A series of unfortunate events, and the adoption

So this has been a really interesting week. Divisions..... a lot of divisions. The doctor said that my comps knee is just swollen and that he can stay in the mission (WOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!:D), but that he has to change areas due to the many hills in Piriápolis (hence the series of unfortunate events. First Elder Taylor, now elder Vega. Im getting an interesting reputation here). But on the bright side....... IM GOING TO BE TRAINING AGAIN!!!!!!!:D Tomorrow we're making the switch. He's (Elder Nealson) is from Canada and has been in the mission for 3 weeks (hence the Adoption). haha I really hope that Elder Torres isnt too upset that he's losing his oro, but ELDER TAYLOR YOU HAVE A BROTHER!!!!!!!:D

Im feeling pretty bittersweet about it all. haha just like last time, but well, the Lord has a plan for everything.

Man the Christmas conference was so spiritual and I loved every minute of it. In the mission, those who are in their last transfer are called Valients (or Courageous). They always give their testimonies in Zone Conferances or (in this case) the Christmas conferance. One of these testimonies was given by a sister missionary (Hermana Thorne) who, for her testimony decided to sing an incredible piece (Born is the light of the world). Man that was the best part. THe spirit was so incredibly strong. After all the music and testimonies we had pulled pork sandwhiches (I love president).

Anyways, can I just say again how incredible Darwin is. We literally saw him everyday from Wednesday through Sunday, and will probably be seeing him again today. He has gone on divisions with me, stayed in the house and talked with my comp, taken under his wing our investigator Gloria (going to her house and just talking and resolving some questions for 2 hours on end). He goes out of his way to call us and ask us if we need a ride somewhere, has bought us dinner almost every day this past week, and has finally put a goal date to finally give up smoking. I am so excited for him. It has been so incredible to see him change into a True servant of the Lord. I have never met a person that has helped out the missionaries so much, and pary that I can be more like him when I return to the states.

Well thats all the time I have today,

I love you guys SO MUCH and hope yall have an Incredible christmas filled with joy and Christ.

Lots of love,

Elder eliason

entonces John Tanner..... Levantate y camine

Im not quite sure what they say in the english version, but this is probably my favorite part of all the church videos. And right after it happens he receives the counsel not to fear, but the lord can do all things, and walking on faith, the music starts and he drops the crutches only to walk on the newly healed leg. SOOOOOO AMAZING!!!!:D It gives me shivers every time

So we're kind of hoping for a moment like that today. We'll see what happens, but the knee of my comp is really bad. In other words, we get to travel to Montevideo (only and hour and a half by bus), wait around for 3 hours in the biggest bus terminal I have ever seen (3 cruces), and then go see a doctor. Should be a fun day. Im more excited for tomorrow because it's... the.. ........ CHRISTMAS CONFERENCE!!!!:D O sea, we're all going to Montevideo (we'll probably be staying over at the house of the assistants...... this could be interesting) to sing, and be with all the missionaries of the mission. Im really excited.

Anyways this week has been kind of slow. My comps knee has not been too hot and as such it's been hard to leave. WE did do divisions a few times, and we also left with Darwin in his car (THat man is probably one of the most kind, humble people I have ever met. hah he also never spends money, which I could learn a lot from. I've decided that Dad is a mix of him and Hermano Delgado (a member who Has a super strong family (6 kids the oldest leaves for his mission just after christmas) and loves to fish and hunt) 

Actually, I want to tell part of his story today. So Hermano Delgado got sealed to his parents and 4 siblings this past saturday.  The incredible part is how they got to that point. When he was just a kid (35years ago), his father left to go work in Venezuela with all intentions of promptly returning. However, when the father arrived, the economy of Venezuela crashed and the father was stuck. 30 years passed with him not being able to communicate with his wife or his kids, and as such he assumed they had moved on with their lives. Then, just 5 years ago, Hermano Delgado was bishop and decided I want to seal my family. My whole family. 

He in a moment, Packed up and flew to venezuela for a week with no clue where his father was or if he was even alive. In one week, he found his father , convinced him to come back and flew back to Uruguay with him. The mother of Hermano Delgado had been waiting faithfully for 30 years for the return of her husband without any luck. Imagine the joy she felt to see her son enter her house one day with, guess who???, at his heels. 

Well, I met the man (the father) this past Sunday and COngragulated him. 

I love the Delgado family, they're so great and are going to do so many great things in this world. It's interesting to see how the guidance of Good, faithful, hardworking, firm parents not only can bless the lives of of their own children, but that of many.

WE did have some great moments this week with investigators too. Fernanda and Edwardo are going to get married the 6th of March with her baptism in the evening. Im excited for that. We actually were wittnesses in court for them this past monday as they were recieving their marriage date (it's how it all works here in Uruguay).

We've had a few spiritual charlas with Alvaro, Pablo and Cecilia, and a few others too. Please pray for Them and for Gloria.

Lots of Love,

Elder Eliason

The second picture is of Sabrina with her kids Ismael and Luciano. Can I just say that their manera of transportation is pretty darn impressive.

The destroying angel..... and more miracles ;D

Haha a member called me that this week at church. Im starting to gain a reputation of this. First I killed Elder Taylor with his migranes, and now Im killing Elder Vega with his knee. I really hope it gets better soon and he doesnt have to bounce out of here. We have a doctors appointment set for this next monday, but until then I get to practice the massages I learned in Physical Therapy :D

On the Bright side, Darwin is a BOSS! he's been taking us out in his car during the evenings this week to visit people. We have had some incredible lessons with Gloria, Pablo, and cecilia. Im feeling pretty great right now.

