Week 17

I forgot my notes at the apartment, so this weeks letter will probably be a little shorter than normal, do lo siento. Yo tengo la culpa. 

We have a new place we go to for lunch now. We go to a members house instead of the resturant. The second time we went to their house they gave us cow stomach, but I didn't know what it was until after lunch when my comp told me. Whatever you do don't eat it. It didnt agree with my stomach very well at all. We were also able to go to the country and visit a family for Noche de Hogar. We had a great lesson with them, on the way home I hit my head on the ceiling of the bus. The buses are pretty short down here in Colombia. 

This is my comps last week. He gave a really good lesson on magnifying our callings as missionaries. We have been meeting with a Menos activo this week and sharing the gospel to help increase his testimony some more. 

Also this week we had the chance to meet with Elizabeth and help her with her english. She wants to go to the states pretty soon to work. We also shared a message about how God helps us in every aspect of our lives, not just with gospel related things. 

We were also able to visit with Jonathan at the beginning of the week, and talk about why it is important to read the Book of Mormon and pray. I just hope that he has been keeping up on the work we have given him. We haven't been able to visit him much this week, and he didn't come to church on Sunday either. 

We are working with the Mantilla family., who live super high on a hill, that you have to climb a billion stairs to get there. They are a really cool family, they have faith, but lack the work that goes along with the faith. They also live pretty far from the chapel. 

Friday we had Noche de Hogar and talked about the gospel of Jesus Christ with the Gutierez family. Then we had pizza and ice cream with the other Elders in Sogamoso because Elder Tipton's comp is going home also. 

We did some service on Saturday with Machetes again cutting branches and now my arm is super sore. Hermando gave us some ice cream cocnut bars which were good. 

We also had a lesson with the Tejedor family about faith and works. Then a lesson with Maria who is having some money problems and is struggling with her testimony also. 

Well that has pretty much been my week. It was my comps last week, he gets home on Seth's birthday,  that is pretty cool. 

Things that made me smile this week:

1) Elizabeth coming to church

2) we had pizza and ice cream

3) Jason's mission call

One thing I am grateful for is my great first companion! 

Well I love you all so much! Thanks for everything and your great examples!  Have a fantastic week! 

Love Elder Strong

Week 16

This is how week 16 was

Lunes: I was able to give a priesthood blessing, it was a little difficult figuring out what to say in Spanish, and then translating my thoughts into spanish, the spirit was super strong so that was awesome. 

Martes: we had a district meeting on the attributes of Christ which was super cool. Then we pretty much walked all day because our appointments fell through. Then we went to the church so my companion could interview two investigators that the sisters are teaching. After that we had salchicpapa which is super good. 

Jueves: laundry, then after lunch we took a long bus ride to Bogota. When we arrived in Bogota we went to Titan Plaza which is a big mall and found a Papa John's pizza. That was the best. 

Viernes: we got ready, then took a taxi to the chapel in Bogota to have a meeting with Elder Godoy from the 70. On the way to the chapel we were rear ended by a truck. Nothing happened it was just a fender bender, but the drivers got out and started yelling at each other. Good thing they told us to leave early for the meeting. The conference was really good he talked about his conversion story and a lot about marriage for some reason. Which made my comp even more trunky. He goes home March 7. 

Sabado: we gave a few priesthood blessings. One was to a little baby in the hospital, and then the other was to a grandpa of one of the members. I really enjoy being able to give priesthood blessings, and knowing that I am worthy to use that precious power, to bless the lives of others. 

Well that has pretty much been my week . Jonathan still is struggling. He didn't  make it to church again, but we are going over to visit him soon, most of our investigators are not progressing for one reason or another. We are not giving in to  discouragement. 

I am glad to hear everything back home is going well. Have a great week, and share the gospel! 

Love you guys! 

Love  Elder Strong

Week 15

Wow it sounds like you guys had another busy week. I am really excited to hear that Jacob was able to get his eagle project finished. That is awesome!  Good luck with all the paper work! That takes a long time to finish. I hope that you are able to enjoy scouts because the youth down here in Colombia don't have a lot of these programs. 

That is awesome that Jared and Joshua both reached their AR goals, and that you took them out to lunch. I wish you could send me some in and out food! 

