laughed a lot, talked a sec about football, and he is a great guy. He gave great advice, and just wants to make sure we all feel like we have a friend in him and that we feel loved. He is a good guy. And I expect a lot more latin comps. Pres told me to prepare for a comp who wasn´t ready to serve a full time mission or who wasn't wanting to keep serving longer... so we shall see in 5 more weeks! Lol. (I mentioned to Brad that every time I look at the weather in Cochabamba it's 80-85 degrees) And I will say that Cocha probably has the best climate in the world. It is consistently gorgeous outside, just the fact that it is in Bolivia is the problem. It is winter here too! But I miss the snow and the fall and the leaves changing and actual pines like crazy. Utah is still prettier.

I hope you all have a great week! Love, Elder Howells

Week 31 - Mother's Day Skype call

Hello all!

Good news! My family confirmed that I don't look any fuller (chubbier) than when I left home. What a relief. 

Yesterday we had the opportunity to have 3 different investigator families come to church, 6 of which are at the age to be baptized, which is awesome. They are progressing, and they are all really happy. I am happy for them. Also, as yesterday was Mother's Day, I got to Skype with my family, which was great! They are doing so good, and I was so excited to be able to see them and talk to them.

This week should be a good one, I anticipate progress with our investigators.  I hope you all have a great week, and Happy Mother's Day, if you're a mom, if not, Happy Monday! 

Talk to you all soon!

(HERE IS A SHORT CLIP FROM OUR CALL ON SUNDAY)