WEEK 68: AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH, AIN"T VALLEY LOW

Well my friends, this week was a milestone in my mission for three reasons.

I ate half a chicken.   Then we went and Called our Families for Christmas. That was really eventful for me because it was my 2nd and last Christmas of the Mission. 

 I was able to see my new Nephew (William Beckham) for the "first" time and I talked to my sister Betsy`s husband for the second time in my whole life.  Then I talked with my parents and we had a good chat.  Then we went and did some caroling with my companion to all of the investigators that we had.  So that was fun and I kept with my tradition of caroling every Christmas eve :D

We have been trying to keep the District moving well.  I'm happy to say that we have a lot of prospective baptisms and rescues in January.  So we are going to be working super hard and getting everything done here.  I'm very proud of everything that we have done here in the Year of 2015.  We baptized over 1550 as a mission this year.  And I know that 2016 has a lot more miracles for us to see and find out about.

Scripture of the Week: 

Helaman 14:8

And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall believe on the Son of God, the same shall have everlasting life.

1. Half Chicken Goodness

2. Selfie with my Banquet

3. Christmas Day at the Less Actives House.

4. The Sky is beautiful in Bolivia

5. My Area

--

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

              2014-2016

WEEK 67: LEADERSHIP ASSIGNMENTS, NEW FRIENDS, CHRISTMAS SHENANIGANS

Dear Friends and Family.

TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY FALALALALA LALALALA

I'm so happy.  Christmas #2 in Bolivia, and now I'm ready and willing to do what all Bolivians do. Like: Eat 2 tons of Fruitcake :( and Shoot fireworks lolol.

This week has been humbling.  We got new assignments, and I have been given the assignment of District Leader again.  I'm more prepared for this time and I'm ready to make things work here in La Cañada.  Elder Peña and I are going to be together for the Christmas time and I know that we are going to make Christmas a blast for everyone.

We did a special musical number in the Christmas conference.  We had a member let me borrow a Trumpet and we played some Christmas songs for the people, but it was like the "Backup" Trumpet that we had in the High School held together by tape and with the valves that are destroyed.  So I did the best I could for not having played in a year and a half and fought my way through to be able to play the Songs.  Then our Zone sang "How Could the Father Show the World"  And I had a mini solo because in Bolivia no one sings right.  But whatever!

Zone Picture for the Christmas COnference. I'm on the Far left.

We have been working a lot here to get some people ready for baptism.  But, we have one grandma and her grandson that are working towards a baptismal date.  They are Maria and Alejandro. So we will be working to get them ready for the 12th of January 2016.

 Scripture of the Week:
 2 Nephi 19:6

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Have a Merry Christmas, and I hope my family carols you in 3 days :D

1. Human Flagpole

2. They made me Thor in our Lunch one day

3. Giant Train Tracks

4. Elder Castro ( My companion from Bermejo) and I after the Christmas Conference and Program

5. Christmas Card

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

             2014-2016

WEEK 66: LAST WEEK BEFORE TRANSFERS. I FORGOT TO BRING CAMERA DURING THE WEEK :(

Well everyone.

This week was fun.  We have been seeing a lot more success in the area now that we have been putting ourselves in gear.  We have two Families that are progressing very well.  The Family is the Eguez Rivera Family.  They have a baptismal date for the 9th of January.  So we are pushing at getting them ready for that date.  Ronald, the Dad, says that he wants to know EVERYTHING about the Gospel to be baptized.  But God has commanded us to walk in Faith.  So we will be having a lot of fun times with them!

And Elder Peña and I have been having a lot of fun trying to get people to talk to us.  My favorite thing here in my area is all of the odd people you see everyday.  Like I have seen drunk people, drugged people, just like anything that you can imagine, I have experienced it.

I have the Christmas Conference this week.  I will be doing a special Musical Number with some Elders from my Zone to perform for the Members and Missionaries that come to watch.  I am so excited for this time which I have to represent my Savior during December. 

Remember the New Church video, " A Savior is Born" !!!!

Scripture of the Week: 
Mosiah 13:30

Therefore there was a law given them, yea, a law of performances and of ordinances, a law which they were to observe strictly from day to day, to keep them in remembrance of God and their duty towards him.

1. Kitten Selfie

2. Zone Soccer (Zona La Villa)

3. Zone Meeting

4. My area at Night

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

   Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

               2014-2016

WEEK 65: PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH!

This week was interesting. 

We have been having people coming to Church.  We have had two families coming to church.  And I'm super excited because Ivone, the Mom of one family, told us that God answered her prayers and that she knows the Church is true. I'M SO EXCITED.

We have been having success with Talking to Members to strengthen their relationship with God.  I'm so thankful for all the members that I have met while I have been here.

We have been meeting with our Bishop to work with Him.  He is our friend and he actually came to do visits with us.  I'm very excited to see how the Work Progresses :D

Scripture of the Week: 
Helaman 14: 3-4

And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

Have a good time EVERYONE. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

1. Family Home Evening with Angel and Yenny

2. Elder Condori, Hoffman, and Romero on their Birthday!

3. Christmas Advent Calendar

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

            2014-2016

WEEK 64: IT IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Dear Family and Friends. 

I hope you were not trampled on Black Friday.

