Week 47 (08/04-08/10)
Dear Everyone,
It is a little weird that a week can feel so long and short at the same time. Looking back, last Monday seems forever ago, but at the same time it didn't seem like there was enough time in the week.
The highlight of this week was the activity that we had at the temple. About every three or four months, we have an activity where we take all the investigators and less actives that we can in buses to the temple. It was super great! We brought Hermana Santa Maria, which was a surprise because we didn't think she was going to go. The Rivera family came and they brought two of their friends to the temple too! Finally, Hermana Ester came. We left as a zone in the buses to the temple. When we got there, there were already a ton of people there. All the zones go at different times. In total, the mission brought 1024 people to see the temple, which is a record and super awesome. At the temple I got to see a ton of really awesome people. I actually had a super cool experience.
When we got to the chapel by the temple, my companion and I went to the bathroom. As we were leaving the bathroom, I saw the dad of Daniel, the 9 year old who got baptised right after I left Barrio Central. I waved at him but he was on the phone so I waited until he finished. He got off the phone and we shook hands. He smiled at me a second and said, ¨Thanks...,¨ He paused for a second, ¨... for everything.¨
Right after he got rushed off by another missionary to where he was supposed to be. I stood there for a second, thinking about how great it is to be able to help people. Really everything that we do is to have a moment like that, in this life or the next.
But that isn't even the best part. After that I took a few steps forward and started to talk to some other missionaries, when two little kids busted out of a door and slammed into me giving me a huge hug. I looked down to see that it was Daniel! I don´t know if I have been so happy in my life. I didn't think I would ever seem him again. We got to talk to each other for a while and take a picture (which I will send next week.) We were both just super happy to see each other. That little kid is super awesome.
The rest of the temple activity was awesome, first because the temple is so powerful and touched the hearts of all of the investigators, and second because I just got to see a lot of people that I like a ton. I saw Elder Gavilanes again, which is awesome. He was a great companion.
All in all it was a great day. And a great week. I got to do two baptismal interviews, they both were powerful. One is named Salvador. His parents are pastors from another church but he says he knows con todo that the Book of Mormon is true and the church is true. He is a bit crazy but it was awesome to get to know him.
Keep it cool, take care of yourselves and remember to always say your prayers. Remember that God loves you. Remember to show that love to everyone else, because really, it is the most powerful thing you can do.
Elder Vierkant
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Monday, September 15, 2014
Semana de cuarenta y seis!
Week 46 (07/28-08/03)
What is up?
This week was a trial but finished successfully so I feel pretty good about it.
Last Monday we ended up going to the house of some members from Arizona and we ate lunch there. The Husband is a really good cook and he made taco salad, Hawaiian haystacks, tater tot casserole and brownies. It was great to have some home made American food again. At night we had a family home evening with the Rivera family again. They are the coolest family ever and becoming super strong. This next week they are going to do baptisms for the dead for the first time.
Tuesday was a little frustrating and not a lot happened. We taught a few lessons but nothing special happened.
Wednesday we were going to go do a service project chopping a field with machetes but when I called to confirm in the morning, he told me that the sisters had gone the day before and they were already finished. I was super bummed out to not do it. We ended up doing interchanges that day and I went with Elder Ford. It was fun. It is always interesting to do interchanges with someone else from the US because I am used to just talking in Spanish all day.
Thursday was pretty good. We met some cool people who are pretty positive and look like they will probably progress.
Friday we did interchanges with the zone leaders and Elder Steenhoek came with me in our area. It was pretty fun. We taught some good lessons and overall we had a lot of fun. At night we ended up talking a bit too long, which is probably why I don´t have English speaking companions.
Saturday was normal, which means good. Sunday was super cool, a lady named Ana and her three kids came to church with the Rivera family. I think they really liked it, especially the daughter. It was a little frustrating though because Alfredo said he was going to go to church but when we passed by his house in the morning he bailed out on us. It was frustrating but we can´t change his decisiones-
El Salvador is cool. I am healthy. I am not breaking rules and I am not in danger, so far as I know.
