Elder Matthew Whittle-- November 20, 2012

Hola!

Man I'm so jealous that Jaden is going to Peru! That's so awesome. Peruvians are the best. I've taught a couple of them on my mission. They're such great people. She should try and learn quechwa (spelling?) while she's down there. That's awesome about Brad as well. Tell him congrats. He's going to love Chile. We have people in our ward who are from Chile and they're super nice. They always ask if we are hungry or thirsty and want to feed us haha. Brad's going to get fat:)

Elder Goble is from American Fork. He's such a funny guy. We've been having a blast. He has one eye and the other one is fake so he always opens and closes his pens with his eye and it freaks everybody out.

It was so great to see Grandma in the Temple. She has such a good spirit about her. I feel like she's the one with the shining light. It was fun to talk to her there while she introduced me to everyone. She needs to come up to Utah when I get back and live with us!

Gertrude is doing great! He wrote me a big long letter talking about how KT Mafia is going to be restarted once we all get back, and told me a lot about how his mission is going. He seems to be growing a lot and seems to be doing a great job with the language. I'm excited to talk to him one day in Spanish. It will be fun. Tell Josh he needs to start learning! He's got a year still ;) (extension! Boo ya!)

The conference with Elder Schwitzer was so great. Kind of stressful getting everything set up and giving trainings, but it was great! The spirit was really strong. It's always neet when a General Authority visits the mission. President Cook came out to a couple lessons with us when Elder Schwitzer was here, and Elder Schwitzer went out with the assistants to a lesson. It was a neat experience. Elder Schwitzer's car battery died just as we were leaving with President Cook, so Elder Goble and I turned around and went and gave Elder Schwitzer a jump.

Things have been going well. I can't believe that we are already half-way through the transfer. We've been so busy that this transfer has just flown by. Elder Goble and I are getting ready to sing and play guitar together at the Christmas talent show. It's going to be fun. We're going to sing Nearer my God to thee. We'll try and record it.

Wellp not a lot of new stuff to tell ya. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Love you all. I like the Carne asada idea. You should make Molet! I love that stuff! Don't forget the Chapulines!

Con amor,

Elder Witle!

P.S. Tell Kaleigh congrajulations for me!

 

Elder Garrett Allen-- November 18, 2012

Well another amazing letter has been sent from my amazing mother. take you very much for that amazing insist into marriage. Seriously on of the best parts about this whole mission thing is knowing that every monday I am able to go and read an amazing letter from a women that i respect and love so much. Really mom you are the best and thank you for everything that you did for me and that you are still doing. It meand so much and I am eternally gratefully. I LOVE YOU!!!

So the first thing is about the whole empty house thing...so I think it is time to let you into my plan...well better said me and brandons plans. So we are thinking about moving into your home and living there for a while to finish school and get are lives started again. So if that is cool with you that would be sweet haha. It is just and idea but it will probably happen. So we could just live in the basement. Obviously i will be but it would be sweet with brandon too haha. Also we would help around the house so you would have to extra hands haha so that is in the works maybe it will work out and that way you wont be so lonely haha. We could put all of the box out of the way and basically just rock it up hah. so yea. that would be the plan...if we had to we could play rent haha so yep. Anyways just think about it. I dont want to sound trunky haha but it is just some plan that popped into my mind when you talked about be lonely. Anyways, so if brandon gets home before me you should let him live in my room until we get home and he can be like your son for 6 months bahahaha.

So about the whole coming to argentina thing....So if that is super exspensive then i dont know but it would be pretty dang interesting to have you guys come here and to show you everything...I am not sure how it all works if the parents come to pick you up so we woulf have to figure all of that out some how but yea. It would be pretty cool. It would be really cool if some how we could get to chubut to go the elder gallardos house but that would be hard to do. It is on the otherside of the country. so we will see...honestly if it is alot of money you shouldn´t do it...honestly i will have absolutely nothing in the area of money when i got home so that will be my challenge but god has my back so i have faith. I will just have to work hard. I lot of people thinks life gets easier when the mission is over but i only see it getting harder haha.

