Hola Familia,
I will be sure to tell Elder SanJuan a happy birthday. Today is his birthday and we have a few plans. I made sure to tell a lot of members that today is his birthday so that he wouldn't feel bad. He only has a few weeks in the mission and it is already his birthday. I don't want him to get depressed.
I guess I should feel honored to be able to train again, but I do hope that this is the last time I train. It is a lot of responsibility and the last few months of my mission I want to be focused on teaching. SanJuan also loves to talk a ton but not always about the Gospel. Lots of times he starts talking about politics. The thing is though is that he doesn't know anything about Peruvian Politics. I know more about Peruvian Politics. We get along alright though. We were talking about music the other day and I found out he likes country music. He is the first latino that I have met that likes country music. It is kind of cool.
I am glad that Mom did well on her talk. I have some more ''Don't worry Mom'' stories but I will share them some other time.
This week was rough on getting investigators to church. We did not have one investigator in church. We had a ton of people promise us that they would come to church. I called them or went to pick them up on Sunday. One family that I called told me they were going to come but then they never showed up. Another had just shown up drunk at his house. Another one got sick and just things like that kept people from coming. I am kind of getting frustrated with this area because I have never had so much trouble getting people to come to church. I don't know what to do but I will figure something out.
I would love to see snow again. It is starting to get hotter here but my house is staying cold which is perfect. I can't believe that Christmas is almost here and that Thanksgiving has already come and gone. Before I know it I will be at home. President told us that is when changes are. I will be at home on June 21.
Oh, also this week in my ward we had a talent show. It was pretty fun. There were a lot of cultural dances and other fun talents. I did have five investigators show up to that activity. It was fun and all my investigators got to know a lot of members.
Sorry that this weeks email was kind of boring.
Love you lots,
Elder Isaacson
PS. I get all of Harrison's emails. I have heard about all of his crazy experiences.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Elder Isaacson Tiene 20 Años!
Hola Familia,
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. The people here took really good care of me. On Saturday, we went and helped the zone leaders move to a new house. Afterwards, they attacked me with eggs. The smashed three eggs on my head. I wasn't expecting it at all. On Tuesday we ate a cake as a zone to celebrate. Then on Sunday, a ton of people wished me a happy birthday. I don't know how they all found out. After I went and ate the most delicious cake with a recent convert. It was a Sublime flavored cake. After at night, a member invited us out and we ate cake. I feel super old now that I'm 20 years old. It feels really weird.
As for the news you have all been waiting for, I got a new companion, and guess what, I am training again... This is the third time I will have trained a new missionary. To be honest, I am kind of tired of training. I would like to have a companion with some experience so we could focus on the people and make the ward El Progreso, progress. My companion is Elder Sanjuan from Columbia but has lived in Ecuador since 2009. He is 18 but his birthday is November 30. This transfer I will have my birthday, my comps birthday, and Christmas. It will be super fun. Elder Sanjuan is cool but he talks a ton. He loves to talk about himself and he talks about a lot of random stuff in the lessons. I will have to dedicate a lot of time to studying and practicing with him because he doesn't know that much. It will be a little difficult but I will make it work.
This week got a little better with investigators. We had 5 investigators in church. 3 of them are basically eternal investigators. But Demy, Nikol's sister came to church this week. This was the first time she came to church. She is 12 but looks older. I am going to try and baptize her with her sister in January. Also, a members son came to church this week that is not a member. His name is Carlos. We are going to look for him and visit with him. Hopefully everything works out and he can get baptized.
I also got some great references this week. One was to a less active woman but she is traveling. We met her daughter who is 35 years old. She is a single mom with 3 kids. one who is 14, 12 and 7. They are all really cool and I can see them getting baptized in December. We also got a reference to a family that wants to learn more. They also could be baptized in December but they need to get married. They are really poor and it could be difficult for them to pay the fees to get baptized. We will just have to make them realize that baptism is neccisary and that they will need to get married to get baptized. If they know this they will be willing to make some sacrifices in their live.
That is how my week went. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
PS President just told all the missionaries that there will be one transfer of 7 weeks. That means that instead of going home on June 14 like I thought it will be June 21. Don't get too trunky Mom.
PSS I don't know what you should tell the ward. I just would tell them that I have learned so much on the mission. The experiences are priceless. I have learned from good and bad moments. The spirit is so important and that even in the worst trials of their lives they are never really alone. They will recieve strength and blessings after and during the trial.
