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

June 24, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week has been alright. It has gone by fast but the work was kind of slow. Lots of door knocking. I didn´t get to go to the broadcast even though I really wanted to. It was in another city and I didn´t think we would be able to make it home. And we had a lesson with a menos activio. I heard it was really good though. I guess in a few months they will be using Facebook to work that should be interesting. I think the obedience will go down with some elders, but the apostles know what they are doing. 

The Branch is going pretty well. The new branch president has changed the attitude of the work and is happy, so that is good. I had to speak again on Sunday. Third time this month including my testimony during fast and testimony meeting. It was not that great of a talk. I talked about faith and more then anything else the ways Satan tries to destroy our faith. Doubt fear and sin. It had the potential to be a great talk but I didn´t give myself to much time to prepare. I can give good talks if I take the time to prepare but if I don´t write it out or at least practice it I get nervous when I get up there and jump around. It also didn´t help that the district president was in attendance AND got up before I did to tell us that they might close the branch of Rosario in about a year if we don´t have 15 tithe paying priesthood holders. Right now we have 5. But I can only come up with about 8 in total from the menos activos.  The branch is going to have to put in the batteries. I must have been inspired because the branch pres. didn´t give us a topic nor do I think he knew the District Pres. was coming. I feel like my talk calmed the nerves/fears of the members. I spoke for like 20 minutes and for a first wasn´t on clean up. Usually my comp goes first then me but this time no. 

 

What else, oh yea this week I ate Homemade liverwurst and blood sausage(Morcilla). Surprisingly enough I liked the blood sausage more. I like liverwurst but this one not that much. I also had never had blood sausage before it wasn´t that bad. Here they have a sweet blood sausage haven´t tried it yet. 

My district is struggling so am I, I guess. Tomorrow I have to really animate them, the sisters haven´t had anyone in church in a month and we haven´t been having many lessons. I don´t know what I am going to tell them. I have thought about talking about better planning but I don´t know how to present that in a not boring way. We will see what happens. Anyway that's about it. I am going to watch part of the broadcast on line. Have a good week. 

Love you!

Elder Wray

June 17, 2013

Hey Guys,

So this week has been pretty good. My district is doing mas o menos some companion ships are struggling. I wish I had more time in district meeting I always run out. Kind of funny because when I first started I would try to drag the song and pray and stuff out so I would have less time. It all take experience I guess. I'm really struggling to animate the sisters in my district, I can´t do divisions with them so it is left to phone calls and DM I have been talking with the ZLs but I don´t know. 

Anyway this week we had a couple good lessons one with Olga the women who lost her husband. We went with Danny the new branch president, her nephew (i will get the that later) and he gave a very powerful testimony of how he is coping with the lose. She is doing great she looks so much better. We saw her in the street the other day something we had never seen before. Her house is so much cleaner. It is probably a blessing her husband died. He had been struggling for over 8 years and she has as well now she can accept the gospel and do the work for her husband. 

We also had another great lesson with Flavia and her 2 older daughters that have not come to church due to a lot of excuses so we taught 1 Nephi 3-5. It was really good. I think they will read more when we got to the part were Nephi cuts off Labans head, they all screamed it was really pretty funny. They are really good they just need to come to church. That is always the problem. Other then that this week has been hard, lots of contacts and lots and lots of walking. 

This week I did divisions in Juan Lacaze a small town on the beach. It was good.  I was with Elder Durand de Peru. He is a great guy! Convert of 2 years and has a strong testimony. We found a very evangelica lady and it didn´t look like she wanted to change but they went back another day and she said she had thought about getting baptized. We also visited an older women who is getting baptized at the end of the month. And when we walk into her house it smelled just like grandma Kaisers house. It was so trunky at the end of the lesson she asked me to give her a blessing. It was a kind of strange request but I did it. Probably one of the best I have given. I also helped an older couple start there genealogy yesterday they didn't know how to use there new computer. It really made me want to go visit Grandma Sue. I love genealogy.  I need to learn more about it when I get back. That's about it for this week, I got stuff to do. Oh I guess I said I would tell you our branch was reorganized of Sunday President came out with his family. He gave me a tie and our investigators pictures of Jesus Christ with the kids, the really famous one signed by the artist. He was his neighbor. Also PB&J sandwiches and Cinnamon rolls. I miss home. I also bought a few souvenirs today first time in my whole mission.