Elder Vierkant
What is up?
This week was a trial but finished successfully so I feel pretty good about it.
Last Monday we ended up going to the house of some members from Arizona and we ate lunch there. The Husband is a really good cook and he made taco salad, Hawaiian haystacks, tater tot casserole and brownies. It was great to have some home made American food again. At night we had a family home evening with the Rivera family again. They are the coolest family ever and becoming super strong. This next week they are going to do baptisms for the dead for the first time.
Tuesday was a little frustrating and not a lot happened. We taught a few lessons but nothing special happened.
Wednesday we were going to go do a service project chopping a field with machetes but when I called to confirm in the morning, he told me that the sisters had gone the day before and they were already finished. I was super bummed out to not do it. We ended up doing interchanges that day and I went with Elder Ford. It was fun. It is always interesting to do interchanges with someone else from the US because I am used to just talking in Spanish all day.
Thursday was pretty good. We met some cool people who are pretty positive and look like they will probably progress.
Friday we did interchanges with the zone leaders and Elder Steenhoek came with me in our area. It was pretty fun. We taught some good lessons and overall we had a lot of fun. At night we ended up talking a bit too long, which is probably why I don´t have English speaking companions.
Saturday was normal, which means good. Sunday was super cool, a lady named Ana and her three kids came to church with the Rivera family. I think they really liked it, especially the daughter. It was a little frustrating though because Alfredo said he was going to go to church but when we passed by his house in the morning he bailed out on us. It was frustrating but we can´t change his decisiones-
El Salvador is cool. I am healthy. I am not breaking rules and I am not in danger, so far as I know.
Elder Vierkant
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Semanas cuarenta y tres, cuarenta y cuatro, y cuarenta y cinco!
Week 43
To whom it might concern,
This week was exciting and relaxed at the same time.
First of all, this week were changes. The two from Sonsonate both left and they brought 2 new sisters. Hermana Chant came from Belize and is training Hermana Lindstrom from California. Some Elder from the other district left, which was sad because they were cool. Then, on Sunday, Hermana Mims had emergency changes because she is pretty sick.
Other than that we have been trying to find new investigators. We have been talking with everyone we can in the street in between lessons. It is really awesome to see the Lord guide you as you look for people to teach. It is also very interesting to see how the Lord has prepared people. A lot of the people who we have found who want to know more about the Gospel have talked to missionaries before, but the other times they just decided to not investigate the church. But those other chances have left seeds in peoples hearts and eventually they decide that they want to know more.
An example of this is Miguel Angle and his family. We were walking down the street and I saw a man sitting on the curb and I felt the impression to talk to him. Sadly, we kept walking but I promised myself that if we walked by again, we would talk to him. Our appointment fell through and we had to walk past him again. This time, I went and sat by him and we started talking. Turns out he was super ready for the gospel and now has gone to church and really excited. The funny thing is that we had contacted the house were he lives multiple times before, but they never wanted to learn anything.
I know this is the Lord´s work and I know He directs it.
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Week 44
Hello,
This week was pretty average, in terms of crazy things happening.
Carlos, the brother of Yamileth said he wanted to be baptized but he didn´t go to church this week. It was really disappointing because we were with him enroute in the bus to go to church but when it came time to get off and go to the chapel, he and his brother in law kept going for Sonsonate. Alfredo, who really wants to know more about the church, didn´t come to church either because his leg is still super messed up from when he got hit by a car a few weeks ago.
We did interchanges with the Zone leaders and The other Elders In our ward this week. I like going with Elder Alverez because he works hard and he is fun to be around. I did another baptismal interview for the Zone leaders. We also found a super positive Evangelical while we were on interchanges, which is super strange but he was a really cool guy, he even gave us soda.
I really am 100% sure that obedience with exactness brings miracles and I know that God will bless us more than he already does if we strive to keep all of his commandments, great or small, even if we don´t exactly understand the reason they exist. We are all Gods children and we all receive blessings, but based on our obedience we may receive more than we already have.
