Kilometros 5, Zona Comodoro Norte - Week 4... People of Limhi

Wow! Sounds like you guys had a killer week! I hope you enjoyed Yellowstone, seeing the pictures makes me want to go there one day :) 

As far as this week, one big accomplishment was hitting 16 months in the mission. It's really crazy to think that I only have half the time left to work than what I've already put in (8 months left). It's a reminder for me that I have to take advantage of every single day out here! 

The week was pretty good, pretty tranqy. I did a division, and we found a couple of people to add to our group of investigators, so we're slowly but surely changing this area. I'm trying to send you guys a video (not sure if it's going to go through) of the mildest part of one of the windiest days of my mission. The majority of the day, the wind was blowing so hard that if I would have opened my backpack to take my camera out, I would have lost everything. It was nuts!!! 

Familia Wohtasik is progressing... slowly... The problem is that Maria's dad is a mob boss down here, and he's super protective of his daughter, so Daniel is kind of antsy about putting a ring on the finger. Prayer and fasting go a long way though! We're going to keep working with them. I think this next week is going to be key to see if we can retain all the new people that we found this week. 

Elder Richards with Daniel and his daughter

Another big accomplishment of the mission was breaking the mission record of baptisms this month. We had 38! We'll just have to see if that trend continues in the next month. I'm pumped because most of our zone has been working hard this month, and for August, Comodoro Norte's got a full house. I've got a feeling that it's going to be a good month >:) 

The last thing that I think is worth mentioning is my reading of the Book of Mormon. I made it to Mosiah 20 this week, and I able to read about El Pueblo de Limhi. I think the story of those people is a great example of the consequences of sin. Limhi and his people were very obstinate in their sins, and when the moment came that they needed the Lord's help, he let them suffer for a season. However, if we look at the Pueblo de Alma, they lived righteously, and when they needed the Lord's help, he alleviated their burdens and eventually freed them from bondage. I know that if we live righteously, the Lord will bless us and care for us, and if we live unrighteously, we will have to suffer the consequences. I invite anyone reading this who may be passing through consequences to not blame the Lord, but rather repent, reconcile yourself with him, and wait patiently, like el Pueblo de Alma, for the blessings to come. I know that the Lord loves us and tries us to make us stronger, and if we put our trust in Him, he will exalt us in the last days. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

FAMILY: You guys probably thought that I had forgotten you guys. I LOVE YOU GUYS! 

Sofia: I thought I'd just take this moment to let you know that I WAS RIGHT MWAHAHAHA! Glad you liked EFY :) 

MOM! You know I'm a mama's boy :) AND PROUD EH! 

Love you - Elder Jimenez

PS The internet here is una basura (trash) and my vid didn't make it. Sad day :(

Kilometros 5, Zona Comodoro Norte - Week 3... King Benjamin

Sounds like you guys had a really good week :) Sofia is gonna LOVE EFY. It always happens with those kids haha! 

Anyways, this week was pretty good! We had entrevistas with President, and the next day a conference with my zone, Comodoro Sur, y Caleta Olivia. There were like 60 missionaries, it was nuts. (All of his areas thus far have been is much smaller and remote places, so I don't think he's ever been together with this many missionaries since the MTC!) 

This Sunday was awesome because the whole Familia Wohtasik came to church, as well as a curve ball named Jose. We had a cita hace algunas noches (a few nights ago) that started off bad. There was just this bad onda (feeling/vibe) in the house, and we got distracted talking about other things before the lesson. As we started the lesson, we completely changed the plan (because the current plan just wasn't going to work) AND THE SPIRIT TOOK OVER! We went from a completely dead spiritual environment to convincing Maria that marriage is a good option. It was a great miracle! All the glory goes to the Lord, as always. 

Reading the Book of Mormon this week, I made it to Mosiah 2. I've always loved King Benjamin (I'm pretty sure that one of my sons will be named Ben) and this reread did not disappoint. I loved the part where he gives the glory to God, explaining that all his work was simple service to the Lord. I read a quote from Brigham Young juntos (together) with that passage of scripture, in which he explained that the only person that has ever really sacrificed anything for heaven's sake is Jesus Christ. All the other "sacrifices" that people have made since have been one way or another for their own happiness. It made me think how really blessed I am to be in this mission, serving the Lord. I'm so grateful for the miracles I've seen and all the blessings that Heavenly Father has, is, and will give to me for this "sacrifice" that I'm making. 

FAMILY: I love you guys! Fufill your callings to the maximum! 

SOFIA: EFY WOOOOOOOOOOOO. Capa. 