Sorry I dont have a ton of time today, but I did want to say that this sunday, there was a baby blessing where the sister of the mom came, felt the spirit a ton, and now wants to receive the charkas.

I love yall so much and hope yall have a good week!

Elder Elisaon

HEYMOM!!!!:D

did you guys by any chance receive my letter that I wrote yall yet?

Yes, Piriápolis is a tourist sight and has an incredible beach. Look up pictures of it on google!!:D

Here in Uruguay there are wild green parots EVERYWHERE! In all of my areas I have seen them as pets (some of the members teach them how to talk a bit.... Funny experiances;D), or just hopping around.

Haha, we too have a bird that wakes us up in the morning. It dose not sing.... It sreeches. It is called a Tero, and all the missionaries joke that it's the national bird of Uruguay.

I LOVE YOU I LOVE YOU I LOOOOVVVVEEEEE YOUUUUUUU!!!!:D

Elder Eliason

"the song of the heart is a prayer unto me"

This week has been SUPER spiritual I dont know where to begin.

My entire mission I have been trying to find out how to help people receive a testimony. I know that you need to help them feel the spirit, but I feel like I finaly figured out how to really help them.

This all started last Thursday. We were in a charla with Cecilia (Pable was sleeping) talking about the Plan of Salvation and The Restoration. Although we had already taught both lessons, she was still saying "I dont know, I dont know" after everything we said. We, many times had explained that "you can know through prayer, you can know through prayer," but in that moment, we felt like we needed something more. I thought back to the Zone Conferance we had had Last Tuseday and the practice the assistants had done with my comp and me in front of the zone. We had taught them the Restoration in a time crunch and, after doing so, realized that we had taught in detail the entire lesson except for the most powerful part: the vision of Joseph Smith. We were reminded of the power and spirit that the simple scene can bring and told to focus on that. 

Back to cecilia, started to bing her mind back to this. The spirit came to the room, but she continued to hesitate and say "I dont know." In a moment of her inner frustration, we asked if we could sing a song for her. That was the key. We pulled out The song about the restoration "oh how lovely was the morning, radiant ...." (I cant remember the name in English). Man. The spirit was there so strongly and after we finished singing she couldnt speak. After a couple seconds of silence we asked her in a soft voice If should could feel that. The peace, the tranquility, the burning in the bosom. She simply said "sí" we continued to teach with that same spirit, resulting in one of the most spiritual charlas of my mission. Not once after that did she say "I dont Know." She accepted all of our committments, including a blessing of health. The faith in that room was incredible.

Sorry, I got carried away and dont have much more time. however, imidiately after that charla, we were extremely blessed for being obedient and not entering Glorias house even though it was raining, she was sick, and she is 70 years old. why? It forced us to go find and bring Darwin to her house, who proved to be an incredible help and, now, friend to her that is willing to pass by during the week just to visit.  We also had a similar charla with her on a spiritual level. It was incredible.

Well There have been some humbling expiriences this week too (we found a family whose son just recieved scytofrenia, and many other problems out of no where, and they dont even have enough money for food. MAn that was....... very humbling)

For the least it has been very interesting.

we also had changes this week but both of us are staying:D I love this place,

Love you all so much

Elder Eliason

 my comp shaving with fingernail clippers

November 23, 2015

Yes..... this has been an interesting week. It has been both incredible, worrysome, and interesting.

First the good news =

The other day we were heading over to a recent convert's house to try and visit her, when a car past by, stopped, backed up, and shouted ELDERES!!!!! we turned around, came back and began talking with this member from Pan De Azucar (a little city about 10 km from Piriápolis). He gave us this referance of a lady named Gloria. About an hour later, we found ourselves at the house of this 50 year old lady talking with her. SHE IS AMAZING!!!!! So she doesn't know if there is a God or not, but is willing to search for answers to find comfort for the recent death of her mother. We scheduled a time for later (she was busy) and came back Friday (kind of against doctors orders............. but we both thoght it was worth it) The charla was very spiritual and we were able to answer a lot of questions. during the charla, she was writing down all of the scriptures we were using so that she could review them later. There were multiple times during the lesson where she said "I am very interested in this."It was a really good experiance and Im excited to visit them again.

We also found two really cool new investigators by feeling prompted to go back to a house and contact it. That was a special moment for me too. 

I consider both of these experiences miracles 

In all, now we have 10 investigators!!!!!:D I have never had this many in my mission. Of course some are more prepared than others, but Im just excited to help out people:)

Okay now for the bad news= the knee of my comp is a bit swollen and hurts to use. WE had to do divisions Saturday. haha yesterday, we actually had to spend the day traveling to Montevideo and back so my comp could sign a paper excusing him from voting (it's mandatory to vote in Argentina and if you dont, you have to pay $1000 and a year in jail). I kept telling him that if we just stayed in Piriápolis it could lead to fun exciting stories that he could tell for generations, but he decided to go the calm tranquile route.

