Friday, March 11, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
"Al proximo nivel!"
Hello family!
This week went by pretty fast. It´s been pretty strange having a new companion, because it doesn't feel like I have a new companion. I think since I have spent so much time with Elder Jofre already that it has been an easy change. It has also been really nice having Elder Riding in our house. He is a fun kid and is really chill so there are no fights or contention in the pension. My companion Elder Jofre has seemed a lot happier and more talkative. Elder Grillone has also begun to speak spanish a lot more now that he has to guide Elder Riding around. It appears that this is going to be a good change for us!
A couple interesting stories from the week:
1) We went to the Barrales Family´s house the other day after lunch and they gave us some ice cream because they were having a big party with some friends from other wards. We talked to them for a few minutes and then started to leave. As we were leaving we noticed a large group of children in their front yard sneaking up on their brand new pet EMU named Julio. They started chasing him around the yard throwing balls at him when he started to book it and ran right out the front gate. (Luckily not our fault because the gate was open the entire time). We ran back and told Brother Barrales and the three of us ran and kinda guided him back toward the house. The Emu is really fun though. It supposedly can grow to up to six feet or so. The Barrales family is awesome.
2) We were knocking doors the other day when we came upon a castle looking house. No one came when we yelled ¡HALO! and then my companion noticed that the side gate was open. So he said "Al proximo nivel!" which is President Laycock's saying that means "to the next level." We entered the property when all of the sudden we heard a faint barking. Within a matter of seconds there were 5 or 6 large hound dogs chasing after us. I turned to see where my companion was and he was already out the gate. I hopped on my bike and booked it out of there. Afterwards we just started to laugh. It was a pretty fun experience. Just after that we found 3 new investigators.
Things are going well though. We just invited the grandma of a convert family to be baptized last night and she accepted. She will be the fourth member of the family that will have gotten baptized now.
Thank you for your support and prayers. You are the best.
Love, Elder Mooney
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
My week!
Dear family,
Well this last week was pretty exciting. It was the last week of the change and Carlos and Maria Jesus were confirmed. It was kinda scary because the bus didn't pass and Carlos didn't show up to sacrament meeting until after the sacrament. He showed up though (in a sleeveless shirt and dress pants?) and was confirmed by the branch president. I think afterward he looked a little emotional. It was good. It was also a good Sunday because President Laycock came to our branch again and spoke in our sacrament meeting. He gave a really powerful talk about the Holy Ghost and he also talked a little about the mission. He had the five young men in church, including Carlos, stand up. Then he made them raise their hands and commit to going on a mission. Carlos did it! We are praying that he will follow through on that commitment now.
I think I told you all before that every Friday we play fútbol and basketball with investigators and members. On Friday we were playing and for some reason my team was just rocking and we won the fútbol match. Then we started playing basketball and my team managed to win each time again. (Probably not because I'm that good, but because the Chileans aren't that great ;) Unfortunately in the last five minutes I rolled my ankle really bad. It still kills when I wake up in the mornings. So now I have two bad ankles. Not fun at all.
On Saturday we went to the house of Mauricio, Cata, María Jesús, and Mariela (all recent converts) and we made cinnamon rolls with them in the evening. It was pretty fun. The cinnamon rolls actually turned out really well for being an internet recipe. They also made panqueques filled with manjar which I love. Then on our way home another member lady called us and had us pick up a big tray of creme puff pastry things. We ate pretty good this weekend.
Oh and speaking of eating good. Luis and Margarita, the people we live with, slaughtered a pig and cooked it this weekend for Luis´ birthday. I took a bunch of pictures. It was pretty disgusting to watch it all, but it was awesome eating it. It turned out really good, especially with the onion mushroom plum stuffing they made.
Oh and about changes. We all figured Elder Mathews was leaving because he had already been here for four changes. The rest of us were pretty unsure of what was going to happen. We had heard some rumors of changes and such but nobody was sure. We got the phone call and yes Elder Mathews left and the rest of us stayed. The only weird part is that I am no longer companions with Elder Grillone. I am now companions with Elder Jofre from Argentina (the other elder we live with) and Elder Grillone is with a gringo named Elder Riding from Idaho who has the same time as me. It makes everything a little strange with appointments and investigators, but we should work it all out this week.
