Joyful Sleep Walking

Man, I've always heard of this, but never thought it would apply to me. IM TIRED! Haha. I feel like I could sleep for a full 12 hours. Really cool thing though I discovered: While Im proselyting my legs feel fine. I know Im walking really fast and I should be dead, but I feel absolutely no pain or fatigue in my legs while we're walking in the streets between appointments or contacts. Haha I feel it though every time I sit down. Every time. Doctrine and Covenants promises that if we open our mouths everywhere, day and night, we will receive a strength that is unknown to man. I can feel it. It's really cool. I feel like I'll be running on God's power until the end of my mission;D 

Pretty Chill Right:D

WE HAD AN INVESTIGATOR IN CHURCH THIS WEEK!

Her name is Meloni. She has seen the coolest change in her life. We found her a week ago sitting on a bench SUPER Depressed and not knowing where to turn, if God was listening to her, how to make things better. Well. upon arriving at our third visit, she came up to us and happily stated "I READ IT ALL! AND I PRAYED, AND I FELT EXACTLY HOW YOU GUYS SAID I WOULD FEEL!" That was really cool. We, that charla taught her repentance, and the alieve that comes through it. When we passed by Friday she saw us and exclaimed, I read it all again, and am excited for my baptism!" Well That's been really cool. We passed by Sunday morning with some members to walk with her to church for the first time.:D

On top of that, as we were walking in the street the other night we stopped two adolescent girls (19 years old), and began talking. upon asking If they had ever talked to missionaries before, one of them responded "yah, I read the Liahona and Doctrine and Covenants all the time." ......WHAT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! "Are you a member?" "No" "Can we pass by your house tomorrow?" "Yah no problem." 

Well in this charla with Dina (the 19 year old) and her less active mom, we discovered that missionaries had come for a short time when Dina was 14, then again when she was 16. During both of those times she had expressed her uncertainty towards the church and baptism. However, towards the beginning of the Charla she straight up told us that us coming to talk to her in the street was, in a way, an answer to her prayers, and that now she wants to take this step of baptism. Well Let's just say that she has a baptismal date for he 24th of next month. Please pray for her.

Loreley is doing really well too. She's been out of town, but came back yesterday. We have a charla with her tonight. She's gonna get baptised soon;D

I love this gospel and know it's true. I have seen light's enter the eyes of individuals and change overcome their darker attributes. The spirit is sweeter and more powerful than any worldly possession. As stated in Alma 31:5 in the Book of Mormon:  And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

I Know this is true. It is my testimony and my joy.

I love you all so much and hope you have a great week!

Love, Elder Eliason 

Prep is a miracle

I think that's the coolest thing the lord does for us. Prepare people.

Let me tell a little story from this week: 

Elder Budini told me about this investigator he and his past comp had had one charla with right before I arrived. She had been in a rough position and they had given a bunch of comfort. We found her again this last week and had a really good charla with her. In the charla, we taught the restoration, invited her to baptism, and she gladly accepted. Well, that's when the craziest part happened. She mentioned her gratitude for the whatsapp (some social media that I had never heard of before the mission) messages the Missionaries have been sending for the past 3 months. Well, we are missionaries, and have a little T9 phone. That does not access such media, and as such could not possibly have been us. Well, she then let us know that 3 months ago, the missionaries had passed by, Referring to one by name (Elder Palemino. I know him and know he was here). Told us that they had passed by, she had asked them to stop passing. Immediately when this happened, someone had sent her a Whatsapp message asking if she would like to receive scripture messages every morning. She, thinking it was us (we are the only religious people she has talked to in a LONG time), accepted, and, for 3 months every morning without fail, she has received a picture of a biblical scripture placed onto a beautiful background, meme style (example: John 3:16 Written out in bold white letters with a sunset in the background). These messages have helped prepare her for us coming back and wanting to learn more. We have no clue who sends these messages, but they've helped so much.

The lord prepares people to come unto them little by little. (#the hope of god's light  (look it up. it's good)).

Well other than that, it's been a good week. We may have saved two people's lives (the Lord also guides us to people who need us in the moment). Man. His Gospel really is perfect and can give hope to everyone. Even people who we find on the street trying to drink away their problems. It is the best remedy for any illness, state of mind, or problem in general. I thank the lord every day that I have this in my life. It's incredible.

I love yall so much and hope ya have a good week,

Elder Eliason

I LOVE PEACHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly this is the best ward i have been in in my mission. Saving the best for last:D

My first day getting here was amazing! We dropped off my things and headed out to the Peleiz family. Man it was so great. These guys were found by my last zone leader Elder Marly when he was here 3 months ago, but only had been taught twice since. we showed up, and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That was the most evenly I have ever taught with one of my comps. It was the Ideal "I say something short, he says something short, a question is asked, he says something short, I say Something short, etc..." The spirit was so strong! We invited the couple, who just got married 2 months ago, to baptism. Im excited for them. Upon sending messages to remind them to read and pray the husband replied that he had packed the book of Mormon with him to take to work and had read the introduction and all the testimonies. This place is off to a really good start.