Anyways, we're praying he can heal up quickly,

I love yall so much and pray that yall can have an amazing week,

Elder Eliason

I just got this from my Mission president:

Did you wear out Elder Vega's knees? I was chuckling with sister Cook about our walk of a block and a half to get money from the ATM. Later that day and for the next three days my knees were pretty sore. Your pace is rápido. I got your message about an office assignment for him. Will consider. Presidente Cook

#I love service!!!:D we helped build another house 

Man this week flew by

November 16, 2015

HEY YALL!!!!! sorry, but I dont have a ton of time left to write but I will just say that this week has been terrific!!!!!!!:D

Darwin has come to church 2 weeks in a row now!!!:D we had a really great lesson with this couple (Angela and Hanibal) (unfortunately they still havent come to church, but we've got some spiritual plans for them!!!;D) Sabrina now has a calling as young womans secretary and Ismael is doing well (though he still is unsure about baptism.... he just needs to read a bit more scriptures, pray a bit more, and come to church a few more times, feeling the spirit works miracles), Cynthia is doing really well, but should be having her baby anytime now. Im really excited to come back here in March for her marriage and baptism; she's such a boss! and yeah, Those are some people to pray for.

Now really quick, we had a really cool experience with a recent convert this week. I had never met her though I had passed by 6 or 7 times. We had always just assumed that she was hiding from us, but this week we got there and she was sitting outside with her kids. We had a super spiritual lesson that brought us all to tears. MAn I love those moments. What Ive learned is the best way to help a less active is just to remind them what the spirit feels like, especially at the time of their baptism. Well Ive got to go! LOVE YALL A WHOLE HEAP!!!!!!:D

Elder Eliason

IT ACTUALLY DIDNT TURN OUT THAT BAD to the disapointment of the district leader who heard over verifications that I was cutting my comps hair with scissors

my comp is really tall

The Man from Sunny River

November 9, 2015

Haha, Well this was a week of....... adventures to say the least:)

Tuseday and Wedness day I went on divisions with some Boss members!!!!!!! I LOVE THESE PEOPLE HERE!!!!!:D then Thursday night after we awoke to the cell phone ringing. Haha I dont know why, but your heart always starts pounding when you see the asistents to president calling you. I answered and just started talking with Elder Olivera (super nice guy). After a bit, he asked us when the earliest we could pack up my comps things and be on a bus to Montevideo. Well, that lead to a fun night of little sleep and a lot of packing. What we thought was the earliest bus (4:30) only passes on Mondays, so we sat in the terminal for a bit and hopped the 6, to find ourselves in a hour and a half long bus ride. Fun stuff:D

Well we got there, changed comps, I said good bye to Elder Taylor (Im gonna miss that guy) and said hi to ............ ELDER VEGA!!!!!:D An Argintinian that has 6 months in the Mission.

Well, we began to bring the area back to life, and now we're just pumping along. Sunday Fernanda, Alvaro, and Ismael all came to church. Sabrina (the no longer less active member) now has a temple recomend!!!!!!!!!!:D and is continuing to help us teach her son (Ismael) 

We have had a few really good charlas with Angela, but for some reason she didnt make it this week to church.... (that kind of was sad). WE'll work with Hermana Alba and see if she can help out.

Well I dont have a ton of time this week, but just want to say that I love yall and that I hope yall have a great week.

Lots of love,

Elder Eliason

P.S.These are two of my favorite pics I took with Elder Taylor. Ill send pics of Elder Vega and Me next week

P.P.S. Oh and Elder Vega is the Man from Sunny river because where he is from in Argentina, it reaches 50 degrees celcious and is near the Rio Negro. Man that is HOT

A bitter sweet symphony

November 2, 2015


man. 

This has been an interesting week.

Im sad but glad. 

My Son is going home.

It's okay he didnt do anything bad, its for health problems.

to put it short: When he was in 8th grade he got injured playing American Footbal. this lead to years of just random headaches that only got bad when he got stressed. Welcome to the mission. We went hard the first few days and he just pushed through them, but come sunday, he couldnt take it anymore and told me. Since then, it has only gotten worse. Wednesday we could only leave the house for a small time. Thursday through sunday we we're trapped in a 10 feet by 15 feet block of darkness (light hurt his head) praying that the migraines would stop. Well they didnt. we ended up talking to the area medical doctor, area mental health doctor, president, and (haha Im glad she's a good sport, because near the end we were calling here every other hour) the mission nurse (hermana Paul). 

so bitter (my son's going home) but sweet (he's going to get the help he needs)

Man It's been crazy and hard to watch but we have both learned so much. Im not going to go much more into it, but it suficeth me to say that given a few circumstances we were unable to do divisions, and all work this week was done over cell phone. Well we've got some great people to work with this comming week and Im excited to visit them. I just dont know who will be my new comp.

When president came out here to tell my comp the news (today) we were actually in the middle of playing beach vollyball with the zone, and we were able to convince him to play with us. That was pretty funny.

