Mission Week #49

Otra Semana
September 12, 2011 8:45:19 PM GMT+03:00

Hola,

The highlight of last week was Rafeal's baptism on Thursday. Elder Cebreros got to perform his first baptism and I gave a talk. He is the first one in his immediate family to get baptized so it is awesome how he is setting the example. We had stake conference yesterday so he will get confirmed next week. Speaking of stake conference, there were 5 general authorities in the area this weekend. There was a special leadership meeting for bishops and stake presidents here in Roosevelt on Saturday. Elder Cook was there, Elder Gonzalaz of the Presidency of the 70, and Elder Hallock of the 70. They all split up and went to different stakes for Sunday conferences and Elder Hallock was with our stake. He is from American Samoa and Elder Iopu from our district is from Samoa so they got to meet. We were in a different building translating it into Spanish but got to meet him after.

Tomorrow night we are going down to Provo and staying the night for a Wednesday zone conference. The mission gets tickets to General Conference and they are supposed to be letting us know Wednesday who gets to go this time. Hopefully I make the cut. It would be sweet to go as a missionary.

Wednesday we got an unexpected call from the family I mentioned last week saying they wanted to wait some time before starting to meet with us again. She said her husband is giving her pressure. She is a big reader though and already started the Book of Mormon from the beginning so I think she will be fine even if we cant meet.

When we met with Uribes things really are not too bad. They want to get married when their daughter and parents can be there so they will probably go to California near the end of the month and come back here to get baptized.

Well, time to go enjoy P-day. We are going golfing today.

Have a great week!

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #48

 Correo Electronico
September 7, 2011 10:29:09 PM GMT+03:00

Hola,

Sorry this is a little late. No emails on Monday due to Labor day. Yesterday was a crazy day and I did not have time. Yersterday morning at 7 another Elder from Vernal and I had to leave for Provo for a meeting. We got there, had the 5 hour meeting and had to leave straight back for Roosevelt.  We had lessons at 6, 7, and 8 to finish up the day. The entire day we were rushed on timing. Anyway, things are going well. Rafeal did not get baptized last week but that should be happening tomorrow. Some sad news is that the Uribes called Monday night and said they had to cancel their marriage/baptism. We have not been able to see them in person yet but we should get to see them tonight. I think it is more of the husband that is holding them back. They are both so close but cannot seem to make the final step.
 
I don't remember if I have mentioned anything about las Hnas Linares. They are sisters and live next to each other. We have been teaching one of the sisters for about 2 or 3 weeks and she is progressing very well. They are both mothers of young families and want to do their best to raise their kids. They have noticed how a lot of the families here are happy and seem to have something special about them. Well, that is where we come in right? What we teach helps families to be happier and have that little "extra" thing. They came to church Sunday. Both of their husbands are kind of close minded at the moment but I think as they see thier wives change they will notice the difference. 

I don't have too much time so until next week..... Love you!

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #47

Hola,

Saturday night we got transfer calls. As expected I am staying here with Elder Cebreros. Roosevelt is doing great right now so I am definitely not ready to leave. We also moved houses this week. The place where we had been staying had been the missionaries house for 2 years so it was time for a move. They didn't find a new house so we just moved into an apartment with the English missionaries. It is different not living with members and having 4 missionaries but so far so good.

Yesterday was a great day at church. Adrian (baptized last week) got the priesthood and since he was 16 got to be a part of his cousin's ordination to the office of a teacher. It would be awesome if he could baptize his brother before I leave too.

Rafael should be getting baptized this week. He is an awesome kid. 14 years old and has learned the basic gospel principles very fast. We also should be starting to teach his mom soon. I dont remember if I explained the situation but Rafael's aunt is a member of the church and his family has been staying with them and looking for a house to rent here, which they were able to find this week.

The Uribes are still looking good for a marriage/baptism in a couple weeks. Also, Rafeal's cousin's boyfriend (it seems like everyone is related doesnt it) now has a date for his own marriage/baptism. Hopefully it all goes through!