Way to go kayden, I am glad that you were able to go to your primary class this week. Keep up the great job because I know that you will be a great missionary one day! 

Valentine's Day! Glad to hear that you got the traditional heart shaped pizza for dinner. 

I can't believe that Jason ran into Trevor Skousen down in Chile. That is way cool! 

Alright so this week has been mas o menos, no mucho excito este semana at least with numeros 

Martes- not much happened we did have a lesson with Aldino about the Sabath day, so that was good. We invited him to church but he wasn't sure about it. He has a lot of faith so we will see if he makes it. We also had a lesson with the Camargo family, who is a recent convert. We talked with them about tithing. 

Mericoles- We went to  Duitama for a zone conference it was good. We had pancakes, fruit, hot chocolate and pan for breakfast. It was super good! After zone conference we went on exchanges. I came back to Sogamoso with Elder Castrejon from Peru. We didn't have a very good day. No one was home, we didn't have a single lesson. We did get 2 references and were able to set up lessons for the upcoming days. I felt bad because all our appointments fell through and I was with a zone leader. 

Viernes-Friday the 13.....yeah ....,,,

This was probably our best day. We were able to have a lesson with Elizabeth about the plan of salvation, it went well. When we left we forgot our phone there and didn't realize it until we needed to make a phone call later that night. We did get it back so that is good! We also had a lesson with Jonathan about the law of chastity which went well. Then afterwards we were able to give him a blessing because he is really struggling right now. Then we had Noche de Hogar as a Barrio which was super cool and it went well, too bad none of our investigators were able to make it. 

Sabado- Valentine's Day as a missionary! We had a good day! Elder Tipton and I shared a message about love with the leaders in the area and the assistants to the presidents we talked about the greatest love of Christ it was really cool because it was Valentine's Day. After that we did a lot of walking because our lessons fell through. 

Domingo- Salvador and Jenni came(less actives) to church. Then for lunch we had super good pollo, championes, papas, Fritas, and arroz. Then we had a lesson with the Tejedor family who is less active. We talked to them about the sabbath day . Jonathan wasn't able to make it to church this week so we will have to push his baptismal date back. 

Well I hope all is going well in Chico! I love you guys so much, you guys are the best. I couldn't have asked for a better family. I am glad that you finally got my letter 2 1/2 months later. 

Love Elder Strong

Week 14 service

Alright here are how things are going down here in Colombia. 

Martes- My companion made breakfast burritos which were super good! Then we had a lesson with Elizabeth about the Libro de Mormon which went really well, especially with the help of a member Hermano Patino and his great testimony. We haven't been back since so hopefully she is doing well, and keeping her compromisos. 

Mericoles- I wasn't feeling very well again. Later in the afternoon we helped a member move out of their apartment. 

Then we had a lesson with Jonathan that went really well. We told him to pray about the Book of Mormon and find out for himself if it is true, and then invited him to be baptized on feb 21 and he accepted, so hopefully. 

Jueves- We planned all morning, then had ward council. I also gave my first priesthood blessing in Espanol this week.  I am pretty sure I said some stuff wrong but the words aren't what matter the most, so that is good. 

Viernes- We were able to do service and help some less actives move. That was a lot of fun. Later that night we had divisions. I went with a returned missionary and we were able to have one lesson with a non member about the law of chastity, so that was good. 

Sabado- When we left our apartment my companion forgot the keys so we were locked out until 2 pm. We found someone who could basically break into the apartment and pick locks so that was good but kind of scary at the same time. We also had emapandas which are really good. We had paypaya too! Then We had a lesson with Maria and Jonathan in el campo. They are doing well. Oh it is also starting to rain here. That is really nice because, then it is not so hot. 

Domingo- We went to church! Then we had lunch with the Camargo family, and they served us pasta which was super good, plus it wasn't rice. Next we went to visit Jonathan and he has been struggling. He said he couldn't sleep the night we told him to pray and see if the Book of Mormon was true. He also said he has been having a painful feeling in his heart as well. We explained to him that God is here to help us, and then he got super emotional. We shared the Joseph Smith experience how at first he was surrounded by darkness but then came the light that was beyond description , so I think that helped. We are having Noche de Hogar con el este Noche, so hopefully  it will go well! 

