September 29, 2014 -- TWO MONTHS DOWN TWENTY-TWO TO GO!

September 29, 2014

Mañana, Tendré dos meses en mi mision. The time has gone by so fast. It´s kinda crazy. I feel like I was leaving home yesterday. 

This week was a little bit longer. I´ve been feeling a little sick, more than usual for the past couple of weeks. But I made it through this week, and I´m ready. Hit me with your best shot Bolivia! 

We taught 24 lessons this week.  Lots of walking, lots of talking.  And my Spanish is getting better everyday. It helps when your companion doesn´t understand English and you´re in the heart of South America.  I´m making friends in my ward! My ward mission leader, my bishop, some of the youth. There is a certain family, the Familia Artiega. I go to their house every Monday and Thursday for a lesson with a recent convert.  They remind me of Mom and Dad. They´re the nicest people I have met here.

We rescued a menos activo (less active member) this Sunday. His name is Brandon Cullear. He is 19 years old, and his testimony of the Book of Mormon was wavering.  So I told him to read Helaman Chapter 5. I remembered that one because my brother, Connor can say it perfectly.  Brandon told me that scripture saved him. He had an interview with the Bishop to serve a mission.  As my sister who is serving a mission right now, Emily would say it, and I quote: ¨AAAAAHHHHHH MY HEART IS SO HAPPY´´. 

I´m going to start doing a thing called Weekly Scriptures with Elder Tracy.

This week, my favorite scripture has been Doctrine & Covenants 6:32-34.

This week, I was feeling discouraged and sick, I prayed for guidance and I opened to this scripture.

D & C 6:32-34:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them -- even so am I in the midst of you.   Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good, ye shall also reap good for your reward.  Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.

This week, I was torn down and trodden on, but I know that this happened so I could be built up again. 

Estoy tan agradecido por la oportunidad que tengo queestar aquí en Bolivia. Sé que El Señor me protegerá. Quiero su espiritu conmigo siempre.

¡Hasta Proxima Semana!

Elder Tracy

From Jonathan's Mom, Dana Tracy:  I asked a few questions about where he lives and who he lives with.   Here is his response.

I asked him his address.  

There is no address for my residence.  It is blank.  I live in a yellow house.  It is like a courtyard in those pictures and then there are two doors.  Mom, I live in a pretty normal place.  We have a fridge, running water, hot showers and two other Elders living with us. Elder Fruehan from Alpine, Utah and Elder Condori from La Paz, Bolivia.  It is just like any other mission, but I'm in South America.  I am eating soup, chicken and rice every day.  It is always hot here.  ALWAYS.  I'm sending pictures.  Bye Mom.  Watch for my email please.

If you would like to email Jonathan the following is his email address: jonathan.tracy@myldsmail.net!  

Thanks for keeping in touch and letting him know of your concern.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2014

September 22, 2014

Hola Everyone! This week was absolutely crazy. We taught four lessons everyday and we had my first convert baptism.  Oh, and I was held at knife point by a drunk guy I will go into more detail in each paragraph.

So lessons. I have never taught more than I have this past week. We walk everywhere. And there are horses everywhere. Elder Gutierrez showed me that most horses have chains around their ankles so they can't run away. Its the Bolivian equivalent if someone took the wheels off your car. Soooooooo fuuunnnnnny. But anyways. The people here in the Quince de Septiembre Ward are being prepared right now to be taught.  It's amazing to see the Gospel of Christ change these people.

My first convert baptism was with a woman naned Hortencia Choque. She was what we missionaries dubbed ¨ Investigadora Antigua¨. She told us that she has gone through five sets of missionaries. Thats a long time because down here, we don't get transferred much. I'm probably going to be in this Ward for five to six months. Anyway, She is such a sweet spirit. I wish I had a picture, but I forgot my camera at the apartment for the baptism.  The baptism was great!  Hortenica just needed to keep her metas or goals.

So my last story is how I was held at Knife point by two drunk guys.  Elder Gutierrez and I were waiting in front of The Chapel for our Ward Mission Leader, Martin Villca. While we waited, two guys stumbled up to where we were.  When they talked to us, I could smell the alcohol on their breath. So anyway, Our Ward Mission Leader shows up.  That's when the Older Drunk guy pulls a knife on us and tells us to Walk to his house so we can teach him. So we walk with these two guys, and we are trying to figure something out. That is when The Burrachos hand me their keys so I can unlock the padlock to the gate. So I´m pretending the keys aren't working. So Elder Gutierrez and Hermano Villca are trying to buy time for the other Elders to come and help us out.  But everything worked out.  He passed out in the street and we walked away.  Easy as that.  I know I was protected by The Lord.

