Dia' del Amigo

Another week, come and gone like the wind this morning. Even though the wind is still here... It's a nippy one this morning... Anyway. ¡FELIZ DÍA DEL AMIGO! That's July 20 here in Argentina. Friend Day.

Divisions with Hermanas Cluff and Lopez

It was a pretty good week. Pretty uneventful. We did divisions again. This time, with Hnas. Cluff and Lopez of San Martín. That was super fun. As divisions always are. Hna. Cluff came here with me and Hna. Tello took the 2 hour journey up to San Martín to be with Hna. Lopez. Divisions are usually only supposed to be 1 day. But ours ended up being much longer. Hna. Cluff and I were supposed to head up to San Martín to meet up with the Hnas. Saturday morning. Our bus supuestamente left at 5:50 in the morning. So... we had to get up way earlier to get to the terminal on time. Well... upon arriving at the terminal, we found that the bus just kind of leaves when it wants and it wasn't going to be at 5:50. We couldn't even find anyone to sell us a ticket to San Martín until 7. And the earliest one wouldn't be leaving until 9:30... But it was WAY cheaper than the "I leave when I feel like it" bus. So we took it. But that meant a cold morning spent sitting in the terminal. Boo. Luckily, I had conference edition Liahona to hold me over until we could get on the bus. Gotta love conference. But that's the mission for you. Everyday's an adventure. There's always some new test of patience or humility. But that's how you learn.

This transfer, I've tried to focus my studies more. I'm trying to study more specifically for other people. Everyday, I have a question, and I look for the answer in my studies. It's been great. And I've learned so much. I've felt so much more in-tune with the Spirit. It's crazy how much of a difference your studies make on your day. But alas. There it is. Scripture study makes a huge difference.

Studying the Gospel with Lucas

Well... that's pretty much it for the week. We had interviews with President which is always great. But other than that... Pretty much the same old story. Not that that's a bad thing. It just means we're working like any normal pair of missionaries.

PIZZA - YUM

Thanks for all the support and love that's been sent this way. I appreciate everyone who reads these emails. Sorry they've been so lame the last couple of weeks... But I promise I'm healthy and happy here doing the Lord's work. It's so important. Everyone needs to know!

With lots of love from the South,
Hermana Hein

Over the Hill

Welp. It's been 9 months. Can't. Handle it. Time in the mission is so weird... I think back on my first couple of week in the mission and it seems like it was yesterday. But then, when I think back on everything that's happened in that time... it's been a lifetime... So weird. It's like a time vortex.

This week was pretty good, the highlight of the week being Consejo. A big meeting for all the leaders of the mission. It was great. I always loving hearing from President Franco. He takes his calling so seriously and really works hard to make sure we're all okay. And every time I have the privilege to hear from him, I'm so uplifted by his wisdom. Together, we read the story of David and Goliath and talked about how we don't need to be afraid because the Lord will fight our battles for us. We may some times feel small and inadequate to the task at hand, but if we put our faith in the Lord, it doesn't even matter if we're facing a 9 foot giant with naught but a sling and 5 stones. We can do anything. I was also able to see Hna. Nakken at Consejo so that was pretty great. ALSO... that day was the day of my cumple mes. 9 months. Which obviously calls for a whole bunch of ice cream. No complaints there.

Half-way there...

 Other than that, not much happened this week. We met a bunch of new people, so we're hoping to see some progress there. It's been crazy. We've lost a lot of time in the past couple of weeks for various reasons, but we're hoping to get some good work done this week. We have to do divisions again this week and interviews with President so this week is going to fly. And next week is week 6 ya! WHAT??? I JUST BARELY REALIZED. I CAN'T. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TRANSFER??? Well... It's almost over. That's awkward...

Well... sorry this week was so boring and all over the place. It was a good week. Even though it seemed really short and uneventful. But anyway. The work goes on. There is no rest for the servants of the Lord, as I said to Lucas the other day.