Anyways, that is my week. Thank you so much for the letters, the love, and the concern.
Love,
Elder Mooney
Well this last week was pretty exciting. It was the last week of the change and Carlos and Maria Jesus were confirmed. It was kinda scary because the bus didn't pass and Carlos didn't show up to sacrament meeting until after the sacrament. He showed up though (in a sleeveless shirt and dress pants?) and was confirmed by the branch president. I think afterward he looked a little emotional. It was good. It was also a good Sunday because President Laycock came to our branch again and spoke in our sacrament meeting. He gave a really powerful talk about the Holy Ghost and he also talked a little about the mission. He had the five young men in church, including Carlos, stand up. Then he made them raise their hands and commit to going on a mission. Carlos did it! We are praying that he will follow through on that commitment now.
I think I told you all before that every Friday we play fútbol and basketball with investigators and members. On Friday we were playing and for some reason my team was just rocking and we won the fútbol match. Then we started playing basketball and my team managed to win each time again. (Probably not because I'm that good, but because the Chileans aren't that great ;) Unfortunately in the last five minutes I rolled my ankle really bad. It still kills when I wake up in the mornings. So now I have two bad ankles. Not fun at all.
On Saturday we went to the house of Mauricio, Cata, María Jesús, and Mariela (all recent converts) and we made cinnamon rolls with them in the evening. It was pretty fun. The cinnamon rolls actually turned out really well for being an internet recipe. They also made panqueques filled with manjar which I love. Then on our way home another member lady called us and had us pick up a big tray of creme puff pastry things. We ate pretty good this weekend.
Oh and speaking of eating good. Luis and Margarita, the people we live with, slaughtered a pig and cooked it this weekend for Luis´ birthday. I took a bunch of pictures. It was pretty disgusting to watch it all, but it was awesome eating it. It turned out really good, especially with the onion mushroom plum stuffing they made.
Oh and about changes. We all figured Elder Mathews was leaving because he had already been here for four changes. The rest of us were pretty unsure of what was going to happen. We had heard some rumors of changes and such but nobody was sure. We got the phone call and yes Elder Mathews left and the rest of us stayed. The only weird part is that I am no longer companions with Elder Grillone. I am now companions with Elder Jofre from Argentina (the other elder we live with) and Elder Grillone is with a gringo named Elder Riding from Idaho who has the same time as me. It makes everything a little strange with appointments and investigators, but we should work it all out this week.
Anyways, that is my week. Thank you so much for the letters, the love, and the concern.
Love,
Elder Mooney
Monday, February 7, 2011
Keep working!
Dear family,
Well on February 5th I officially finished 18 months in the mission. That means I´m 3/4 of the way through?! It feels kinda crazy to think that I am on the final 6 month stretch now. I am just gonna try to keep my head down and keep working!
Things are going great with Carlos and Gloria. Carlos is gettiing baptized next Sunday and is just rocking at everything. We taught him and his mom about the Word of Wisdom. We watched The Restoration video, talked about obedience to God´s commandments and his prophets, and then we explained how our bodies are temples. Carlos accepted the Word of Wisdom without doubts and Gloria accepted it as well. She said that giving up her Tea is going to be a really challenge, but she was going to do her best. We are really proud of them and how much faith they really have.
Oh and I recieved the Valentine´s day package you sent and loved it! Really, the candy, the cookies, the card, and the amazing tie. Thank you so much for the package. It´s strange, because I am not usually a huge fan of pink ties, but the one you sent was just classy and stylish. It´s one of my favorite ties at the moment. And the cookies were used for a good cause, we made them for Carlos´ birthday!
One unfortunate thing that has been going down here in Pirque is that diarrhea has become a weekly routine.. It feels like at least once a week all of us Elders are spending too much time in the bathroom. Not very fun :S
Everything is going pretty well though. We are excited for the two baptisms we are going to have on Friday (Carlos and Maria Jesus) and I´ve just been excited because I am an old missionary now. Haha
Thank you for all you do. You are the best!
