Los Milagros No Son Para los Vagos

Good Week. Me Happy. Spirit. Fun Experiences. (I don´t even know how to begin my emails now :D ) What else am I to say? I get tired of repeating it, but it´s been a good week! We worked hard this week, and really made an effort to open our mouths and spread the gospel. We were able to teach several people this week, find new investigators, and see a few blessings from our work. One awesome thing that´s happening as well is that the ward´s waking up a bit. The members are getting their Home teaching visits done (Or at least much more than before) and the ward´s getting its mission plan together quite nicely. They´ve also been able to help out with the investigators that we have brought to church. Speaking of which, there´s an awesome family that we´re teaching (the Balmori Family) and they have great desires to keep learning and going to church and whatnot. It was funny, because one night we went to their house to teach a lesson, and the member that was going to accompany us couldn´t come (We can´t enter into their house without another male present) so we just were intending to set up another appointment. So we get there, and decided to ask them "Hey, do you by chance have a neighbor or family member that could come with us in the lesson?" So they called their neighbor, and he accompanied us in the lesson! hahaha what´s more, he went with them to church yesterday! 

Anywho, I just want to mention once more the importance of setting goals. I think it´s safe to say that we all have the end goal of getting to heaven, right? Well, there´s also a ton of short-term goals that we can set. These are so important so that we reach higher in life! I like the quote from M. Russell Ballard when he says that mastering goal-setting will help us to make a great difference in the results that we attain in life. I´m sure we don´t want to get to the end of our lives to discover that we´ve only scraped the surface of our potential! We should never get comfortable in respect to our education, church responsibilities, relationships with others, or basically any aspect of our lives. As missionaries, we take a time frame every week to see what we need to improve and set goals- this is a practice that I want to carry on after my mission as well, because it´s fantastic! 

Well, the purpose of this life is to gain experience and prepare ourselves to return to God, so, we should prepare ourselves, learning and being engaged in repentance constantly, so that when the Lord returns, or when we return to him, we may be as similar to him as possible (1 John 3:2). The title of the email says "Miracles aren´t for the Lazy" It´s something that I was talking about with a ward member yesterday, and it´s a very true principle! We have to really be trying, but if we are, the Lord will really help us! 

Well, I just want to testify that I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves us. We have his Gospel restored in the earth to bless us, and all who are around us. I know that the Bible and the Book of Mormon contain the word of God, and that the true church of Jesus Christ has been restored in these the latter days. It is my earnest prayer that we embrace this light and hope, and that we may be able to spread it in this world that needs it so much. Hurrah for Israel! 

Elder Holtry

Ya, so there was a lizard that found its ways into our apartment this week

Con La Cabeza Y Con El Corazón

What a splendid week! (As always! :) ) Well, nothing much was new, other than the new investigators, but I´m not complaining, I´ve come to be super happy doing the Lord´s work here! (It´s the weirdest thing, sometimes I think "Why am I so happy?" hahaha just the mission I guess). We had interviews with President Smith this last week, and as always it was great. President Smith is always a source of wisdom to find what Gospel Principles I need to apply better to my life. One interesting thing that I want to mention is a talk that he showed me called "Which way do you face?". What I took out of the talk is that we, like the Prophets of Old, need to defend moral truths because if not, then we´re basically sinning.  We don´t need to focus on pleasing our fellow man, rather first we should think of God, thus maintaining the first two great commandments in their proper order. It reminds me as well of how Elder Sabín in the last general conference said that we should listen to the Creator rather than the crowd. So, just keep that in mind and be prepared to stand for correct principles when this ever changing world challenges correct doctrines.

I was able to shake President Russell M. Nelson's hand today!! He is here meeting with the North and East missions here in Buenos Aires!!! It was awesome!

One other thing I wanted to mention is something that´s helped me to strengthen my testimony of Christ. I don´t know if I already mentioned this point, but President Nelson said in Conference that he took the time to mark every reference to Jesus Christ, as found in the Topical Guide of the standard works. I´ve begun to do it, and it´s impacted me profoundly. (There´s like 18 pages of references, so i´m still in the process :) )  Just reading those special verses, I can feel something really special! It´s reminded me of something that my Mom told me 2 years ago, before I left on my mission. It was a bit of advice on scripture reading. She said: "You need to read a little less with your head, and more with your heart". This has had an impact on my studies, and it really applies to all of us. Basically, our testimony grows when we read with both out head and heart. 

Well, that´s my little ramble for today, I hope somebody´ll be able to get something comprehensive out of it. Well, I know that the Book of Mormon contains the fullness of the gospel, as well as that Jesus Christ is our Savior. This is his Church, and we are blessed to have his teachings so available to us! I love my Redeemer, and I say this in his  name, even in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

-Elder Holtry

I was able to reunite with Elder's Steele and Hardcastle at the meeting today with President Nelson!