5 things I am grateful for.

1) the gospel of course, and the blessings we get from being obedient. 

2) families especially ours! I love you guys so much! 

3) rain!!

4)packages the ones you sent came. I love the slippers, candy, and photos. 

5) letters

Things that made me smile

Pictures from the packages, little kids here, Hermana Fanni always making sure we have plenty to eat, and the Nutter butters! 

Love you all so much! Have a great week 

Love Elder Strong

Week 13 We had a great week!

Martes- We had a lesson with Elizabeth, we invited her to be baptized, but she said that she didn't feel like she was ready yet. Don't worry we not giving up on her. We took a member with us, to the lesson, it is always nice to have a member go and share his or her testimony.  Also Gibertos mom passed away on Monday so we shared with him some of the plan of salvation with him. Then we told him that he can do the temple work for his mom. It rained today!! That was so awesome because it has been so hot here. 

Mericoles- We had a district meeting, we got new sister missionaries. Then we had Noche de Hogar with the Camargo family . We talked about light and truth and how every decision we make increases or decreases our sensibility to the light of Christ. 

Jueves- We did a lot of planning, then after lunch we went and help Hermano Fabio with his English. We couldn't remember how to spell recipe, go figure because my spelling is terrible if you can't tell from my emails. Then we had a lesson with Aladion and his nephew about the plan of salvation, it is so crazy to hear all the different ideas that people have about where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going after this life. Later that night we had ward council, it was good but long. Afterwards we ordered Chineese food, so that was good. 

Viernes- I was sick again. We did our laundry so that was good. We walked up those long stairs so we could go teach a lesson to an investigator. I felt like I was going to pass out because I didn't have any fluids in me. I didn't so that was good. Then we had a good lesson with Elizabeth about having faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. She accepted our invitation to be baptized but wasn't sure about the date. We told her to pray for strength to prepare to be baptized. 

Sabado- We had interviews with the President. They went well not much to talk about, but he did mention that there was a sister missionary in this mission who is from Chile who went to the states and is getting married to someone who works for Deseret Farms. Dad might know who I am talking about. I just thought that was cool!

Domingo- on Sunday morning on our way to church we stopped by Jonathan's place to walk with him to church. When we got there he wasn't there and we couldn't get a hold of him. That was a big  bummer, so we went by ourselves. Now pause for dramatic effect...... So 5 minutes before church started Jonathan walked in the chapel. It is so awesome to see him exercise his faith and come to church by himself. Then we helped a member with his talk on self reliance. I realized that I don't know a whole lot about it, but I am learning. After church we took Arnoldns( a member who is getting ready for his mission) with us to teach the rest of our lessons for the day. We had a lesson with a new member we met in the street because her kids came up to us and wanted us to speak English. We were talking to them but they didn't understand anything, so then their mom came and we were able to set up a date to meet with them to share the gospel, so that was cool! 

Hoy- We bought food, made chicken strips and hot sauce. Well I basically watched and learned as my companion made them but they were super good. I even found a Dr. Pepper in one of the stores, it was about double what we would pay in the states but boy did it taste good! 

My favorite food so far is pizza, but it isn't as good as American pizza. They also have this food called empanadas which are good, and there is a lot of rice. Advice I would give Seth is to really get to know preach my gospel, also reach out to your friends who aren't members or less actives. This is something I wish I would have done more of before my mission. Also work a lot with the missionaries. I love you guys and am grateful for all the prayers! 

Love, Elder Strong

Week 12 Jonathan came to church

Thanks for the update! Sounds like everyone is staying busy. I can't believe that Jared got the cleanest cabin award at shady creek. What is this world coming too. Josh, thanks! That means a lot that you said I was your hero, because when you are a missionary you are a superhero. Missionaries are Hereos because they are truly saving lives. Seth good luck with snowball, and Jacob you just need to shoot the ball more! Kayden did you go to class on Sunday? 

