Holy cow milagros....... and Chucuras

En serio. This week was probably the best of my mission! SOOOOO much happened.

In other words...... Im just going to start telling stories and see where this leads.

 

First off. Last Monday after a leaders meeting (my comp is district leader), we were walking away from the stake center down a way we dont normally head when this lady ran out of nowhere and Shouted ELDERS!!!!! She ran over to us and began explaining how her husband and son were sick and needed blessings. We brought her back to the church where all the other elders were (she didnt live in our area and we wanted her to meet her elders). As it turns out, she had just moved to the area with her family. they didnt know how to find the church here or the missionaries and had been looking and praying for both for over a week. Seeing us walking down the street was an answer to her prayers. That was a really cool experience. Especially having 4 elders give a blessing (her husband was with her). First Miracle of the week

 

Another Miracle: We were late getting out of a lesson with Gabriela (an investigator). We quickly ran over to the bus stop across the street (our house was a half hour away and it was 9:15) This was a bus stop we had never used before (oh, all of uruguay runs on buses, everyone uses them) and we didnt know what time the next pone would pass. We said a prayer that it would come soon so that we could be home in time. The bus should up at 9:23. We entered our house at exactly 9:30.

 

Friday!!!! This day was one of the best of my mission. We had a Zone conference down in Montevideo. What did this mean? Well first off, I was able to have a one on one interview with President Cook. Who pretty much is one of the wisest man I know. That was really cool. After that we were able to watch the rest of Meet the Mormons!!!!:D and to top it off, We each had the opportunity to take a name all the way through the temple (minus sealings). That was super spiritual I was able to give 3 of my name to other Elders. As such, we were able to do 4 complete names. I love the Temple. All of you that live close, go. It will bring you so much peace and happiness. More than anything else you can be doing right now. El Polvo del mundo descansa en el templo. 

 

Last thing about Friday that was really cool. That night we got out of a charla with Gabriela (this time earlier:)) and headed over to the bus stop. As we were waiting for the bus, we started talking with a lady there just about trivial things (I think we were talking about the weird frogs they have here that sound like cats.......). anyways, as we were talking another lady showed up and joined into our conversation. After a bit, she looked at us and told us that flat out she was evangelican, but that she thought that what we do is the best thing in the world. Not only this, but her entire family fasts and prays that we will have success in spreading the word of christ. That completely took elder Cervantes and I by surprise, and left us in awe. That was cool too.

 

Ummmmm.... Oh ya, the Chucura lady. Saturday night we were walking home (once again, a different way that I had never taken before) when we passes a house that said milagros (houses here dont really have numbers most of the time. People like to put signs outside that have words instead). After we had passes it, I stopped, thought for a sec, and turned around. Upon returning to the house, we clapped and began talking to a middle age woman. After a while of talking, she invited us inside (her husband was in the other room). As it turns out, she's an instructor of yoga, so we ended up sitting cross-legged on mats. We talked for a while and had a super spiritual charla where she told us her life story and how this member who lived across the street had always helped her through all her struggles (her life was pretty rough at times). After a long time of talking and teaching, she made the comment that everyone you meet is for a reason, and that she thinks thats why we were there. Man it was a really cool charla. After we had finished teaching (looking back, I dont remember how we got on the topic), she began telling us some of the tings she teaches her students. I dont know if this is part of yoga (i dont believe so), but she also teaches some methods of relaxing that come from india and deal with universal energy. Yes, she taught us the 7 chucuras of the body (yes, the same as in Avatar the Last Airbender Episode: Crossroads of destiny (i think)). Apparently that actually a real thing. It was really cool. And she taught us how to relax through breathing techniques. We left there feeling super tranquilo. Haha, Im excited to go back and teach her. 

 

Ummm, I also have a miracle of Gabriela coming to church, but I think this is enough for today. Hope yall have a great week. Love you tons!!!!! Write ME:D

 

Elder Eliason

 

NO WAY!!!!

​I FREAKIN LOVE THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (my comp elder cevantes)

​My parents love me. I am super happy right now. And so are all of the Elders who live in our house

​WE FINALLY GOT RID OF STEWART!!!!!!!!!!! He is now somewhere in a forest a good distance from our house where he cant eat my comps hymn book or my taco seasoning!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

There once was a magical place where it never rained..... The End

Haha, That was a super weird change. It didnt rain more than 20 min this week in total. That never happens!!!! Im feeling super blessed right now:D

 

This was a really good week, but Im not sure if I have too many interesting stories to share. The biggest change was my new companion, Elder Cervantez!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love that guy so much, and we've had a blast so far walking the streets, talking to people, working with members (halliuya Sonia and Amanda (I have no clue how to spell halijuya in english anymore...... haha, now that I think of it, I probably never did)). He's this super nice peruvian who doesnt speak a ton of english. My Spanish has improved so much already and we havent even been companions for a full week yet. I think thats just because when you only speak that way, you start to kind of fall into the habit of it. Thats when it begins to fully click in your mind. At the same time Im trying to teach him english.

One interesting thing that happened this week came about through Sonia (haha, again). She has a neighbor who has a baby in the hospital right now, giving us the opportunity to bestow a blessing. That was a really spiritual and sobering visit for me. Now the baby is recovering healthily and speedily. I am continuously amazing with the miracles that God preforms for us, his imperfect servants. Hmmmm. That always gets me thinking. Im not perfect, and dont have a mountain of faith, and look at what God does for us. The blessings that he gives us. Imagine what would happen if we did do everything he asked of us. Thats where true faith (the kind that the amount of a mustard seed can moves mountains) is born. Faithfulness and the word faith both have the same origin and are eternally connected. As we pray for it and continuously strive to be faithful, God can bless us with faith. No, he will bless us with faith

.