Sounds like the wedding went well except for the sicknesses. Send lots of pictures!

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #46

August 22, 2011


Hola,

Last week felt like everything was in fast motion. The Birthday went well. Wilbur took us to Pizza hut. The Fam. Vasquez had their baptismal interviews and brought me a very delicious tres leches cake. We did have a pretty disappointing lesson with Fernando. He was getting so close but basically told us he isn't ready to change. I guess the path is called the "straight and narrow path" for a reason. Not everyone is willing to live that type of lifestyle. I told him that he is living a very good life right now, but the only thing left he has to give to God is his heart. He thought about that for a second then concluded that he wasnt ready to do that yet. We will keep working on that.

The Vernal temple is shut down for cleaning and Wednesday morning we went with the Vernal district and did service cleaning it for a couple hours. It was cool to get a tour of the entire temple and to see it from another perspective.

Thursday night part of the Fam. Vasquez got baptized. The mom, one son, and the daughter. They were all very happy and it was a great night. Hna. Vasquez really is converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She was pretty emotional during most of the service. I baptized Arely, the 9 year old girl. She was the most excited anyone has ever been to be baptized.

Sebastian, an older guy from Peru that we have been teaching, is doing awesome. When we went last week he was kind of unsure about things so we talked about prayer for a long time. It is pretty amazing that all we want people to do is pray and ask sincerely if what we teach them is true. It seemed liked it clicked for him that he really didn't have to take our word for it but that he could pray and get his own answer. Wednesday we went back and saw him and he told us that he had been praying daily and that Tuesday night when he prayed he felt that he received his confirming answer. He said he was willing to follow the answer he received. Saturday we went back and taught him about baptism and he accepted. He said he wanted to come to church yesterday and did. He even got there an hour early and stayed for an hour after for the 3rd Sunday potluck dinner.

The Riveras are doing well. They are coming to church and we have pretty much taught them everything. They don't feel all the way ready yet so they will probably get baptized in 3 or 4 weeks.

I can't beleive my Hermano is getting married this week! I hope it all goes well and you enjoy the time together. Once again I am glad I am at least in Roosevelt, not 5 minutes away from everyone. When we went down to Provo for zone conference we drove by Julies rode on state street. It has almost been 13 months and it is still very interesting to consider the fact that I am indeed serving my mission in Utah.......Utah. Have a great week!

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #45

August 15, 2011 (Tanner's 20th Birthday)


Hola,

Another mission birthday! It has been a great year. Lots of unforgettable experiences and lots of growth. I think I have learned more in the past year than in the other years combined. At least when it comes to the things of real worth. Today should be a pretty good day. Wilbur wanted to take me out to dinner so we are going to go to Pizza Hut tonight. The Vasquez's are having their baptismal interviews tonight and they said they are going to make me a cake. Hna. Vasquez is awesome. First because of how strong of a testimony she has but also because she gives us food all the time. After the lesson Wednesday she made enchiladas. Saturday for we went over and helped them in the yard and she made us something which I don't remember what is called, but was good. She was at the Uribe's last night and her and Hna. Uribe made Quesadillas Mexicanos. Then she made the comment that it looked like I was gaining weight. I wonder why.

We had a good Sunday yesterday. We stopped by the Riveras before church to make sure they were coming and at first Aldo, their 15 year old son, said he didn't feel like going but we talked him into it. Some people need a little coaxing. The meetings are reversed in the branch so we have Sunday school, Priesthood, then Sacrament. We walked into Sunday school and Presidente asked us to give the class since the teacher didn't show up. I always wondered how people were able to just give hour lessons without preparation. I guess being a missionary just prepares you because it was surprisingly easy.

We used our 2 allotted temple trips last week. We went Wednesday with the district and Saturday to the Spanish session with the Branch. Presidente drove us up and took us to Cafe Rio after for a wonderful dinner.

