Monday, July 27, 2015

WEEK 46: BAPTIZING COPS, DOGS THAT SIT IN CHAIRS, AND PLAYING WITH DOGS

How is everyone doing this fine day? 

I'm doing just great here in Tarija, Bolivia.


This week was the best week in my entire mission.  It culminated in the Baptism of Carlos Fernando Pizzani Ruiz, who is probably my best friend here in Bolivia now. 

 Carlos Fernando Pizzani Ruiz and Elder Tracy





He gave up smoking, tobacco, alcohol, and a whole other mess of things to be baptized.  He truly is an example to me how the Faith that one obtains as he learns is amazing.  And to see that someone can give it up Cold Turkey just makes my faith stronger.  He is truly a convert of Christ.

Later that day, we went to Visit the Family Salvatierra (SaveEarth), and we talked to them about the Missionary Work in their neighborhood, Barrio Catedral.  We went to go sit at their table to eat something really quick, and a Dog jumps up and steals my seat.  So to keep it short, I laugh and take a picture and everything is all good.


And those were the highlights of my week.

And we bought a GIANT PIZZA TO CELEBRATE ON MONDAY.









Scripture of the Week: 
Jacob 5:72 
(Book of Mormon)

And it came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord of the vineyard labored also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard in all things.
-- 
Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy
  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia
              2014-2016

Monday, July 20, 2015

NO ENTENDER ESPANOL (Don't Understand Spanish)

Hey everyone!

This week was a super fast week.  The time is going SUPER
fast.   It feels like yesterday I was getting into the mission. But it has already been ONE year.



This last Monday, we went to buy some stuff at the store, and my companion had forgot that he was boiling eggs to eat in the morning. So we went and did everything we needed to do.  And as we are buying things, he looks at me with a face of pure horror and says "Elder......los huevos" or "Elder.....the eggs"!   And I'm like" Oh Freak" so we bought everything and we get home and the eggs are burning.  I took a picture
for those who want to see it.




Carlos Pizzani, our cop investigator, is going to be baptized this next Sunday.  I am going to baptize him.  So that is going to be fun.  He has been learning SO MUCH.  He actually stopped smoking to be baptized.  (He had been smoking for 13 years, since he was 10) and he is the best.  Seriously!

Scripture of the Week: 

Alma 5:38

Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.


-- 
Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy
  Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia
              2014-2016




Monday, July 13, 2015

WEEK 44: WOOOOOAHHH! WE ARE HALFWAY THERE!!

Dear Everyone!

This week was full of trials, sickness, and many other things. But the biggest miracle I have seen in my mission.  And I hit my year mark!  In ONE year I finish the mission. Which is crazy because it is going by sooooooooooooo fast.  I don't want it to end :(



I was sick this week.  I had another stomach infection, but this time, I wasn't sent to the hospital.  They gave me two pills, and I went straight back to work.  I couldn't eat anything super solid. So I lived off of Oreo's and Yogurt for like 3 days.  So that was a fun week!  Right?
Daniel Chacon, our golden investigator went on vacation, and he is going to come back in two weeks. So we are putting him off to the side, and we are focusing everything on Carlos Pizzani.  Oh my goodness! this man is amazing.  He tells us that he is going to be sealed in the Temple with his girlfriend, who is a member.  And he is just waiting until he will be baptized.  He truly was prepared by God to meet me.
My companion and I are going well.  We don't fight too much, but we do "debate" at times.  But we always end everything with a Hymn and its all good.  I think it is because we both were District Leaders and we have our way of doing things.  But I am trying to be more like Christ, and I know that Christ always obeyed.  So whenever we do "debate", I almost always support my companion. It just make everything easier.

Scripture of the Week: 
Moroni 7:27-29

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven, and hath sat down on the right hand of God, to claim of the Father his rights of mercy which he hath upon the children of men?  For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will cleave unto every good thing; wherefore he advocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.  And because he hath done this, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased?  Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither have angels ceased to minister unto the children of men.

Have a good week everyone
 
Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy
Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia
2014-2016

Monday, July 6, 2015

WEEK 43: NEW COMPANIONS, CROSSING THE VALLEY OF DOOM AND SWEATERS

This week was interesting.  

We had a lot of fun here in the Zona Guadalquivir. We had a lot of changes to the Zone.  I'm not District Leader anymore.  But my new companion is.  His name is Elder Rosales, he is from Peru, and he is one of the funniest guys I have ever met.  He also does this weird type of martial arts called Capoeira, which is a type of Brazilian Dancing with a lot of Kicks and Jumps.  So while I'm doing my exercise in the morning, he is jumping around like a crazy man.

So I said goodbye to Elder Navarro, and he gave me a sweet cardigan sweater.  I rock it everyday.  It is getting so cold here.  We woke up one day, and it was below 0 degrees Celsius.  He left on Monday.  He is now in the Yacuiba Branch. 

Elder Rosales and I have been having a lot of fun together. We crossed a big canyon that we now call "La Valle de los Muertes" or The Valley of the Dead.  So we take this new mountain road every day, which is exciting for missionaries.

We celebrated Fourth of July with our investigator, Carlos Pizzani.  He is a cop, so he bought a big fire cracker that we shot off.  It was going strong for like one minute straight of nothing but explosions. So I felt American that day!

This week was really rewarding, just seeing all the new miracles, and the new experiences that I am going to have.

Scripture of the Week: 
Alma 37:33-35

Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.

O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

Have a great week everyone.
Elder Tracy -- Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission



1.  Elder Rosales with Fireworks for the 4th of July, which is       the Foundation of Tarija, and Independence Day in The USA






2. Saying Goodbye to Elder Navarro


3 and 4: The Valley of Doom





5. Carlos Pizzani, the Cop




6. Elder Rosales and I today!