Food is awesome here. I had Chicken Heart and Chunyo.  Chunyo is a ´´Foot
Potato´´.  When it gets cold here, they smash potatoes with their feet and bury them. then later they dig it up and clean it and eat it.  Yum.  Chunyo is literally frozen ground potatoes.

I don't have any pictures this week.  It's kind of dangerous to take pictures here.   Everyone calls me Dick Tracy.  LOL  

I bought a backpack down here for like 20 bucks.  President Willard is good with back packs.

I´m happy. I miss home a lot. But I know that this time is the time I have to serve. And it's not really that long. 

Have a Good Week Everyone. 

Elder Tracy

September 15, 2014 -- First Week In Bolivia

Bolivia is sooooo crazy.  I am having so much fun here.  I've had success already in the form of a baptism.  And I'm teaching at least five lesson a day.  Time is going by pretty fast here.  I met my Trainer, Elder Guterrez.  He is from Bolivia and has been serving in the mission for 13 months.  He is the coolest guy and I'm happy he is my trainer.  

Teaching in Spanish is interesting because I can't exactly speak Spanish yet.  But I'm trying really hard and I know that is what the Lord expects of me.  Here's a sneak peak of Bolivia for those with good imaginations.  

Dirt roads, stray dogs, wild horses, trash in the streets, dead things, chickens, crazy cars and buses.  And to top it all off -- Crazy Drunk People.  I was told to stay away from the Burrachos.  That is what they call drunk people.

One week is over, like 90 something more to go.

Hasta Luegos Amigos
Elder Tracy

 I met my Trainer, Elder Guterrez.  He is from Bene, Bolivia and has been serving in the mission for 13 months.  He is the coolest guy and I'm happy he is my trainer.  

I had my first Baptism yesterday, 9/14/14. It was for a 8 year old I taught one lesson.    Her name Maria Celeste Quintana Mendoza. It was the coolest experience ever. I even said the Baptismal prayer in Spanish. How neat is that!

 This is the  apartment where I live.  I am serving in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in the Quince de Septiembre Area.  We only eat lunch here.  A member of the Church cooks for us everyday. We have someone who does our laundry also.

 Another shot of where I am living.

This is my bed.



Another email Jon sent this week to other Missionaries and family members.

Hey everyone! Week one was SOOOOO MUUUUUCHHH FUUUUUNNNN. 

Pero, Yo Quiero hablar sobre nuestros acciónes al misoneros.

Tenemos la oportunidad grande a compatir el Evangelio con todas las personas

! Nuestro proposito es muy gran en los ojos de nuestro Padre Celestial

I´ve been walking, talking with members and non members alike, and I'm studying the scriptures. Life couldn´t be better.

Bolivia is the craziest place I have ever seen in my life. Never seen a Horse and Buggy and Car on the same road before. And I have never seen so many stray dogs and horses. I was contacting and a horse almost kicked me. And there are so many burrachos, or drunk people. I almost got into a fight with a drunk lady. But then she dropped a bag of coke on her foot. So I was good.

See you all next week.

Elder Tracy

P.S.  

They Call me Crazy Tracy in my ward Quince de Septiembre.

And the email message I (his mom) received today, 9/15/14.

Bolivia is the craziest.  You would hate it here Mom.  Wild dogs in the street.  Garbage everywhere and dead things.  I am doing fine Mom.  But for real.  You don't want to come to Bolivia.  It is pretty spooky.  They have wild horses and chickens down here.  You would cry.  I miss you a lot Mom.  I appreciate all you have done for me over the last eighteen years.  You don't know how much I love you.  Bye Mom.  I'm getting off the computer now.  Love you, Jon.

September 9, 2014 -- Jonathan Arrives In Santa Cruz, Bolivia

September 11, 2014

Dear Family,                           

We are so happy to have met your wonderful missionary! We are so honored to work with him here in the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission. It is obvious in his countenance that he has been prepared to serve the Lord at this time of the hastening of His work.

"And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."(1 Nephi 13:37)

Every time we look into the face of Elder Tracy we are reminded of the great love that God has for him and also of the great love, that you at home, have for this great missionary. We know that you pray for him every day. We also feel great love for him and pray every day for his  well-being, spiritual growth, and happiness. We know that God hears and answers these prayers.

