Monday, February 22, 2016

WEEK 75:ELECTIONS AND CONFIVAC

Well Friends and Family.

We just had a slow week. We had two brethren that have been going with us to do visits. But that's about it. And we have some fun pictures here.
Maria Pedraza is going to be baptized this week.  She asked me to baptize her. So we are going to make sure that everything goes well. I am happy that another daughter of God is going to recieve the remission of her sins.  And the fact that I have the chance to use my priesthood again.
My companion and I are taking some time to get to know the area.  We are becoming walking maps to anyone that sees us.  If anyone has a question in the street: Talk to The Missionaries.  Are you lost: Missionaries. It is perfect!


Scripture of the Week: 
Mormon 7:7

And he hath brought to pass the redemption of the world, whereby he that is found guiltless before him at the judgment day hath it given unto him to dwell in the presence of God in his kingdom, to sing ceaseless praises with the choirs above, unto the Father, and unto the Son, and unto the Holy Ghost, which are one God, in a state of happiness which hath no end. 



1. Taking the Bolivian Backroad!





2. Elder Gil and I 





3. Elder Gil in the Rich part of our area






4. Studying today




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

Monday, February 15, 2016

WEEK 74:BIRTHDAY FUN AND CARNIVAL

Well Family. These past two weeks have been a real blessing. We were stuck in the house for over three days because of the Bolivian/Brazilian Tradition of Carnaval. 

So we were stuck in the house for like three days. From Sunday to Wednesday it was full study time. The Book of Mormon is the BEST pass time in the whole world!
We have been having a lot of success here in the ward. The Lord blessed me for my birthday yesterday with TWELVE INVESTIGATORS at Sacrament meeting. The Hurtado Family (4 people), The Eguez Family( 3 peopl), Maria Pedraza, Adrinna Rivero, Ariel Montero, Julio Vaca and Isaura Aguirre.  It was the most spiritual meeting in the whole church.  And it helps that I "play" the piano to make sure that the Hymns are sung well!

We had a training meeting with all the Ward Council.  And I trained them on using the 12 Steps to the Temple Program.  I felt the Spirit and My Companion and I trained and inspired the members to want to get the work done. Then they brought me a cake, and my companion "baptized" my head into it.  The Pictures will show you!




Scripture of the Week:
Moroni 10: 7-8

And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the gifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God.  And there are different ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh all in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the Spirit of God unto men, to profit them.





1. Companion Shenanigans. Teeter totter style





2. Being "baptized" its a thing that for a persons birthday. The get a face full of cake. They tell you to bite the cake, and when you bite it. They get ya






3. Present from some members!





4. Second Baptism in Ward Counsel





5. Happy Burthday to me!






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

Monday, February 1, 2016

WEEK 73:SIX MONTHS . . . FOR THE FIRST TIME!! :)

Welp!

We have finally made it to six months in one area.  La Cañada is officially my favorite area in the whole mission!  My new companion, Elder Gil, from Argentina and I are ready to  "hit the pavement" and get to work.  My last companion, Elder Peña went to the Offices as a Secretary and now I'm the District Leader of the Sister Missionaries!

We have had four people come to church and we taught fourteen lessons with members present!  I hope we can keep doing this!
We have been teaching the Familias Eguez, Pedraza, and Gil so that they can be rescued or baptized.  And we also said good bye to Jorge Claros and we took some funny pictures there!



Scripture of the Week: 
1 John 4: 11-21

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

No man hath seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.  

And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him.

Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment:  because as he is, so are we in this world.  
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.  He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We love him, because he first loved us.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar:  for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

And this commandment have we from him, that he who I loveth God love his brother also..



Pictures:

1. Family Home Evening with the Familia Dantas





2. The Elders with Maria Pedraza and Alejandro Salvatierra



3.The Elders with the Familia Eguez



4. The Elders with Angel and Yenny, with their daughter Lundy!



5. We are "building" the Kingdom with Jorge Claros



6. Elder Gil and I today




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