MOM: You're a big role model for me in my life! 

I LOVE YOU! - Elder Jimenez

Kilometros 5, Zona Comodoro Norte - Week 2... Coco Puffs

Sounds like everything is going good on the homefront :) It's always good to be able to not worry too much about you guys, so don't do anything foolish haha! It's pretty crazy that Mark and Ivelisse are already going home from their mission. Manden saludos (Tell them I say "Hi!")! 

Anyways, this week was pretty... movido (blurred) is the only palabra that comes to mind. We had divisiones (splits), consejo (leadership meeting), and work in the area, so that was all a bit crazy. 

As far as the investigators, Familia Wohtasik is going mas o menos (more or less). The good thing is that Daniel really wants to get baptized, we're even fasting tomorrow with him so that he can have strength to stop smoking. The only impediment would be his wife, Maria. She's super buena onda (cool), but doesn't have much interest right now in the message. My biggest worry is that they're not married and I'm not sure how Maria is going to take to the idea... we'll just have to see. Rosario didn't make it to church this week, but Daniel did. He showed up in a suit and tie. SUPER FACHA (posh)! Last night we had a lesson with them and showed them the talk from Joaquin E. Costa to give them some ganas (increase their desire) to investigate more. I think Rosarios got a little bit more ganas now :) 

The other milagro was that Alejandro, a guy we met last week, actually came to church. We had passed by his house to invite him Saturday night, and he actually came! That never happens here, so it was a very pleasant surprise, and he seemed to really like it, so we've got some potential there. 

I also met a woman named Adriana, who's "partnered" with a menos activo (less active). She wants to get baptized, but her pareja (boyfriend) doesn't want to get married, so we're going to be fasting with her as well. THE FAST BRINGS BLESSINGS! 

Anyways, that's pretty much the state of the work out here. We contacted a lot, and didn't have any success, but we continue with animo. 

Last night, right before going to bed, I had a lot of hunger, and so I grabbed some trucho coco puffs, but then I realized that we ran out of milk. Tragedy! So I started eating them dry, and they were stale. Elder Richards then told me that they had been in the cabinet since he had got to the area. Oh geez haha! So I started grabbing them, one by one, and chucking them at his face (he was already in bed) At first he tried to ignore it, but after a couple coco puffs to the face, he started returning fire. We ended up having a coco puff war that took like 10 minutes to clean up after, but it was totally worth it! So that was super fun :) 

Kids, just learn that sometimes in the mission, you have to create your own fun, and you have to create your own success as well, so this week, WE'RE GONNA PUT THEM HANDS BACK TO THE OBRA (WORK)! 

Family! I love you guys! Thanks for the prayers! I LOVE YOU MOM! Talk with y'all next week 
- Elder Jimenez

July Zone Leaders Meeting

Zona Comodoro Norte

My area is normal. Middle-lower class 

(or by united states standards THE HOOD, but that's the usual down here). 

Hey Dad :) 

As far as my area, I have no idea what your coworker was saying, cause this area is way tranqy. It's nothing in comparison to Trelew. I'm gonna be a-okay haha :) 

And, actually, I did find a way to stay warm :D SCARFS! Those things work man. 

I also want football to come, and I actually saw like half of the planet of the apes trailer while I was eating lunch yesterday. It looked intense! 

Mathew has gone downhill, but hes always been a roller coaster, so I'm sure he'll bring it back up. 

I'm proud to tell you that even though I had ZERO ganas to work out this morning, I put my hands on the floor, and busted out today's full workout, so that made me feel good :) I'm using those shoes and books to their full capacity! 

I say it every week Dad, but i just hope you know how much of an inspiration you are for me. I feel eternally blessed to be able to recognize you as my earthly father :) 

LOVE YOU! - Elder Jimenez

Kilometros 5, Zona Comodoro Norte - Week 1... the Lord takes care of the obedient

Alright family, we made it! 

This week was looooooong! It always is though at first in an area, so it's not like it was unexpected. 

Area Kilometros 5 (mas o menos) (more or less)

Where do I start... alright so when I got here we didn't really have anyone, and we ended up contacting almost all week. NOT FUN! It's cold here! Nevertheless, it was really cool to see how if you put your trust in the Lord, he'll work things out. Almost all of the days ended with a bang. We would contact all day, which is not good for animo, everyone would reject us, and then right in the last few hours, we would get a lesson or two. 

