So as it turns out every 6 weeks (on the week of changes) we write on Tuesdays!

Changes = Im staying with Elder Mendenhall another change to complete my training:)

anyways, MERRY CHRISTMASSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! FELIC NAVIDAD!!!!!!!!!!!! How was it everyone, tell me about whats happening in the states:D

Oh my goodness. Christmas here is crazy. Our mission president granted special permission to the mission to stay up until midnight the night of Christmas eve. Why you may ask? because at midnight, everyone and their dog sets off as many fireworks as possible at the same time. There are more fireworks here in 10 minutes, than in the states on the 4th of July. It was crazy! you turn around and in every direction there are morters, and firecrackers going off.

Anyways, Christmas here was amazing. Let me just say that I have the most incredible family every. It was such a blessing to talk to them Christmas day. especially Brittany! I feel kind of like Alma the younger when he sees the sons of Mosiah as missionaries, and the joy that filled his soul. She is such an incredible person and an inspiring missionary.

Haha, on cabios (changes) this week I was working with Elder Polter (Ive decided he is the archetypal wise old man of my missionary life, but that is beside the point) we walked into this super nice guys house (who we ended up teaching a super spiritual lesson and the guy Im pretty sure is going to progress far) and notices this beautiful window he had. it was about 2 meters by 2 meters and would have been a really nice feature had it not been overlooking a cement wall 2 feet in front of it. We thought that was pretty funny. Welcome to Uruguay.

Anyways, something I learned this week: The Lord doesn't want us to go through pain. However, even greater is His desire for us to learn, grow, and progress. As a result of this, trials will come into our lives that we feel inflict and torment our souls. What I have found though is, for some trials at least, once we learn the lesson we are meant to learn, the trial is removed, the burden lifted, and you realize how much you have progressed through the trial. In this moment, gratitude fills your heart if you let it, and your soul is mended with joy and peace. I had a moment like this this week. It was so amazing. I swear, I have never felt happier than I was in that moment. The gospel is incredible, and Christ really is there to strengthen us. He puts things in our lives to augment our strength and keep pressing forward. He helps us to swim through the dark tunnel that at times feels like it is filled with jello and thick syrup, to the brilliant fresh air at the end. There we can rejoice in looking back and seeing how far we have come.

La Iglesea es verdad,

Elder Eliason

P.S. soooooo Ironically Brittany called me to repentance this past week and told me to send more pictures. Today I MAY have forgotten my connector cable for my camera. One of the other elders has a sd card connecter, but there is a line, so there may be no pics this week.

I'm dreaming of a HOT, STICKY, Christmas!!!!!:D

Haha, sorry if I stole that title from ya Brittany, but its soooooo true. I just thinks its funny because they still go with the snowman/Santa in the huge warm coat getup in all the stores. Haha It might be more accurate if we had a santa that wore swim trunks and a beach towel.

So kind of like I did last week, Im going to just start with listing ideas I had / small things that happened this week

1)IM FINALLY ABLE TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT HALF OF A CONVERSATION! I still have trouble understanding what whole conversations are about and how to pitch in, but its getting there. :)

2)Soooo Im pretty sure the devil owns a wrench shop, and whenever someone makes good plans to progress their eternal glory and happiness (ie. baptism), he starts chucking his product. We have an 3 investigators (siblings) who are all doing everything right and want to progress, but so many hard things just keep coming up.

3)Here's an excerpt from my journal though that I liked:

"Its amazing. I can be having a rough day with little success. I can be tired, worn out, and thirsty. I can want nothing more than to just sit down. However, the moment I realize these things, without fail, the phrase 'I am doing the Lords work. How can I not be happy' passes into my mind, and all is right." That thought is not my own. It literally comes eery time and puts a smile on my face. It comes with feeling and power. The lord watches over his servants and strengthens us. I know this to be true. It is miraculous.

4)I LOVE ASADO AND LAMB. They are suuuuuper good.

5)We were able to go down to montevideo for a mission Christmas conference this past week. It was super cool to see everyone from the CCM again, and have a huge musical program that really invited the spirit

6)Patriarchal blessings are incredible. They speak directly to you in your times of need. I have had 2 main concerns during my time on my mission. the other day I was reading my blessing. when I got to the part about my mission, I realized both of those problems were directly addressed. I had never really realized that before. It is incredible. The lord knows us and is watching out over us. He knows what our struggles will be and provides accordingly to give us strength. when I was in the ccm, we had a cool district meeting about patriarchal blessings. one of the Hermanas sad something really cool that the patriarchs wife had told her when she received hers. She believed that "A patriarchal blessing is the last thing God told us before we came down to earth," I thought that was cool.

7When the spirit is present in a lesson, It can allow broken spanish to melt hearts. I have had some incredible experiences with lessons here. Im not super great at talking in spanish, but the spirit is there. and it is incredible.

​This is how the world sees the first presidency. Just some normal guys who lead a church

 

 

 

 But when you see them in the light of the gospel. Look whos really behind it all.