Elder Vierkant
P.S. I forgot my camera cord so no pictures this week.
Week45
Qué honda?
I am writing with and English keyboard with the computer set in Spanish so please for give any puntuation errors that occur as a result of the keys not being as they seem.
This week was pretty good. On Monday we played soccer. Me faltaba mucho. I missed playing a ton. There is a super nice field in my area and there are always teams playing full field and I always want to go play with them.
Tuesday I had to go to San Salvador with Elder Lupérdiga from Peru because we had to go to the District leader meeting with President Hintze. It was super motivating and I learned a lot, especially about doing baptismal interviews. Also, there is always the bonus of free food. We got back early and we went looking for our companions. They weren´t where they were suppose to be so we ended up searching for them for two hours.
Wednesday was super cool because we found someone named Dinora that is super positive and understands a lot of what we teach her, which a key factor. The only problem is that she just recently found a job, which is hard, and she works Sundays. But she is going to see what she can do to get time off.
Thursday had zone meeting and district meeting and ordered Pizza Hut to the church afterwards. Then one of the assistants came with us in our area for an hour and a half. It was kind of annoying because all of our appointments feel through.
Friday we got caught in a giant tropical storm when were teaching in some houses made of corrugated metal down by the river. It was super cool, cool because it was dark with a ton of lighting and thunder with the palm trees wiping around in the wind. It felt like we were in a movie.
Saturday was similar. We played ping pong with and then taught an investigator. While we were teaching him a storm kicked up and the power went out after the rain had died down we went out side and found out that a lot of trees and branches had fallen, but luckily no one got hurt.
Sunday Salvador came to church. Hopefully he can start to stop some of his vices and start to change his life. He seems like he wants it, he just makes bad decisions with his friends. We ended up finding a ton of news this week, which is something we really needed. Hopefully they can start coming to church soon.
An investigator this week was talking to us about predestination. I feel like that is such a sad way to believe. Really, it doesn´t matter what you do, it just matters if God chooses you. That completely negates all that Christ has done for us. I know that God loves all of his children and he wants them to all come back to Him, but he also doesn´t take away our free agency. I am glad to have the hope the restored Gospel brings to my life.
Elder Vierkant
To whom it might concern,
This week was exciting and relaxed at the same time.
First of all, this week were changes. The two from Sonsonate both left and they brought 2 new sisters. Hermana Chant came from Belize and is training Hermana Lindstrom from California. Some Elder from the other district left, which was sad because they were cool. Then, on Sunday, Hermana Mims had emergency changes because she is pretty sick.
Other than that we have been trying to find new investigators. We have been talking with everyone we can in the street in between lessons. It is really awesome to see the Lord guide you as you look for people to teach. It is also very interesting to see how the Lord has prepared people. A lot of the people who we have found who want to know more about the Gospel have talked to missionaries before, but the other times they just decided to not investigate the church. But those other chances have left seeds in peoples hearts and eventually they decide that they want to know more.
An example of this is Miguel Angle and his family. We were walking down the street and I saw a man sitting on the curb and I felt the impression to talk to him. Sadly, we kept walking but I promised myself that if we walked by again, we would talk to him. Our appointment fell through and we had to walk past him again. This time, I went and sat by him and we started talking. Turns out he was super ready for the gospel and now has gone to church and really excited. The funny thing is that we had contacted the house were he lives multiple times before, but they never wanted to learn anything.
I know this is the Lord´s work and I know He directs it.
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Week 44
Hello,
This week was pretty average, in terms of crazy things happening.
Carlos, the brother of Yamileth said he wanted to be baptized but he didn´t go to church this week. It was really disappointing because we were with him enroute in the bus to go to church but when it came time to get off and go to the chapel, he and his brother in law kept going for Sonsonate. Alfredo, who really wants to know more about the church, didn´t come to church either because his leg is still super messed up from when he got hit by a car a few weeks ago.
We did interchanges with the Zone leaders and The other Elders In our ward this week. I like going with Elder Alverez because he works hard and he is fun to be around. I did another baptismal interview for the Zone leaders. We also found a super positive Evangelical while we were on interchanges, which is super strange but he was a really cool guy, he even gave us soda.