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. The people here took really good care of me. On Saturday, we went and helped the zone leaders move to a new house. Afterwards, they attacked me with eggs. The smashed three eggs on my head. I wasn't expecting it at all. On Tuesday we ate a cake as a zone to celebrate. Then on Sunday, a ton of people wished me a happy birthday. I don't know how they all found out. After I went and ate the most delicious cake with a recent convert. It was a Sublime flavored cake. After at night, a member invited us out and we ate cake. I feel super old now that I'm 20 years old. It feels really weird.
As for the news you have all been waiting for, I got a new companion, and guess what, I am training again... This is the third time I will have trained a new missionary. To be honest, I am kind of tired of training. I would like to have a companion with some experience so we could focus on the people and make the ward El Progreso, progress. My companion is Elder Sanjuan from Columbia but has lived in Ecuador since 2009. He is 18 but his birthday is November 30. This transfer I will have my birthday, my comps birthday, and Christmas. It will be super fun. Elder Sanjuan is cool but he talks a ton. He loves to talk about himself and he talks about a lot of random stuff in the lessons. I will have to dedicate a lot of time to studying and practicing with him because he doesn't know that much. It will be a little difficult but I will make it work.
This week got a little better with investigators. We had 5 investigators in church. 3 of them are basically eternal investigators. But Demy, Nikol's sister came to church this week. This was the first time she came to church. She is 12 but looks older. I am going to try and baptize her with her sister in January. Also, a members son came to church this week that is not a member. His name is Carlos. We are going to look for him and visit with him. Hopefully everything works out and he can get baptized.
I also got some great references this week. One was to a less active woman but she is traveling. We met her daughter who is 35 years old. She is a single mom with 3 kids. one who is 14, 12 and 7. They are all really cool and I can see them getting baptized in December. We also got a reference to a family that wants to learn more. They also could be baptized in December but they need to get married. They are really poor and it could be difficult for them to pay the fees to get baptized. We will just have to make them realize that baptism is neccisary and that they will need to get married to get baptized. If they know this they will be willing to make some sacrifices in their live.
That is how my week went. Thanks again for all the birthday wishes.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
PS President just told all the missionaries that there will be one transfer of 7 weeks. That means that instead of going home on June 14 like I thought it will be June 21. Don't get too trunky Mom.
PSS I don't know what you should tell the ward. I just would tell them that I have learned so much on the mission. The experiences are priceless. I have learned from good and bad moments. The spirit is so important and that even in the worst trials of their lives they are never really alone. They will recieve strength and blessings after and during the trial.
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
November 16, 2015
Hola Familia,
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It is still a little early though. I think for my birthday a few members are going to invite me over to eat and have cake. I haven't told a lot of people but a few people know about it. I haven't got my birhday package yet but I am sure it is just waiting to get sent out from the mission offices.
Elder Lopez went to the airport and flew off to Provo last night. I went and worked with a member at night and stayed with my DL and his comp at night. I will be with a member all day today and I will get my new comp Tuesday morning. I am really excited for a new companion. I hope he is cool . I am relieved and sort of happy that Elder Lopez is gone. He never really wanted to listen to me or be obedient.
This area is not treating me too well. We had two investigators in church but they were the same two as always. Nikol came and so did another lady who wants to get baptized but has to get married. She has plans to get married in February and then she will get baptized. I committed a ton of people to come to church this week and they all accepted and said they would come. In the end no one showed up or they weren't home when we went to pick them up. I was with my ZL on Saturday and we taught some great lessons to get people to come to church but they just won't come. I keep finding new investigators but I feel like I find them just to leave them in two weeks. It is kind of frustrating but hopefully everything will get better.
We had to leave one of our best investigators this week. Her name is Lucero and she is 16. She was a reference from one of her friends. Her friend had given her a book of mormon and Lucero had read almost 200 pages. She loves reading it and wants to get baptized and we had only taught her twice. I went to go visit with her with my ZL and she came out and told us that we can't visit with her because her parents don't want her to. Her parents are die hard Catholics and think her listening to us will seperate their family. Some people just don't understand.
I am sure this week will be a lot better.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
P.S. Something that would be fun to give out to people are the colorful elastic band CTR rings. That is the special thing I want in a Christmas package. I also want to buy a suit for a Christmas gift. Just some ideas...
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. It is still a little early though. I think for my birthday a few members are going to invite me over to eat and have cake. I haven't told a lot of people but a few people know about it. I haven't got my birhday package yet but I am sure it is just waiting to get sent out from the mission offices.