1st BAPTISM!!!!!:)

This week was amazing. Slowly but surely Im learning Spanish. Thats probably one of the hardest things in the mission for me. Not being able to talk to people in an intimate way that helps me understand them solely because of language barrier. However, thats what the spirit is for. It can overcome any of those barriers and touch the lives of many people.

So, before I tell spiritual stories here are some things I learned this week

 

1) Just roll with the punches. There was a day where all 5 of our planned lessons fell through. Yeah. That was a rough day. However, We were still able to make some good out of it. I discovered that if you just adjust to what life throws at you, you will be so much happier. Have a plan, have a plan b, have as many plans as you think you need, but if something comes up, prepare to be flexible.

 

2) Let people make their own choices. This is one thing I was bad at during high school. Id jokingly (but still seriously) get after people for not doing their homework (sorry Cheriece). In doing so (and things like it). I was rejecting humility. I found a scripture the other day during personal study (I cant remember where) that said Humility is not compelling. Fascinating. This is something I can work on.

 

3) Members are key to missionary work. They help out SOOOOOO much when they want to. Help your missionaries. give them referrals and go to lessons with them. Oh and send home food with them. That makes them happy:)

 

4) The Lord has a plan for everything. Trust him. This kind of goes along with roll with the punches.

 

5) dont overwhelm people. Jesus talks about us being the salt of the earth and what if we lost our flavor. Well what if we try to give people too much at one time. We learn things line upon line precept upon precept. Start at the basics and work up. Dont load on all the salt at once. That just gets rejected.

 

6) Dont try to cut your own hair........... Ill explain more with the pictures

 

7) talking through feelings really helps in forgiving yourself and coming to terms with things. This is something I have never been good at. I keep things inside and help other peole with their problems. However, I have an amazing trainer who asks the questions no one else dares to ask, and It really has helped me.

 

8) Tortugone, tortellini con mushrooms, and tacos = good  Fideos con tuco = dia triste

 

9) Blessings come in weird ways sometimes. When the lord wants his work to progress and someone is trying hard to do what is right he will provide a way. Lets just say one of the barriers to one of our investigators went to prison for 5-6 years this week (her dad..... he wasnt a very nice guy, but hopefully he will learn some good things while there).

Ok. Three quick things. 

 

1)President is amazing! I honestly have complete trust in him, his calling, his callings, and everything he does. I had an interview with him this week, and left feeling amazing. I love that guy.

2) I was able to talk to this guy in the streets this week in english. It was a fascinating conversation about why he doesnt believe in god and why I do. Im not sure If the conversation did him much good, but It definitely gave me more confidence and hope for when I learn spanish fully. 

3)Bruno's baptism. This was amazing. I love that guy so much. Bruno is a 8 year old stud. No one in his family is a member, but he has a great testimony. He loves church, and loves the missionaries. I was able to baptize him and it was great. It was really cool saying the ordinance in spanish. I am so excited for him and to see where his life leads him.

 

Love yall tons,

Elder Eliason

​I tried first. Elder Pope tried to fix it, but um that didnt work, sooooooooooo.......

 

 

​I have no hair. In this picture the top of my head is a little sunburned. Elder Salano Could not stop laughing as they were giving me the cut and now he calls me Elder Pelado (pelado = bald)

Bruno :)

Our zone at los dedos last p-day

Elder Mitchell is in my zone

Nothing Great Lays Itself At Your Feet

Dec. 8, 2014

First off I tried sending this to everyone last week, but I think I only ended up sending this to Kai. Anyways, here it is again:)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

THings I am thankful for

MOM! She is amazing. She has been there for me...... always. She lifs me up when I need it and can make me laugh. Shes one of my best friends.

DAD! Haha we`ve had some great times too. Im mostly grateful for all the things Ive learned from you and that you have taught me. I would not be the person I am today if it had not been for you. Thanks for being there when I needed it

Tyler! Haha, Im grateful for how you inspired me to put certain things in my life (ex running). You also have heavily shaped my life and as Im walking through the streets of Uruguay I think of you and your missionary experiances often. They help to inspire me and keep me going.

Brittany! Oh my goodness I love you so much. You are a huge moral booster in my life. I dont know if you realize it, but you are. You also have inspired me on my mission. I love you so much and cant wait to talk on Christmass

Preston! Haha, you are one of my best friends. I love ya buddy and love to hear from you. 

Brandon Blake! You are so creative. I am grateful for the perspective you have given me. It has really taught me a lot and (kind of weird to say) made me think more about myself and (in doing so) learn about myself.

I love my family so much and am super grateful for all of them

Now before I get into the more spiritual things, some random things I want to say.

1) Kristianne - If books are what they are, what is the missionary handbook, Jesus the Christ, and the Scriptures;D

2) haha, dont put your clothes out to dry when there is a possibility there will be rain. Lets just say that it took 4 days for them to dry.

3)Lil Warner - I totally had a Jacob Warner conversation with Elder Pope (during changes this week) about judging/loving others. I was able to share some of your ideas, and brought in the Enders game quote of how if we were to truly understand someone, we wouldnt be able to not love them. Fascinating.