On top of that, we have a really cool new ward missionary leader who literally looks like a 40 year old Brandon Howard and is stoked to help us teach.

Elder Budini, my new comp, actually has more time than me in the mission (21 months). He's a really nice, pretty quiet guy, from Chili. We're going to have a blast.

the other day I was thinking of something interesting Elder Bean told me. While he was in Melo (a rural city in Uruguay) there was a sunday school class about leaving the 99 sheep to look for the lost one. At one point, the teacher asked the opinion of a member of the class on the story. This particular member just so happened to be a shepherd, thus having great personal knowledge in this topic. He said that Sheep don't just get lost, they're always in a heard. neither do they accidentally go astray. no. the only time a sheep goes away from it's heard is when it is sick or injured and fears that it will spread it's disease to others. In that fear, it chooses to leave thinking it would be better for everyone else. 

I know this church is true and that the gospel can give one more animo and happiness than anything else in the world. That is why I am here. And I pray every day that others will come to this knowledge, and come to the good shepard who will help them heal and show them they don't need to run off.

I love you all so much! and hope you guys have a great week,

Love,

Elder Eliason 

Movin to the Country gonna eat (or live in) a lot of peaches

CHANGES!!!! or as other missions call it TRANSFERS!!!!! 

Im going to what probably will be my last area. Here in Uruguay, the country is divided into departments. I will be heading to the main city of the department Durazno (that is spanish for Peach). My new comp is is Elder Budini (his name is a kind of Desert bread that everyone loves) and I know know much about him yet. This is going to be great!:D

Well It's been really good here in Lascano and I am a bit sad to leave, but it will be left in good hands, and I feel like I've been able to help a lot of people here.

The most incredible change I have seen was probably in Yessica and her family. When Elder Burgess first found her, we just asked if we could sit down outside and talk a bit. She was a complete athiest and didn't want anything to do with God. Her mom believed in Christ, and had been trying her entire life to help her gain this belief but to no avail. In this short time, she has begun reading and praying to God, and has gained a testimony. that was a really cool moment that we had the other day. We were sitting there in a charla with her talking about a kind of contriversal topic that she was trying to understand, when I asked her if she knew these things brought happiness and made her feel closer to God. She said yes, and I was about to move on, when Elder Bean said Wait! Pause. Yessica, do you know this, do you really believe these thing are from God and are here to make us happy. Upon answering in an assuring affirmative, he stated "That is a testimony. Congragulations hermana, you have a testimony." Then we continued teaching. I just keep reflecting on that moment. It was so cool. I really am excited to see where the gospel takes that family. 

Gerardo is also doing really well. When I sent him a text last night telling him I was bouncing out to Durazno, he immediately called us up (him being at work), and wished me luck and prayed that we would meet again. I love this place so much and have been able to meet the most amazing people, my comp included. They have helped me grow and learn a lot. Im excited to get to Durazno and use all the things I have learned throughout my entire mission to work miracles in what is probably my last area.

 

Well, that's all for now. I LOVE YALL SO MUCH!!!!

Have a great week!

Elder Eliason

I love Sunday:D

so I wrote this story to Elder Taylor, but then decided it was kind of funny and that I will share it here: the other day I had an "only in Uruguay"moment that we thought was pretty funny. My comp and I were walking on this thin road that was semi flooded from rain. All the local gauchos (cowboys) were trying to move their cows along this road to find better grazing, and we ended up hopping in line behind one of those large groups of cows. at one point while we were walking, we heard a noise behind, and, upon turning to find its source, found another huge herd of cows rushing towards us. My comp and I just looked at each other and shouted "WE GOTTA GO MAN!" and took off running. I wish I could have a birds eye picture of that: two mormon missionaries being chased down a flooded road by a huge group of cows... Pretty great moments:D 

So I dont have a ton of time today, but I do want to share how amazing this sunday was. 

Just before church we had passed by the house of Jessica (I learned this week that it's actually spelled Yessica) and her family to bring them to church, but to no avail. As such, we slid a pass along card under the door saying we would be at church until 12 and that they were still invited. 

we got to church and began prepping the sacrament, when Gerardo showed up.

We Had Met Gerardo Saturday morning on the way to chuy for a baptisimal interview. While waiting at the stop, he walked up to us and said in english "Hey guys how's it going." THat always gets a greengo's attention, hearing someone speak good english. After talking for a bit, we got on the bus, where he "just so happened to be sitting right behind us in his seating. We continued talking the entire trip (an hour and a half). He had lived in the states for over 20 years, but had to return for legal matters, and , through a bunch of small miracles, ended up here in lascano with a really cool job and set up at a bakery. Upon giving him a pamphlet, the topic changed to God, in the whom he believes and feels like he needs to draw closer to. Coolest thing ever. He directly told us that maybe all the circumstances that brought him to lascano, was just so that he could meet us. Saturday night, we sent him a text inviting him to church, to the which he responded "Ill be there." And he was!

