August 12, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week went by so fast. Before I knew it, it was Sunday already. Zone Conference was really good, I learned so much. It is a bummer that I will only be able to use it for a short time as a missionary. But it can be applied to my life after. I gave my Dieing Testimony. I was kind of nervous. When I got up to the pulpit I forgot everything I thought about saying and just kind of stood there for a moment. Thankfully I could get a few words out. It turned out well I think. The two Latino Elders dieing took up an hour between the both of them. Which is ridicules. Between the other 5 of us that bore testimony, it was maybe 20 minutes in total less then 5 minutes a each. I guess in the next conference the next day president was not to happy and said he only wanted pure testimony. I didn´t share any experiences that I can remember I made reference to a few but I felt like it was pretty focused. I talked about relying on the Lord in all aspects, and then Testifying at all times. I got to see a lot of old friends, Elder Larson, Crawford, Simpson from my CCM group. As well as Elder Geschwandner from my days in Cerro. It was a lot of fun! Also if you happen to see the Walkers(I forgot there names) tell them that Elder and Sister Bingham say hi! They are a senior couple here close by that is from Burley I think and they know the Walkers well.  

This past Sunday we had two less active members come to church which was exciting, as well as an Investigator. I guess he is what you could call an eternal investigator but the members tell us that he has come more often to church these past few months(2 to 3 times a month) then in years past. The Branch President wants to work with him so we are going to start teaching him the lessons this week with the branch president. He has problems with the word of wisdom, tithing, and the law of chastity but we have faith he can change. 

It is hard to believe it is coming to an end the mission. I admit I am excited to come home and see you guys and get back into school but I am going to miss the mission. I have learned so much and met so many great people. President told us the other day. "You are not going home to Rest!" The work must go on, the Lord is hurrying his work and we need to be a part of it. He told us after his mission, he helped bring at least 1 family a year into the gospel many years more then 1. Share the Gospel always. Remember Today is the Day "I jump from my bed every day and work with strength and faith, knowing through inspired prophecy that Today is the Day in which the Lord is hurrying his Work!"(DyC 88:73)

Part of our knew mission motto I guess. I really like it. I have learned so much from President Smith I wish I could stay and learn more from him. He teaches with so much power and authority it is crazy. Anyway that is about it for now. I have to write a goodbye letter to Uruguay, I will send you a copy. Send me a letter next week even if it is short and I will send you one as well. I go to Deo Tuesday Morning early to have an interview with president before going to the temple with him and Elder Pyeatt(the one that wrote Elizabeth)We go home on the same plane. Then we wait till the plane leaves I guess. It should be really good. I got my flight planes they changed them from what I knew. I get home now at 12:39pm that's cool . Love You

Elder Wray

August 5, 2013

Hey Guys,

First off. Sister Davis is in your ward that is so cool! Elder Davis was such a stud. I shared a ward with him back in Salto, and was with his kid(Elder Camejo). He was super obedient and worked really hard. I was also with him in the CCM. That is really cool! I will have to tell Elder Davis when I get home.  

This week went much better. We had a bunch of lessons. We are still looking for new families to teach but thing are going a little better. Our branch president really enjoyed a training he had with the mission president on Saturday. He talked about it every moment he could with the members on Sunday. He said he hadn´t felt the spirit so strong since he went to the temple. President Smith is such an awesome guy. I'm so glad I got to meet him. Our recent convert is going strong and showing us a lot of love. Almost every time we go to her house she gives us cake or pastries. The other day the closest thing I have ever had to Donut holes here. They were so good! We have seen some good progress with some less active members. Can´t wait for zone conference this week will be my last which means my dieing testimony. Kind of nervous we will see how it goes. It is kind of weird I am in the stage of my mission were it is my last of everything. On Sunday was my last fast and testimony meeting. Kind of weird. On Thursday I get my "super trunky papers". I really don´t know what to tell you guys. I would tell you find me something to do at the house but I don´t really know how much time I have before I go again. I have found it hard to sleep the past few days but I feel like I am dieing strong.

In other news I have been doing P90X for the last 2 weeks. It has been a lot of fun! And  a lot more motivating to do my exercises in the morning. I can already feel the results. Well, really that's all I have to tell you not much else has happened. Love you, talk to you next week.