 

Love you, 

Elder Wray

June 10, 2013

Hey Guys,

¡First of Felicitaciones Elizabeth! Second I forgot to wish Dad a happy birthday last week.

This week has been alright. We worked hard but things aren't coming together how I expected. One investigator has gone out of town and another we couldn´t teach this week so that's a bummer seeing as we had hope to baptize them this month now I don´t know. On the brighter side Olga the tía(aunt) of Danny( a member) came to church for the first time. We have been working with her for along time taking it slow because she is slow to understand us.  Do to the fact that her husband had a stroke and was left without the use of his legs about 8 years ago. Through therapy he started to walk with help last year but kind of freaked out I guess and had another stroke and was left handicapped. He understands everthing but he can't move or talk. So she is always helping him and busy/stressed. But I was so happy she came and she looked comfortable. But three hours later her husband who we were working on getting the wheel chair for suddenly died. It was a big shock, since I saw him the night before and my comp and I with Danny gave him a blessing because he had an attack of some kind(asthma?). Anyway a half hour after we left we got a message from Olga saying that he had made a great recovery. Then on Sunday died of a heart attack.  We went to the burial this morning and Olga was super sad, Really hysterical. It was sad to see. We are going to work with Danny to see what we can do to help lift her up again. She was progressing really well, reading and she went to church, we will see what happens. Please pray for her if you can. 

My new district is doing alright kind of. The sisters are kind of bothering me. They are really struggling and I don't know how to help them. Tomorrow I am going to interview them with a ZL to see what's going on. I hope it goes well. The rest of the District looks pretty animated so that is good. 

Another thing I got your package like a month ago I just always forget to tell you thanks for all the food. The pin is cool to but President said we could use pins like 3 weeks ago so...

But that's about it not much else to say. Have a good week. Love You!

Love, 

Elder Wray

June 4,2013

Hey Guys,

This week went alright but we still couldn´t get our investigators in church. We visited one(Flavia) Sunday night and taught repentance and baptism then committed her to get baptized and she said yes. Then she told us from her own accord that she knows she need to go to church to prepare herself for baptism. I think she will get baptized this month. She is really good and want the best for her 4 kids. This week we also helped a less active go to church, and she told us she wants to keep coming so that was good. We just have to keep working that's all. Really don´t have much time only like ten minutes to write you because we made chicken tacos again because Elder Muñoz is going to Artigas. That's right it's changes already, can you believe it has been 6 weeks. That's crazy! We are staying the same my comp and I, I am DL again which was fun. This past week I was so busy. Monday we spent the night in Colonia sleeping in the church then taking the bus early. Then Tuesday was zone conference. It was President Heatons last. We always have a DL/ZLmeeting just before Zone conference. It was really good. It was Presidents last such meeting. He gave a very powerful testimony filled with lots of tears. I am going to miss that man. He has been a missionary for more then 5 years. During lunch we always play a game like ping pong. This conference we play the stick pull like Joseph Smith and out of the 2 zones I made it to the Final 4 before losing. I should have made it to the finals but I had a really bad start and was thrown. Elder Muñoz filmed it, it was a lot of fun. Also In conference half the people that gave there dieing testimony gave there first testimony with me that was weird. I guess that means we are getting pretty close to the end. Around 12 weeks left. 

I talked to President and he asked if I could start school late so I could finish on time. I told him I don´t know. But if Elizabeth does that really easy class that I did where I read the book( which she should) she has to go early so i don´t know what you guys are thinking. You really need to tell me what you are thinking so I can tell the new President.    Anyway I have to go. I also did 2 baptismal interviews this week which were really good!  I love you!

Love

Elder Wray

P.S. Elizabeth Elder Millan Says hi. Haha He is pretty cool. 

May 27, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week was really good. We worked super hard but we might have focused to much on the open house. Our open house was a big success we had members invite people menos activos came as well as every investigator we have. At least I was happy, and the branch helped out a lot. The downer about this week was that we didn´t have anyone come to church. I really thought we were going to have at least 3, we gave good commitments. This week we will work harder I guess, but after this week I really feel like Rosario is on the rise. We will see. I think we have some people that can get baptized this next coming month which would be great since the branch hasn´t seen a baptism in almost a year. But the sad thing I learned was from a member this week was that  when he was baptized in Rosario 40 years ago there was 7 members and in church last Sunday 14. But the work must go on. 