I really am 100% sure that obedience with exactness brings miracles and I know that God will bless us more than he already does if we strive to keep all of his commandments, great or small, even if we don´t exactly understand the reason they exist. We are all Gods children and we all receive blessings, but based on our obedience we may receive more than we already have.
Elder Vierkant
P.S. I forgot my camera cord so no pictures this week.
Week45
Qué honda?
I am writing with and English keyboard with the computer set in Spanish so please for give any puntuation errors that occur as a result of the keys not being as they seem.
This week was pretty good. On Monday we played soccer. Me faltaba mucho. I missed playing a ton. There is a super nice field in my area and there are always teams playing full field and I always want to go play with them.
Tuesday I had to go to San Salvador with Elder Lupérdiga from Peru because we had to go to the District leader meeting with President Hintze. It was super motivating and I learned a lot, especially about doing baptismal interviews. Also, there is always the bonus of free food. We got back early and we went looking for our companions. They weren´t where they were suppose to be so we ended up searching for them for two hours.
Wednesday was super cool because we found someone named Dinora that is super positive and understands a lot of what we teach her, which a key factor. The only problem is that she just recently found a job, which is hard, and she works Sundays. But she is going to see what she can do to get time off.
Thursday had zone meeting and district meeting and ordered Pizza Hut to the church afterwards. Then one of the assistants came with us in our area for an hour and a half. It was kind of annoying because all of our appointments feel through.
Friday we got caught in a giant tropical storm when were teaching in some houses made of corrugated metal down by the river. It was super cool, cool because it was dark with a ton of lighting and thunder with the palm trees wiping around in the wind. It felt like we were in a movie.
Saturday was similar. We played ping pong with and then taught an investigator. While we were teaching him a storm kicked up and the power went out after the rain had died down we went out side and found out that a lot of trees and branches had fallen, but luckily no one got hurt.
Sunday Salvador came to church. Hopefully he can start to stop some of his vices and start to change his life. He seems like he wants it, he just makes bad decisions with his friends. We ended up finding a ton of news this week, which is something we really needed. Hopefully they can start coming to church soon.
An investigator this week was talking to us about predestination. I feel like that is such a sad way to believe. Really, it doesn´t matter what you do, it just matters if God chooses you. That completely negates all that Christ has done for us. I know that God loves all of his children and he wants them to all come back to Him, but he also doesn´t take away our free agency. I am glad to have the hope the restored Gospel brings to my life.
Elder Vierkant
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| Lidership meeting with Elder Lupérdiga and Elder Steenhoek |
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| Me and Perry |
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| Eatting Pizza at Prestos with the Zone |
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| Me and Angel |
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| Me and Angel |
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| Me and hermano Transito in an abandoned catholic orphanage |
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Semanas cuarenta y uno y cuarenta y dos!
Week 41
Hello,
This week was super cool. This Monday we went and visited a waterfall in another area in our zone. It was less that the waterfall was really cool and more that it was a waterfall in a giant canyon that had been carved our by a river and it had a really cool jungle feel to it. We then went to eat at a members house who is from Arizona and spends 6 months in El Salvador because his wife is from here. HIs name is Lee Whok or is known in Boy Scouts as trader lee.
This week we had two baptisms. One was Marta and the other and was Yami. I organized a double wedding. I will explain more next week. We have to go to San Salvador today so we have limited time.
Elder Vierkant
Week 42
Hello there,
Another week gone and I still don´t know where they are going or why they are going so fast. This week...
As a zone we are really focusing in on three things, and they have brought a lot of success in our zone. We have three main focuses: teaching the people who are the most positive and visiting them every day, helping new converts to become strong as well as a way to find other people to teach and the other focus is finding news. I have to say up to this point has worked really well. We just need to continue being diligent and being obedient.