This is how my week went:

Martes - we studied a lot, then we went and talked to Maria about the importance of the temple, and what temples are for. She seemed really interested in learning more about the temples, so that is awesome. After our talk with Maria it started to rain so we went to Hermana Fanni's house and ate dinner. There was so much food I didn't think it would all fit on one plate. Then we met with Jonathan and had a recent convert go with us, and share his testimony which was super amazing and you could feel the spirit so strong.

Jueves was not that exciting, weekly planning and studying and washing clothes, always good to have clean clothes. 

Viernes- We went to Duitama to do service as a district that was fun it was like recycling on steroids, this lady had thousands of bottles. We then went on exchanges and that wasn't that great because I forgot my clothes and had to borrow some from my zone leader. The clothes were fine but the shoes didn't fit very well at all. My feet were pretty sore and tired at the end of the day. For dinner we had burritos so that was good. 

Sabado- we studied in the morning and then we had the baptism of Maria! She was finally able to get baptized. She was so happy, that she couldn't stop smiling😄. She bore her testimony, and we even sang a special musical number for her. After the baptism was over we went to a resturant and had fried chicken, it was so good! 

Domingo- Jonathan came to church!!!! That was huge, we have been trying to get him to come to church for a long time. He even canceled a trip he had planned to come to church. It is so cool to watch him exercise his faith and come to church. I wasn't feeling very good that day

So I drank this pedialyte drink to help me get better. I think it worked pretty well because I am feeling quite a bit better today. 

We haven't had much luck with a few of the families that we thought seemed pretty intersted in the gospel, but  we will continue to work with them! Thanks for all your love, support and most importantly thank you for all the prayers! I love you all so much! Keep being heros to all your friends in Chico and to all those around you! 

We had transfers today, I am staying with Elder Martinez here in Sogamoso, which I am very excited about! 

Love Elder Strong

Week 11 A taste of Mexico

Sounds like everyone is staying busy with school, basketball and church activities. I am glad that everyone is enjoying basketball, they should be playing soccer though. Sorry to hear that dad, Jacob and Jared didn't get to play in snow on their campout. I wish it would snow here, it has been really hot lately, and I heard this isn't even the hottest place in the mission. How is Seth doing? I am glad that you are able to go to the temple tomorrow mom! The temple is such an amazing place.

Alright on Lunes we met with Jonathan and showed him the finding faith in Christ video, which went well. Then afterwards we had some of his pizza, because he works at a Mexican pizza place. We ate Mexican pizza so hey Baily and Reilly I got a little taste of your food. Lol! I am not sure why Jonathan can never make it to church on Sunday when we show up to his apartment he is always gone, so that is frustrating.

On Martes we looked for a bunch of old investigators on a list we were given only to find out that half the addresses don't exist and the other half of the people don't live there anymore. So that day was pretty much wasted. Later that night we were able to teach an English class in our ward, that was nice because I was able to speak in English. I had to say the prayer in English. I struggled saying the prayer because for the last two and a half months I have been praying in Spanish. 

On miercoles we had a district meeting which was good. We talked about the ward council and compared it to the body how every part is important in the work of salvation. We also went with a member and found a less active member . Pacho seems super interested and wants to come back so that is cool. We also found another less active family they are super cool and still like the church, they still read their scriptures and everything. They just need to come to church, which we will be working on this week. 

On jueves we washed our clothes, always good to have clean clothes. We also gave two priesthood blessings, and later met at the church for ward council. 

On Viernes Maria set a date for baptism! She will hopefully get baptized this Saturday if everything goes well. 

Sabado we had a meeting in Duitama for leaders, so I got to hang out with Elder Tipton. Then we came back and talked about the importance of missionary work. Then we made Crepes that were super good! Oh it finally rained thank goodness , that made me happy, but we left the window to our apartment open so the floor got a little wet. Good thing we don't have carpet. Hermana Fanni this older lady in our ward gave us hot chocolate and Pan. 

On Domingo we talked about the importance of prayer. Then we had four lessons with members that was super cool to have members help us with our lessons. The members really do help when they come to our lessons, so I encourage you guys to help the missionaries when you can. 

Today on P-day we made tacos. I mean we made a lot of tacos. I ate 13!!!

That was our week here down in Colombia! I love you guys and keep up the good work! Please be good examples to all those you come into contact with! 

Love Elder Strong