Right as I got here, the first day working, we focused in on a family named Familia Wohtasik. They're a family of 4: Daniel y Maria y sus dos hijos Rosario (mujer) y Astor (daughter - Rosario and son - Astor). Beforehand, they had been mas o menos investigating, but we put a lot of focus in teaching them this week, and taught them 3 times, 2 with members present. Daniel is a boss, one of the manliest but mildest men that I've met. He's also super smart though. He's just awesome! We were able to set baptismal dates for the whole family, and although there are some hurdles to... hurdle? (Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, the usual) I HAVE FAITH! The best part about it all is that Daniel y Rosario both came to church, and Daniel liked it so much, that without our suggestion or accompaniment, he returned to the church last night to attend an autosuficiencia (self-sufficient) activity! After church, Elder Richards said to me "Dude, in my 3 months with Elder Morales we had 1 asistencia, and we just barely got 2!" Area's already changing :) 

I took a minute last night to call some of my converts and antiguos investigadores (old investigators). I called Carlos (Rio Gallegos) and Matthew (Trelew). It was really cool after the calls to reflect on my mission and to see, that although at first it didn't seem it, I really have been guided to a lot of families. 

The night after I got here, after writing you guys, we had to go to the terminal to send off some missionaries and receive some of the trainers (missionaries coming to pick up greenies). One of the trainers was Elder Tonti, who's currently in Rio Gallegos Centro. We talked a bit, and to my amazement, 2 of the investigator families that I left in Rio Gallegos are still investigating, and 1 is going to get baptized! That's when it really hit me that it's not only about the harvest that you reap, it's also important to sow for the future. 

Rocio from Rio Gallegos was serving a mini-mission in Comodoro.

We had a nice tender mercy last night. Yesterday, we walked. A TON. Searching for new investigators, without luck. We worked our way around the city, and eventually contacted a reference named Alejandro. He wasn't home, but his daughter said he would be home later. The sad thing is is that here in Argentina, the people will set a date, time, and will even give you their number to call, and when you get to their door, they'll hide and put the phone in airplane mode. So, I won't lie, I didn't have much faith. We ended up deciding to go to another investigators house, who's progressing mas o menos (more or less). However, we actually taught a pretty good lesson. Then, as we left, we decided to give one last good effort, and we returned to Alejandro's house. He was home, let us in, and offered us something hot to drink. Usually, we decline, but the day was brutal, so we decided to accept. He and his 2 kids that were home served us like we were honored guests, making us mate cocido and laying out some crackers to munch on. After taking a quick shower, Alejandro sat down with one of his sons, and they were all ears. I was star struck! It was like Heavenly Father mismo (himself) was right there, saying to us "You guys are capos for continuing to work in this super hard week, have a nice little spiritual break." I even almost started to tear up! It was one of those moments where I went from being so tired and cold to being so content, and it wore me out! Igual, a really nice tender mercy. 

Anyways, that's not everything that happened this week, but I feel like you guys get the gist. I'm really glad that I didn't start the mission in an area like this, because it's hard. Hard people, hard weather, and a less than nice pension, but the coolest thing is that I'm used to it. I love how much I've learned to let the little comforts go and focus in on the work. I've got a lot of improvements to make, but I'm getting better, so that's good haha! 

Essentially, the core message of the email this week is that the Lord takes care of the obedient, so even if things are looking rough back home, just keep going, put your trust in the Lord, live worthy of his blessings, and they will come. 

FAMILY! I LOVE YOU GUYS! Mom, you know that I love you most! STAY SAFE! 
- Elder Jimenez

Following up on a couple of my questions...
The flooding didn't affect my area that much, so it's pretty much normal. The part that got hit worst is outside of my zone, but centro is cleaned up. 

Also, all the oficinistas are in my zone, as well as the assistants (the official ones and the traveling assistants) and they're all in my ward with president. So that was fun haha! Oh and public transportation here is the worst! 

Excluding the office and the assistants we've got 12 missionaries. The traveling assistants (the elder that Alex replaced in 5K is one of the new traveling assistants) don't go with president anywhere, they just observe the mission to see where help is most needed, and usually go to the trouble spots that are farthest away from a visit from president to help them put fechas and baptize. They're always traveling. They're an invent of President Rogers that President Salerno discontinued until this transfer, where he called 2. The APs go with President where he goes (they're the real deal). The assistants are super busy in this mission, because it's so big. They're always on the road or preparing a conference.  

And to Jose... 
Ooooooh, I cant believe that Gordon left us! It's alright though, cause he went to the Celtics :) 

I think it's funny that you talk about my mission so much, I'm glad you like hearing about it, cause it's hard to earn haha! 