Anyways, Ill have better news next week

The real son of Eli

October 26, 2015

MAN I LOVE THIS GUY!!!!! So my new comp:

Elder Taylor. He's from a place called kaysville, Utah (about 20 min north of Salt lake city), and is the best. Honestly, I dont feel like Im training. Im learning way more from him than he is from me, and its great. Haha only problem: Ive finally found someone who says sorry as much as I do...... Now I understand what everyone was talking about. Haha And mom, I have found someone who gets as cold as you do.  Throughout all of it, I can honestly say that this has been the most spiritual, but weird, week of my mission. It's really interesting: Being in the mission a year, you kind of just start falling into a pattern of how to go about doing things. Everything has been flipped upsidedown in a good way. My comp just keeps throwing in these ideas that make me think "....yah, we can do that.... That actually would really help..... why have I not thought of that before." I love this guy. Let the traditions of the Father begin! (#broomstick lightsaber wars (pictures coming soon in the following weeks))

Even though my comp doesnt speak perfect spanish, its still pretty darn good, but we have had to plan things out a lot more. In the past we (my old comps and I) have just said, "Okay, lets talk about the plan of salvation with (so and so) today." This doesnt fly now. We have been forced to plan out each lesson a bit more specifically so that my comp can have a good amount to say going in. This has caused me to think a lot more about every individual person that we're helping, and feel the spirit stronger and stronger. I love this guy!

We found a new investigaor, Angela, this week that seems pretty promising. Pray for her!:D thankfully she speaks perfect English, so my comp just turns into a Spanglish boss in Charlas with her. Im really enjoying this;D

We've also been able to help Ismael progress more and more, as his mom become firmer. 

Alvaro has made visible progress on his fight with the cigarette (Elder Taylor and I have both just decided that this wicked drug is the devils tool).

Speaking of which, Darwin has begun only smoking one or two a day during extremely stressful moments. He's doing some service right now helping out (as a lawyer) a member family thats passing through a rough time. Unfortunately thinking about it a lot makes him stress a bit and fall.

I love you guys so much! Pray for us, especially for my companion please.

You guys are the best,

Elder Eliason

IM GONNA BE A DAD!!!!!!!!!

October 20, 2015 

Man Im a little nervous but super stoked right now, yep, Im training:D And in pretty much the ideal spot that I could have chosen. We already have a few great investigators that are doing pretty well, the ward loves us, I flippen love the area, Im pretty much just all round excited right now.

I forgot to say the week back, but 

I HIT A YEAR IN THE MISSION!!!!!!! 

This has been the fastest year of my life. It's weird. Every week I think ahead to the next week and realize that before I know it, that day will already have arived. I have never seen time go by so fast...... Its kind of weird.  Mom asked me last week though If I did anything for my year mark.... yep, It is tradition here in the mission to burn a shirt when you hit a year (see pictures below). WE also ate a TON of Pizza and Darwin hooked us up with a bunch of coke and other snacks. It's been great.

Its been a good day. Im just waiting for tomorrow to come already so I can travel to Montevideo and find out who my son is going to be. This is going to be the best change/transfer ever!!!!!!!

haha Elder Shurtz and I have been laughing a bit. He's a bit trunky and his new area has in it the international, Uruguayen airport that he will be flying out of to go home in 4 and a half months. He'll probably be there up until the end of his mission. President has a good sense of humor.

People wise, Im pretty happy. We started to teach Ismael (Sabrina's 9 year old son) this week. He is a highly intelegent kid who remembers pretty much everything we teach him. And Guess what!?!?!?! Sabrina is now officially active!!!:D She has come to church three weeks in a row (including all the sessions of conference).

Alvaro is still stopping smoking little by little. There is progress, but it's just a little slow.

Darwin came to church this week and had an interview with bishop. he was able to go 6 days in a row without smoking last week. He just needs a bit more of a push and he'll be there.

Also, we've begun visiting this girl named Helena. She was baptised when she was 15, left the church due to a boyfriend, moved to mexico for 5 years of college, and is now, at the age of 24, a fully liscensed doctor. oh, and she speaks fluent english (we had 2 charlas already in english.... haha it was really weird to not be teaching in spanish) anyways, we found her while buying snacks for weekly planning. Her mom walked up to us, introduced herself and said that her daughter is Mormon. we got to talk, Helena walked up, and it went from there. She is really cool, and we're hoping that through reactivating her, we can also begin teaching her non-member mom. I love this place.

Anyways, Ive got to go. Hope yall have a fantastic week,

Elder Eliason

1) Familia Desuña

2) burning a shirt on my year mark

oh it's gonna be a gooooood life, a good good life

October 12, 2015

Man I really love Piriapolis. I have really enjoied myself here and feel like we've been able to help a bunch of people. There are also a bunch of members who we've become really good friends with and families I have come to love. For example, The Delgado family. Today for most of Pday, we headed out with Hermano Delgado and his son Bruno (going on his mission in 2 months) to go fishing. They're such bosses!

Anyways, Its been a really good week. For Darwin we're finally able to get the exciting moment: He stopped smoking!!!!!!:D Honestly. When we first started visiting him about a month and a half ago, he smoked about 60 cigarettes a day. Since the morning of Saturday, he hasnt touched a single death stick. Im really excited for him. He should be having an interview soon with the bishop to see when he can take the sacrament.

Sabrina too is fighting. One more week and she'll be considered active again. She just needs to go one full week clean to take the sacrament (litterally in the last 2 weeks she has smoked 3 1/2 cigarettes.... SO CLOSE!!!!) Really its just a huge fight of will power. We have begun teaching her 9 year old son Ishmael too. he's a boss:D

Alvaro also is slowly but surely giving up that horrible addiction. By cutting down little by little, he has gotten to 7 a day, but it's been hard on him. He is in every other sense ready for baptism, but just needs to kick this horrible habbit.

Smoking is a really common problem here that is HARD to beat. I am so glad I never had to overcome that. I have many times found myself counting my blessings for things as such.