Love,

Elder Wray

July 29, 2013

Hey Guys!

This week was pretty good. We had a couple of good lessons but I really feel like I´m below my potential. We have been struggling the last few weeks and I find myself thinking about home more and more. I feel bad for my comp we should be working harder but I don´t feel like he is helping me. Yesterday he didn´t get out of bed till 8. I feel like he is deader then I am and he doesn´t even have a year yet. A few changes ago I would have gotten him out of bed. I have always forced my junior comps to be as obedient as me but with him I just kind of stopped worrying about it. If he doesn´t want to whatever.  This week I am doing divisions with the Zone Leaders so I hope that helps keep me more focused. I never thought dieing would be so hard. But I find I have to push myself a lot to do a lot of things. Like the other night we got out of a lesson late really far from home like 18 blocks. As soon as they shut the door I started running we had 8 minutes to make it. An any change of my mission I would have spirited it out, but after 4 blocks, thoughts came into my head like "Why am I running, this is stupid. I don´t want to run anymore it is way to far we will probably make it home anyway." So I stopped and my comp stopped and we walked a block. I was really hoping deep down my comp would be like come on lets go dale Vamos but he didn´t say a word. So I had to dig really hard and I started running again. We made it home at 1032ish. If we hadn´t walked we would have made it. Your probably thinking he is worried about 2 minutes that's stupid (but as I have always said those 2 minutes were the difference between being obedient and disobedient). But really that wasn´t what bothered me. It was more the fact that I felt inside like a Dead Missionary. I really scared me I and discouraged me a little that had almost let my self stop caring. I really want to finish strong! Like I said this week I'm doing divisions with the ZLs and I really hope that encourages me. But I am struggling, I have never been with a comp for so long, more then 3 months when it is all said and done it will have been 4 1/2 months.   

Anyway time to talk about something else. Today we played fútbol it was a lot of fun as always. One of the Sisters left a few weeks ago and we have a new one. So now the sisters participate which is good but it is still hard. Like a few weeks ago. I called the sisters on Monday to tell them about district meeting on Tuesday. One sister said Elder can we eat with you. I don´t know if I was distracted or what but I said sure thinking they wanted to eat in the church with everyone since in changes pasted they always went strait home to eat. The next day after DM everyone was making there own lunch while the sisters read there letters. We finished and just sat down to eat and I remember thinking what are the sisters going to make. When they come in and say Elder Wray is there enough food for us? One elder thought it was a joke and started laughing when no one else laughed he stopped and it got really quite. I looked around and said yea there is some Fideos over there and the other elders have some hamburgers. But they realized we didn´t make food for them and went home. I felt so bad but apologized a couple times and they forgave me. Then Last Tuesday I guess I didn´t learn my lesson. I figured they would have learned that everyone brings there own food but after the meeting they just left. I had to go to the store to buy milk when the Sisters call me. Elder Wray do you have enough food for us? I was like are you kidding me?? They were lucky I was in the store so I bought some more noodles and milk to make a cream or they would have been out of lunch again. That lunch was really gross though so I hope the same thing doesn´t happen tomorrow, we will see. Mainly because I only have like 2 bucks left till the first and I have the take the bus tomorrow which cost two bucks we will see what happens. I don´t know how I will get home. 

Speaking of money could you guys send me some money to buy a couple more souvenirs. Also dad we get about 3300 pesos a month which is about 165 dollars I think. Not that much but it is kind of complicated because the reimburse some things like 200 pesos of fruit a month and most buses. Next week I am going to Colonia and wanted to buy a couple things I also am going to Deo the 8 and maybe will buy something there. 

I rode for an hour yesterday on bus home from a leadership meeting with the Zone Leaders. I was with Elder Millan. They just finished having there ZL meeting with president this past week and he gave me the inside info. The whole mission is going to change and it makes me sad to go home I love this work and can see the changes will make things a whole lot better just wish i could see it all. They haven´t announced anything till zone conference the 8th so I will let you know then what happens.  

Anyway I have to wrap things up. I'm trying to finish strong!