On Sunday we had District leader meeting and president came. It was good we talked for a long time about Elder Muñoz and his branch. He talked for like 30 minutes and I felt like the whole time he talked about more diligent and faithful prayers. Something I need to work on and something I shared with Elder Muñoz. Today we had a zone activity. It was kind of a lot of work. I organized quite a bit of it, we made chicken tacos again as well as futbol and dodgeball with socks. Tonight we are sleeping in the church in Colonia and then going to Deo tomorrow morning at like 5. 

I don't really now what else to say things are going well I have decided my classes are alright although I am not sure about those electives you picked. I fell like my schedule seems to easy but we will see how things are.  It looks like I have a lot of free time so I guess I will look for a job. Also please talk to Justin this week before he gets taken. If for some reason he can't maybe call Matt Bunnel my old instructor and ask him who is good. Brett should have his number.  Anyway that's about it. I think this letter came out a little scrambled but we are like 6 here at the cyber and we aren´t that focused.

 

Love you

Elder Wray

May 20, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week has been pretty good. I feel like I was all over the place. I did divisions with Elder Muñoz in Cardona, he is doing really well up there. But they have the worst bikes in the world. I also was disappointed to hear they were ride them with out helmets. I Droped the cain on him and he still didn´t use his helmet. I felt like an idot with a helmet since my comp didn´t have one but I was obedient. In the first lesson we went to I brought the helmet in so it wouldn´t be stolen and the investigator also dropped the cain on Elder Muñoz for not wearing one. I was super happy! He then promised to read the Book of Mormon Everyday Elder Muñoz used his helmet. That night and the next morning I went at fixing the bikes. They were destroyed one didn´t have pedals another had lost some parts. Neither could change the gears and one didn´t have breaks. Before I left each one had one pedal, they both had breaks they both could change into almost all the gears. And after all that they still were horrible. He then told me President had taken the bikes out of the area and they were just using them anyway. I was not to happy. But I enjoyed my time working on them I think I will have to learn more about bike mechanics when I get home.

 We also were in Juan Lacaze for the CVC(It is like the visitors center in Salt Lake or Washington). It was really cool. It starts sitting by a six foot picture of the Christos, while an audio plays. Then the sisters take everyone on a tour of the church while teaching. Then in the end they came to the font and Elder Arrionla and I were dressed in white talked about baptism. It was really cool.  

This week it is are turn on Friday, the Branch doesn´t look that excited. I wasn´t to happy with the way the Branch President announced it. He was like "well I forgot but I guess I should tell you this week is the CVC and if you want you can invites someone."  This week I hope to invite everyone we can, as well as visit every member to animate them to invite someone. We will see how it goes. We are also doing divisions with the zone leaders which will be good. We found a couple people this week that maybe can progress.That's really about it.

Oh I also forgot, after the cvc we ate dinner with the Binghams the couple in charge. They are from Idaho but I don´t know were. It was so good!! Roast beef, potatoes, pees, gravy, whip cream jello. I got to lick the beater haha it was so good, I felt like a little kid again! We then got a ride home. It was my comp and I and then 4 sisters. It was the strangest moment of my mission. They turned into little girls again. Singing and screaming and laughing. I was so happy we were dropped of first.  Anyway thats about it. 