Cynthia's a boss! She brought her less active husband (well, almost husband..... also a common problem) back to church yesterday!!!!! That got us really stoked:D

Yep, the De Leon family Is becoming more and more firm (We're hoping they can soon get callings:D), We're still working with Fernanda (I) and Edwardo (MA), but they just need to act a little more.

The times arent always just sunshine and daisies, but I will say that when I step back and look at the whole, I feel like Im in the luve (that musem in france where the mona lisa is).

Love you all a ton,

Elder Eliason

CONFERENCE!!!! .....and a ton of toddys

I love toddys

bruno opening his mission call to Rosario, Argentina

DONT SMOKE! I love Cynthia

My comp lost the minute to win it oreo game in a family home evening and had to sing sisters in Zion. We were dying

The hair clippers broke mid shave.........

I LOVE THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I just say that General Conference is THE BEST!!!!!!!!:D 

We've decided that down here, Its like the World cup (Fifa) for all missionaries. We get super stoked and end up buying a ton of snacks (we ended up getting the best cookies that exist here, Toddys. they're like chips ahoi on steroids!), setting up everything super nice, and loving every moment of it.

On top of all that, Darwin (the Less active that we've been working with for a little over a month now) Came to every session. This was the first time he had entered the chapel in 7 years, but even came to the priesthood session (9 Pm - 11 pm we were dead when we got back to the house). Not only that, but he's finally decided to give up smoking this week. We've been working him down from 60 when we found him, to 4-5 now, and as of yesterday, after attending the conference and leaving super inspired, he decided that he's going to do it! We're hoping that he can be ready to come clean to church this week.

Along with Darwin, Sabrina is flying. Ive never seen anyone progress as fast as her. Honestly, we found her a week and a half ago through a reference, reminded her of how she had felt at baptism, and invited her to worship with us on sunday. She came; then on Monday we gave her the challenge to drop smoking, coffee, and tea for three days. After finding great success with this, she has kept going strong. Last week in total she only smoked half a cigarette, realized what she was doing, then threw it out. She is reading and praying every day, and has been able to find great strength in this to help her over come her addiction. Really her situation reminded me of Ether 12:27. She has come unto Christ and as such, knows her weakness. In finding this, she has humbled herself greatly, to the point of pleading with the lord for help (every time we pass by and ask if she's been praying, she laughs and replies in the affirmative). This in and of itself shows great faith through her actions. And man can I say that the lord is strengthening her. We got a text from our bishop this morning saying thank you, and that the interview that he had with her last night after the conference was greatly successful and did a lot of good. we replied by thanking him. The man is an inspiration to watch and I pray I can become more like him.

The De Leon Family also came to a session, as well as most of our investigators. Cynthia was able to convince her less active husband to come, and is really helping him reactivate. Haha, She's the best! This week, we saw that she bought a no smoking sign and put it in the car. On top of that, she breaks his cigarettes, and reads scriptures everyday. 

Well, thats all I have to say for this week,

Lots of love,

Elder Eliason

Im struggling to come up with a creative title for this letter

Man this has been such a good week. Other than some ....ummm... digestional difficulties, Weve had a lot of success. Ive decided that I always have to at least one trial coming at me, and if we can have this much success with this as my trial, Ill take it any day.

Soooooooooooo, pretty much this entire week has been focused around the same people as normal, but now we added in a new menos active named Sabrina. She is a single mom that has been inactive for the past 7 years. we began visiting her, helped her remember the great feeling she had at baptism, aided her in coming to church this week. 

 

Church this week was really nice. 4 of the Menos activos that we've been working with for a while came. They're all starting to get back on their feet and make the right decisions. Thats something Ive learned recently. with three of these menos activos, we've started passing by every day for sometimes only 3 minutes. The thing is, the constant reminder that God is there, has helped them to put God forefront in their minds. That is the purpose of the gospel. To teach us to put God forefront in our minds, so that we always follow his teaching and commandments. Many people want to follow God (They think "Its a nice Idea" "It would probably help me out") but either they keep forgetting to do the things we tell them, they allow other things to cover up the importance of it, or they are just a bit lazy. They just need a constant shove to push them along. If they can have that Until theyre up and running, They can learn to run on their own. Dont give up on people. Just keep pushing them a little longer.

 

Alvaro is progressing and is almost at baptism, he just needs to give up smoking once and for all. We've got a plan with him, and he's working on it

WE also are continuing to work with all our other investigators, and all is going well.

 

I love Piriapolis.

 

Love yall and hope yall have a great week,

Elder Eliason

 

his dad now loves us. We run with him every morning for our morning exercise to help him lose weight. haha yes, we tie a rope around him and attach it to my companion so that he doesnt walk

 

GUESS WHAT I FOUND!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS SO STOKED!

My tone is horrible though after a year of not playing

 

ha I'll take what I can get:)

So this was the best sunday I have yet seen here in the beautiful Uruguay. I LOVE THIS WARD AND AREA! However, When really good things pass, God has to let Satan Balance it. #oppositioninallthings :( Well, Ill take this opposition over pretty much any other. Today is the first day ive gotten sick in the mission. I had to get up 4 times during the night to go to the bathroom, but was still able to hike el cerro de pan de azucar today with the zone (haha not sure if that was the best Idea, but It was really fun. Right now, I am extreme3ly glad for warm cybers and Agua Tonica (Its a pretty awful drink, but it settles the stomach like no other.

So SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!! We've been passing by Familia De Leon almost every day these past 2 week and finally they started acting. Persistance and a lot of contact really help people realize what is really important in life. They're on a 5 day streak of reading and praying as a family and came to church yesterday!!!!:D We also had 3 investigators in church yesterday (Alvro, Cynthia, and A new guy named Nohel) Nohel is actually the nephew of the family De Leon and they brought him with them. Yep, they're coming back, and bringing others with them.

 

Miracle that happened this week:D We were searching for this menos activo who I have never met before (my comp had 1 time before I got here and knew where he lived). Upon clapping the house, this lady came out . I recognized her immediately but couldnt figure out from where. After talking a bit, we realized that she is an investigator of the Hermanas in Pan de Azucar (haha I love the names of cities here) who had litterally just moved here. I recognized her because she intraduced (how do you spell that?) herself to us a couple weeks back when we were waiting for a bus in Pan de Azucar. We had spent a while talking to her that day, and now..... she just appeared out of now where right when she moved. IT was really cool. This means we have 5 investigators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the most I have ever had here in the Little Europe of South America. IM SO STOKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

We also had a few cool charlas with some new menos activos that we have begun to work with. I love this place. It's turned into my most busy area with some incredible members.

 

Okay, I dont feel super good, so Im going to say bye now.

 

Love you all a whole heap,

Elder Eliason 

the cross of pan de azucar. Its SUPER windy up top

#ourcompanionship

I love Elder Medina, he's a boss

This is my favorite agenda I have yet seen. He goes home at the end of this change. Im gonna (haha thats how all the latinos learn to speak english. Sorry mom) miss that guy

just another day here in paradise

SO this has been a very focused week. that is, focused in the sense of the people with whom we are trying to help. I dont have a ton to write today but I will tell yall about some of the people.

Really quick: Cynthia and Candela -> BOSSES  :D Cynthia came to church this week, but we're still trying to help candela find a job. Really, Its been so much fun teaching them and cool to see them continually changing. It is interesting though. The first week cynthia came to church was the sunday of fast and testimonies, and she felt kind of awkward. not around the people (she's got some flippin cool friends there), but with those bearing their testimonies. Knowing many of them personally from outside the church, having learned the church standers and the commandments, and then watching people who she knew didnt follow those standards stand up and bear testimony that the church is true and everything bothered her. She has a testimony and told us that she will live the standards, but It made her feel odd seeing people act as such. Just remember who you are and what you stand for. ALWAYS! the is ALWAYS someone watching, someone who is affected, and something that is changes from you actions (good or bad).

 

Alvaro-> we're trying to help him stop smoking still and work towards his baptism. Its been really nice to teach him too:)

 

Familia De Leon ->man. They are a family of less actives that just need to act. They know that the church is true, that it will make them happier, that things will go better in their business and home if they just do the small things, BUT THEY DONT DO THEM! we visited them almost every day this week (sometimes for 2-3 min, sometimes a bit longer), we send them a text every day at 2 to help them remember, we set alarms on their phones, we call them, we put signs up on their walls, but they still just dont read or pray as a family. haha on Saturday we passed by again, and ended up tearing out all the pictures of Christ from 3 pamphlets and covering the walls of their main living room / kitchen. It was pretty funny. I have really come to love that family, but they just have got to act. This week I have continually pondered back to how grateful I am that Mom and Dad always put this first in our lives. We never had to worry about forgetting to, or having to set goals to read the scriptures and pray as a family. Really Im just glad that they always taught me to put God first in my life. If we put him first, everything else will fall into place. Just do it. I like that scripture in malacias and 3 nefí that talks about tithing and Christ is just like "Try me that I WONT pour you out a blessing so great that you wont have room enough to receive it."  Its like he's looking at us and saying "ya really think I wont do it? Boy I dare ya. I double dog dare ya. Try me. I aint lying." 

 

Yah, just act. Life is happier.

 

Darwin-> he's a super fun Menos activo that is super smart and wants to come back, but just feels uncomfortable because he smokes and feels unworthy. YOU CAN STILL COME!!!!!:D but no. He is really progressing though. Since we started visiting him he's cut back from 50.-60 cigarettes a day to less than 15. Every time he wants to smoke, he starts a clock and waits 50 min. He knows A TON about history and is really interesting to talk to him.

 

Anyways, Im out of time. 

 

Love yall:D

Elder ELiason

Woooohooooo, who's up for round 2

(name that movie;D)

Yep, today is CHANGES!!!!!:D But, nothings changing directly for us hear in the beautiful town of Piriapolis. I really love this place and am really glad that Im not leaving. Things are really starting to pick up here. 

Honestly, on my way here, the missionary leaving told me that this is one of the most dead areas that he has been in. I dont know what He saw here, but its amazing. Its been my best area with the best investigators, members, and less-actives who just need a little push. And as of this past sunday, the blessings have been flowing in.