Love You All

Love 

Elder Wray

P.S. Say hi to everyone and I got my return time 4:00 P.M. Spokane airport the 21st of august. They couldn´t get me home with Ben. It was that time or 10:30 pm to Lewiston. Love you

July 23, 2013

Hey Guys,

Things are going alright here in Rosario. The branch is excited and they have made changes and the new auxiliary presidents are ready to work. Things are going a little slow in terms of Missionary work. After our baptism we kind of found ourselves at square one again. We have a couple investigators but we couldn´t see them that much this week. I am hoping to find more this week. But we will see what this week has in store. We weren´t in our area much this week due to changes. We were with Elder Draper till his comp got there.  Church on Sunday I gave a talk on La Obra Misional. It was one of my better talks. One I prepared for and even more Practiced. I could really feel the spirit especially as I made a few changes in what I was saying. The truth I learned a lot in church for the first time in a while. So I get home the 21st! Like how I just threw that in there. haha!! So I called president yesterday and we talked really quick about it. I didn´t tell him about flying home with Ben it just didn´t feel right but maybe I will call the office elders and see what I can do. If I do it, it will only be the flight from Salt Lake to Lewiston but president told me to fly to Spokane so I will see what happens. If it doesn´t happen, its all good. It would be fun though. So that means I have just a little time left. My comp is super trunky. He is counting down the days in like 6 different ways pie graph percents days and I think he wants to make a paper ring thingy haha. It hasn´t really set in yet but I definitely find myself thinking about home more. The home dreams are the worst. Haha in one dream I had I got off the plane and walked to you guys and mom didn´t want to give me a hug. I guess the girls were fighting and she was upset. haha! So I got upset and said Me voy! (I'm going) and turned around and walked back toward the plane. Haha!  It is kind of a funny dream to think about. But don´t let it happen.

Also in other news why didn´t you tell me Brother Dalton was a new Mission President in Chile. I saw it in the Liahona. That is really cool. Remember when we almost burned down his field. He property is sweet.

Lastly I didn´t get the chance to tell you last week due to the traveling and such but. This Baptism that we had was probably the most meaningful and I have never relied more on the Lord in my life then the weeks leading up to it(besides maybe only the stuff I put up with in Cerro). I fasted for 6 or 7 weeks leading up to it. At first my fasts were not very specific they didn´t include names I really only ask the Lord if I did my part he would bless me with a baptism. As things moved farther along I was fasting for two people one of which stopped listening but the other was Olga. As she started having all those trials(Husband dieing, being robed) my fasts grew more meaningful. I was able to feel a deep love for her like no other investigator I have had. The interesting thing is that Olga and I don´t... it is kind of hard to explain... don´t connect like I have with other converts or investigators. Meaning I have been better friends with lots of other people but I have a lot more love and respect for her then the majority of the people I have met here. The Lord truly helped. I did really nothing to have that baptism. I mean I left everyday on time just to knock doors because we didn´t have anyone else to visit and I did it just to be obedient. But the lord really had prepared her and the way for her to be baptized. I just watched it all happen. A lot of missionaries were like fa Elder Wray your a Capo you baptized someone in Rosario but I can't really accept credit for anything I don´t feel like I did anything special for her. But it has truly been a learning experience. I have loved my mission and am so grateful for everything I have learned.  

   

But the Secretaries just called me to arrange my travel plans maybe I will be able to get in with Ben. But I have to go.

Love you guys!

Elder Wray

Don´t be trunky, I´m Not!

July 16, 2013

Hey Guys,

Well this week went really well. ¡We had a baptism! Ah it was so good!! Almost the whole branch was in attendance which really isn´t that many people but it turned out really well. Olga is happy. My district had 3 baptisms which is really good. I went to Cardona to do an interview up there. It was with a 15 year old girl probably one of the funnier interviews I have done. When we started she explained she was really nervous. so nervous she wrote all the ¨answers¨ on her hand. Then felt bad so tried to wash it off but it didn´t come off all  the way. But she got nervous again so she brought a cheat sheet in her pocket. She did fine and they had a great baptism up there in Cardona. Elder Robbs last, as he goes home in 2 days. It is weird to see someone I met in the CCM go home. I guess I'm next... Juan Lacaze also had a baptism. I dont´ know if you remember the women that couldn't pay tithing. She was baptized. After she said she didn´t want anymore with the church. She showed up a few Sundays ago and said I changed my mind I want to get baptized. The other district leader interviewed her. I'm glad! 