Well now to tell you about the crazy week that i had haha. So it started out pretty normal and then it turned out everyone has a lot of problems and as a missionary there is a whole lot that i can do. When family doesn´t have food to eat so it is go talk to the bishop, the second problem was my husband beats me so we say go talk to the bishop. After that the week got crazy. We had to prepare for the baptism and get everything ready...the problem with that is that the founts here done drain by them selves they pump them out but luckly for us the pump is broken and they didn´t fix it so we and my comp got to get the water out by buckets!!! Heck yea!!! Another thing to remember!!! so basically i spent 3 hours getting the water out. It was crazy and we both ended up some what wet. The things that we do to get it all worked out and going well. Crazy. haha. After that the baptism went well. So after that day i was blessed to go see M. and N. get married friday. That is right. i got promission to go see there wedding!!! It was amazing.M. and N. are my good family that threw me the birthday party and everything. so those are the pictures. It was so good to see them again...it was like a taste of coming home and seeing my family and friends and just being in that again. It was a huge blessing an now i am so very greatful to be so close to my old area. The lord really is watching out for me. It is a nice feeling. also I gave Elder Gallardo his jersey there an he basically freaked out. He is super happy and thankful for it. He says thanks. There is also a photo of that :) He also says that he will send you a present mom from the south of argentina so some day you might end up with a random package from Chubut argentina haha. Thanks for sending it. It meant a lot to him. So after that adventure we had a pretty slow week. it was hard for me to get my head into the game for some reason but hopefully this week will be better.

So about where I am at. I leave in a house now. the houses here are all pushed together and all of that stuff. Basically where I am is city. There are very busy streets and a lot of people. The house i live in is pretty goo. We have ac so that is a total plus. The shower doesnt work and when it rains here are ceiling is full of holes so are front little room feels with water. It was interesting this week because we had a super strong storm that turned to power of for a while and dumped rain. The room basically became the great salt lake bahah. It was fun. there is a picture of that also. I dont know if you will be able to see it but it is there haha. There are still motos here but more people drive cars so that is different and the people are super different. It is only 15 minutes away but it is super different for some reason..it strange how it works out haha. As for beds we have bunkbeds so i am up off the floor. So everything is going well. It is weird to be in a house but it isnt to bad. The ac makes it all worth it haha..

So that is basically my week. I will be printing off your email for later to copy haha. There are some good things in there. It basically makes me happy. I am super glad to be in the work of the lord. The truth is that right now I am struggling but you just got to stay positive and look for the lords will and not yours. There is a great mormon message about a gardener with that by Christofferson. If Josh reads this I think that he should wash it. It helped me out this week. I am very thankful for all of those people that are helping and praying for my. I am so very greatful for all of you and for everything tht you do for me. Take care of yourselves and be safe. I love you all and the church is true!!!! look for the lords will in your life and all we work out. Try to be better everyday and find the things that you have to imporove. The lord will help you. That is the gift of the light of christ. Be strong in the faith and sure the scriptures. HAVE FAITH!!!!

I love you all and until next week. Paz Fuera.

Your beloved, Elder Allen

P.s. this transfer is over and i am still with elder bryner in the same spot so nothing has changed. I love you.

Elder Corbin Morre-- November 19, 2012

Well this week was a really good week here in Los Angeles. I was able to start speaking more Spanish with the members and the investigators that we have. I came back super quick, and now I'm basically back up to speed. We had a successful week, being able to see a lot of our investigators, and setting return appointments with them if they were busy. Hopefully we will be able to see all of them this week. This week we had MLT (mission leadership training), it was super good we were able to talk a lot about the stuff that is going to be happening for the holidays here in Los Angeles, and some of the stuff that the church is doing abroad. We are going to be trying to incorporate all of that in our teaching, and help our investigators and members, really have a wonderful experience this holiday season.