 

Investigators:D

 

Cynthia!!!! She has become the best investigator I have had in my entire mission. Can I just say that I love teaching her and just talking. You can see a change thats taking place in her as she has come closer to Christ. SHE AND HER FAMILY CAME TO CHURCH THIS ¨PAST SUNDAY!!!!:D

 

Candela!!! She is the Friend of Cynthia who is taking the lessons with her. Its pretty much the same with her too. WE can see her changing and really becoming a happier person. The only thing is that she needs to stop working on sundays and come to church. (We're working on that. Another shoutout to how wonderful this ward is: they are helping her look for a new job and actually have found a pretty solid one. we'll see what happens)

 

Alvaro!!!:D CAME TO CHURCH TOO! He is a very spiritually insite, but interesting man. I really enjoy teaching him. haha sometimes we have to focus our questions so that he can only give the most simple answer (he likes to put everything in the BIG picture. ex: what is holy ghost? a: well when god put adam and eve in the garden........) Its been fun:D

Well Im out of time, but thanks for everything yall do for me. I love you guys so much!!!

 

Love,

Elder Eliason

good cop/ bad cop, chinese bicicles, temple, and the best investigators you'll ever meet

August 31, 2015

sooooo........ yep that was pretty much my week right there:D

SUPER FANTASTIC SEMANA!!!!!!!!!:D lets just say that Piriapolis is a wonderful area that is starting to come alive.

 

Best part of the week was obviously the temple. It was absolutely amazing, and I could feel the spirit so strongly. haha it was kind of funny though when after probably half an hour of just sitting in the celestial room praying, I opened my eyes to find that I was the only one in there save one temple worker who was kindly and patiently waiting for me. I love nice people:)

 

The same day we had the opportunity to participate in interviews with one of the wisest men I know; President Cook (our mission president). Honestly, that guy blows my mind with how much he knows, and his ability to really help people, talk to them, inspire them, resolve problems and everything. I was lucky and was able to sit with him for a rather long time and just talk about how to help some struggling missionaries. 

 

good cop/bad cop? Ha ha, Im not sure if this is good or bad, but that is what our companionship has turned into for many menos activos and contacts. My comp LOVES to drop cain (get after people for what they're doing wrong) and quite literally "cry repentance." Then Im on the other end saying that "yes what my comp is saying is true, and you can do it." give animo and hope as much as I can. We've had some.....interesting experiences with that. haha its been fun:)

 

Chinese Bicycle.... haha our bikes are not very high quality and we have to repair them often. Its kind of funny, like the other day, due to a simple lack of communication, our bikes collided (not hard, I didnt even fall off mine) but the wheel of Elder Shurtz's got destroyed. we walked to lunch with everyone we past just asking us if it had been a rough day. Its at the house of a member right now being repaired.

 

Best investigators EVER!!!!!!!! Can I just say that I LOVE teaching Cynthia. She is the best investigator I have had on my mission and it is so cool just to see how much she is changing. We can see her becoming happier, more active, and more involved in everything. Not only that, but at the beginning of this last week she brought one of her friends who's going through a rough time (Candela) to a charla. They have begun to take the lessons together. In the last two charlas we taught, we discussed things cynthia already knew (catching Candela up), allowing her to help teach and testify. Oh my goodness I love this area. 

 

We've also had some interesting contacts this week. There was this one guy who has pretty crazy hair. That we ended up sitting down and talking to him about the gosple and he asked us about the Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood, like he knew the names. We were pretty darn impressed. He wasnt a member, and while he did listen to some sister missionaries at one point, it was a long time ago. 

 

There was another kind of crazy guy who told us we were breaking the second of the 10 commandments (dont worship graven images) because we had a pictures of Jesus on our pamphlets. we assured him that we dont worship the folletos, but learn from them. There are some interesting people in the world.

 

Well Im out of time for this week. I love you all and hope you have a great week!!!

Love, 

Elder Eliason

Thank you Renee for the picture. This is absolutely incredible

Un otro gran día en la misión Uruguay Montevideo

August 24, 2015

(Another great day in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission) haha thats a phrase that we use here every time we have zone conferences with president. He throws it onto every powerpoint and while it's super cheesy, we all love it and it make us laugh. Speaking of which, WE GET TO GO TO THE TEMPLE THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE THE TEMPLE! We're all super stoked for this coming week. Ward activity, Interviews with president, and temple. yep Im stoked.

Anyways, this past week! It was a pretty good week, and can I just say that we have an AMAZING! Bishop! these two less active families that we have been visiting both came to church this past week, and our bishop, seeing them, went and grabbed both of them and had interviews with them then and there. Sunday was a good day. 

 

On top of that we have begun to teach Cynthia (yes thats how you spell it. haha I felt really bad: at the end of our first lesson with her, I pulled out a Book of Mormon to give her and wrote Para: Sintia. when I asked her if I had spelled it right, she just started laughing. Lesson learned, ask first, spell later. It has been really great teaching her. her and her husband (well, soon to be husband) being really good friends with a super strong member and him being a less active member have allowed her to have a really strong support system, and have helped her to receive a great deal of excitement for this grand work.

 

On top of that, we're still teaching Malaquias when we can find him. Its been kind of a struggle, but HE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!:D 

 

Well, Im out of time and have got to go, but I love You all! Have an amazing week! If you can, Go to the temple, really it's the best:D

 

Lots of love,

Elder Eliason

I LOVE NICE MEMBERS WHO GIVE US TONS OF FRUIT!!!:D

 

 

MY BRO JUST GOT HITCHED!!!!!!

August 17, 2015

Thats kind of weird to think about, and Im not sure if Ive come to terms with it yet, but....... CONGRATULATIONS TYLER:D

So.......