Con amor,
Elder Mooney
Well on February 5th I officially finished 18 months in the mission. That means I´m 3/4 of the way through?! It feels kinda crazy to think that I am on the final 6 month stretch now. I am just gonna try to keep my head down and keep working!
Things are going great with Carlos and Gloria. Carlos is gettiing baptized next Sunday and is just rocking at everything. We taught him and his mom about the Word of Wisdom. We watched The Restoration video, talked about obedience to God´s commandments and his prophets, and then we explained how our bodies are temples. Carlos accepted the Word of Wisdom without doubts and Gloria accepted it as well. She said that giving up her Tea is going to be a really challenge, but she was going to do her best. We are really proud of them and how much faith they really have.
Oh and I recieved the Valentine´s day package you sent and loved it! Really, the candy, the cookies, the card, and the amazing tie. Thank you so much for the package. It´s strange, because I am not usually a huge fan of pink ties, but the one you sent was just classy and stylish. It´s one of my favorite ties at the moment. And the cookies were used for a good cause, we made them for Carlos´ birthday!
One unfortunate thing that has been going down here in Pirque is that diarrhea has become a weekly routine.. It feels like at least once a week all of us Elders are spending too much time in the bathroom. Not very fun :S
Everything is going pretty well though. We are excited for the two baptisms we are going to have on Friday (Carlos and Maria Jesus) and I´ve just been excited because I am an old missionary now. Haha
Thank you for all you do. You are the best!
Con amor,
Elder Mooney
Monday, January 31, 2011
January comes to an end...
Dear family,
Well this past week went by pretty fast. We started off the week fixing up our bikes a little bit. We had our crooked wheels straightened out, then we adjusted and fixed our brakes. The bikes still need quite a bit of work, but at least they are working a little bit better now.
The other day we had an awesome experience with Carlos. We had originally planned an appointment with him on Thursday, but we felt like we should pass by him on Tuesday as well to see how he was doing. We arrived and he was playing video games with a friend. We taught the both of them the Restoration and it was amazing. Carlos taught as if he were already a member. He explained prophets a bit, he testified of Joseph Smith, and explained the answers he had recieved through the Holy Ghost. After the lesson and as we were leaving Carlos told us that he had been wanting to talk to his friend about the church, but didn´t know how to bring it up, then we showed up. Things are going really well with Carlos though. He played basketball and volleyball with us today. He went to a fireside and heard President Laycock speak here in the branch. His mom came to church on Sunday. Everything is great right now.
Now for the bad new. It turns out that Gloria is not married to Andres, the man she lives with. We are going to have to explain the Law of Chastity to her this week. We are a little nervous because we don´t want her to get discouraged. Please pray for them this week so that they can keep progressing.
The fireside with President Laycock was really nice yesterday. We did it at the house of the Familia Barrales. The house is like a paradise or something. Hills, swimming pool, grass, tennis court, chickens, and peacocks, and lots of big trees surrounding it. About forty five people or so showed up. Some recent convert families, investigators, and less actives showed up as well. Every one seemed to really enjoy it.
I love you all very much and thank you for your emails. You really are the best!
Love,
Elder Mooney
Well this past week went by pretty fast. We started off the week fixing up our bikes a little bit. We had our crooked wheels straightened out, then we adjusted and fixed our brakes. The bikes still need quite a bit of work, but at least they are working a little bit better now.
The other day we had an awesome experience with Carlos. We had originally planned an appointment with him on Thursday, but we felt like we should pass by him on Tuesday as well to see how he was doing. We arrived and he was playing video games with a friend. We taught the both of them the Restoration and it was amazing. Carlos taught as if he were already a member. He explained prophets a bit, he testified of Joseph Smith, and explained the answers he had recieved through the Holy Ghost. After the lesson and as we were leaving Carlos told us that he had been wanting to talk to his friend about the church, but didn´t know how to bring it up, then we showed up. Things are going really well with Carlos though. He played basketball and volleyball with us today. He went to a fireside and heard President Laycock speak here in the branch. His mom came to church on Sunday. Everything is great right now.
