Monday, December 28, 2015

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.

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

Monday, December 21, 2015

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


Tuesday, December 15, 2015

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

Monday, December 7, 2015

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