- I realized that I need to clean my desk

 Ward Family Home Evening in Boulogne

Razones Para Sonreír

What a week! (Again) well, I think some of you may have already heard, but I had a little visit this last week. Elder Martinez and I were studying, following the normal morning routine, when suddenly pebbles started hitting our window. For a few seconds I was freaking out, because normally people throwing rocks at your window here in Argentina isn´t good news. But a few seconds of panic later I looked and saw Pawel Twardecki (From California)! Turns out they´re living in the same ward as our mission President hahaha! It was shocking to see someone that I knew in Argentina. Shout out to Pawel! He said "Ya, so I risked my life coming down here to bring you this" (A ton of food/snacks).

But ya, this last week was a good one. We were able to help out several ward members and investigators. One thought that came to my mind this last week was the importance of friendship and family. Ultimately, we´re all part of a giant spiritual family, and we can take joy in the presence of one another. I know that the more we come to know someone, the more we´ll come to understand/love them. Hatred comes from misunderstanding. But ya, there´s such joy that we can find in others when we live and apply the gospel (Alma 17:1-3). 

This last week certainly had it´s difficult parts, but towards the end of it, a thought came to my minds. There are so many reasons to smile. Sometimes, I get a bit down because we get close, but we don´t complete a goal, or people don´t show up to the important appointments that we have in a day, but the truth is that that shouldn´t bother me too much. Thinking back, there are so many thoughts from my mission (and before) that just make me smile or laugh. I like something that a missionary from "The District" said, about how the Lord takes away the bad parts, and we can only remember the good parts. We know that they happened, but we don´t remember many details. I feel that life will be like that if we apply Christ´s atonement to our lives and are purified thereby. We´ll be able to look back, smile, and be grateful for the experience that God gave us, despite the challenges and failures. 

I feel so grateful for Christ and for the great gift that he´s offered us. In fact, while we´re on the subject, I´d like to invite all of you to see the new church video ( https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-02-1000-the-prince-of-peace-find-lasting-peace-through-jesus-christ?lang=eng ) It´s legit. This is such a fantastic time to remember Christ, so remember him, and apply his teachings in your lives, so that you´re example shines and gives light to a world that so desperately needs it! 

--

-Elder Holtry

Bowling for P-day with Elder Martinez, Elder Byers, Elder Jared, Elder Cantos, Elder Cortaza, Me

 District  Meeting

My New Planner

 Food from the Twardecki's! YESSSSSSS

Somos Centinelas

It´s been quite the week! Elder Martinez and I worked super hard, talking with as many people as we could. I´ve seen that Boldness Brings Blessing, as we lose our fear of talking with people about the truth, God blesses us in Various ways. As Elder Christofferson mentioned in General Conference, we must be watchmen for others and exhort them to come to the truth (I actually read that scripture that he read in Ezequiel a few months ago, and it´s been a motivation for me ever since) But ya, we need to be bold, and if they persecute us for the truth, fantastic! It just means that we´ll have more blessings!

Anywho, one funny moment in the week was when we were in a district meeting, talking about how much time we had in the mission, and someone asked me. I said "Oh, i have about 3 months left" and then my comp cut in "Lies! He has 2 months and 15 days" Traitor!!! But ya, that was a bit of a wakeup call.

So, this week was full of working working working and finding new investigators. We were able to break our record of new investigators, so we´re psyched, and we´re going to try to break it again.  One of my main focuses right now is obtaining as much love as I can for the people. Like Elder S. Mark Palmer Said in the conference, If we love someone, we´ll ask them to change, so we´ve been constantly inviting people to do things that will bring them closer to Christ. Through commitments, we call people to repentance. 

Another point that I liked was when Elder Renlund said that we should distinguish between the sin and the sinner. Something that I´ve found personally is that the more I get to know someone, it´s hard to not feel love for them. I feel that if we don´t know or understand someone (Basically if we don´t have empathy or put ourselves in their shoes), that´s where the contentions start. Basically, having a loving attitude is a much happier way to live (But it´s harder, and requires practice. 

Well, I wish I could express clearly and completely my love for this gospel, but for now I don´t think i´d be able to do it. The gospel means everything to me. The Lord Jesus Christ plays an unexplainable role in my life, but I´ll just say that I´m grateful for him, for our Heavenly Father, and for all that we have here in the world from them. 

Well, I love you all, and hope you have a great week! 

 --

-Elder Holtry

Watching General Conference

Chill Proselyting at Night

 Me and Elder Martinez

 A random fire.....as always

 Splits with Elder Estevao

 Beautiful Sky

En Mi Vejez Me Ha Nacido Un Hijo

Hey Family (And friends). This´s been yet another swell week, and the time proceeds to fly by. This Monday, we were up later than normal, because we had to wait for the transfer calls... and turns out that the Lord´s called me to train. So, Monday, I went to the mission home, where I received Elder Martinez. He´s from Mendoza, Argentina. I´ll only have him here for 1 or 2 transfers, since he´ll eventually go to Ecuador when he gets his Visa. So, we´re going to have a great time until that happens. 

It´s been another week of work, but there´s also been several investigators that haven´t completed with their commitments. We may have to drop several of them. I´d like to mention briefly the principle of honor. When we say we´re going to do something, and that something is within our power... we need to do it. Our word should mean alot. People need to know that when we say that we´re going to do something, we intend to, and we´re going to do it. This is a principle that will help us alot in life, so that people trust us. It goes the same for God. In Ecclesiastes 5: 4-5, it talks a bit about this... 