Love you

Elder Wray 

May 13, 2013

Hey Guys,

 It was good to see you yesterday even though everyone looked a little tired. I hope you are doing well. This week was alright. We have been working hard but we are still looking for people to teach. We tried animating President Santucho (branch President) to let us do the church open house but he wasn´t that into the idea (something about the church being dirty and the members not animated enough to do it) two things that aren´t going to fix themselves. But I think we gained his confidence. But it looks like the Binghams(senor couple) got them to do it, so on the 24 it will happen. But that mean there is a lot to be done in a short amount of time, I think my comp and I will end up clean the church next week. This week we need to work on giving better commitments, we need to be more bold. This week we didn´t have the success we should have.  I did divisions this week with Elder Harrison(my last ZL), he is a little trunky(he goes home in 3 weeks) and had a weird neck problem he couldn´t move it. Thankfully his comp is Elder Durand, is really excited to work. To start divisions we showed up at his apartment to find his hot water heater was spraying hot water everywhere. He started screaming saying he wasn't going to have a hot shower the next day. Haha He is super funny when he gets mad. I told him to calm down. I turned off the water then that night I changed the hose that had burst, not really sure how it happened it looks like it got to hot but it is all good now. This week I am doing divisions with Elder Muñoz he is doing really good. I am proud of him! He is working really hard in a really hard area. I am a little worried about Hermana Zabala and Hermana Toone because of their baptism that fell through but they are doing divisions this week as well so I think they will be alright. They seemed excited after talking to there families.

Today I put together a district activity. We played some soccer then made chicken tacos they were really good. Then we played more soccer. I don´t think the hermanas liked soccer but there isn´t really anything else to do we can't play cards and they didn´t want to play ping pong so no se. They also didn´t want to help us cook or clean, just eat. I am trying to not let it bug me. There is one elder that has 6 hermanas in his district I feel so bad for him. His nick name is girls camp leader jaja poor elder Brown. Anyway that is about it not much else to say. Have a good week! Study hard for finals and say Hi to Mike if you see him. Tell him he can email me if he wants. 

Love you all!

Elder Wray 

May 6, 2013

Hey Guys,

Things are going a little slow here in Rosario. I am struggling a little. I imagine I just need to have a little more patience's. We have visited all the members in the branch asking for references as well as in every contact. I think Elder Arriola is a little desanimado as well. This Sunday was the first in my branch. It was really weird. In total 16 members came and one investigators. 6 priesthood holders including us. It was fast in testimony meeting. The priesthood that broke the bread did it in one verse of "On a green hill far away". I thought everyone was going to give there testimony and then we would end early but nope. It feels really weird since we meet in a strange building. It is kind of weird but kind of cool also everyone is so close. It is a lot like the branch we visited on the island with great grandma Fraser but less people. I was told at one time the branch was at 70 people but that was with 2 elders 2 sisters and a senor couple as branch president. I just have to find the faith to continue in the course I am working in my area. I know I won't have the results in 2 or three days or weeks for that matter but soon things will come together. 

We are working with the investigators we do have one of which is the aunt of Danny Rodas The best member in the branch. She is really good and will get baptized. Danny was a little upset we gave her fecha so soon but we explained why and he seemed alright. We just have to find a way to bring her to church because she has to take care of her husband who is in a wheel chair. On Sunday we had a miracle. The boyfriend of a member came to church with her. He seems really nice and we set up a time to meet with him, so we will see where that goes. 

The District is doing really well I think every one in the district had someone in church which was nice. My District meeting was probably the best I have had my example worked well but the hermanas might have felt a little left out since it was a physical example and they chose not to participate. Forgot about them. But I think I have the confidence of my district and they are working really hard. Today thankfully is the last time! I  completely have to clean a house. The bathroom was a disaster as well as the kitchen and back deck but it is all fairly clean now. It has been fairly cold here but I like this town. We did contacts in the pouring rain for about an hour and a half this past Friday night. We had visited all the people we could think of and were left with nothing to do. It was hard and no one let us in but this week should be better. We were drenched to the bone. 

We met a man in a contact that had lived in New York for 30 years his English was only alright. I thought it was pretty cool he is going back this year after 5 years. He doesn't like it here anymore. I thought he was pretty cool until he pulled out his Ipad and showed us his family and wife and then showed us all the women he met in the states. He's in his 60s. I lost all respect for him. 

Anyway that about it. 

Love you 

Elder Wray

P.S. It looks like we are going to Skype. Sunday 730 My time I just have to remember my password. 

