7 Enero 2013

Dear Family,

Can you believe it is a new year?!  It's amazing how many things...amazing things happen in just one year!  Today I wanted to share some stories:

#1  As we were in sacrament  meeting (I am the ward pianist and it stresses me out!!  ha ha just a little)  It was fast and testimony meeting and the meeting went over almost thirty or forty minutes because so many people wanted to bear their testimonies!  but, two testimonies stood out to me.  The little daughter Katia of the less active member, Hermana Goday (who comes regularly now) stood up and said, "I am so grateful for my mom, she is the most marvelous mom in the world because she brings me to church each week."  ....then the daughter of a recently baptized family (la familia Martinez who were baptized a year ago) stood up and said how grateful she was that her dad, "is always there with the Book of Mormon, teaching me how the things are and how I should be..." You could feel the spirit testify of the power of the Gospel and how it changes lives.  The ward's goal, with three pairs of missionaries, for the year 2013, is to have 40 baptisms...They accomplished 24 in 2012!

#2  I was thinking of the power of the Atonement y...........
Yesterday as I was studying, we could hear sirens outside.  I remember my freshman year in BYU and one of my first nights there, there was a huge, terrible accident in the intersection that was in front of the stadium, and I remember all of my rom mates wanted me to go outside with them to see what had happened, but I said I had to go to the bathroom and I went and closed the door and sobbed silently on the floor, just shaking because it felt like the accident all over again.  Well, years later, I don't cry...sometimes I do, when I hear an ambulance.  Yes, it makes me sad, and I naturally always pray that they will be okay, and that Heavenly Father will send angels to them.  It was interesting as I realized and recognized the change- the healing that I had received as I said a prayer and said, "thanks for taking care of them."  I know that He cries when we cry and wants us to recognize and realize that, "O esta, todo bien"....All is well.

 

17 Diciembre, 2012

Dear Family,

Well...I am here in a new area!  I was so sad when Elder Narena (from Hondura) told me that we were going to be having changes.  I started to have tears in my eyes...poor Elder...he had been in Ita Enramada for the six months that I was there and was used to the fact that "Hermand Jones cries"  ha ha.  He came up after and said, "uh....are you okay, Hermana Jones?"  I asked for a blessing and...I know/I knew that it was where the Lord needed me but I love the people there so much and I did not want to leave them.  So, I asked for a blessing, like I would have asked Dad, and I felt so much better afterwards and so much excitement.

The ward that I am in now has double the church attendance and I have never received a bigger "bienvenida" from a ward.  They are SO, SOO excited to have sisters.  It kinda scares me!  About 10 different Hermanas came up to us and told us they could go with us to lessons any day, all day!

We were able to talk in sacrament meeting (oh...and I am the ward pianist ahora jaja..I am grateful that Mom always taught us to play and made us practice and that Dad always made me feel special when I sang or played so that I could have this talent).

Well, I felt like I should share very briefly about Alexandra.  I held up that blue card with the family pictures that I made for everyone two or three Christmases ago and testified of the importance of the Gospel.  Our investigator Lourdes came just for sacrament meeting.  The other day she just cried and cried in a lesson saying that she just wanted paz en su vida.  As I sat down next to her after talking, she asked to see the picture.  As she looked at it, I could feel the spirit strongly.  I said, "Lourdes, my family and I found that peace that you were looking for in this church and gospel...that peace you are looking for, "I whispered as Hermand Espinoza spoke, "it is her."  She didn't say anything, but I know she knew what I said was true...the Spirit bore witness of it.

Well, I love you all.  Jess, your story about the Book of Mormon made me cry.  Thanks so much for following the spirit.  You will never know in this life what great impact you had on her and her daughter's life...for sure her daughter has listened to missionaries on the other side.  "Sister Porter", keep following the Spirit to share the Gospel.  (una escritura  que me ha ayudado hacer las cosas pequenda...Alma 36:6-7)

Dad and Spencer, thanks for your notes-your card about Alexandra touched me.  I feel that she is helping me serve this mission with me.

Nick, we can talk all the Spanish you want. :) And, you can teach me German (everyone asks me if I am from Germany) and Russian and Mandarin!  I don't doubt you can learn them if that's what you want to do!)

Mom...I am sorry, but in 5-20 of your emails you have asked me if anything from my packages was stolen.  ha ha...no worries! I was overwhelmed with the gifts and felt once again your love, from you and Dad.  Thanks so much!