Scarves made by Hermana Franco

As always, I just want to bear testimony of the truthfulness of this Gospel. Everyday, I have the privilege of witnessing the changes it makes in people's hearts. Even mine. True conversion doesn't happen until we learn to love the Lord and show our love by obeying the commandments. I have learned to love the Lord because I've learned who He really is. I'm so grateful to Him for His sacrifice for me and for all the people I care about. He lives. I know it.

At Consejo

Love you all!
Hermana Hein

PS. Pics. A ful laso de helado por 9 meses! Also, Hna. Franco knitted scarves for ALL OF THE HERMANAS IN THE MISSION. So Hna. Tello and I decided to take some model shots. And of course. Lookin fly for consejo.

Independencia

Man I love the 4th of July. I never thought I would be so patriotic until I left the United States. Haha. No I've always loved the 4th of July. If only for the good American breakfast one usually eats that morning. Our 4th here in Argentina was a little different... The facts were these:

Thursday afternoon after studies, Hna. Tello and I had to run to the terminal to get on the bus to El Colorado. We couldn't afford to not divisions again. El Colorado is a janky little town right on the border of Chaco and Formosa provinces. It's so cute! I love it. I spent Friday working with Hermana Ostler. It was a blast. Divisions are always great. And we had a lot of fun. The only bus back to Resistencia was supposed to leave at 4:45 on Saturday morning, and Hna. Tello and I had planned to take it so we could be back in our area with enough time to finalize all the details for Lucas' baptism. Buuutttt... we missed the bus. Haha. Nice work. The next bus wasn't going to leave until 2 in the afternoon. Great. Luckily, we found some taxi driver to take us down to San Martín, the other janky little town next door. The taxi guy told us there would be a bus leaving from San Martín to Resistencia at 10 AM. Perfecto. But upon arriving in San Martín, we learned that such a bus did not exist. Boo. We continued asking around. I asked one taxi driver if he went to Resistencia and he said yes. "Oh great!" I said. "How much is the trip?" "720 pesos..." Are ya KIDDIN me?? Thought he could rip me off just because I'm Gringa. Nice try pal. I'm not stupid.

We ended up waiting until 2 anyway to take the bus back to Resistencia. We didn't get back until around 5:15 and the baptism was at 6! We rushed to make ourselves look presentable and finishing filling the font before the program started at 6. Only just making it on time. It was a stressful day. But in the end, the fact that Lucas was baptized made it all worth it.

Lucas Baptism

It has been a privilege, teaching Lucas. He's really special. I've only known him for a couple of weeks, but already, I can see the difference the Gospel has made in his life. That has been the best part of the mission thus far: seeing the Gospel change lives. Because it does. Yesterday, Lucas even got up and bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting. It was great. He's such a champ.

Me, Hermana Tello and Lucas

Besides losing a lot of time in the area this week thanks to divisions, it was a great week. There's just something awesome about seeing someone take that step to get baptized. Even just between Saturday before the baptism to now, there's a huge change in Lucas. And it's awesome.

Awkward Selfie

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for next week's adventures.

Con amor, Hermana Hein

The Gospel Changes People

Another p-day... Here we are again.

The majority of this week was spent inside as Hna. Tello was sick with some kind of cold/flu mutant and was confined to her bed the majority of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. And being the non-sick missionary really isn't too exciting... Okay no. It's not exciting at all. But alas. You do what you have to do: Study. Haha
For that reason, we were not able to do divisions this week with the Hermanas in El Colorado. We feel bad because we keep changing our plans. But you have to coordinate well when you have to travel so far to do divisions. This week for sure. We sí o sí have to do them. So that will be fun. (If it happens. Haha kidding.) Divisions are a great opportunity to learn. Even until my last day in the mission, there will be things I can learn. And I always learn something from divisions. Just seeing how other people work or react to crazy mission situtations is a learning experience. I'm excited.

In other news, Lucas is doing great. We had a really great, spiritual lesson last night about the temple and what makes it different from the church. It was really great. The spirit was there and Lucas felt it. He's made a lot of changes in his life thanks to his new knowledge of the Gospel. That's because it's true.