Love you

April 29, 2013

Hey Guys, 

So I thought I would write this letter different, I got a letter from President then wrote him back so instead of writing everything again I thought I would copy and paste and then add when needed. First Presidents Letter

Elder Wray,

You have done an excellent job in Mercedes. Thank you for being such a great trainer. There is a lot to do in Colonia but we are not starting from scratch. I would like your report on how it is in Rosario. Did Elder Morales leave investigators and did they reactive? How is Elder Arriola doing at this point? Gracias, Pte H

President,

Thanks for your support. Things are alright here in Colonia but there is a lot of work to do. The members are pretty desanimado (Like depressed). They could use a big boost in faith. We do have one member that I have met that looks really good his name is Danny, he is a fairly recent convert(2 years). As for investigators we need more. From what I have been told by Elder Arriola and the Zone Leaders, Elder ? wasn´t that obedient. He left two investigators. I gave one of them fecha two days ago and they accepted (Elder Arriola said it was the first time he has given fecha in a long time). Elder Arriola seems to be doing well he is ready to work, but feels a little bad about this last change. I also have been animating Elder Muñoz, he told me he hasn´t been that obedient either but I told him he is senor comp now and he needs to be an example. He seems alright now. That's about it for now. I have learned already how precious your time is here in Colonia. I have only worked in my area two days do to zone meeting, baptismal interviews and District Conference, I also can´t work my area tonight because my comp is in Montevideo. Something I will have to work around. But I am excited and ready to work. Thank for everything.

Elder Wray 

It was kind of nice to hear President was happy with my work. I don´t know if I told you last week but I am in a district it isn´t even a stake. As a matter of fact it is the oldest District in the world. If I remember right it was the first district in south America and it is still a district. Super Sad.  I am the city of Rosario, a small town. We are the only elders there and about an hour from anyone else. Being district leader I have to travel a lot and it is really expensive here. But it isn´t that hard to help this area out because we are pretty much opening it. The last elder here just stopped working. When I gave my numbers to the zls they were so happy because it was such an increase in success. I feel kind of bad for my comp but we have to get moving. To tell you the truth I lied in my last letter. I said I didn´t know that much about Colonia but everyone knows Colonia as the hardest zone in the mission. I just didn´t want to desanimate myself. I think my branch has a total of 20 members active. We don´t have a chapel we meet in a rented room. And the members don´t want to work. I think I am going to start sharing the story the Spyglass with them. If you haven´t read it, read it. It is really good! By Richard Paul Evans. We have two investigators and older women, and then a family consisting of a single mom her 4 daughters and a son. They are all really good. But the last elder didn´t give them commitments just went to there houses to talk. I gave baptismal date the the older women and she accepted without a problem. The family I haven´t seen since my first day. This branch hasn´t had a baptism since August. Also Elder Navarro finished his mission here. 

Good things about Rosario and Colonina in general. Super Pretty, chilly, lots of Swiss immigrants and it is like a mix of T-bo and Mercedes. I have my first DL meeting tomorrow we will see how it goes. All the ZLS told me was animate the District. I think I am going to talk about overcoming weaknesses and how we psych ourselves out, using a physical activity maybe pull ups, but I don´t really know. I have to finish planning it. My district is pretty cool. I have the ZLS then Elder Muñoz (my old comp) and his comp, and Elder Harrison my last ZL and his kid. And Hermanas I don´t know how I feel about that. Hna Zabala and her daughter. 

In District Conference(Like Stake Conf) President Heaton spoke, he dropped the cain pretty hard. The attendance to the meeting was less then our ward at home, sad. But he told us of meeting an ex missionary that served in Italy. President began to tell him about his problems with Colonia when the Elder stopped him and said President Heaton when I was a missionary in Italy I was in a branch where the only people that were active were my comp and I and the branch presidents family. That made me feel better. 

Anyway that's about it I have to go. Pray for me. I am almost 21 what the heck. I haven't gotten the package yet. Maybe tomorrow. Also good jobs sisters in sports. Happy b day Elizabeth. I cant believe your 18 que cosa. 

Love you, 

Elder Wray

April 22, 2013

Letter is missing, can't find it anywhere?

