August 26, 2014 E-mail

Mommy!!

SO.......big NEWS......I'M TRAINING AGAIN!!!!! So, this is trainee number four! (1.Hermana Segovia, 2. Hermana Hernandez, and 3. Hermana Fuzaro). And, training is two transfers so it looks like I’m going to “die” training in Parque Patricios. Of the five sisters that are coming only one is Latina so odds are I’m training an American. It’ll be great!!! Hermana Jensen says it’s the best way to “die.” This was the biggest curve ball of my life! I was definitely not expecting it. That is something that I am learning--the Lord’s plan is sometimes very different from what we have in mind (“my thoughts are not your thoughts...”), but His plan is always but ALWAYS better.

The way to pure happiness is made sure with two things only: 1) obedience, and 2) accepting the will of the Lord. If we are always doing these two things, we will be happy. And the trials and tribulations we face, we will be able to trample under our feet!! Why? Because Heavenly Father is obligated to bless us when we obey. This I know from my own experience independent of any other person. This is the Church of Jesus Christ, the Savior Himself, the very Lord who created the earth created this church and it is His. Remember: every one came to earth to find the Church!!!! HELP THEM DO IT!!!!

Love you!!!!

Hermana Arntsen

Several sister missionaries and Brother Lines at the mission office.

August 18, 2014 E-mail

Mommy!

So this week was more or less good. It was good until about Friday night when I got sick. I woke up in the middle of the night with a fever and lower back pain. So all day Saturday I had a fever and back pain (but I was taking meds and they weren’t doing anything for the pain) then Sunday we couldn’t go to church because I was still sick but a MOUNTAIN OF INVESTIGATORS WENT to church!!!!!! Anita and Domingo stayed all three hours this time, and they made the next appointment themselves! Unfortunately, it looks like we won’t be able to make it because I am still sick. Hermana Pucheta had an antibiotic that she gave me. I’m getting better, but little by little. It’s just a little hard to sleep. The Pucheta Family is taking very good care of me. So, don’t worry. Besides they gave me a blessing and said that I would get better, so it will all be ok.

So, that was pretty much my week. Not too much to say. Oh, and I don’t know if I told you that our phone, but the GOOD NEWS is that THEY HAVE MORE PHONES NOW!!!!! Woohoo!!! So, Friday we are going to go get out new phone so that we can talk to everyone!!!

Anyway, I love you!!! I appreciate your prayers and how you take on my challenges always!!! Keep it up!!!

Love,

Hermana Arntsen

August 11, 2014 E-mail

Mommy,

Crazy story: about a month ago there was an investigator, Ariel, who was going to be baptized. He had his interview and everything and is really great. But he disappeared before his baptism and his mom, who doesn’t like us, said he went to another city to help his uncle or something. Well we were walking down the street one day and POOF! He appeared! He was running to catch a bus. My companion shouted to him but he didn’t hear. So guess what we did! We ran after him and got on the bus, too! A bus that we had never taken and didn’t know where it went, just to talk to Ariel! Well, that was Saturday and he had to work on Sunday :( but we have an appointment today, so we’ll see how it goes!!

So, last Monday we celebrated to birthday of Elder Estrada with the bishop and his family at the church. The bishop’s wife cooked so well!!! And we played some soccer (I scored three goals!) and basketball. Then there was a cake, but it was a fondant cake so we couldn’t smash the elder’s head in it (which is tradition) so the sister made some frosting aside and we threw it in his face which turned into a war! haha!

Any way I have a couple challenges for everyone this week in Preach My Gospel!

1) Read in chapter five, the section that says the Book of Mormon Testifies of Christ. (It’s short so don’t worry) and read a couple scriptures form the Scripture Study box below (PMG is a workbook not a textbook!) Then share what you learned with a friend who doesn’t know what the Book of Mormon is (via FB or in person but however you feel you should!)

    2) In your next FHE use chapter three (the missionary lessons) to teach the lesson. They are really great at explaining principles simply, and there are boxes to help you study further (workbook :D)

Those are my challenges for this week! I promise that as you do them with faith and real intent you will feel more of the Spirit in your life and the unmeasurable joy that comes from sharing the Gospel! Why? Because THIS IS THE TRUTH!!!! THIS IS REAL!!! Every single living person came to this earth to FIND the GOSPEL! And we have it so, we’ve got to SHOW IT!!!

Love you!!!!

Hermana Arntsen

Megan made brownies for her district!

August 4, 2014 E-mail

Mommy!

This week was good! We found some new people to teach and our leaders are really inspiring us to work even more and give even more to the Lord!! They are the best! Actually one of my Zone Leaders was my District Leader in Caballito and the other one was also in the Zone in Caballito, and quite a few other elders in the zone were in my other zones and one was my District Leader, too. It’s like a great big reunion! I really like this ward!! It is so great!

Two of those people we found are Anita and Domingo. They are from Peru. They are an older couple going through some rough times. Another investigator who works next door told us about them. We went and visited them for the first time on Thursday, and we got all the family around because their cousins were there for a birthday celebration. Turns out that one of their cousin’s daughters used to live here and actually got baptized here, but went inactive and now lives in a different city about two hours away. So, we got to help here remember the importance of the church, too! Then we visited them again on Saturday and they hadn’t read and said that they couldn’t come to church because they had to go watch their grandkids so their son could go work. With all the help of the Spirit we explained about the Sabbath day and shared 2 Nephi 31:10. Upon reading it, Domingo looked us in the eyes and said “Now I understand the importance of this day. I promise to go tomorrow. And when I promise something I deliver. I will wait for you to come get us until 9:15, and if you don’t show up by then I will start walking myself.” The incredible part is that he doesn’t walk very well. He is diabetic and because of an accident they had to amputate part of his foot, so he walks with crutches or is in a wheel chair! Wel,l we did show up before 9:15 with the counselor in the Bishopric, who has a car, to give them a lift. When Sacrament meeting was over they said “This happens every Sunday?”  Yes. “We are going to come next Sunday then.”

Apart from the Spirit, I have the strong impression that the loving hearts of the members are what helped them feel so comfortable! The brother who drove them was chatting with them and showed them where to sit and introduced them to other people. Bishop came over and personally introduced himself and chatted a little and a mountain of other members came and said “Hi, welcome to the ward.” THE MEMBERS ARE ESSENTAIL IN THE CONVERSION OF INVESTIGATORS!!!! Can”t say it enough! And I don’t think I will ever stop saying it!! YOU GOT THE POWER!!! (You have to imagine the song there ;D)

Today we are going to celebrate Elder Estrada”s birthday with the bishop and his wife. We are going to play basketball and soccer and Hermana Bishop is going to cook a feast!!! I’m way excited! Because she is Peruvian, and they cook the BEST FOOD EVER!!!!!

Love you!!

Hermana Arntsen

Megan and Hermana Pardo plus 2 more sisters!

Megan with Brother and Sister Lines, mission secretaries.

The Villa--so glad they only let the Elders go here!!

Megan and Hermana Fuzaro