If there's one thing that testifies to me of the truthfulness of the Gospel, it's the changes I've seen it make in people. I've only had two areas thus far in the mission, but I've met a lot of people. And I've seen the Gospel work miracles. It doesn't matter where we are or what we've done, Christ's teachings apply to ALL of us. Because we all need to be healed in one way or another. And it's an absolute privilege to see that healing take place. I'm not anybody. I'm just a tool in the Lord's hands. And it's an honor.

Sorry that once again, this was such a shorty. We did lose half the week thanks to the imperfections of the human body. Haha. I didn't have any pictures either. Sorry. Next week will be more exciting. But until then, take care.

con cariño,
Hermana Hein

Blank Slate

Greetings from Chaco! (How weird... I thought it would always be Formosa...) Winter is in full swing here in Resistencia and I'm loving it! I always liked the cold better than the heat... and then I got sent to Argentina! Haha Yeeeaaaahh... Nah. It's great. I love it. And the new area is awesome!

The neighborhood horses. That's a thing.
There's a LOT of horses here.

I've only been here in Resistencia for a week, but from what I've seen I don't mind it at all. Maybe it's just the fact that I was in the same area for 5 transfers... But it's been so nice to see a new area. It's a breath of fresh air. And I love it. Our area isn't super huge... apparently it used to be bigger but then it got split so the assistants to president would have a place to work. So now, it's a bit smaller. But there's still so much to see and so many people to talk to. I love it.

We have one investigator named Lucas who's the grandson of a member in our ward. He's great. We're hoping he can be baptized on the 4th of July. Yeah. FREEDOM! (from sin... haha so funny.) I'm pretty sure yesterday was his 3rd time to church so now, we just need to finish teaching him. The race is on! Also, Hna. Tello and I are sister training leaders so we have to do divisions this week with the Hermanas that are in El Colorado, which is like an hour and half away from here so that's gonna cut our time here in our area a little bit short. Time is the true enemy of the missionary.

Lucas wanted Hna. Tello to wear his hat, so we took some gangsta pics.
Haha. Riddikulus. 

Being a missionary is a weird thing. It's such a privilege to be able to say that I'm here as a representative of Jesus Christ. My purpose is to help others come to know Him. I have such joy in my life for the blessings I've received from the knowledge I have of Christ and His Atoning sacrifice. And know, I have the chance to help others have that same joy. What a blessing. I am thankful to the Lord everyday for giving me this chance. It's my responsability to use this time, and do the best that I can. I know Christ lives. I know that He gave His life to give us the chance to better ourselves and come unto Him. Moroni 10:32 "deny yourselves of all undgodliness... then is His grace sufficient for you, that by His grace ye may be perfect in Christ"

Con amor,
Hermana Hein

Not in Kansas anymore...

Hello All:

Transfer Tuesday. Guess where I got transferred? Resistencia. Capital. Am I amped? Yes I am. It's a whole new world here in Chaco. We're definitely not in Kansas--er-- Formosa anymore. Here I am, companions with Hermana Tello de Chile. She's so cool. She actually got to the mission the same time I did. I'm super stoked to work with her. It's a weird thing, transfers. You get to the new pensión and think, "What can I touch? Do I need to ask permission to use the bathroom?" But no. You don't. Haha. Lots of transition. But as I've said before, that's the mission.

Hma. Dustin & me at the bus station. Good bye for now.

Not going to lie, it was a little hard leaving Terminal. I've been there for 5 transfers and I definitely felt like it was time to move on. But spending 8 months in the same area definitely gives you time to make a lot of lasting friendships. And I've never been good at goodbyes. It's rough. But it will be really good to have fresh eyes searching for those the Lord has prepared. And I'm excited to help new people.

Yesterday, as I was riding on the bus over here, I was thinking back on my first bus ride in Argentina and how terrified I was. I had no idea what I was doing. But as I was on the bus leaving Formosa, I didn't have that fear anymore. The Lord doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called. Those first transfers were hard, but the Lord helped me through. He knows what I have to do and He's been preparing me from that first day. and He still is. I'm a missionary now. This is life. And it's awesome.