Hermana Jones

Handwritten letter sent on Nov. 11th, .2012

"Dear Mom and Dad",
Every time I think of all of the gifts you sent to me and Hermana Santiago, and all of my Paraguayan faily, I can't talk because I feel like I'm going to cry. 

#1  Dad, I thought this might make you feel better to know that we have to pay for our packages to receive them and because you both sent me half of WalMart and the DI (like the Salvation Army in Utah), I don't have money this month to wash clothes, so I bought 50 cent soap and am "super quapa" as they say and wash by hand for the month!  Please don't feel bad...I'm only telling you this because I am grateful...it is teaching me to know how it feels  to "need"...just a little. :)

#2  When my District Leader received the "announcement" that I had four packages waiting for me...he asked jokingly if I had been ASKING for packages...(Let me clarify...Shauna, who is typing this...the Mom...Our ward donated dozens of skirts, white shirts and ties and the Achievement Day Girls and Young Women made flower headbands to donate to all the people in Natasha's area and investigators who wanted, but didn't have, nicer clothes for church...this lead to me sending several packages and for her companion to have a Christmas, too.  I also sent several bottles of mosquito spray one time, because of all the heat, humidity and annoying mosquitos...so, no...I don't just go to WalMart and randomly send Natasha lots of extra stuff) :)
Natasha...continued...My district leader asked if my parents were really worried about me or something...ha ha...nope, they just love me lots and want to be a part of my mission, too, by blessing the people that I love here in Paraguay!

#3  Hermana Santiago hasn't received a single card from her family.  We opened my Christmas boxes that day because I assumed we will have transfers and I wanted HER to have the gifts because she has so little.  Mom and Dad, she felt so special.  I think the thinks that you sent her are some of the nicest things she has ever had.  As I pulled out the CDs, skirt...then the earrings, etc. and everything else, she looked so surprised!  "Wow", she said, almost with tears in her eyes...."it's too much."  She said softly with a smile.  (no, they didn't steal anything from our packages, Mom :)

#4   I can't make a list of "thank you for the watch, the book the piano music, the music CD's skirt, etc. because I would never be able to it it all on here.  I carry the gum around and it's so fun to give.  Small, silly gifts actually soften people's hearts to be willing to listen to the Gospel. 

Thank you Mom and Dad for the gifts.  It was so much and I feel overwhelmed as I look at them and then I think of my friends that are in my area that have barely enough to buy cheap bread.  Oh, Mom and Dad, we are blessed so much in every single aspect of our lives.  Thanks for teaching me the Gospel of Christ so that I could learn to love others. 

Tu hija,
Hermana Jones

 

Week 76 (March 4, 2013): Meeting the Zitzmans

This has been a great week.  I was lazy and didnt write a single day in my journal so i am not sure what to write about! haha but Mom you will be proud of me to know that I have almost filled all three journals that you sent to me.  Incredible!!

We are starting to work with another family named Sarah and Dario... Zitzman!  haha his dad is German but it is a really weird name for here in Paraguay.  Dario is 26 and Sarah is 23 and they have a little boy named Arturo who is 2 and is the happiest toddeler.  They are so humble.  It has been neat to see how the Lord works in His work... Cristian just recieved the priesthood and now the familia Paredes is helping us teach the familia Zitzman. I LOVE IT!

The Paredes family will be going to the temple to do baptisms during Easter break in a few weeks!  We taught them about family history and they are so excited.  I want him and Cyntia to talk to you mom and dad so bad... we just need to learn spanish!!!  haha no but one day we will talk to them on skype and i will translate... Cristian said that he wants to talk to you dad.  He is kinda stressed about his little girl Cyndi because she never listens and I always laugh and tell him that you had told me too one time that you and mom were worried about me when i was little and i turned out GREAT!  right?!  No but really ... one day you will have to talk to him.  They are amazing parents and all of the changes they are doing come from a deep love of God and for their little girls.

Hna Espinoza and I have a phrase for this change.  It is from Philipeans 4:19 ( i think! ahah)  Whenever we think that something is hard or we start to get discouraged we ask eachother, "who are you? or who are we?" and the other has to respond and say... " I am or we are daughters of God"... "and what can we do as daughters of God?"... and I have to respond... basically quoting the scripture... "I can do all things in Christ, who strenghthens me.".  The scriptures have a powerful affect on us and the way that act... I love the scriptures.  I love being a missionary and I love my family and my family here in Paraguay.  I thank my Father in Heaven for allow me to represent His Son and thank you all for praying for me and my friends here and being so supportive. Have a great week!!!!

