WEEK 51: WATER FIGHTS, FIRE, AND PERFECT PARKING

Hey everyone. 

This is Elder Tracy with the weekly update from Misón Santa Puej, or Santa Cruz.

We have a baptism for this week. Daniel Chacon has his interview with President Willard, and he will be baptized in this next week. He is reading the Book of Mormon everyday. When he isn't working, he reads. He is up to like Mosiah right now. He is going faster than I am right now.

We have been teaching our Pensionista. Her name is Ana de Viaña. Her husband is a less active member. We invited her to be baptized in a lesson we had.  And she said that she wants someone she knows to baptize her.  That's when her Husband, Andy, stands up and says "I am going to baptize her". That lesson was the most powerful that I have had in my whole mission. I know that The Lord smiles on every single one of his missionaries!

And we threw water on our members that don't read their Books of Mormon. We filled buckets up with Water. and they were soaked. It was pretty fun!!!

Scripture of the Week. 

Alma 12:31-33

Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good --

There fore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, 

according to the supreme goodness of God. 

But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying:  If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son.

1. Giant Fire

2. This is perfect Parking. It is amazing.

3. Perfect Parking again.

4. Throwing Water on Carlos, Paula, and Mosiah.

5. Me about a Month ago

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

   Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

               2014-2016

WEEK 50: TIES, RESCUES and COMPANIONSHIP EXCHANGES

Hey everyone! 

This is Elder Tracy here with the everything that's new here in Tarija, Bolivia. Everything is going great.  We are just now
getting out of Winter, and we are going to be getting into the Spring Time where the flowers, and birds, and EVERYTHING will be beautiful!!

We went on companionship exchanges Tuesday with Elder Rojas, and Elder that was in my First Zone, Zona Plan 3000. We went to his area which is called Tabladita.  I got to go back to the Familia Chipana, they are the BEST Cooks I have met in Bolivia.  We talked about how their ward is,
and how they are doing.  And they made us HOME MADE ICE CREAM.  It was the Celestial Kingdom in every spoonful. mmmmhhhmmm.

We went around with Elder Rojas, and we talked to a lot of people, and I relax cats now by popping their necks.  It is interesting.  We finished up with the Transfer and went to talk to Daniel.  He asked us some penetrating questions about Why the Missionaries before never talked to him.  He says he wants to serve a Mission. But he is 23 years old, and he says that it is going to be hard for him to leave.  But I
know that he is going to try to get out there.  He is the coolest guy ever.

We have been our having our Ward Conference activities this last week.  On Monday there was a Family Home Evening. Tuesday was Dessert Night, Wednesday Family Night, Thursday was Sports Night, and Friday was a Talent Show!!! We have been having a lot of fun. And the Ward has
been inviting a lot of people. We haven't seen any progress yet, but we will see!

And Elder Wilson, my white friend, gave me a cool Llama Tie from Lima, Peru. So that was top of my Week.


Scripture of the Week:
Alma 5:45-48


And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself.  And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.

I say unto you, that I know of myself that whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come, is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.

Here are the Descriptions for the Pictures:

1. Elder Rojas and I with the Celestial Ice Cream

2. Alvaro and Marlene Chipana, the Pensionistas for the Tabladita Ward

3.View from the Area of Elder Rojas, Barrio Alto Senac

4. Elder Rojas

5. Half of the Sick Llama Tie

6. Llama Tie






















ELDER JONATHAN TRACY

WEEK 49: DOG, DOGS, AND MORE DOGS!

Hey everyone, this is Elder Tracy, and here is my weekly update from Bolivia!

I'm sorry if I'm not sending many pictures, I haven't been taking my camera out proselyting because I keep on forgetting it, but I got some sweet shots from this last week.

We have an investigator named Daniel Chacón who is going to be baptized this week.  He has truly shown us that he is willing to "follow the example of Jesus Christ", throughout the 2 months that I have met him.   He has truly changed his life, and I am so happy for him and everything he does.