This week was a rewarding week. Teaching people and finding out that people have been reading their Book of Mormon and have been praying is literally the Most Satisfying thing ever!!

I'm so happy for having come to this Area.  It started out as the Problem area.  But now, it is the Area of Miracles.

My companion and I talked to this kid on the Street Tuesday named Daniel.  We were told that we would go by his house on Sunday.  And he said sure, and we came by on Sunday.  He was waiting for us.  And he accepted baptism, but he said he would be baptized with his whole family.  So I am going to be follwing up on this kid so that he is baptized!

And. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETSY TRACY CONLIN MY SISTER! 

I LOVE YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH

Scripture of the Week: 
3 Nephi 5:13-14

Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

And it hath become expedient that I, according to the will of God, that the prayers of those who have gone hence, who were the holy ones, should be fulfilled according to their faith, should make a record of these things which have been done.

1. Activity: Elder Hoffman

2. Elder Gomez and Condori

3: ESPINAS (Thorns)

4. My picture today :D

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

              2014-2016

WEEK 63: MY CAMERA HAD A VIRUS, BUT I FIXED IT! :D

Dear Friends and Family:

This week was a week of MIRACLES.

We had a great week of finding and teaching.  We found 19 new people to teach this week. That is the most people that I have ever found in my whole life in the Mission. One of these Families is called the Ñandauka Family. They asked us some pretty crazy questions in the first lesson, but I have never felt the Spirit as strong in my whole life like when we where in that lesson.  I am so happy that the Lord has trusted us with so many souls.

I have been working on memorizing Moroni 10:32 in Spanish. It is so cool to see the word "Perfect Yourselves" in Spanish. the word is "Perfeccionaos" so I hope that we can all perfect ourselves this week. 

I AM GOING TO BE BAPTIZING THE WHOLE WORLD IF IT IS POSSIBLE!

Scripture of the Week: 
Moroni 10:32

Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

 Elder Tracy and Brimhall Super Selfies from TODAY :D

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

              2014-2016

WEEK 62: WEEKS OF HEAT

It is getting to hot here in my area.  We are running a solid 95 degrees with 60 percent humidity, but we just keep playing and keep going.

We did companionship transfers for a day.  So I was a trainer of Elder Brimhall, a new Elder who is super cool.  We went around working with him in my area.  Afterwards, in the week.  We have been trying to find new families to teach. And we have been finding. Its super exciting seeing how the gospel blesses everyone it touches.  I'm so happy to be a missionary in this time.  This is the best part of my life.

Scripture of the Week: 

2 Corinthians 12:9

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1. Elder Brimhall

2. Family Home Evening

3. My Picture

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

              2014-2016

WEEK 61: NEW COMPANIONS

Dear Family and Friends:

We had a GREAT Week this week. 

I got a new companion.  His name is Elder Peña, he is from Lima, Peru.   

We are doing miracles here in this area.  He is supporting me a lot in everything that I do.  I sent Elder Mendoza to Bermejo, where he will begin to burn up as the sun gets hot.  We have been finding a lot of new investigators.  And we had four investigators show up to church alone.  MIRACLES ARE REAL!  We had Dario Ferrufino, Rosemary and Ishmael and Arturo in Sacrament meeting.  And we have been getting a lot of lessons in.  The ward is starting to support us and I can see how the Lord has blessed me. 

 

We are learning quechua here also. It is a native Bolivian language. So let's see how that goes!

Scripture of the Week: 

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded thee? Be Strong and of a good courage, be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee, whithersoever thou goest.

Have a great week everyone!

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

             2014-2016

WEEK 60: ZONE ACTIVITY, PONDERIZING, AND GOOD FOOD

Dear Friends, 

I hope that everything is well wherever you are.  I hope that everything is going good and that you all got a butt load of candy two days ago.  Lol.

This week was a week of rain and a lot of contacting.  We have been trying to get those new investigators to start progressing.  Every missionary knows the feeling of finding new people to teach.  And every Missionary knows what it feels like to be rejected.  But we just need to keep the shoulder to wheel.  But the work of the Lord will not be frustrated.

We have been doing a lot of service too. We moved a brother (Panfilo Choque) from his house in my ward to El Plan 3000 in El Quior.  I passed by my old area and reminded myself of being a new guy.

Then we took some pictures in the La Villa Zone and in my district.  The Pictures and descriptions are going to be with Mom. :D

This was my zone activity last week.  Soccer/Football

(A message from Jonathan to his father today)

Dear Dad:

I have been reading a lot about the Book of Mormon, and the Church Organization.  It's interesting that before the Church was founded, there was no Church on the face of the Earth that was called "The Church of Jesus Christ".  It makes me wonder how Satan can blind people so much that they can't even put the Savior's name on an organization that professes to follow him. We have been reading a lot about the light of Christ. I like this scripture that I found in 2 Corinthians 4:6.

I love you dad have fun this Week. 

Jon

Scripture of the Week: 

2 Corinthians 4:6

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shines in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Here are my photos from this week.

1. We helped move Panfilo Choque (a brother from our ward) move from La Villa to El Quior. That took like 45 minutes to get there and then 45 minutes to get back.

2. On the Road Moving

3. Zona La Villa

4. My District

5. The Marin Calle Family 

Have a great week!

-- 

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

   Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

               2014-2016