Into the City

With every transfer, every new area, and every new companion, you learn something new. I'm not sure what it's going to be this transfer, but I know that whatever it ends up being, it's what I need. We're not put in these places with these people on accident. The Lord knows what He's doing. Just gotta be humble and do what He asks. That's when the miracles come.

One last Formosa sunset.

Well, sorry this was such a shorty. My brain isn't really present today. But anyway, I'm grateful to be here and excited to get to work.

With lots of love, Hermana Hein

The Work is Hastening

Well... another week gone. Time just flies. As a matter of fact, today marks my 8 month mark in the mission. Hard to believe but alas... here we are.

The week was good. Another of those weeks that feels like nothing happened. Things do happen. But when you do the same thing everyday, it all kind of runs together. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. It's just hard to keep track sometimes of the little things that happen. But I'll see if I can remember.

A couple of weeks ago, Hna. Dustin and I were walking down our street toward our house, when this girl named Micaela stopped us in the street. She asked us about the Book of Mormon and wanted us to come back to her house and tell her about it. It was late that night and we didn't have time right then, so we fixed another time to come back and left. When we did go back to teach her, she was the coolest, smartest person ever. She completed her commitments and really did her part to search for her answers. The last time we went back to teach her, she told us she can't keep taking the lessons because her whole family is really Catholic and they wouldn't accept her if she lived a different religion. Oh man. That hurt. She was really sad about it too. She told us in our second lesson that she was Catholic but that she really wasn't in agreement with a lot of their practices. So obviously we gave her a Book of Mormon and told her to read it. And she did. "I believe everything you've told me." she told us. "It all makes sense. But right now, I just can't risk losing my family." I shared with her Alma 26:27 "bear with patience thine afflictions and I will give unto you success." (It's one of my absolute favorite scriptures BTW) We invited her to keep reading the Book of Mormon and keep pondering its message. And she will. The Lord has his time for every person. We had the opportunity to plant that little seed of the Book of Mormon. And just as the seed that grows in secret, (Mark 4:26-29) one day, she WILL be ready. The Book of Mormon works MIRACLES.

In other news, Hector's the best person ever. Love that guy. Such a weirdo. But so great. He's like my spirit animal. We went to talk to him last night to see how his first fast went. (Friday, we talked to him about fasting with purpose and committed him to fast on Sunday. When we asked him what he could fast for he suggested, "a girlfriend?" Haha. Maybe...) He only managed to fast for the night before. He had to eat breakfast. *eye roll* But anyway, we got talking about miracles. "I don't really believe in big, amazing miracles," Hector said. "sure they can happen, but the everyday miracles are people. God's not going to take away all of our problems if we ask Him. He's going to send people to help us in our trials. Those people are the real miracles."  I should just reiterate at this time that Hector's really not a sentimental guy. He's really intelligent and closed off. But he continued. "Like you guys. For me, and I'm sure for other people too, you're a real help." (my tender heart!) It was seriously the sweetest thing. I'ma miss that guy...

Just as my title suggests, the work IS hastening. After a long time of drought here in Barrio Terminal, the work exploded and we've had baptisms almost every week this transfer. Yesterday at church, they had to fill more cups for the Sacrament because there were too many people there. That doesn't happen! It was so cool. Less actives are reactivating and we're finding the people the Lord has prepared for us to find. After church, I was watching all the people file out of the building, giving besitos and waving as they all headed off on their motos, and I was just hit with the coolest feeling. I can't even describe it. It just felt right. It was like, "Yeah. This IS the right place." Ugh. So cool. I love the Gospel so much. It has changed ME. I'm here to help other people make that change but at the same time, it's happening in me. I love the Lord and I love this work. I'm so grateful to be apart of it. Just take a peek at Alma 26:16 to get an idea of my thoughts. It's a current fave. Well, until next week, sending lots of love.

Hermana Hein