4)Im getting really good at making rice and elephant ears (fried dough with cinnamon sugar)

5) Jace from Physical Therapy got called to My mission!!!!!!!

6) PEOPLE NEED TO STOP WORKING ON SUNDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

Okay, now to some interesting things that happened this week

First off, we had Changes this week. This means I was with Elder Pope (as I stated above) for the day, and some really cool things happened. One of which I found fascinating. The Lord will really guide his servants to people who need their help. At one point in the day, Elder Pope and I went to talk to an investigator named Daniel. As we were heading to his house, we saw a house that we both swore was his. I dont know why, it didnt even look that much like his. Anyways, we approached it and clapped (we clap outside gates here instead of knock on doors a lot of times here). This Lady came out and bagan talking to us. She opened right up and began to talk with us. She had some problems and difficulties which we actually had answers to. It was a really cool experience. I dont know if we will be able to help and teach her in the future, but we were definitely guided to that house.

During companionship study the other day, Elder Mendenhall played the John Tanner movie/story. That man is so incredible, and is now one of my heroes. It had been a long time since I had seen that video. If any of you havent seen it. go watch it right now. Its a video created by the church about ne of the early converts. Just his ability to trust in the Lord and give God literally his all is so inspiring. It helped remind me that Im here to do the lords will. If I feel prompted to do something or talk to some one, there should be nothing holding me back.

Ok, final thing I want to say today deals with the title of my letter today. It is so true. Nothing that is worthwhile comes easily. That and when you are about to do something great and follow the lord, there will ALWAYS be opposition of some sort. For example, baptism. We have 4 investigators right now that want to be baptized, but each of them have some hindrance (working on sunday is a big one. We also have one investigator (Sharon) who is 16 and just incredible. However, her mom keeps changing her mind for seemingly no reason and saying no.). There will always be opposition, but it is through this opposition that we really come to appreciate the result. In this sense it can be seen as a blessing (haha, though it does not feel like it most of the time).

Anyways, I hope yall are having an incredible week. Write to me:) tell me how youre doing. I would love to receive a hand written letter. Those just take 3 normal stamps to come down here.

Thanks guys. Yall really are the best and I love you all,

Elder Eliason

​My comps planner. I like the scripture

 

​Butter and rice. My old pal. You will never get old

Elder Mendenhall as Derrell during practices. Haha I like the tinfoil grill

​We painted that house:) Thats Anna (one of the big three amazing women of our ward), her husband (Riccardo),  Elder pope (lightning shirt), Elder Salano (the peruvian), and Elder Mendenhall and me in the back

Death by Pasta

Haha, Ya. We have a ton of pasta here. We eat with tmembers for lunch everyday and only twice have I not had pasta. Its good though. I like pasta:)

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!! And welcome to december (its so weird that its getting hotter here and Christmas is coming up)

 

I love this area!!!!!

This week has been amazing and I`ve had some really cool experiences. The interesting this is how much I learn every week.

 

One really cool experience I had came last friday. I was on Changes with Elder Salano in his area when we visited a Menos activo woman. Now this may come as a surprise to some people, but I really dont talk a whole ton when we are around others (partly because Im still not super great at spanish). Anyways, as we started talking to this woman, she just opened up, and started telling us stories. Eventually she got to a point where she, on her own, started talking about why she had stopped attending church. And, with us literally saying less than 10 words, began crying. The spirit was so strong. I was then able to bear my testimony of how the lord can help us overcome and the blessings church attendance brings us, however, the real power came before this. Looking back on it I found it a very interesting experience. The entire time I was looking directly at her and giving her my full attention. Although I didnt understand everything she was saying, I really tried, and she felt that I cared. This was the important part. This work is about having the spirit testify to people. Weather our own words bring it, the words of others bring it, or no words at all, the spirit testifies of truth, and when we are trying hard, and show that we really do care, Its incredible what can happen. Heres a shout out to you dad. Dad has this saying that I have heard many times but really rings true here. "People dont care how much you know until they know how much you care." When you open yourself up to someone and show that you really love them and want the best for them, thats when they listen (to you or the spirit). Kind of cool:)

 

SO I just want to testify again on how amazing the members here are. as I talked about last week, Sonya (sister Gretz convert 1) is amazing. We were walking away from a charla (lesson) last Tuseday, when we got a call from her. She is a tutor for students and had been talking with one of her students about the gosple. The reason she called = student (Sharon) wanted to set up a time for a charla. Oh and Sonya had already set a baptismal date with her. Not only is Sonya super amazing, but Sharon is super prepared and incredible. Im excited to teach her:) 

 

People, help out the missionaries in your area! It really means the world to them when you give referrals and come with them to lessons. Not only are you blessing their lives, but also those of who you are teaching! 

I love you guys so much. Your prayers are felt and help me a ton. 

 

The church is true. I know it and I love it.

 

Love,

Elder Eliason