LUCAS GOT BAPTISED :D 

That was such a great service. Really there were over 40 people there. That was the most I have ever seen for a baptismal service down here. It was so cool to see his father baptise him, then (after breaking his toe and barely being able to walk) come to church the next day and confirm him. That was the coolest. One of the best parts came near the end of the service during the testimonies. He and both his parents bore theirs on eternal families and how grateful and excited they are to be sealed. I really hope I can go to their sealing! That would be so cool!!!!

A TON happened this week, but Im not going to write a ton (I have a migraine right now, but its all good:D). There was one crazy experience that Im not sure If I can tell, but I will say that I am so grateful for a strong, normal, happy, nonpossessed, sane family. Mom and dad, You guys really are the best and I am so glad that I was born into our family. Life without a firm family would be one that is so hard. I have seen that so many times here. People dont like to get married and its a problem. A lot of them have a ton of kids, but are scared of the commitment, but really, that simple commitment changes the world. It makes a family firm and solid. I dont know what I would do without that solid backing that has become an anchor to my life. Man....... Crazy experiences.

Can I also just say that the Delgado Family IS THE BEST!!!!! They brought an investigator to church yesterday (Malaquias) and found us another who we have a charla with tonight! I LOVE THIS WARD!

 

Thats all for this week:D LOVE YOU ALL TONS!

chao

 

Elder Eliason

 

From the land of heat and beach

August 10, 2015

Its been kind of weird this week. ITS BEEN HOT! and its technically still winter? haha the wierd things in life make me smile and laugh sometimes

 

First off HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREATEST SISTER EVER!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU BRITTANY!:D

 

SO todays email is going to be kind of short. This has been an interesting week. Best thing is the Lucas is totally progressing!!!:D His baptism is going to be this saturday and everyone is excited. His mom (both of his parents have recently reactivated after a long time) actually gave a talk in church yesterday about eternal families and how she wants to go to the temple and be sealed. It was a really spiritual talk that had great power. Im really excited for their family!!

 

Something thats interesting about missionary work that I have learned here. Im not sure about many other missions, but here missionary work is most effective through members. It is really hard to find someone to teach by talking to people on the streets. Is it possible? Does it happen? Yes. It happens, but not super often. I love members that help the missionaries. IT is such a blessing to have those people that magnify their calling as a member in the missionary work. There is one member who every thursday in the evening, sets aside time to leave with us, and visit some of his friends, or some menos activos that live far away. Really, he's one of my heroes for doing that. Its a sacrifice, but It means so much to us and to the lord. 

 

One other thing that Ive been thinking about recently is how I have learned something different from each of my comps. Ive had a lot of comps in the mission and each has had a unique personality that is unlike any of the others. honestly, it has been really interesting. I have learned a ton just about people, working with each of them. That and learning how to use the spirit to work in unison with each of them. Really I feel like that's the biggest key to any relationship. Youre going to be different in someway. It doesnt matter who you are, every person is different and unique in some manner. however, The spirit is always the same. It is a constant that can be used to unite and lift people. It does not matter who you are working with; If both of you are striving to feel the spirit, youre going to get along and enjoy the company of the other. I love it. The gospel is the best. Its just super cool. I love having my mind blown every day.

 

I love you all, youre the best! 

 

Lots of love,

Elder Eliason

1) #welcome to a littel extra time in the mission. Im eatting dulce de leche with a bannana, my comps got a big bag of cheerios, and we're watching bible videos

2) I love the members here. That was a really cool family home evening. We ended up bringing over some gravy packets that my comps mom sent him and making biscuts and gravy. That pretty much blew the minds of everyone there (I love that stuff so much!!!!!!!:D)

Bikes? Whats that? Wheels?

August 3, 2015

Holy cow this has been a crazy but great week!!!!!!!:D

First off, My new comp: ELDER SHURTZ!!!!

I love this guy! So he's from this little pueblo called Delta Utah and is a total back of the woods farm boy. However, right out of high school he decided to join the national guard (part of the army) and is actually trained in infantry and artillery. He has some pretty cool stories of driving tanks and everything. Oh and he thinks that Tyler must be the coolest guy in the world for being special forces and everything.  On top of that, he's super funny and really fun to work with. Yah, Im having a good time.

WE HAVE BIKES HERE!!!!!!!!!! Piriapolis is one of the two areas in the mission that is permitted to use bikes. haha though my hands are actually covered in grease right now from fixing the chain twice on the way over here;D Holy cow Ive never felt like Ive moved around so fast. It makes a HUGE difference after getting use to walking everywhere for almost 10 months. I love it!!:D 

So back in El Pinar, Wilington is progressing (I still hope I can make it out for his baptism).

Here in Piriapolis, we have the best members ever. I feel like I have been really blessed recently with that, though I feel like here they have been the best.

Right now we have two solid investigators:

1) Lucas: Super cool nine year old kid, who's parents just reactivated and we are helping to teach him. haha Saturday we taught him the ten commandments with the finger examples (my favorite lesson to teach;D). The kid is super smart and remembers everything we teach

2) Malaquias: The Delgado family is actually helping us with him. They are family friends and its going pretty well.

I really like the Family Delgado, The dad the other day pulled us aside and said that he wants to leave with us sometime and visit some references and menos activos. Excitedly we set a time for that. He's a boss

Okay Ive got to go. Love you all!!! hope ya have a great week!

Love, 

Elder Eliason

oh and the Piriapolis challenge is to climb the 3 local hills in one pday. That was super fun;D