Now for the bad new. It turns out that Gloria is not married to Andres, the man she lives with. We are going to have to explain the Law of Chastity to her this week. We are a little nervous because we don´t want her to get discouraged. Please pray for them this week so that they can keep progressing.
The fireside with President Laycock was really nice yesterday. We did it at the house of the Familia Barrales. The house is like a paradise or something. Hills, swimming pool, grass, tennis court, chickens, and peacocks, and lots of big trees surrounding it. About forty five people or so showed up. Some recent convert families, investigators, and less actives showed up as well. Every one seemed to really enjoy it.
I love you all very much and thank you for your emails. You really are the best!
Love,
Elder Mooney
Monday, January 24, 2011
¡Me Gusto!
Dear family,
Wow, this past week was a good one. Baptismal dates, sicknesses, spiritual experiences, and fun. First off, we called Ivan and Susana the other day to see how they were doing and Ivan told us that he and his mom had been reading together and that he gave himself the goal of reading until the book of Alma during his vacation. It sounds like they are doing pretty well. Please pray for them.
The highlight of the week was that on Friday a family fed us day-old chinese food. All four of us had food poisoning that next day. We spent the entire day fighting over the bathroom. For some reason it hit me the worst though. It was not a fun experience...
Oh, I also received my "trunky papers" this week. I had to fill out my information about home and where I would be flying in to so that the church could prepare my flight plans. I´m trying to not get too trunky now...
We also shared with a kid in his twenties named Sebastian Machuca. We had found him about three weeks ago and I felt the impression to hop off our bikes and go teach him. We taught him twice and then weren't able to find him or contact him since. It turns out he lost his phone and had been working a lot. We talked about 3 Nefi 11 with him and talked about the three keys of baptism; 1) Authority 2) Age/personal decision 3) By immersion. He was the joven who used to be a Catholic missionary. We invited him to get baptized on February 6th and he said he'd love to, but couldn't because he was going on vacation for about a week and a half, then another vacation for two weeks. He asked us if he could get baptized afterwards. We were like hmmmm.... we´ll have to think about it. Haha no, we told him of course. He officially has a date to be baptized the 20th of March.
The most incredible experience we had all started on New Year´s day. After having so much success on New Year´s eve we returned to that same neighborhood to knock doors. We didn't get into a single house, but we did contact a lady named Gloria. We talked to her outside and she told us her son had a Book of Mormon. She asked us for our number and said she´d call us on Friday. Of course, she never called though. The next week we saw her on the bus and I started talking to her. She felt bad cuz she had forgotten to call us and said she´d call that week after talking to her son. The call never came. Finally this past week we passed by their house again and they let us in right away. We sat down and shared a message with Gloria and her 17 year old son Carlos. We tried explaining the restoration, but they had so many questions about tenants and deep doctrine that it didn't go anywhere. We asked Carlos to give the closing prayer and he started crying right in the middle and never explained why. We went back later that week and they let us in again and Carlos was way excited to see us. Gloria told us that she wanted us to focus on her son more, but we made her stay and listen ;) We talked about 3 Nefi 11 and baptism. They immediately accepted baptismal dates. We invited them to come to church and only Carlos showed up. He payed attention in Sacrament meeting, the classes, everything. Everyone was really nice to him and made him feel welcome. It was a great Sunday. He went home and told his mom all about how he loved church. We went to visit them that same night and Gloria said she is for sure going next week. Then Gloria told us that Carlos had a question for us. Carlos explained that when he entered into the chapel he felt a strange feeling. He put his hand up to his heart and said I felt a burning in my chest. He said he had also felt it the last time we visited them. We then opened up to D&C 8 and read the scripture about a burning in your bosom. He smiled and his eyes filled up with tears. He, his mom, and his step-dad were all impressed. They currently have a baptismal date for February 13th. Carlos and Gloria are amazing though. Carlos is one of the most spiritually sensitive kids I have ever met.
