A Man Of God

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the case of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me”.
- Elder Henry B. Eyring

I dont feel like I'm going home still. Man I dont want to leave. Im going to miss so much about here. Mate, cumbia in the street, spanish, the crazy mexican and las vegasin I live with, my goofy Briazilian comp, The random black guy with the Jamacan hat we see in the street all the time that shouts at us "BLACK POWER MY FRIENDS! PRAISE JOSEPH SMITH!" (yah we love that guy), The Uruguayin sayings and accent, all the amazing investigators (especially Esteban), seeing people riding down the streets in a cart pulled by a horse in the middle of the city, people walking their cows on a leash when it's nice outside, Talking with random people in the street even though you don't know them, learning the life stories of so many people (investigators and companion), churipan (yall that have been here or to Argentina know what I'm talking about), small cement houses, alfajors (don't worry family I'm bringing yall a few), almacenes (man those are so convenient), the wisdom of our mission president, and the kindness of his wife, giant lunches with members, the spirit I can feel and the fire that accompanies it, the plack (man It's going to be hard to take that off for the last time....... I don't want to think about that), the fact that I am an official representative of Jesus Christ and that I have the authority to promise things in his name. and a ton more.

I love this country and will always think fondly of it in my heart. It is the land where I have changed, the land where I finally feel that I am a man (I 'm still not perfect, but I do feel that I have improved in many things).

This last week has been a normal week full of Charlas. For example, my last full day of proselyting (yesterday) we had 2 charlas with member, 2 others, and 3 MACRS (charlas with less actives of recent converts). Please please please don't take that as pride, it just shows that we have been doing everything that we normally do. It's as I said, I don't feel that I'm nearing the end of my time here in Uruguay.

Last Thursday we had a temple conference (a zone conference were we end by doing a session in the temple). I left there with a tranquility so strong, then balled as I gave my last testimony before the zone.

We have so many incredible investigators here. The new missionary that's coming in (my comp is training) is such a lucky guy. Im still going to try working on my end with these people through social programs.

This is not the end, but just the beginning of a great work,

I love you all so much. Thank you for staying tuned for these 2 amazing years,

Elder Eliason

This is it

Man. I have a really weird feeling. I know logically that I'll be bouncing back to the states in a week, but I still don't feel it. It's as if, if President Eddy called and asked me to stay another 6 weeks, I'd feel the same as I do now. I don't know. I don't think it will hit me until I'm on the plane.

I love Uruguay. I really do. This is the place where I feel I have become a man.

This week has been so amazing. President called us early in the week to announce that he would fast with the zone Saturday and Sunday for help progressing the work. We had 7 investigators in church:D I love miracles.

Some cool experiences this week:

Esteban: Haha so on Wednesday we headed with the plan to show him the 2 videos: "The will of God" and "Things will improve" (the one by Elder Holland about the man who's car breaks down while driving past Saint George). Well upon arriving, he excitedly told us "I was watching Videos on the Church app this morning, and this one really touched me." He proceeded to pull out his phone to show us "Things will Improve." Then on Friday we showed up to show him Only a Stone Cutter. Upon starting the Video, He died laughing, and said "yall aren't going to believe this, but I saw this video this morning." Then Sunday we passed by to show him the Testaments. Upon him pulling it up on youtube, there was the little bar that said "Seen." We looked at him and said "HERMANO WE PLANNED TO WATCH THIS WITH YOU!" Him laughing "what do you want me to do. Im curious. I saw this 2 days ago. 

That same day he told us that he had just finished the Book of Mormon and is starting it over. Can I just say, Best Investigator on my mission.

Enrique and Ana: Having taught them twice, we returned with the bishop to show them the video of the Restoration (20 min version..... yah, we've been using videos a bit recently to teach). After showing the video, Ana said "wow, that video just gives you strength to press on." interesting comment, upon inquiring as to what she meant by that "It just gives you this feeling of strength... I don't know how to describe it." #Holy Ghost. Haha, when we asked what they are willing to do to follow this feeling, they laughed and said get married so we can get baptised. YES, yes you do.  (we had lightly touched on the subject a few days before) 

We also found this young couple (26 and 19) named Marshel and Katya. Man they've had a rough life, but really want to turn things around. well, since we gave them a Book of Mormon, they've read almost every night a bit. They came to Church yesterday, and she left with a grin on her face. Haha, in our last charla, she also asked "What do I have to do to get married?" We Laughed and said "GET MARRIED." He died laughing. apparently, he had proposed to her a bit back and she had said later. 

Beatriz also is progressing well to her marriage and baptism in October.

We also have this less active family progressing.

Update on Laura: She is actively attending church in the area of the Hermanas now!!!!:D,

Love yall,

Elder Eliason

GO, GO; PUSH IT, SURGE TO THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#crosscountry races

got to love it:D

Well, this week has been a bit wet and cold, but we've seen some sweet moments. 