We have been visiting some less active members for the last couple of days.  Like Alex Condorcet, who will be rescued this week, but the thing I didn't really think about is that I live on the top of a mountain.  Sometimes we go out finding, and I accidentally go to the edge of the Cliff where it drops off into a Canyon.  It's pretty cool, but kind of dangerous when you think we about.

And we were almost mauled by dogs two days ago.  Our area doesn't have any light posts in it.  So we are out walking on the mountain road, and I hear branches snapping.  I ask my companion if he hears what I hear.  And we both look at each other and pick up rocks.  Then out of no where come
like EIGHT dogs.  And not like little dogs...  We were up against TWO pit bulls, TWO dobermans, and a Golden Retriever, and a German Shepherd.  Sooo  . . . . we do
the first thing we can think of.   I start throwing rocks, my companion uses his bag to hit them, and by the Grace of God we weren't bitten.  

It made me think a lot about sin.   About how Satan tries to swarm you all at once.  But if you have protection from sin (the scriptures, prayer, church attendance) we will get out without a mark on us.  So that was my experience for this week.

Scripture of the Week. 
Omni 1:26


And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

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

WEEK 48: TRANSFERS, AUGUST 6th, 2015

Hey everyone! 

How is the Good old USA? Bolivia is amazing! 

I love it so much here, just how the time goes by so fast makes me sad. I'm an ancient missionary now. So I am starting to get down to the business when I have to get to work. The prayers and everything you are doing for me are really helping. I'm so very happy for everything. You all have my love and my prayers.  This week was SUPER fast!

We celebrated Bolivian Fourth of July on the 6th of August. We went to a church activity where everyone danced the regional dances for every Department (State) from Bolivia, we didn't watch, but we talked to like 1000 non members that just showed up at the activity. Then we went to go visit the people here.

We had like three investigators that came to church, two of which are in the Mission.  I'm praying a lot to get them to progress. And I know the Lord will help us all.

Scripture of the Week: 

Alma 5:57-59

And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd,  come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold, their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked shall not be 
numbered among the names of the righteous, that the word of God may be fulfilled, which  saith: The names of the wicked shall not be mingled with the names of my people;

For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this? I  say unto you,if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of God must be fulfilled.

For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock‍ doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.


Something that I have learned about the Devil in my studies and in the Mission is that he can only tempt us when WE LET HIM , after that, he can't do anything to us. And if we let God control us, we are only THAT MUCH STRONGER!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK. AND BE STRONG MY FRIENDS!


1. Elder Posada ( he has 4 and a half months)

2. Elder Wilson ( he has like 3 months in the Mission)

3. Me on the Pit of death

Elder Jonathan Thomas Tracy

   Misión Santa Cruz Bolivia

              2014-2016

WEEK 47: WEEK OF BORING, T-SHIRTS AND BULLS

Hey guys, this is Elder Tracy with the latest update from the

Heart of South America, Bolivia.

My companion and I designed some cool T-Shirts this week. Our investigator made them for us!!

We have been visiting people like crazy people.  The only bad thing is that the Sister Missionaries are invading our area. And they are getting mad at us because we are visiting two people in their area (which the Bishop told us to visit).  Then we went to a neighborhood called Turrumayo.

This is Turrumayo.  It is like 2 hours walking to get there or 15 minutes in car.

And we saw a Bull puncture a car with its horns.  It
was the scariest thing ever.  But it was freaking sick.

I also met the Bolivian equivalent of my Father here in Bolivia.  His name is Eugenio Lazo, he is 60 years old, has a son in the mission, and acts just like my Dad.  It is funny and cool at the same time.

Eugenio Lazo

But that was my week, and I will be sending more cool pictures!

Scripture of the Week: 
Alma 26:29-31

And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with
strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.  And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.  Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few?  I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.


Elder Jonathan Tracy

EMAIL ME PLEASE.  I MISS YOU PEOPLE!!