Elder Lopez went to the airport and flew off to Provo last night. I went and worked with a member at night and stayed with my DL and his comp at night. I will be with a member all day today and I will get my new comp Tuesday morning. I am really excited for a new companion. I hope he is cool . I am relieved and sort of happy that Elder Lopez is gone. He never really wanted to listen to me or be obedient.
This area is not treating me too well. We had two investigators in church but they were the same two as always. Nikol came and so did another lady who wants to get baptized but has to get married. She has plans to get married in February and then she will get baptized. I committed a ton of people to come to church this week and they all accepted and said they would come. In the end no one showed up or they weren't home when we went to pick them up. I was with my ZL on Saturday and we taught some great lessons to get people to come to church but they just won't come. I keep finding new investigators but I feel like I find them just to leave them in two weeks. It is kind of frustrating but hopefully everything will get better.
We had to leave one of our best investigators this week. Her name is Lucero and she is 16. She was a reference from one of her friends. Her friend had given her a book of mormon and Lucero had read almost 200 pages. She loves reading it and wants to get baptized and we had only taught her twice. I went to go visit with her with my ZL and she came out and told us that we can't visit with her because her parents don't want her to. Her parents are die hard Catholics and think her listening to us will seperate their family. Some people just don't understand.
I am sure this week will be a lot better.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
P.S. Something that would be fun to give out to people are the colorful elastic band CTR rings. That is the special thing I want in a Christmas package. I also want to buy a suit for a Christmas gift. Just some ideas...
Monday, November 9, 2015
November 9, 2015
Hola Familia,
I will start by apoligizing for any mistypes because the keyboard doesn't work so great. Also, Mom, you are super trunky. I have know idea how many more days I have left. I haven't been keeping track or counting down. I just know that Christmas is coming up and I will be able to call home.
I hadn't even heard about the facebook controversy about children of gays being baptized. I didn't even know that the children had to wait until they were 18. But if that is what the prophet said then that is how it should be.
I can't believe that Kenzie is already preparing for college. It is weird to hear about all these things happening back home. I haven't even been thinking about school. I trust you that you will figure everything out for me. If I need anything you will do it.
My week was alright. Monday night I went through all our investigators and talked with my district leader. We both decided that there are no investigators worth working with in my area. I spent all week looking for new investigators. We found 18 new investigators. That is a new record for me. It kind of pushed me out of my comfort zone because I don't like to contact too much and search for new investigators. Hopefully out of all our investigators we will get some people to start to progress.
Next week is transfers. My comp will be going. He went and got everything ready for his visa last week. This week we will have to go pick it up. I am excited for changes and getting a new companion. i have definately learned a lot of patience. He still annoys me but it doesn't get to me as much and I don't let it show anymore.
After writing today we are going to go work because tomorrow is the big soccer tournament. i am excited and it will be super fun. And something that makes it even better is that it is in my old area in Indepedencia. Hopefully I will be able to go see some people there. I hope I can.
Nikol was the only investigator that we had at church. She is doing good and I might tryand change her mind so she getsbaptized this month. I think the area that I am in is cursed. It didn't have any baptisms from March to August until I got here. It looks like it might go into another baptism drought. I hope not and I am working hard so that that doesn't happen.
I hope you have a great week,
Elder Isaacson
I will start by apoligizing for any mistypes because the keyboard doesn't work so great. Also, Mom, you are super trunky. I have know idea how many more days I have left. I haven't been keeping track or counting down. I just know that Christmas is coming up and I will be able to call home.
I hadn't even heard about the facebook controversy about children of gays being baptized. I didn't even know that the children had to wait until they were 18. But if that is what the prophet said then that is how it should be.
I can't believe that Kenzie is already preparing for college. It is weird to hear about all these things happening back home. I haven't even been thinking about school. I trust you that you will figure everything out for me. If I need anything you will do it.
My week was alright. Monday night I went through all our investigators and talked with my district leader. We both decided that there are no investigators worth working with in my area. I spent all week looking for new investigators. We found 18 new investigators. That is a new record for me. It kind of pushed me out of my comfort zone because I don't like to contact too much and search for new investigators. Hopefully out of all our investigators we will get some people to start to progress.
Next week is transfers. My comp will be going. He went and got everything ready for his visa last week. This week we will have to go pick it up. I am excited for changes and getting a new companion. i have definately learned a lot of patience. He still annoys me but it doesn't get to me as much and I don't let it show anymore.