So last week Yami and Marta both got baptized, Marta on Saturday and Yami on Sunday. I am so happy for Marta because we have worked for a long time to help her be prepared. My companion also got his first chance to baptize. He struggled a bit but all that matters is that in the end she got the ordinance done correctly. Yami had to get married. That was super hectic but it turned out really well.
This week we have been helping the Transito and Martas family learn everything that they need to be fully active member and they are doing really well. They have been helping us a ton with the missionary work and I have to say I really love this family. It has been such a great experience to get to know them.
This week I ended up doing interchanges with the other Elders in the district twice for a couple reasons but it turned out well. We had some really good lessons and I learned a lot with them. Elder Alverez is from the Dominican Republic and is crazy and super funny. Elder Ford is from California and is more relaxed but funny also. He is also really into music.
This week I have really learned a lot of patience and love. If you don´t have these two attributes, it is really hard to have success working with people. Some times when I start to feel impatient with people or I start to think bad about them for stuff they do, I like to stop and take a second and wonder how Christ must feel when we continually make mistakes and we are continually so proud. It really puts into perspective that no matter what we do, he is waiting for us to leave behind this pride and is ready to accept us with arms wide open. Alma 5:33
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Hello,
This week was super cool. This Monday we went and visited a waterfall in another area in our zone. It was less that the waterfall was really cool and more that it was a waterfall in a giant canyon that had been carved our by a river and it had a really cool jungle feel to it. We then went to eat at a members house who is from Arizona and spends 6 months in El Salvador because his wife is from here. HIs name is Lee Whok or is known in Boy Scouts as trader lee.
This week we had two baptisms. One was Marta and the other and was Yami. I organized a double wedding. I will explain more next week. We have to go to San Salvador today so we have limited time.
Elder Vierkant
Week 42
Hello there,
Another week gone and I still don´t know where they are going or why they are going so fast. This week...
As a zone we are really focusing in on three things, and they have brought a lot of success in our zone. We have three main focuses: teaching the people who are the most positive and visiting them every day, helping new converts to become strong as well as a way to find other people to teach and the other focus is finding news. I have to say up to this point has worked really well. We just need to continue being diligent and being obedient.
So last week Yami and Marta both got baptized, Marta on Saturday and Yami on Sunday. I am so happy for Marta because we have worked for a long time to help her be prepared. My companion also got his first chance to baptize. He struggled a bit but all that matters is that in the end she got the ordinance done correctly. Yami had to get married. That was super hectic but it turned out really well.
This week we have been helping the Transito and Martas family learn everything that they need to be fully active member and they are doing really well. They have been helping us a ton with the missionary work and I have to say I really love this family. It has been such a great experience to get to know them.
This week I ended up doing interchanges with the other Elders in the district twice for a couple reasons but it turned out well. We had some really good lessons and I learned a lot with them. Elder Alverez is from the Dominican Republic and is crazy and super funny. Elder Ford is from California and is more relaxed but funny also. He is also really into music.
This week I have really learned a lot of patience and love. If you don´t have these two attributes, it is really hard to have success working with people. Some times when I start to feel impatient with people or I start to think bad about them for stuff they do, I like to stop and take a second and wonder how Christ must feel when we continually make mistakes and we are continually so proud. It really puts into perspective that no matter what we do, he is waiting for us to leave behind this pride and is ready to accept us with arms wide open. Alma 5:33
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
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| Jungle Waterfall |
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| The presidents house |
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| 4th of July lunch at the only semi real burger place around here. |
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Semanas treinta y ocho, treinta y nueve años, y cuarenta!
Week 38
Tengan un buen dia todos,
This week was pretty cool. We found a lot of new investigators who were pretty positive, although we weren´t able to bring any of them to church. One of them, Ricardo, is a super cool dude. He is super funny when we are just talking to him normally but when we taught him about Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon, he was super interested and listened intently. The best part is that he understood every thing and is really excited to find out if it is true by praying! It is always super cool to teach him.
My companion is doing pretty good for his first week. He is really learning how to teach the Restauracion (I can´t spell it in English any more) well. We planned how we were going to teach it at the beginning of the week and then ended up teaching it probably 20 times during the week.