April 15, 2013

Hey Guys,

So we didn´t have any baptisms this week. We had a lesson with los chicos on Tuesday and it was pretty obvious they weren´t completely ready and the aunt has a boyfriend that tells them strange things about the church. So we talked to the bishop and he is having the primary president try and talk to the mom. Maybe she will be more receptive to a member. Other exciting news is that Hugo and Marina a couple we have been teaching for 5 weeks finally came to church. And he told us that his daughter in law has stolen his BOM many times to read it so we are going to start working with her. He has told us many times that he loves the peace we bring to his house. He will have to overcome many obstacles to be baptized (Smoking 30 cigarettes a day, drinking, pride) but I know he can be baptized. But he knows we are representatives of Jesus Christ, The day we showed up at his door step he said we brought the spirit so strong that it calmed the storm that was going to explode there that night. The man Eduardo we have been helping looks like he just wanted money and wasn´t really that interested in the church. We got him a job and enough food to get by then he disappeared and stopped coming to church. Really sad hopefully one day he repents and shows up at church.

This week we have also had more success with contacts almost everyone we found we found knocking doors. Not my favorite way to work but when other things aren´t working you got to do it. This week I have also given out a lot of English test for the Latinos that are learning English. It is a program of 25 lessons with a test after each one. Well since I am really the only gringos in the zone willing to help, it puts a lot of weight on my shoulders. I am helping 4 Latinos with there English plus my kid(companion). One Elder dies in 11 days and needs to take the real test, so I have been cramming a lot with him. This week I have given 5 or 6 test, each one lasting between 15-30 minutes depending on how prepared they are. I gave 2 this morning while everyone was playing soccer. It was kind of a bummer but I played for a bit.

I am almost positive this is my last week in Mercedes. I can´t believe it has almost been 4 months since I got here. I love this ward a lot. It will be sad to leave. 

Oh yea also this week the Stake President dropped the cain on us. I the best cain drop I have ever received. I have never seen someone drop the cain so hard with the spirit. We were in the Bishops office writing an English study list for an Elder while we waited for ward council to start when he walked in. He started asking questions about the family, the mish ect. Then he turns to me and asks me. And Elder Wray How many families do you want to baptize this month? I was a little taken back and took the question to be how many families will you baptize this month. I thought about our investigators and then said 1. When it came out of my mouth I knew I was in for it. Haha he then said oh Elder what little faith. Then asked Elder Perez. Seeing my mistake my comp said 2. He then taught us a quick lesson super spiritual about sacrifice to make our desires realities and how God will help us. He also chastised us for our lack of faith all in front of the Bishop but he did so well with the spirit I couldn´t help but just smile. Anyway that night Elder Perez and I had a good long talk on what we were going to give up to reach our goals. I won't tell you what we are giving up for the moment but it is hard and I hope I have the faith and patience to see it through the end of the week.  

Love, Elder Wray

April 8, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week was alright. Well really it could have been better. We don´t have many investigators right now and the one we have we struggled to find this week. I had hopes for conference, we were waiting for 7 people that I thought were really committed but at that last moment they didn´t come. I was a little frustrated we will see what happened this week. We possibly have 3 baptisms this weekend, Enzo(10), Romina(9), and Maycol(8). They have come to church 6-7 times in a row by themselves and we have tried for 7 weeks to find the mother but she just is not that interested. Today we are going with the Bishop and his wife to talk with the mom to see if she is willing to support her kids. We will see what happens, her kids want to be baptized but without the mom I don´t know. 

Conference was good, it was a little frustrating. The whole first session the bishop, a couple other missionaries and I tried to fix the connection because every 10 seconds it would cut out. It was kind of funny because he had to get on the roof so I helped him up so he could look at the giant dish while talking to tech support then he yells oh crap hey Elder Wray get a broom or a big stick. I thought he was going to prop something up. But when he got down he looked terrified and told me it was to kill a big spider. Haha, I just laughed! In the end when almost all hope was up and we were trying to jerry rig the projector to a lap top the signal came in and we saw the guy give the closing pray and that was it. Haha, poor bishop looked so tired. The next session we had to watch English in the family history center on the Internet. It gave me a head ache. The Internet was kind of slow we would hear one sentence then a pause then the next. I was just about to go and watch it in Spanish but it wasn´t the same. I still havent´seen all the Saturday morning session. But did they sure hound the obra misional it was great! I can´t believe how many missionaries there are. The work is being hurried. 

We also had interviews with President on Friday it was alright but my comp was worried because my interview was 15 min instead of the usual 5. We were discussing area boundary's for the hnas(sisters) that are coming. He also called me Thursday night at 9:25 as we were literally running home through down town. Just called to tell me we were having comp study together Friday morning. It went alright I think.