Love,

Hermana Jones

PS President has asked me ... or better said the Lord :)... to stay here in Ciudad del Este with Hermana Espinoza for my last change to prepare for the new sister missionaries!  I am so happy to finish my mission here... within a few months there will be almost 50 instead of 10 or 12!

Hermana Espinoza and me!  I sure do love this sister.

Saying goodbye to Yámile.  Elder Nielsen, our district leader has helped Yámile a lot and she was super sad that he was leaving... Norma her mom!

Our new district... it is hard to have changes but it is neat to work with other elders also!  Alcídez is our ward mission leader.

 

Week 75 (Feb 25, 2013): We Must Be Persistent

Dear familiy,

Yesterday, after the baptism and confirmation of the paredes family, i heard to most beautiful words that i think that i have ever heard.  You would not believe how much the gospel is changing their lives... who they are, what type of spouse and parent they are...it is so beautiful.
Last night we talked to them about the priesthood!!! Ah exciting!  In the end, Cristian and Cyntia both told that we were... us a word in guartaní that means... hard headed.  And then went on to explain that it was a good thing and meant persistent and persevering no importa what others say or do.   hahah Cristian said, ¨ No really, because you were so persistent, I with my daughters and wife have a chance to return to live with Father in Heaven together.¨ 

Oh I love my mission.  It will never stop.  Our whole lives are to be dedicated to His service ... to bringing our brothers and sisters to Him.  We must be persistent.  It doesnt matter if we have already invited them to church 10 times or if they have said that they wont read the Book of Mormon... this is their salvation.  We have been so blessed to have the Gospel in our lives that helps us to be purified.  Let us be persistent and follow the spirit and we will have the privilege of returning to fathers presence with our friends.  I love you all.

Hermana Jones

Todos juntos' everyone together... they were all so happy!!!

 

Entrevistas! They fnished up their interviews and were so excited to be baptized!!

 

La familia gamarra' a family in the ward that lives really close to our house... david, hna gamarra, hna ramona y raquel, evelyn, y yésica!

Filling up the water!' yes we were going to try to fill it up with water from the fire hose, but the fire department couldnt come,... cristian and cyntia came up with their girls and i had to laugh instead of feeling stressed out as i explained to them that there was NOT water, but that we were still filling it u`p... 8 hours later!  haha

 

Norma y Yámile... they will be getting baptized in two weeks!  She is one of my favorite people i have ever met!

 

We started to fill it up with trash cans again... my first thoughts... americans, be greatful that you always have water when you need it!!!! Within two hours it rised up about an inch or two!

Week 74 (Feb 18, 2013): Cyntia and Christian Decide to Get Baptized

Dear family,

Oh I am so happy.  I hope you are all very, very happy!

Well Cristian and Cyntia are going to be getting baptized this upcoming saturday!  I cant even tell you everything that has happened up to this point to help them get to this point... or better said, I cant even believe how much THEY have done over the years to get to this point.

I just want to share with you a part of my journal entries...

Friday- they had their interview and are SO ready and prepared... but Cristian just keeps saying that he wants to wait until he knows more so that he "can just be sure".

16 feb. 2013- sábado

"Last night i prayed that i would be able to increase my faith... and today the trial came!  Oh boy. i love it. As we were finishing studying spanish and english, we got a text from cyntia that said, "When is our baptism gain?"... I couldnt wait and almost screamed and tackled hna. Espinoza with a hug while she waas praying.  We called and asked her if Cristaian had decided, but she said that she was still talking to him.

Well when we called the Elders, and then ran over to the church and cleaned the font... including the jhuge stupid cocaroach... and hten ran ove r to her house to help her... o sea, Cyntia.  Elder nielsen and vega came to the chapel to help us filling the font.  When we got to their home, she explained that she wanted to be baptized and thea Cristian was doubing a little if he wanted to today... I cant even remember the scriptures read or all of the words said, the spirit was so strong... my sister fani (who is mmember and her husb. is bishop) in argentina is worried that if we dont get baptized soon, we will not be getting baptized.  They are going to call us at two when Cristen gets home from work.  We knealt downand asked her, do you believe that god can work a miracle and help cristian to be baptized... yes she said...and then she prayed..."

To make a long story shorter, after another lesson and priesthood blessings and everything and inviting the whole ward...(which we felt so strongly to do... without having recived a yes from cristian... ) and trying to fill up the tank with plastic trash cans and buckets for hours... Cristian said that he did want to be baptized but not yet... "I still want to know more".  In the end of the day... we returned home... having spent the WHOLe day preparing a baptism that didnt happne and felt the spirit so strong.  We had shown our faith... all that we had.