This Sunday was finally just normal, in that nothing crazy happened. Cindy and Catia were in church and I am super excited for their baptisms this weekend!
Until next week,
Elder Vierkant
Week 39
¿Qué tal?
This week was off the wall nuts. I really feel like it flew by like a bat in the night.
Tuesday I went on intercambios with Elder Ford. His area is super small compared to all the other areas I have been in. Luckily, we found out that there is a whole colonia in their area that they didn´t know about, which should help them find a bunch of new people to teach.
Wednesday we had to go to San Salvador for immigration for my companion. They had changed spots, so we ended up having to search a bit to find the building but it was on the other side of the block so it wasn´t so hard to find it. Afterwards we went and got McDonalds with Elder Naillon, Elder Applegate and Elder Anderson. After 9 months of not eating McDonalds and 3 months of just eating beans and papusas, it was amazing! The bad part of the trip is that we ended up getting home pretty late because San Salvador is so far away. We were super rushed to get stuff done.
Thursday we had a multizone. The president came and taught us a little bit but we spent most of the time learning about the new heath care system and then about dengue prevention. I think dengue is the same as west nile virus but I am not completely sure. But apparently if you get it twice you have to get sent to another mission or something so now I am sleeping with a mosquito net at night. But this meeting took a long time and we ended up being pretty rushed again to visit all of our appointments.
Friday was pretty normal, all though some of our plans got ruined for the day and so we ended up winging it, which worked out OK. Cindy and Katia had their baptismal interviews today. They are the coolest family.
Saturday was super nuts. We had the baptism at 6 but we got their early and found a ton of dirty water so we had to drain it and fill it up again. Then all the people took for ever to come, (punctuality isn´t a big thing here) and then President Hintze showed up right as everything was ready. Just after he got there, everyone showed up and the baptism went well. I am super duper happy for them. the two of them were super prepared and we just had to be there to help them along the way a little bit.
Sunday was pretty normal, we worked hard and had a pretty good day.
I love you all, have a good week
Elder Vierkant
Week 40
Pasen un buen dia todos,
Well, just another crazy week in El Salvador. I don´t know if it is living in El Salvador or being a missionary, but things are crazy here.
This Monday we celebrated Hermana Escobars birthday and my companions 24th birthday. We had a piñata and chocolate cake. I forgot how good chocolate cake is. I don´t think I even liked it that much before... Afterwards we went and had a family home evening in with the Santa Maria family. It went really well. Everything else kind of fell through.
Tuesday we met somebody who believes in another prophet from America. It was really interesting to talk with him but we couldn't´t get any where with the sharing the gospel with him, so that was a lame.
Wednesday was just crazy. First, we had to go to San Salvador again for the new missionary meeting. We got up at 5:00 and got there at about 8. We ate breakfast there and then we went to the chapel right next to the temple. There, we had a meeting with president and the assistant's. The whole meeting was to comfort the news and to make sure that we were doing what we were suppose to during training. Afterwards we went straight home to do interchanges with the zone leaders. We got there at about 2:30, just in time for me to do a interview for a baptism. After that we went and met investigators of the two pairs of sisters. With the second investigator I did another interview. Between the two inter views I was interviewing for about 2 and half hours. After that we finally went and taught a few more people in the zone leaders area.
Thursday was pretty normal. We had zone and district meeting and ate pizza afterwards. We also found and inactive family with help from a member. They seem pretty cool and I know our visits will help them a lot.
Friday we found a really cool guy named Miguel Angel (I swear half the people are named that here, that or Edwin). He owns a business selling corn on the cob at carnivals. He listens really intently and helped us teach to his nephew when he didn´t understand what we were explaining.
Saturday we had an activity in the church. All the missionaries in my ward had to put on a skit and in the morning we wrote one about the Plan of Salvation. It turned out really well. A lot of investigators came and they all liked it, is great.
