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