Haha, somehting kind of funny: 

This week Esteban was super sick and didn't come to church, we stopped by to give him a blessing afterwards, and his (soon to be) wife answered saying he was sleeping. well she in the past hasn't wanted anything to do with us, but like most aged Uruguayan women, she has the talking virus. If you can just get them to talk for 5 minutes, they let you in and will talk to you for 2 hours...... most of the time, being spent with you listening..... well that's kind of what happened. We taught her the Plan of salvation in the midst of her many words, we weren't there for 2 hours, but I was surprised when I looked at my watch. She did have some pretty cool stories. for example: in the Native American culture, when a young lad reached the age of manhood, his father took him into the forest, blindfolded. he was set upon a rock, and left there for the night. The purpose was to increase his courage (during the night there would be terrifying sounds, and dangers), and help him learn to trust in the nature around him. Well after the horrible night had passed, he removed the blindfold , only to see on a rock a bit aways, was his father. He had never left his son, but had stayed there all night, making sure NOTHING would happen to his kid. Yet the lad had learned a great lesson. 

We took that and pretty much said " YES! that is the plan of God for us here on earth." Really cool.

Well we ended up giving her the blessing then leaving.... Esteban was still sleeping.

We also found other part member families and news that should be getting baptised the weeks after I leave.

Well I've got to go.

 LOVE YALL!

Elder Eliason

Never back down, never surrender

That has been this week. A ton of pushing forward. The mission is hard. haha yah! Nevertheless, it is the best thing I have ever done in my life. This week we had a lot of cool experiences; finding more investigators, teaching, preaching, and looking towards baptism. 

Good news! Beatriz and Jorge finally have a marriage date for the 20th of October. She will be getting baptised the 22nd. Esteban finally received all the papers, and should be going today to take out the date. Looks like I'll be asking permission to see a few baptisms via skype in a couple months. I'm excited for those days. On top of that, Dina (the baptism a month ago) is going to the temple to do baptisms this Saturday!:D

Well, somethings on my mind. Sometimes I fear I prohibit the progress of others due not taking little acts of faith. We learn in Ether 12:12 that God can only work miracles if people show enough faith. Sometimes I wonder if there's someone there who needs to here the gospel and we don't show enough faith to work the miracle that will change their lives. We're pretty good, however, for example, one day we got back just before 9:30, and I jumped into verifying, and didn't take the time to plan well with my comp. Although there are tons of people to visit, the following day we were left with no one in home, walking in the streets. When one plans well, the Lords can bless us and others with charlas. 

Now, don't get me wrong, we do have a lot of charlas; This week we had 7 lessons with members, 13 other lessons and 9 news, however I wonder if there were people waiting that day that missed out due to our laziness the day before. 

Man, the gospel is such an interesting and important thing. I am grateful for the mercy of the Lord in accepting our imperfections, however there is so much more to do. 

One of the things I was pondering today: I have improved so many things in the mission. It has been a real building ground for who I am and who I want to become. That being said, there are so many things that I still am missing, that I want and need to improve. I come home in 3 and a half weeks. Im not trunky, but ..... there are so many things I still need to get better at before getting back. I know that I won't go home a perfect person, but I don't feel ready to return yet.

Hmmm..... just my thoughts.

well here's something I enjoyed that I sent to another friend today: this week I discovered a new way to do contacts. We touched a door to do a contact and after doing the normal presentation, she stated that she didn't have a ton of time, and was about to shut the door, when I said "so, Im super greengo and am from the states. On top of that, Im going home in a month, now we dont have arroz con leche (a common dessert here) there, could you give me a good recipe?" Turned it into a half hour contact with her accepting a return visit. On top of that, now I have a sick recipe. My comp was dying laughing as we walked away.

Well I love yall so much and hope you guys can have an amazing week! 

Elder Eliason

In a pretty peachy place :)

Durazno means peach in Spanish;D

Kind of a sad way to start a letter, but I just want to ask you guys to keep Elder Salas's family in your prayers. For those of you who remember he was my comp over a year ago in El Pinar. Well he finished the mission 3 months back, and this past week passed away from a sickness that has long followed him. Thanks.

This has been kind of a crazy week. Well, Loura got very sick last sunday, and had to go to the hospital instead of church. This will keep her from getting baptised this week. On top of that, this past saturday she moved to the sister missionary's area. (we helped carry a bed all the way there. The walk was a bit over an hour... Our arms were pretty well worked). Well, now we hope the sisters will visit her and help her make that step soon towards baptism. The best part about it is she with her three kids and husband will all be able to follow in her footsteps. That will be the first full family I've helped bring to the gospel. :D Pray for her.