After writing today we are going to go work because tomorrow is the big soccer tournament. i am excited and it will be super fun. And something that makes it even better is that it is in my old area in Indepedencia. Hopefully I will be able to go see some people there. I hope I can.
Nikol was the only investigator that we had at church. She is doing good and I might tryand change her mind so she getsbaptized this month. I think the area that I am in is cursed. It didn't have any baptisms from March to August until I got here. It looks like it might go into another baptism drought. I hope not and I am working hard so that that doesn't happen.
I hope you have a great week,
Elder Isaacson
Monday, November 2, 2015
November 2, 2015
Hola Familia,
It is great to hear from you again. The days just seem to fly by now. I can't believe today that I hit 16 months in the mission. It doesn't feel like it has been so much time. Before I know it it will be Christmas and I will be talking to you all again. I am really looking forward to it. It is good to hear that everyone is doing well. Those shots sound like they were painful but it would have been cool to watch. I am glad that everyone is doing well. I can't believe that winter is coming again. It will be super cool to see snow again but that is still more than a year away.
I had a pretty good week. We started off our p-day by going to a huge park outside of Lima. Since our zone is at the end of Lima, we could get in a bus and drive for about an hour and leave the city. It was so nice (and trunky) to get out of the city and into the country again. There were horses, grass, and even a river. We played ultimate frisbee for a long time. Thanks for sending me a frisbee again. That was a great idea. The Latinos have never seen one before.
The week was pretty normal. Like normal, my patience was tested but I have learned to control it better. I tried to sit down and have a conversation with my comp about how we can get along better but he just ignored me the whole time. Oh well, at least I am doing my part.
This week, the zl came to work with me for a day so he could meet John. When we got to his house, his mom came out and told us that he had left the city for about a week to go work. Since he was out of town, he didn't come to church yesterday. That was kind of a downer. He is supposed to get back today so we are going to go look for him.
Nikol came to church again. We don't visit her that much but she always comes to church. I wish she would just get baptized but I have tried so hard for her to get baptized that I think we are just going to wait until January to baptize her. It is kind of sad to wait but at least she will eventually get baptized.
Nikol was one of two investigators in church. The other one is a lady who is not married and will not be getting married until February. There is not much happening here right now.
Since yesterday was the day of the dead, a lot of people didn't come to church. Also, there is a cementery in my area. There were so many people in my area coming and going to the cementery. It was packed and it made it harder to get to our lessons.
Hopefully this next week goes a little better.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
P.S. I am glad to hear that Uncle Si still works.
It is great to hear from you again. The days just seem to fly by now. I can't believe today that I hit 16 months in the mission. It doesn't feel like it has been so much time. Before I know it it will be Christmas and I will be talking to you all again. I am really looking forward to it. It is good to hear that everyone is doing well. Those shots sound like they were painful but it would have been cool to watch. I am glad that everyone is doing well. I can't believe that winter is coming again. It will be super cool to see snow again but that is still more than a year away.
I had a pretty good week. We started off our p-day by going to a huge park outside of Lima. Since our zone is at the end of Lima, we could get in a bus and drive for about an hour and leave the city. It was so nice (and trunky) to get out of the city and into the country again. There were horses, grass, and even a river. We played ultimate frisbee for a long time. Thanks for sending me a frisbee again. That was a great idea. The Latinos have never seen one before.
The week was pretty normal. Like normal, my patience was tested but I have learned to control it better. I tried to sit down and have a conversation with my comp about how we can get along better but he just ignored me the whole time. Oh well, at least I am doing my part.
This week, the zl came to work with me for a day so he could meet John. When we got to his house, his mom came out and told us that he had left the city for about a week to go work. Since he was out of town, he didn't come to church yesterday. That was kind of a downer. He is supposed to get back today so we are going to go look for him.
Nikol came to church again. We don't visit her that much but she always comes to church. I wish she would just get baptized but I have tried so hard for her to get baptized that I think we are just going to wait until January to baptize her. It is kind of sad to wait but at least she will eventually get baptized.
Nikol was one of two investigators in church. The other one is a lady who is not married and will not be getting married until February. There is not much happening here right now.
Since yesterday was the day of the dead, a lot of people didn't come to church. Also, there is a cementery in my area. There were so many people in my area coming and going to the cementery. It was packed and it made it harder to get to our lessons.
Hopefully this next week goes a little better.
Love,
Elder Isaacson
P.S. I am glad to hear that Uncle Si still works.
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