On Tuesday I was able to teach a member of our ward, his name is A. C. He was someone that Sister Christensen, Justin's older sister, knew when see served in this ward. I you are confused I'm sure Josh can fill you in on who they both are. So that was kewl, because I was reading through a list of names that she gave me, and their family was one of them. Super Kewl. It is awesome how the Lord works. I love it.

So about my companion, Elder Garrett. He is from Beaver Creek, Ohio, and came out to the mission the transfer before me. He is one of four kids, and is the third. Fun fact about him, he started his mission in the MTC, going to the Los Angeles mission, two weeks after his older brother came back from serving in the Los Angeles mission. I thought that that was kinda kewl.

Sorry got to run, Happy late birthday to B-money.

Con Amor

Elder Moore

ELder Taylor Ferguson-- November 19, 2012

Hello everyone,

Sorry I  don't have much time to talk. I'mma go get my hair cut in a sec.  Our investigator pool kiiiiinda stinks...we had to pass off all our good investigators to their language missionaries. And our 1 main progressing investigator believes that the Lords prayer is the only true prayer we are to say, and he isn't even catholic! haha But it's ok we're meeting tons of new people every day, and we'll be converting potentials into INVESTIGATORS or GATORS for short haha.  For Thanksgiving we will need to stay w/ members most the day, but we CAN participate in a turkey bowl so we;ll do that and it'll be good. The pictures of your beard didn't come through. talk to yall nexty week.

 love you!

TJ

Elder Matthew Whittle-- November 14, 2012

Note: Matthew was able to see his Grandma Whittle at the San Diego again! Yeah! Congrats Brynn, Jaden, Marissa and Brad on your mission calls! We are so excited for you!

It was SO wonderful for me to see Matthew (Elder Whittle) yesterday at the temple. He looks GREAT and has that missionary shine and great spirit ! He looks healthy and seemed to me to be more mature and like a more well seasoned Elder than he did a year ago. I got to meet his companion, both fine looking young men, and when I asked if they got along well together, they looked at each other and smiled and Elder Goble immediately said, " I LOVE Elder Whittle !" I was so pleased that I got to visit with him for a little while. I met them at the top of the main staircase going up to the dressing and endowment rooms where I had been watching for him and hoping I hadn't missed him. It was funny because several people who work on my shift were just arriving so it was kind of like a reception line when I got to introduce him to some of my co-workers. Throughout the day people kept saying how nice it was to meet him. I guess I was really showing him off. As they were leaving going quickly down the staircase with their shoulders squared and a purposeful stride I had a lump in my throat and I thought, "There go some very fine 'Elders of Israel' who are more than eager to save souls for Christ and serve in a righteous way." He seemed to me to be a true shining bright light and you can surely be pleased with him and the work he is doing.

LOVE all of you. Mom/Grandma

Elder Matthew Whittle- November 12, 2012

was funny.

Things have been super crazy the past week, but really good. We've been having a lot of cool little miracles. We gave that big training to the Zone and everything turned out great. We had members come to it, and role play investigators. It felt like a mini mtc almost. It's been pretty cold here lately. Last night we were out and it was 49 degrees. I was freezing to death. I think the California weather has made me into a wuss now haha.

So we had a really cool miracle last night. We were at the gas station and after we filled up and put air in the tires. There were two kids that went walking up to the gas station. Well one of them stayed outside and he was wearing this crazy spiderman cosutme. So I went up and started talking to him while elder goble filled the tire up with air. I asked him where he got that crazy sweater and we started talking. His brother soon came out and they told us about how they had grown up in the Jehova's Witness faith, but how they didn't like it because they felt like they were being shunned for not keeping all the commandments. We started talking and they began to ask us questions about the Book of Mormon, and what the difference was between us and Jehova's Witness. We told them that we have continued revelation today, and a prophet and 12 apostle's. We then explained the apostasy and the Joseph Smith story. They asked us if they could get a book of mormon. We opened the trunk and gave them each one. Then they asked us about church. We told them where it was and invited them. They said they wanted to come this weekend. It was so awesome! "open your mouth and it will be filled." We had like a 30 minute conversation just there in front of a gas station. It was funny because they said that Mormon's are so much better at casually sharing the gospel. He said if a Jehova's witness doesn't have a suit on then they wont share the gospel, but then he said that he runs into mormons all the time who are sharing the gospel even if they're not missionaries. That made me so happy to hear that. That's how it should be. Have you guys been able to share the gospel with anyone recently? I love hearing stories about sharing the gospel.