On top of that we saw a pretty cool miracle this week. We were walking down this street towards lunch and I was looking for the house. The thing is, It was nearly impossible to miss the house given that there was a huge construction site right next to it. On top of that, I knew the streets where it lay. well, even with all this, we walked right passed it... like right past a huge construction site.... literally 3 meters from it... in plain sight ..... and didn't see it. Looking back all I remember was seeing normal houses. In a nutshell our eyes were covered and we kept walking. This led us to walking 4 extra blocks, and meeting a new 17 year old investigator named Alfonsina (say that ten times fast). Can I just say that she's amazing and we're hoping to help her progress soon:D

We've continued to find a lot of new people to teach this week (for example, the super quiet girlfriend of a member that's about to go on a mission), and we pray that things will work out with them too. 

Esteban is...... just as amazing as ever. He's kind of upset that he's still not baptised. He's gotten pretty far in his geneology, but is a bit upset that he cant access the rest of the programs open only to members (reserving temple ordinances). On top of that, this next week is a ward temple trip. He wants to go really badly, but wont be able to enter yet. I was talking to Elder McMillan today about the city where he lived (Las Vegas). Apparently there are marriage drive throughs. Like you can get married without even getting out of the car. Kind of weird, but I would love anything like that right now for Esteban and his wife. Thinking about it, that would be nice for Beatriz and Jorge too. They're all in the same boat of not being able to get married untill November due to the courts waiting list....... where they only marry on Thursdays...... 3 or 4 Couples. yah.

Well I love the mission and hope yall have pretty sweet week 

Love,

Elder Eliason

The last of the really great companions

August 8, 2016

FIRST OFF!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST SISTER THAT ONE COULD EVER ASK FOR!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE FLIPPIN AMAZING!

Yep Tyler, Brittany. He's Brazilian. Elder Guerra is from Fortaleza Brazil and is one of the most humble guys I know. It's been pretty great.....though at times hard to understand. Listening to portugese, I pick up about half of what is said. 

Thankfully he speaks spanish, though with a heavy accent. That gets kind of funny with contacts in the street. When they dont understand him, they look at me and all I can think is, ha, good luck with my American accent. Nah, it's not that bad, but it can be funny at times. Im excited to study up on Portugese more when I get back.

Well Long long long story short, Laura is getting Baptised next week on Saturday. She is super excited! Man THIS AREA IS SO GREAT! I really wish I could have come into the mission with all I know now. Finally, I really know what Im doing, and how to help people here.

These past few days with Elder Guerra have been super effective and powerful. There is a simple power that comes with humility. It's interesting. When one truly isn't seeking for attention, and is interested in what a person is saying, even if it is completely irrelevant, trust, love, and charity are found. I'm pretty excited to see where this transfer goes.

well, Esteban is doing good. He's a bit stressed looking for work, and said that he may be moving to Brazil. His did assure us though that where ever he moves, he will make sure there is one of the churches there first, and will immediately ask for missionaries to come and help him. We'll see if he stays in town long enough to get baptised here, or if he bounces up to Brazil and Sister Lilya has to baptise him. I had that thought this morning. That would be so cool.

Beatriz is still having some pretty bad spinal problems. Please pray for her. 

We've found a ton of new invetigators this week! We'll see where this goes:)

LOVE YALL SO MUCH,

Elder Eliason

Elder Guerra and ME

my favorite Las Vegasan: Elder McMillan (that's an incent in his mouth)

This is going to be sweet!:D

CHANGES!!!!!!!!

Man this is weird. I now am entering my last transfer of the mission (that means I'll be home in a little over 6 weeks), and as Brother Schetselaar guessed, I have very mixed feelings about that. But oh well, Ill just focus on the mish for now and see what happens later. Haha my comp (who is going home Thursday) is extremely trunky. My goal is to not do that.

so My last comp will be an Elder Guerra. I don't know him, but we shall see:D I am super stoked; one of my best friends in the mission, Elder McMillan, is coming to live in the same house as us. 

Pretty much THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST TRANSFER EVER!

1)The wife of Esteban has agreed to finally marry him, and he's taken off to find a place that will marry them asap (haha his goal is to get married and baptised before I go home). Man this guy is amazing! This past week, he accompanied us to 3 charlas and bore powerful testimony. Remind me to tell you his life story sometime...... It's incredible how the lord brought him to this point of humility in the which he was prepared to accept the gospel and CHANGE!

2)Beatriz and Hermano Machin have coordinated with Esteban to go take out a marriage date together. In other words, we may be having 2 baptisms the same day:D Please pray for her spine. It's been hurting a lot recently.

3)Laura is close to betting baptised also, possibly in the coming weeks:D

4) We're going to be living with the ELDER MCMILLAN! Im so excited

5) I get to continue to live with my favorite Mexican ever!

6) I finally feel like I kind of know how to be a missionary.

well, that's all the time I have for today. LOVE YALL A TON!

Elder Eliason

This is our water bill.

Multa por = ticket for (like a ticket for speeding.... you did something wrong, so you have to pay money)

WE HAVE THE SAME EYES!

People play drums everywhere here

At the tracks