10/13/14 -- WEEK SIX IN BOLIVIA: MACHETES, MONKEYS, AND DOODADS

OCTOBER 13, 2014

WEEK SIX IN BOLIVIA:  

MACHETES, MONKEYS and DOODADS

Jonathan in his apartment in Santa Cruz, Bolivia -- 10/12/14

This week was interesting to say the least. We had two days of service where I used a machete to cut grass.  I felt like a pirate,  lol.   Then Elder Gutierrez and I jumped and grabbed coconuts from a tree and used our machetes to cut them open and drank the juice inside of it.  Pretty "chevre" (cool) if I do say so myself!

First Counselor in Bishopric's Pet Monkey

The second day, we went to our First Counselor in the Bishopric's house.  He has a pet monkey.  Needless to say, multiple pictures were taken. 

The First Monkey Jonathan has fed.

I gave the monkey a cup of pop to drink.  Probably the coolest thing I have done in my life so far.

We taught over 22 lessons this week, and we walked A LOT this week.  

For all you Elders and Hermanas with Cars.......Luuuuuuuuuuucccccckkkkkkyyyy. I´m getting big muscles. Exercise everyday will do that to ya.  

Right now, Elder Gutierrez and I are teaching a man named Israel Calderon. I believe he is one of those prepared by ´´the Lord of the Vineyard."  Right now, he has a baptismal date, and a Libro de Mormon.  How exciting!

Yesterday was Elections for the new Bolivian President.  The encumbent, Evo, has been President for over 16 years, and he is a Socialist.  He won the Election last night.  There is a chance he could go full Communist.  So we are going to have to wait and see.  During the Elections, the Gringos (ME, Elder Fruehan & Beals) could not leave the house until 6 pm.  So Elder Fruehan, Elder Beals and I partied in the house for a while.  How neat!

Jonathan's Companion -- Elder Guiterrez

Scripture for the Week: 
Helaman 10: 4-5

You can change Nephi´s name for your name when reading this scripture. 

"Blessed art thou, Nephi (Jonathan) for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people.  And thou has not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.

And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearyingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in works; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.

We can be as strong as Nephi and Lehi.  When we center our lives in the Gospel, we can and will be blessed.  Even be blessed forever.

Elder Jonathan Tracy

Message from Hermana Emily Tracy which Jonathan is carrying with him daily.

Jeremiah 29:13 

And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with ALL your heart!