17 - domingo

Today in gospel princuiples we watched the Touch of hte Masters Hand... we had felt to watch it.  In the end, as I looked up Crisitan and cyntia just had tears in their eyes... we had felt to watch it.  In the end, we asked the class what they had learned... and cytia raised her hand, "when god calls us... we must answer.  we read alma 7_11-15 and said "I invite each of you to act with what the spirit has taught you .  when we feel we must do something, we must act.  That is what god excpects.

Later today we said a quick prayer before the lesson with them asking for divine help.  They are so ready to be baptized... cristian is just scared. We didnt even finish the scripture when Cristian said, "i want ot be baptized... i know that s what i need to do for me and for my family and god.  Cyntia had hte biggest smile... and almost started crying.  She didnt even know that he had made that decision. 

"You believe that joseh smith was a prophet of god and that this is his restored church?"  "Yes we do."  "and who taught you that?" i asked.  The Holy Ghost through you guys.  angels god has sent us.  cristian said.  What a sacred privilage.  May faith will keepo increasing if i choose.  I know now that I will recieve no witness untill after the trail of my faith".  Thank you Heavenly Father. 

I know that He lives and that we are His children.  That should affect every aspect of our lives.

I love you all.

Amor,

Hermana Jones

Elder vega and us playing in the primary room waiting for Cristian to finish his interview

Us on Sat after hours of getting soakd filling up the tank in the rain

 

Cyntia and Cristian were SOOO HAPPYYY.

 

Me and my Planner

Us with Hermana Raquel who washes her clothes and her daughter

 

Us and Eli and her little brother Celso... he is 17 and excited for the mission

 

Week 73 (Feb 11, 2013): "Is there anything that you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you?"

Querida familia, 

Ah i am so happy!  I thought that i would send you a quick story about what had happened this week. 

5 febrero 2013

" I had forgotten to write about a neat lesson that we had the other day with (sarah... changed the name :)I had read the story of the Prodigal Son in Lucas a while back and had felt to share it with them.  I read and re-read the story and shared it with the Hna. Espinoza, but we neer felt to share it in a lesson until we taught sarah a certain commandment.  After we finished teaching the commandment, she sobbedas she shared with us the guilt and the unconfidence in herself that she felt because shen she was very young and her parents not only didnt teach and protect her, but most likely made it even harder for her to keep the commandment.  "Do you know - believe that God loves and can forgive you Sarah?"  we asked.  "I do," she said, "but sometimes it is just hard to believe that He can when I have made the mistakes that I have.  "Oh what JOY i felt as we read together in Luke 15 and read the words, "I will arise and go to my Father and will say, "father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son... (how often do we feel that way when we have sinned!?) and then read together how the Father ran,kissed, blessed and forgave without even looking back.  The question taht dad always aksked me rang in my mind... "Sarah, is there anything that you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you?!"... "no, she said with a smile... and we testified of repentance."

Oh i love my mission and I am so happy to be here.  This is Gods work and we can all be a part of it if we live the Gospel.  

Love you all!

Love, 

Hermana Jones

Oh i love pictures! I am so happy that I can send you more!

We had interchanges so i went to the city this past tuesday and was able to meet a lot of new people.  As I woke up the next day, there was this sunrise... every time I see things like this i just have to say, "Wow, Heavenly Father loves me". 

Us with Vanesa, one of our investigators.  She is in med school and is 19 years-old. There was a rainbow over the chapel right before our ward activity. 

Hermana Espinoza taught Karen (member) and Cyntia how to cook ají de gallina on friday!  Cyndi was really excited to help!

Cyntia... the smile after a great lesson!!!  I am so excited for them.  

Laura... she finally decided to serve the mission!!! 

Leaving the neighborhood one night... Paraguay is beautiful... someone told me that a general authority said that he felt as if christ had walked here in paraguay. 

Hno Rosalino, one of my favorite members.  He hasnt been able to walk for 10 years because he was shot while at work as a security guard, but he never misses a sunday and is so sure that he is going to be able to walk again!

 

Members in a class or activity that we had a few weeks ago about la obra misional

 

After the activity... I love my district!!! From left to right- Elder Hauser (AZ), Elder Martinez (Kaysville), Elder Nielsen (DC), Elder Vega (Colombia) and Hermana Espinoza and me!!