Not much new accept Elder Perez broke my name tag in half in his rage because I was to good a futbol. Haha it was an accident but was a bummer. I have to by a new one now.

 

We had a pretty crazy Saturday besides conference I wont go into much detail accept a crazy women sat next to my comp asked him to read the Book of Mormon then threw a condom at him. All while we were in the chapel. Then I received some really gross texts from someone. The women here are crazy. 

Anyway that's about it. Got to go.  Love you!

Elder Wray 

April 1, 2013

Hey Guys,

This week was good. We had a baptism which is great! Ester was baptized. She was really happy and really prepared. Not many members went to her baptism I guess do to la semana santa(Easter it is a whole week here) It was Easter up there right? But it was a really good service maybe one of the best of my mission. Her daughter was able to attended. She happens to be an inactive member. She was baptized when she was 14 and stopped going when she was about 16 she thinks. She is now 45. She cried all during the service and said we could pass by her house this week to talk. She is the only member in her family. We also have a NdH tonight with a granddaughter. We have gained the trust of the Bishop I think. He said he is working on a reference for us. I hope so because we are a little short on investigators at the moment but we will find more. This week should be really interesting. We have interviews and conference. Should be really good but short on time work wise. We will see what happens. I am getting tired and a little trunky. I think it is all this stuff about school and the fact that Elder Brown just talks about flying all of the time. Elder Perez is doing well, sometimes he bugs me. I don´t think I have had so many arguments about how Spanish should be spoken with a Latio. He thinks because he is from Argentina he knows how it goes. But in every Latin country the Spanish changes a bit. More then half the time I win the argument. I guess 18 months in the mission with almost only Latio comps paid off. Jaja(Haha). Just kidding!! But other then that things are going well.

 

I will talk to President on Friday about coming home but I heard he is going to tell me just wait till the new President gets here in July. But we will see. Elder Larson and Pyeatt said they are looking at coming home the 18/19th but I don´t know. In other news President has given us 1 hour to write the family and newly added Friends. Kind of cool but not super exciting. Never had a problem with that. 

I have also become kind of famous for my brownies in the ward. And I have to admit they are pretty good. They use 3/4 cup of butter and 1 cup of a extra dark chocolate melted over the stove. I just finished a batch for the NdH tonight. I also was invited to make pancakes for breakfast in the house of the 1 counselor while my comp cut grass jaja(Haha). It was the first time he had eaten them since his mission. He served in 89-91. We also found two dead rats for a widow in the ward hna Dora. They died in her house and she couldn´t find them. Her house smelled super bad poor women. She is the same women who had the broken lamp. Anyway I have to go. 

Love you

Elder Wray 

Pic one Rat

Pic two out side the bishops house

Pic three Ester and the bishop

March 25, 2013

Hey Guys,

Things are going good. We had more lessons this week. We are being obedient and working hard we just need to come up with better ideas to find people. The Bishop tried giving us some advice yesterday, we will see how it goes. He kind of told us if you have been doing something for along time and it isn´t working why are you still doing it. We will see if we can try to introduce new ways to find. We visited him yesterday to see how we could help the ward and see what goals and plans they had. It was a good visit. He is by far the best Bishop I have had in my mission. We kind of made a plan of how we can help the ward progress. It pretty much involves training priesthood holders. There are only 3 priesthood holders with any experience in the ward the Bishop, his first councilor( who was the branch president a while back) there isn´t a second councilor and another member who was Bishop two Bishop's back. Everyone else is a recent convert or has been inactive for a while or for a long time and is just coming back. So the Bishop wants us to help take some of the newer members and returning priesthood holder out on visits with menos activios so they can get a feel for things. It is kind of like training home teachers I guess. We will see what happens.