As you can tell we have been having some success and we have been pretty excited. Knocking doors and contacting hundreds of people has been paying off. And with all five people who have accepted baptismal dates we have had to be pretty persistent in finding them again. All is going well at the moment.
Thank you for your emails and stories though. I loved them this week. It feels great to have such loving parents and sisters who are always writing me and supporting me. You are the best and I love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Mooney
Wow, this past week was a good one. Baptismal dates, sicknesses, spiritual experiences, and fun. First off, we called Ivan and Susana the other day to see how they were doing and Ivan told us that he and his mom had been reading together and that he gave himself the goal of reading until the book of Alma during his vacation. It sounds like they are doing pretty well. Please pray for them.
The highlight of the week was that on Friday a family fed us day-old chinese food. All four of us had food poisoning that next day. We spent the entire day fighting over the bathroom. For some reason it hit me the worst though. It was not a fun experience...
Oh, I also received my "trunky papers" this week. I had to fill out my information about home and where I would be flying in to so that the church could prepare my flight plans. I´m trying to not get too trunky now...
We also shared with a kid in his twenties named Sebastian Machuca. We had found him about three weeks ago and I felt the impression to hop off our bikes and go teach him. We taught him twice and then weren't able to find him or contact him since. It turns out he lost his phone and had been working a lot. We talked about 3 Nefi 11 with him and talked about the three keys of baptism; 1) Authority 2) Age/personal decision 3) By immersion. He was the joven who used to be a Catholic missionary. We invited him to get baptized on February 6th and he said he'd love to, but couldn't because he was going on vacation for about a week and a half, then another vacation for two weeks. He asked us if he could get baptized afterwards. We were like hmmmm.... we´ll have to think about it. Haha no, we told him of course. He officially has a date to be baptized the 20th of March.
The most incredible experience we had all started on New Year´s day. After having so much success on New Year´s eve we returned to that same neighborhood to knock doors. We didn't get into a single house, but we did contact a lady named Gloria. We talked to her outside and she told us her son had a Book of Mormon. She asked us for our number and said she´d call us on Friday. Of course, she never called though. The next week we saw her on the bus and I started talking to her. She felt bad cuz she had forgotten to call us and said she´d call that week after talking to her son. The call never came. Finally this past week we passed by their house again and they let us in right away. We sat down and shared a message with Gloria and her 17 year old son Carlos. We tried explaining the restoration, but they had so many questions about tenants and deep doctrine that it didn't go anywhere. We asked Carlos to give the closing prayer and he started crying right in the middle and never explained why. We went back later that week and they let us in again and Carlos was way excited to see us. Gloria told us that she wanted us to focus on her son more, but we made her stay and listen ;) We talked about 3 Nefi 11 and baptism. They immediately accepted baptismal dates. We invited them to come to church and only Carlos showed up. He payed attention in Sacrament meeting, the classes, everything. Everyone was really nice to him and made him feel welcome. It was a great Sunday. He went home and told his mom all about how he loved church. We went to visit them that same night and Gloria said she is for sure going next week. Then Gloria told us that Carlos had a question for us. Carlos explained that when he entered into the chapel he felt a strange feeling. He put his hand up to his heart and said I felt a burning in my chest. He said he had also felt it the last time we visited them. We then opened up to D&C 8 and read the scripture about a burning in your bosom. He smiled and his eyes filled up with tears. He, his mom, and his step-dad were all impressed. They currently have a baptismal date for February 13th. Carlos and Gloria are amazing though. Carlos is one of the most spiritually sensitive kids I have ever met.
As you can tell we have been having some success and we have been pretty excited. Knocking doors and contacting hundreds of people has been paying off. And with all five people who have accepted baptismal dates we have had to be pretty persistent in finding them again. All is going well at the moment.
Thank you for your emails and stories though. I loved them this week. It feels great to have such loving parents and sisters who are always writing me and supporting me. You are the best and I love you all very much.
Love,
Elder Mooney
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