It also sounds like you guys had a good time for the 4th. You do a lot more than the Argentines! Their Independence Day is July 9th, and they did absolutely nothing! It was lame haha! 

Thanks for the prayers, right now I really need em 'cause Comodoro is rough, but were gonna beat it! Pray for my investigators as well, 'cause they also really need our prayers. 

Dad, I love you and admire you! I even shared with one of my investigators the other day that you are my greatest inspiration! 

Love you :) 
- Elder Jimenez

Hey, I loved the package, that was so sick! 

I think those shoes are the best I've ever received! THANK YOU!

Union 1, Zona Trelew Sur - Week 18... Greatest Miracle of the Mission!

What a week! I've got a lot of news for you guys. 

I'm currently emailing from Comodoro because I'm the new Zone Leader here. My compañero's name is Elder Richards. He's from Utah and I can already tell that were gonna get along great! 

My zone is Comodoro Norte, and my area is Kilometros 5. I go to church with President Salerno in the oficina, so that's going to be way weird. The sick thing though is that Elder Richards told me of a "special surprise" that Elder Cullum's parents brought him as well, entonces when we pass by the office to drop off the new asistente viajante (traveling assistant), I'm going to be really happy! 

I'm pretty excited for the transfer, although I'm really sad to leave Trelew. Never before in my mission had I not wanted to go from an area as much as I didn't want to leave Union. But oh well, asi es la mision! 

Sadly, the baptism of Matthew did not happen. As we were filling out the registro bautismal (baptismal record), I felt strongly that we shouldn't go through with the baptism, so we postponed it. It was really hard for me, because he wanted me to baptize him. I haven't broken out the whites since Eduardo, and Mathew is the best friend I've made here in the mission, so it was a hard call. However, I know that he'll be making it in the transfer that comes. My replacement in Trelew was Elder Faundez, a trusted friend of mine here in the mission, so I can sleep tranquilo knowing that my area was left in excellent hands. 

Also, even though we didn't go through with the baptism, I saw the greatest miracle of my mission this week when we visited Mathew's family. His father had commented to him that one of his leaders in his church needed him for something, and Mathew said "And if he's a false prophet anyways, what does it matter to me?" OOOOOOOHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! (Tons of black guys falling backwards) His dad didn't appreciate that, so Mathew's dad and girlfriend ganged up on him, and they had a Bible bash. 

The next day, when we came to visit Mathew, to my great amazement, Roenzo, his father, and Dariana, his girlfriend, came to the table and told us that they wanted to hear our message. Roenzo had always left the room when we taught, because even though he's very friendly, he's also hyper evangelico. They told us that they needed to understand why their prophets don't have authority (and they were mad about it lol) So we started teaching. At first, they were very hostile, but we responded humbly but boldly. I still remember that when we taught about the Great Apostasy, Roenzo said "You understand that what you're saying puts my church on the line right?" and I said "That's exactly what were saying Roenzo" an undeniable spirit filled the room, and that was the turning point. As we taught about the Book of Mormon, their hearts were softened, and just before finishing, we said "On the 29th of July were preparing a baptismal service. If you guys come to know that these things are true, will you be baptized by the true authority of God?" THEY BOTH ACCEPTED! It was the most unexpected, and greatest change of heart that I have ever witnessed. God is truly great. His power to convert is limitless! It was an unforgettable experience. 

Leaving the area was hard. It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Luisa. Everyone was really sad, and one family, Familia Guerrero, wrote me a letter that made me feel really, really good. A bunch of the members came to the bus terminal to see me off, which was nice. And now I'm here in Comodoro, I ate a delicious footlong Subway Sub for lunch, and I'll soon have a package, so life is good. These are the times when one really appreciates the mission. Each day that passes makes me see more and more how little I have left. I'M GONNA WORK TILL I DROP! All the glory to the Savior! 

FAMILY: I love you guys so much! Were gonna be together again sooner than you guys know it (Tell Conrad that I'm too down!) 

DAD: You're my hero, keep grinding! 

MOM: You already know, but still, I LOVE YOU! 
- Elder Jimenez

LUISA

Familia Guerrero

Familia Millan 

(aunque los padres no llegaron, el grandote es ex misionero que era lider de zona en Union, Elder Murua)

Elder Tavares and Elder Gonzalez in Rawson

los chicos Sandoval

Familia Sandoval

Familia Rapiman

Familia Moraga

Matthew

Roenzo

Hno Rios

Me, Elder Farabee, Mathew, and Juan Guerrero (o sea S.Q.U.A.D)

Una despedida en la casa de los guerrero

all the members in the terminal

me and Elder Farabee