Anywho, one man that´s kept his commitments is Walter. I mentioned him last week. Well, he entered into the waters of baptism Saturday and received the gift of the Holy Ghost Sunday. I know that he´ll be a grand building block for the church, for he´s already expressed his grand desire to share the true gospel with his friends and family. He´s learned about the temple work, and the significance of it has impacted him greatly. He knows that he´s found the pearl of great price. I hope that we all know it as well. I for one, testify that this is the work of the Lord, and that this gospel and church are true, and that they can bless the people of the world without measure (If they allow it). Let us carry on with faith in Christ! Hurrah Por Israel! 

-Elder Holtry

Empanadas

 Walters Baptism and my new companion Elder Martinez who I am training

My first (and hopefully) last trio

A look into the Villa from the Godoy's window

 Elder Rios' "trunky" suitcase

 A neighbor of the apartment in their area wrote this hahaha

 At the mission home

Es Preciso Que Haya Una Oposición En Todas Las Cosas

What a week! Well, a little update on my mission life. Elder Ríos left this morning, so right now i´m in a trio with Elder Ryan and Elder Arguello until my new companion arrives tomorrow. We had a great teaching moment with Walter this last week. He arrived for our appointment in the church building, and the first thing he said was "I don´t think I´m going to be able to keep going with the church and the whole baptism thing" Turns out, he´s been going through a few things lately that are making his life difficult. In short, he´s facing alot of opposition. We invited him to come in and sit down, and there, we began to read the scriptures with him. The first scripture that came to my mind and that we shared with him is in 2 Nephi 2:11, where it explains that it´s necessary for there to be opposition in all things, and then I don´t remember the other scriptures we shared, it was totally spirit-guided, but after we were finished he said "You know what, hearing that gives me the desire to continue onward... we´ll keep going" Wow, that was a testament to me that the scriptures have great power for he who seeks with real intent. Also, Walter came to both sessions of Stake Conference this last weekend, and he asked "So nobody gets paid here? It´s just that everyone seems so happy" hahaha good ole Walter! But ya, also, the members from Munro were there at the Stake Conference, so I had a joyful reunion with many of them (And finally with fluid communication... hahaha!) But ya, we had a decent week of work, and despite some of the last-minute stuff that my comp had to get done, we could get some good work in. 

Well, I just want to emphasize the main point of this email, that it´s necessary for there to be opposition, because it helps us grow. I remember once when I went to a youth camp that they showed us two pictures. One was of a tree alone on the plains, small and a bit shriveled, and another tree amidst others in a forest, subject to winds and the attacks of other plants, but strong nonetheless. The point is that if we´re not subjected to forces from outside, we won´t grow as much as we should. So, we should except challenges so that we become strong like our father in heaven wants us to be. I might as well close with a cliche quote "Life isn´t about waiting for the storm to pass, it´s about learning to dance in the rain". Cheesy, but true. Confide in the scriptures, and trust in that the challenges that God gives you will make you stronger. 

Cuidaos! 

--

-Elder Holtry

Día Tras Día

Happy Monday everyone. Well, it´s been quite the week. We´ve seen many challenges and difficulties, but we´ve also seen miracles. anywho, one thing that I can mention is that we had interviews with our mission President last Friday. before the interviews, we worked in the general area. That area is what we´d call "cheto" (Rich/hard-hearted) here in the mission. We found a ton of people who basically said "Nope" immediately when we presented our invitation. We even found an atheist named Jesús... But ya, it was a great time hahaha! Anywho, there in the interviews, I got a ton of great advice on mission work. When I speak with the people, I also have the hope that they´ll accept, and the charity that corresponds therewith, and because of that, it hurts when the people don´t want anything to do with an invitation from Christ and his church. 

One thing that my mission President told me was that instead of focusing on me and the pain of the rejection, I can focus on Christ. Christ had a pretty rough mission, he and the prophets. Something that now gives me comfort is that when I´m rejected be the people, I stand with the prophets of old and with Christ himself.  Basically, we all just need to have that thought: make it about Christ. 

A thought that came to me this week is in respect to our journey to perfection (To become like Christ). It´s like playing the Piano, and imagine that we want to learn all the hymns in a hymn book. Obviously, it´s going to take some time, and we go perfecting one principle after the other, until (Through our diligence) we perfect all the songs. likewise, we go perfecting different things in life (Our daily prayers, scripture study, tithing, fasting, etc.) Until we´re perfect in all those aspects. Obviously we´ll never come to be like our Father in Heaven, who can play any song with perfection, but we can complete our earthly requirements to achieve our lesser/earthly perfection. day after day, prayer after prayer, fast after fast. 

I know that we can get there as we hearken unto our Heavenly father, and his beloved son Jesus Christ. Be diligent, and always try to progress! 

¡Que Dios los bendiga!

--

-Elder Holtry

chilling in the Villa Hidalgo (Those are some abandoned/burned cars behind me)

An awesome gift from the Godoy Family! I love them so much! Now i´ll be able to drink my tereré when I get home!

P-day Chillin