We have a baptism on Saturday of the grandma of a recent convert it will be good. She is well prepared and has the desire to share the gospel with the rest of her family. That's about it. Crazy story which kind of brought about this whole training priesthood holders thing. We had a lesson with Hugo and his Wife an older couple. We tried to take the Elders quorum president but he couldn't go so he sent his councilor(Sergio) 25. Sergio looked really excited on getting to the lesson and after we got to know each other. Out of know where he starts teaching which really isn´t bad but after about ten minutes he had tried to teach tithing, temples, the plan of salvation and who knows how much more. I tried to stop him twice by saying something like y si pero Hugo como fue su lectura del libro de mormon(and if Hugo reads the book of Mormon). Every time I tried he would say wait then start again next talking about priesthood blessing and other things. Remember this is only our second lesson with the family. To top it off every 2 or 3 minutes he would say Si usted ha sentido esto bautizáte loco(If you have felt this then get baptized fool). I was so scared to lose our investigator but I think they took it alright but we will see when we go back tomorrow. They didn´t come to church. Well that's about it. 

I am still getting the area ready for 2 sisters that are coming at the end of April. I talked to President yesterday for about a half hour. We will see how it goes. In April 18 sisters are coming. That is like the size of a whole group. Anyway I have to go. Oh and the picture is of me getting my trunky papers. Meaning it had my return date on it and asked me what airport ect. I hope I put your email right. I zoomed in and saw that I spelled English wrong in English que vergüenza jaja(embarrassed Haha). 

Love you,

Elder Wray

P.S. For my birthday I can't think of anything right now. Just chocolate chips and what ever else seems good a tie maybe. anyway got to go

March 18, 2013

Hey Guys,

We are doing pretty good here. We did a trio with David the guy from Salt Lake on Thursday. It was a little complicated that day but he was super nice. He is thirty from well Colorado but living in Provo. He also lived in Logan for a while but coudn´t stand the cold so left. I think he got what he wanted. He was here to evaluate Elder Perez because he was the last Latino to be in the MTC for 3 weeks. They are seeing how they compare. It was so complicated that day because we had zone training then we had to study, about an hour of interviews with this guy. In the end we only worked with him for two hours before he left but we had one good lesson and  another mas o menos(More or Less). We were going to have a baptism this coming weekend but do to moto(motorbike) problems she didn't come to church. I was a little frustrated at first but it will be alright she is going to be really well prepared. She was able to attended the Relief Society birthday conference with her granddaughter a recent convert and she loved it. She is going to be a good convert, she has a lot of friends in the ward. I am trying to have as many lessons as I had with Elder Camejo but it is a struggle. But Elder Perez and I feel like we are improving, and this past week we found two solid families. One stopped the other Elders in the street Monday and asked them to pass buy. He lives in our area! It is him, his wife and 2 kids. He has been out of work for 2 months and is turning to the Lord for help. By the end of the week he had to send his family to his father in-laws house because he can't support them. They will come back when he has a job we are looking like crazy. Another couple we found told us at the end of the lesson that it was the most peaceful their house has been in a long time. Two good families and we have another reference for another tonight. 

Today we are also doing a FHE with the youth of the ward since most are recent converts. We are going to teach the recipe for a happy life. scripture study, prayer, and church attendance. I am also working on an example with food. Super salty cookies and then really good brownies. Even though the cookies look good they are gross. You have to follow the recipe to be happy in life even though the other looks tasty. We will see how it works out. I also have a talk on Sunday. It should be good. I can't wait for conference also thanks for the cookies they were really tasty. Next time you should just send the chocolate chips though that's the only thing I can't buy here. That way I can make more.  I would be fine living with Spencer as well also Ben Thompson. But it is up to Spencer, I don´t really care. You can handle it. 

I also had a really cool experience yesterday. We visited a member to give him the sacrament since he has been confined to his bed for 15 years. He was hit by a drunk driver while riding his bike home from church. He was Bishop at the time I think. Anyway a simple small talk became a sermon/lecture. I was in awe as he spoke. He didn't say things "deep" but quoted a lot of Scriptures in Matt 11, Isa 55, juan 4, and 3 nephi 18 and others I didn´t know the references to, but the spirit he brought opened my mind, and I was enlightened in many ways. Bringing ideas for my talk, investigators and other personal problems. It was super cool. When he finished by bearing his testimony he had been talking for 40 minutes. We had to quickly give him the sacrament and then run home but it was super cool. One of the coolest visits of my mission. 

I have to go take a shower and finish these cookies. It doesn´t look like I will have time to nap=(.

Love you!

Elder Wray