Ok, thats all I really have to say this week. I love you all. Thanks for reading my emails:)

Love,

 

Elder Eliason

 

ELder Poulter Left us American Food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a glorious moment eating this

Elder poulters last day in the mission, so he spent all of his spendings that have to stay here. In other words..... ASADO AND CHURISO (I am in this picture, but where?)

Thanks guys.

​Elder Bastidus (my old Zone Leader who moved areas this past change) THis is his sensative side

​The Crew part 2 (I love our roof) (Left to right: me, E' Solano, E'Cervantez, E' Sircable)

 

CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yep, tomorrow is changes! I have not met my new companion yet, but I know that his name is Elder Cervante and that he is from Peru. Im staying in my area and will have to kind of teach him all about the area. Im actually a bit nervous for this, but it should be good:)

SOOOOOOOOOO much has hapopened this week! Holy cow! 

 

First off, we had this huge service project last saturday where we helped lay the foundation of a house. I have come to learn that here, most houses are not built professionally. If you need a house and are not wealthy, what do you do? Well, you call together all your friends (our Elders Quorum) and ask them to help you out. Yah. Its hard work. especially because you have to mix and make the cement yourself. With about 11 people, grabbing buckets, filling them full of water, sand, rocks, or cement powder, then trowing them in these big spinning drones, pouring them out when its all mixed into wheel barrows, pushing them over to where it is needed, pouring, and leveling, it took us 5 hours to lay the foundation of a house that is probably the size of your living room. It was a ton of work, but a great opportunity to 1) gain the members trust, 2) do something different and fun and 3)serve. It was a really good experience. Haha my comp told me at the beginning that building house's here is like hard core legos for big boys.

 

We were witnesses to two pichis (sketchy youth) get tackled and arrested by the police. That was an interesting, unexpected moment. WE had just walked passed them when we saw the jason bourne stacked guy in full body armor run past us and take them down.

 

Haha, Elder Mendenhall got a love letter and accompanying love cd from one of our 20 year old investigators. It was given to us in a package from a member, and not directly from her. When we got home, he opened it, and I just lost it. The moment we discovered that the first song on the cd was "everything I do, I do it for you"....... That was funny. it actually had some sweet coldplay songs on it (we just looked to see what songs there were but didnt listen to it). haha to make it even better, she gave me a spatula and spork. Now even though Im super excited about these and will totally use them, I find the juxtaposition of sentiment hilarious.

 

2 more things.

 

1) WE HAD 4 INVESTIGATORS IN CHURCH THIS WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now granted, they were all under the age of 12, but it was still super exciting. Haha, the primary teachers love us right now.

 

2)I love the focus this ward has for the youth. The overall goal/theme of the entire program is to send them on missions. Everything that is taught, every activity they have is done with this as the main point, the direction of the lesson, the goal. Because of this, every one of the youth in this ward have a strong desire to serve. Their excitement for it is contagious to each other, and helps to build each others. I think it is because of this, that Sharon announced to us this past week that she wants to serve a mission! 

 

Anyways, I love this work, and am so glad I have friends and family at home backing me all the way. It feels so good to have their support and love with me. Thank you all so much,

 

Love,

Elder Eliason

 

One more thing:

awwwwwwww, look how cute and nice this dog is. I bet Black (his name) would love you to pet him and sratch him.

​UNTILL HE BITES YOUR HAND RANDOMLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The lord is there to protect his servants. Although it swelled and bruised, the sharp teeth did not penetrate past the first layer of skin.

sweet picture of elder solano I took  :)

​churipan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dont wait on your road to damascus

¡En serio! There is a fantastic talk by Elder Uchtdorf on this and a mormon message to go with it. The principle is so true. Many people want to know the truth, or know that they should take the steps laid before them, but are either too scared to do so, or too lazy. WE have this problem with one of our investigators right now. Its real disheartening to see it ,but all we can do is fast and pray for them to keep their commitments. Faith has two parts: belief and action. ACT! that is one of the hardest parts of Christs gospel, but the part that brings some of the greatest blessings.

Some quick things about Uruguay and little things that happened:

 

1) Churipan is amazing!!!!!!

 

2) The weather is so weird here. Haha it can be triple digits one day. Rain the entire next day (torrential style). And be super nice and breezy the next day. that was weird

 

3)WE got to watch the last two stories of Meet the Mormons!!!!! That video is super sweet

 

4) as I said in one of my pictures. Hermano Prida taught me and elder Mendenhall how to kill, skin and gut a bunny this week......... That day brought many interesting stories that can only be told in person.

One more thing I want to say. The lord can strengthen you in all your trials. That is one of the coolest part of the atonement. There is a lady that I taught on a inter-cambio this week who smokes 40 cigarets a day (rather common thing here). WE had the opportunity to promise her this and give her some spiritual guidance with it. The cool thing is how true it is. I have heard so many stories about this, and have seen it in action.

 

Anyways, I love you all and am so glad that I have amazing family and friends behind me.

 

La iglesia es verdadero,

Elder Eliason

 

my address in case you want to write to me

Elder Olivera (one of the zone leaders)

thanks mom!!!

​Elder Solano

​Prida!!!!!!!! He's the crazy member that taught me how to skin a bunny..........