We also know of the tender feelings that come with having a missionary out in the field. We know that your influence will continue to be a great strength to your missionary. Your favorite scriptures, spiritual experiences, and expressions of love in weekly emails and handwritten letters will help them feel confidence in their ability to do this great work.

We thank you for all you have done and all you will continue to do to bless the work of  the salvation of God's children here in Bolivia. How grateful we are to have Elder Tracy here in the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission. We love him so much!
                                                                           
With love, 
President and Sister Willard

September 7, 2014 -- Leaving The Mission Training

September 7, 2014

This post is from Jon's Mom.

Jonathan was scheduled to leave the MTC on Monday evening and with an early flight on Tuesday morning at 12:55 am arriving in Bolivia at 8:45 pm on Tuesday night.  But we received an email from Jonathan on Saturday morning stating that he and the three other Elders whom he was traveling with will be traveling a day earlier to their destination.  So Jonathan, Elder Brimhall, Elder Butts and Elder Galli left the MTC on Sunday, September 7th at 8:15 pm.  After checking their luggage in, they all found a pay phone and were able to call home.  We received our call from Jonathan around 11 pm Kansas City time.   We woke up the little girls and everyone had a turn to talk with their brother.  Luckily, Betsy was home also.  (She is driving back to SLC with her friend Paige Munden and was home for the weekend.)

Jonathan's itinerary:

September 8 -- 

Depart SLC 12:55 am

Arrive Atlanta at 6:26 am

Depart Atlanta at 7:34 am

Arrive Miami at 9:25 am

Depart Miami at 11:30 am

Arrive Santa Cruz, Bolivia at 8:45 pm

We might get a phone call during his Miami layover, but not certain.  

It was so wonderful getting to talk with Jonathan.  He has now been gone for six weeks and is ready to get out in the mission field.  We are so very proud of him.

He sent some pictures which are below.

September 4, 2014 -- Last Preparation Day At the MTC

September 4, 2014
Blog Entry Six 

Last Preparation Day (P-Day) At The MTC

MTC experience over! 

This Month has flown by. I've made so many new friends, and it's sad to be leaving them all. But I'm SOOOOOOOOOOO excited to go serve the People in Santa Cruz! 

My Last Tuesday night Devotional was given by Don R. Clark of the Seventy. He was the Mission President in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, before the current one, my Mission President Willard. He talked about being the best missionary you can be, because missionary work isn't about numbers now.  It's about retention. And if we can keep them in the Church, we will be much much more succesful than mass baptisms.

I was a Host Missionary again and I hosted my Friend Ezra Vaoifi.

 I met him at EFY back in 2012 and he's a good friend.  I'm happy he is on a mission. He asked me what MTC life was like. I told him the truth. The MTC was interesting, and there are no words to explain it. If you have the mind-set it is going to be bad, you aren't going to have a enjoyable time. 

I came in with a good mindset, and i have loved every minute of the MTC.

Bolivia is calling my friends. 

Hasta luego.

Elder Jonathan Tracy

Elder Alexander Butts and Elder Jonathan Tracy

August 28, 2014 -- Week Five

August 28, 2014

Week 5: 

This week went by super duper fast. So many fun things to see and do! On Tuesday I sang in the MTC choir. We sang "Jesus, Once of Humble Birth." Then we heard a message from President James B. Martino of the Seventy. Afterwards, I saw one of my good friends from my first EFY group. His name was Elder Checketts. I haven't seen him since the Temple Open House for The Kansas City Temple back in 2012. We talked for like 15 minutes, catching back up. He is going to Santa Rosa California, that's where Emily is serving right now. I told him to try and meet up with her. 

Wednesday, I was a Host Missionary for the New Elders and Hermanas that entered the Mission Training Center on that day. I helped three Elders get situated in their rooms. I love being able to help people! 

My District is trying to get a musical number together for this Sunday, because this is our last normal Sunday in the MTC. We have an Arrangement of "I Stand All Amazed". It sounds awesome right now.

Mom sent me a watch, and I really needed it because the one that I had broke the day I got into the MTC. I also got a new set of scriptures and the goods, because Elders deserve the best!

My time here at the MTC is coming to a close, and this time in 2 weeks, I will be proselyting in the Actual Mission field. I don't know if I have my VISA or not, but wherever I go, I know the Lord will guide me and protect me. I'll probably get sent to Boise or something dumb. I've been praying to be sent to Santa Rosa so I can see Emily one more time. But I know the Lord will make things work.

I love you family. Don't have to much fun without me

Elder Jonathan Tracy

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