This week a family we found a few weeks ago started to show more interest so we really have to take care of them. It is a father a mother and their 2 daughters. They haven´t come to church yet and it might be a challenge due to work but they are a really good family. We also had a really good lesson with another family we found this one of 7. They told us the missionaries have been teaching them for almost 18 years on and off and they have never gone to church. They are really good, we will see if we can find there doubts. 

It is changes as I am sure you now realize. It is my last... Que lo tiró. My comp and I are staying together for Another Change. I´m excited for this change, I will admit I was a little nervous Elder Arriola really tests my patience sometimes(alright a lot of times) and I was looking for a change. But while I was praying last night I got a strong feeling there is something yet I have to learn with him and someone is waiting for us. We will see what happens. It is kind of weird because he has been here for 4 1/2 months and I have been here for 3. I go home and he will stay meaning he will be here for 7 1/2 months which is a lot more then normal especially Colonia. But it was like this in the whole mission. Just some really strange changes. New President. But that's when you just have to trust that it comes from God. As for my return date...? Jaja no se todavía. President told me today to call him this week so we will see. Haha Sorry mom it looks like I might never come home.  Well that's about it. Oh and I am DL again. My District the Sisters and the Zone leaders. It is going to be really weird. Anyway

Love You!

Elder Wray

P.S. Foto 1 my district Left to right Back Elder Johnson(on divisions not in my District) Elder Muhlstien Hna Toone Hna Zabala. Bottom Elder Draper, Durand Me Robb Millan My comp Arriola

Foto 2 Olgas Baptism with La Rama

July 8, 2013

Hey Guys,

Things are going well here in Rosario.  We are excited for the baptism of Olga. She is the aunt of our new Branch President Danny Rodas.

 She has had a lot of trial up to this point, her husband died one month ago today and then someone stole all her money but she has always looked forward and is now get baptized. There is always trial when helping someone get baptized always. This week we saved again tithing and fast offering for last so we could teach it with Danny. She accepted tithing and then fast offering and I thought it was golden then when we told her about her baptismal day she got really nervous and said I'm not getting baptized. At first I thought it was a joke but then Danny got kind of upset/mad and they got into an argument. Apparently there was some misunderstanding and the reason she didn´t want to get baptized was because she thought there was going to be a party afterward. In reality the branch had planned a surprise party for after(First time in my mission) but not anymore. She is kind of timid but is turning out to be one of the stronger converts I have taught. We are all just excited! 

Yesterday for fast and testimony meeting we finished at 11:45 because everyone that wanted to give the testimony did. First time in my life. 

My district is kind of struggling this past week especially the Hermanas but hopefully I can motivate them this week in my District Meeting. But in my district there are 3 people getting baptized on Saturday so they are pretty excited.

So I imagine you want to know about the new Mission President. Well let me start out by telling you. He is so cool. On Tuesday I got the church early in Nueva Helvecia to set up everything while the ZLs went to get the mail and got stuck doing the dishes and helping the Hna Bingham a senior missionary cook lunch. When president showed up early. So I missed him walk in (I guess it was kind of weird). Anyway I ran to meet him. He gave me a hug and then his first words to me where, ¨Elder Wray so your the best looking Elder everyone has been telling me about, man look at your eyes they have an amazing light¨ I was a little freaked out to tell you the least. We were the first elders to meet him in the mission besides the APs and Office elders. Anyway he began introducing himself and family( he came with 2 kids a daughter(11) and son(16)). And the truth is I thought he was really weird. His wife blew us a kiss and he caught it and but it in his pocket. jaja Iguess he is weird. He is a convert, he was baptized when he was 19 and then left on his mission, to Uruguay! (he also served in Cerro but I guess it was really different then) He then started his own business from what I understood which teaches CEOs of the Fortune 1000 Companies how to reach there goals and how to change there company culture quickly and efficiently. He also has written quite a few books I guess. Really, pretty cool. I told him in my interview that dad was a cooperate pilot to which he said that's awesome I love traveling in private jets.