Elder Schweitzer is coming to our mission this thursday and friday. He's going to be at our Zone Leader Council so that will be really neat. We have to set up 400 chairs on thursday for the mission wide conference on friday. It should be fun haha. It's good to be busy.

Well things are going well. Hope you all get over your sicknesses. Those are no fun. Everyone has been getting sick down here in California as well. Tell Cho, and Josh hi for me and that I miss them. Do either of them know how I can get ahold of Alex Tamayo. I've been thinking of him. I miss that guy. Tell them all that I love them and miss them. Keep praying for missionary opportunities.

Love you.

Adios!

Con amor,

Elder Witle!

Elder Garrett Allen-- November 12, 2012

Well it was good to hear from you this week. Honestly this week was super slow and challenging. I dont know why but it just kinda kicked my butt. So it is always good to have a p-day and pull yourself back together and get it all working so you can go and try again this next week. Pray for me that it will be a good one haha.

This week did have a lot of good pionts. First is that one of are investagators will be getting baptized this week!!! Her name is A.  and she was stuck living with a guy because she didn´t have money to leave and live somewhere else and she didn´t want to take her daughter away from her dad. It was just a crazy situation and luck it all worked out. This past week we have been passing by her house but no one is ever there. About the fourth time that we passed her nieghboor came out and told us that she doesnt live there any more and we asked for her new addrees which she luckly had. So we basically busted down there and asked around until we figured out what house it is and found her. She invited us in and basically we took out the date with out a problem and she has all happy and we were happy and because a miricale happened. It was awesome. She is now living with her sister and everything is going to be sweet. So one more soul for God. Second is just a cool story. So when it rains here the streets just turn into rivers and lakes, It is just how it is here in Tucuman. Everytime it rains at least one street gets turned into a river. This tuesday it was raining pretty hard and we just finished a lessen and were heading home. We decided that we didnt want to walk because of the rain so we flagged down a taxi. The ride to the house was one to remember. As are crazy grunting taxi driver was speed through the streets puddle jumping. The lightining was striking around us. I saw it strike a pole for a good 10 seconds and everything and the ligthining was so close that there wasn´t a whole lot of difference between the flash and the thunder. Anyways we get close to are house and the streets around are house are always full of water. The driver just goes in like there isn´t any problem. The water is up to the doors by this point. There is a turn of up a head so i tell him to turn or do whatever to get out of it. He replys with a grunt and keeps a straight forward path into the deeper part...This whole time I am unblievable suprised that the car is still running seein how some water is straighting to lick into the doors. The engine flouding wasnt the really problem. The car started to loss traction. So yea, I pretty much thought that I would be getting out of the car and walk throught the knee deep water. but some who this guy rocks it and jumps the crub and puts two wheels on the side week so the tires have something to grip. So the driver side feels with water while the side i was on was up in the air. Some how we made it. He pretty much slammed the gas to get us out at the very end but we made it haha. It was the most crazy taxi ride of my life.. It was such a good experience haha.

Anyways that is about all that i really have for this week. I love and miss you and hope that everything is going well back on the other side. just so you know I am dying for some letters. Tell me brothers and sisters to step it up and help a brother out haha I would at least like a once very three month update. Jenie is pretty good at it and Mom to so good There!! I love all of you and we will see what this next week brings. Get me updated on all of the good stuff. Tell everyone that I say hey. Oh and do you guys still do the mom lunch and get together or has that kinda fallen apart..anyways that is about it. Stay good and pray for missionary chances and all of that. All the missionaries need your help and your prayers. give them a hand!!! I think I will be studying presonal revalation if you would like to join me haha. LOVES!!!!!

Elder Allen