Sacrament meeting was so spiritual, and sunday school went pretty well. I just felt bad for him, because he was falling asleep in Sunday school. (people that work at bakerys here get up super early), so afterwards he got up and said, "Thanks a ton guys. Ive got to go though, Im falling asleep. You can come over anytime though." So we're going to head over Tuesday!:D 

Third hour started, and he was gone, but at 11:20, Yessica and Erika showed up, and we ended up going to Relief society with Yessica while Erika went to young women's. HAha Im not sure If we're supposed to go to relief society, but we ended up teaching half the lesson due to the Real teacher being pulled out last minute. 

That was a pretty great sunday.

Okay, Ive got to go.

I love yall a whole heap:D,

Elder Eliason

Im not even sure how to describe this week

April 25, 2016

Holy cow.....

-chased by a herd of cows down a flooding road between two rain created lakes,

-got a cool picture holding a baby cow;D

-Our Branch president couldnt come to church because he works and has a house in the plains of Uruguay, all the which are extremely flooded. In his house there is water up to his knees and all buses have been canceled not allowing him to return. 

-Helicopters have begun leaving to try and save all the stranded farmers that live in the plains

- A path that we always take to part of our area is at least 3 feet underwater.

- we saw cowboys trying to lasso cows to keep them from the water:D

-It started raining again this morning;) this could be fun

-A tornado hit A Town on the other side of Uruguay (IT's really far away and we are in a place really safe on top of a hill, but that has never happened in Uruguay so a lot of people are worried)

- haha We only spent 2 and a half days in our area this entire week due to the storms and meetings. We were trapped in Chuy for 2 days due to a red alert that came out, but then caught, what ended up being, the only returning bus to Lascano. The bus itself took 2 and a half hours to make an hour and a half trip due to it having to wade in a foot and a half of water on the elevated road, then took another bus that night to go to Trenta tres For the zone conferance and interviews with president Cook. The trip is normaly an hour and a half, but we had to take the LONG way around (4 hours) showing up late in the night. Flooding worsened (literally turning roads into rivers/lakes. It was kind of crazy watching giant garbage bins floating down the road/river. All buses were canceled the next day leaving us trapped in 33 (the name of the city)  for the day. We finally caught the only returning bus Saturday morning at 5 AM to come back. It's been an adventure here.

-Let's just say its been a fun time:D

AMAZING LESSONS THIS WEEK:

so we've lost track of Luis, but please keep praying for him.

Jessica, Erica, Jaquelin, and Jorge:

I love this family so much. They are amazing:D

We were able to have a really good charla with The first two Wednesday with the little time we were there on the Law of Chastity.

On Saturday we went back and found only their somewhat unreceptive mom there. Jorge, their 22 year old brother, was in the back sleeping, so we asked if we could just come in and talk a bit. IT was really cool. She at first kept saying, I have my church (Dios es Amor) and I already prayed about the Book of Mormon and didn't receive an answer, so we just continued talking. Due to the crazy weather that has been going on the conversation easily turned to that and she made the comment of how in these last days, people are scared. I got this cool impression that we should show her the video "the hearts of men shall fail them" by Russel M Nelson. Using her phone, we looked it up on youtube, and were about to show the video when a notice that she was out of internet service popped up. The video was half laoded, so I hit play. Im not sure how, but the entire video played (Nice little miracles). At the end of it, she looked at us in surprise and asked "What is this that I feel?" Can I just say that apostolic words carry the spirit really strongly. We began talking about the spirit, she mentioned that she feels when words reach her heart, that the bible does that, but none of the pastors in her church can make that happen. We testified of many things and were able to help her set up a plan to stop smoking and draw nearer unto God. It was really interesting. You could tell by the end of the lesson that she still had a tiny bit of the voice that said "You have your church. Don't listen" trying to shout in the background, but it was being easily dominated by the spirit in the room. IT was as if she was a tiny bit skeptical to allow us to continue, but didn't want us to stop. Such a cool experience. We left with a prayer (she didn't let us begin with one).

Sunday we went back to make nobake cookies and read the book of mormon with them. Jessica, Erica, and Jorge were home and were stoked to see us. We were a bit curious to see how Jaqueline would react.  When she came into the room though, she was way more welcoming than she had ever been before. Not only that, but Erica had been grounded the day before, and, on her own, grabbed the Book of Mormon, read the Joseph Smith testimony and the first 8 chapters of 1Nefi. 

This has been a long letter.

We also found this really cool new investigator named Carla who now has a baptisimal date for the 21 of May. We're pretty excited about that.

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

Elder Eliason 

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