Thursday is probably going to be the baptism of the Fam. Vasquez. Still not too sure on timing. The Riveras are looking good and have a date for the 27th. Last week we taught the Word of Wisdom and Chastity and thankfully there are no problems there. Hno. Uribe has cut down on drinking but is still having a little problem with that. I was pretty direct with him last night so hopefully he will be able to give it up and they can get married soon. We are planning on September 3rd for their marriage because they will have some family in.


I got Taylor's wedding announcement this week. It made it seem more real. Enjoy the family time-

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #44

Sent: Tue, Aug 9, 2011 1:48 pm
Subject: Hola

Hello,

It was a fast week. Wednesday we had exchanges with the APs. Elder Robles from Mexico was with us. Thursday was Wilbur's baptism. He had awesome support from everyone at his work. The entire room was full. His boss' son Tony baptized him. Sunday I confirmed him. The last couple weeks he has shared more of his life us. Among the interesting facts is that he got married and had his first kid at age 16. His wife was 21.

Sunday night we met up and took the van into Provo. It was great to have Elder Malm with us for Monday's zone conference. He and President Pitts spoke for around 3 hours on the importance of the Spirit in missionary work. The only not so great part about that was that my topic was on teaching by the Spirit and they had covered mostly everything. It turned out all right though.

All the investigators are doing well. Roberto from Peru that we started teaching a couple weeks ago accepted a date. The Fam. Rivera and Fam. Vasquez are already like members. They both signed up on the dinner calender to feed us. Hna. Riveras made us some amazing enchiladas this week. Fernando finally came to church which was a relief. He had been doing well with everything we had left for him but hadn't made the step of going to church until Sunday. The only person we have not been able to see is Hector. He is working until around 9 and going to Colorado every weekend thus leaving us no opportunity to see him.

Sounds like things are pretty busy at home. Lots of weddings! Have an excellent week.

Love, Elder Clark

Mission Week #43

Sent: Mon, Aug 1, 2011 1:23 pm
Subject: Otra Semana

Hola,

 

We had another good week.

 

We met with Uribes again. I basically told them... Well, you know everything and you are ready so are you willing to make the changes necessary to be able to be baptized and have more blessings in your family? They said they are willing to do it. We talked about all of the blessings they have already received as they have made little changes in their lives and the additional blessings they can enjoy. A couple weeks the priesthood lesson in church was on the importance of prayer. Hno. Uribe raised his hand and explained how much closer his family has been since they began to pray every night as a family. It was awesome from my perspective to see how he was applying the things we have been teaching and is able to recognize how it is helping his family.

 

We finished up teaching Wilbur this week and he came to church yesterday so everything is looking good for his baptism this week. He has been very golden ever since the first time we started meeting with him. I don't know if I mentioned this but he works as a mechanic for a stake president so that definitely helps.

 

On Tuesday we were driving back from an appointment with Wilbur and we drove past a house we had visited before but they never had answered. For some reason I felt like we should go there so we flipped around, knocked, and met this guy named Roberto from Peru. Elder Santos had taught him over a year ago but he had moved. He seems pretty open and was very grateful that we stopped by. The same kind of thing happened on Saturday. There was a house we had visited in Myton like a month ago but since then nobody was ever home. We went back and met a guy named Sebastian, also from Peru. He was just sitting on his porch when we drove up. As we left he thanked us for coming and said he was kind of lonely and hoping someone would come.

 

The Vasquezs were busy all week with family but made it to church yesterday. I think it was a good experience for Hna. Vasquez because during Gospel Principles class a lady shared her testimony about how she took the lessons in Costa Rica as a ten year old and was the only one of her family to join the church and still is the only member as a 30 year old. She now is married and has a couple kids and is still going strong in the church.

 

Yesterday President called and asked me to speak at the zone conference we are having next week. Elder Malm of the 70 will be there. I thought I would be free since I spoke at the last one but oh well. For some reason it is being held on Monday so I wont be emailing until Tuesday. We will be driving down in the van Sunday night and staying in the mission home.

 

Well, it sounds like everything is going well at home. Staying nice and busy. One year down, one to go.

 

Love, Elder Clark