Anyway So I was thinking he was kind of weird and thinking of how grateful I was to have Pres. Heaton but then he started teaching. It was incredible. It started out as if he was trying to sell us something but then the spirit started to testify and it was crazy. By far one of the best trainings I have had. Then he interviewed us. It was one of the most motivating interviews I have ever had. He has this amazing talent to make someone happy and motivated. Almost everyone who had an interview left on the verge of tears and all the hna's left crying. He is going to change the mission. He said of the 147 new presidents (around there) 10 served in Uruguay that is crazy. 

Tell everyone The Work is Going Great - President Smith in my interview

I wish I could stay in the mission longer.

Anyway next week I will have a set date for when I come home sorry it has taken so long. But that is really about it. Love You!

Elder Wray

P.S. Elder Perry told President Smith, ¨The year 2013 will be referred back to like we refer back to the first vision or the Restoration of the priesthood¨ That is so cool! Love you     

July 1, 2013

Hey Guys,

Everything is going great here. First off I had forgotten to tell you guys that if Ben can arrange for us to fly home together I am down for it. That would be the sweetest thing in the world. I don´t know how he would do it but would like too! I don´t know when I get home yet but tomorrow we have interviews with the new president and I will talk to him about it there. Also that last pic of Elizabeth is not funny.

Anyway for this week all went pretty well. My DM went alright I was really short on time but it things weren´t going as well as I wanted but an elder bore a strong testimony of what I was teaching  and things went really well. As for Olga the women whose husband died. She is doing really well she is getting baptized the 13 of July. The first baptism since April 22 1012. Needless to say the branch is excited and so are we. The RS is already talking about a party they are going to throw her. It has been a long process but she has gone to church every Sunday for the last month. Her life has changed a lot in the last month and a half. She seems more at peace and things just seem to be going better. She is pretty happy. I am getting along better with the members now it took a lot longer then usual, but things are fun now. 

Half of my district is still struggling. The sisters are just depressed it looks like but I have one companionship that is just mad at me. I had a baptismal interview with them. For that old women whose house smelled like grandma´s. Two seconds before I walked in her door one of the elders said wait elder Wray can I talk to you? So I stepped aside and he told me ¨You might need to help her with tithing. I was like you have to be kidding me. Every interview I have had from someone that wasn´t a zone leader was like hey you need to help them. I don´t know if they don´t realize that they need to be ready for the interview before they schedule it or what. This elder is really young less then 5 months and his comp is bobo(?) but still. So I did the interview and when I got to tithing she was like that is what I wanted to ask you about. I can´t pay. I tired my hardest to get her to understand but she wouldn´t accept. It didn´t help that she cried a lot. 30 minutes later she told me I want to get baptized but I can´t pay tithing right know. I talked about faith, but she said maybe in a few months then said she didn´t feel ready to get baptized. I told her that baptism was a big promise but also a huge blessing but if she wasn´t willing to keep the covenant she should probably wait a little till she was. She agreed. So she didn´t pass I guess you could say. The Elders were kind of mad at me but I didn´t know what they wanted me to do just pass her or what. One told me my comp told you to help and you didn´t do it. I was like I tried she said no I can´t just let here get baptized. She is your investigator why didn´t you figure it out before hand. Now she doesn't want much to do with the church. It is really sad but I feel like I did what was right. The next day I had another interview with the ZLs of a young 16 year old. He was a stud but a little shy. 

Today I threw a District activity to try and animate my district. It went well I cook a oven roasted chicken with sweet potatoes and potatoes and onions. Also sausage. It was really good and really easy. I liked the idea because you just through everything in the oven then we played futbol for 2 hours till it was ready. The sisters just showed up to eat which bugs me but what ever. It went well.

Also this week and elder in my district has Ab ripper X and on divisions this week I did it. It was so good but I was hurting a few days later. He is going to give me a copy this week so I can go home in a little better shape. But yea that is my week, fun fun. I hope all is well there. Be safe, you guys don´t be trunky!  Love you!

Elder Wray