Sunday was great! Want to know why? Because the wife of Transito said she wants get baptized this Saturday!! Yes! After 3 months of working with here I am super incredibly happy. I know for a fact that it will bless her life. It also gave me a great testimony of prayer. We prayed to know the date she would get baptized and we KNEW she would and could be ready by the 28th. She seemed like a stone, but I know with a lot of prayers, from me and others, she was finally able to say " Yes." Now we just need the actual ordinance to take place. We visited Miguel Angel and his wife with his nephew and niece. We taught them about Joseph Smith and now they are super excited to go to church this next Sunday. They were even asking me if their bibles where Okay to bring.
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Tengan un buen dia todos,
This week was pretty cool. We found a lot of new investigators who were pretty positive, although we weren´t able to bring any of them to church. One of them, Ricardo, is a super cool dude. He is super funny when we are just talking to him normally but when we taught him about Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon, he was super interested and listened intently. The best part is that he understood every thing and is really excited to find out if it is true by praying! It is always super cool to teach him.
My companion is doing pretty good for his first week. He is really learning how to teach the Restauracion (I can´t spell it in English any more) well. We planned how we were going to teach it at the beginning of the week and then ended up teaching it probably 20 times during the week.
This Sunday was finally just normal, in that nothing crazy happened. Cindy and Catia were in church and I am super excited for their baptisms this weekend!
Until next week,
Elder Vierkant
Week 39
¿Qué tal?
This week was off the wall nuts. I really feel like it flew by like a bat in the night.
Tuesday I went on intercambios with Elder Ford. His area is super small compared to all the other areas I have been in. Luckily, we found out that there is a whole colonia in their area that they didn´t know about, which should help them find a bunch of new people to teach.
Wednesday we had to go to San Salvador for immigration for my companion. They had changed spots, so we ended up having to search a bit to find the building but it was on the other side of the block so it wasn´t so hard to find it. Afterwards we went and got McDonalds with Elder Naillon, Elder Applegate and Elder Anderson. After 9 months of not eating McDonalds and 3 months of just eating beans and papusas, it was amazing! The bad part of the trip is that we ended up getting home pretty late because San Salvador is so far away. We were super rushed to get stuff done.
Thursday we had a multizone. The president came and taught us a little bit but we spent most of the time learning about the new heath care system and then about dengue prevention. I think dengue is the same as west nile virus but I am not completely sure. But apparently if you get it twice you have to get sent to another mission or something so now I am sleeping with a mosquito net at night. But this meeting took a long time and we ended up being pretty rushed again to visit all of our appointments.
Friday was pretty normal, all though some of our plans got ruined for the day and so we ended up winging it, which worked out OK. Cindy and Katia had their baptismal interviews today. They are the coolest family.
Saturday was super nuts. We had the baptism at 6 but we got their early and found a ton of dirty water so we had to drain it and fill it up again. Then all the people took for ever to come, (punctuality isn´t a big thing here) and then President Hintze showed up right as everything was ready. Just after he got there, everyone showed up and the baptism went well. I am super duper happy for them. the two of them were super prepared and we just had to be there to help them along the way a little bit.
Sunday was pretty normal, we worked hard and had a pretty good day.
I love you all, have a good week
Elder Vierkant
Week 40
Pasen un buen dia todos,
Well, just another crazy week in El Salvador. I don´t know if it is living in El Salvador or being a missionary, but things are crazy here.
This Monday we celebrated Hermana Escobars birthday and my companions 24th birthday. We had a piñata and chocolate cake. I forgot how good chocolate cake is. I don´t think I even liked it that much before... Afterwards we went and had a family home evening in with the Santa Maria family. It went really well. Everything else kind of fell through.
Tuesday we met somebody who believes in another prophet from America. It was really interesting to talk with him but we couldn't´t get any where with the sharing the gospel with him, so that was a lame.
Wednesday was just crazy. First, we had to go to San Salvador again for the new missionary meeting. We got up at 5:00 and got there at about 8. We ate breakfast there and then we went to the chapel right next to the temple. There, we had a meeting with president and the assistant's. The whole meeting was to comfort the news and to make sure that we were doing what we were suppose to during training. Afterwards we went straight home to do interchanges with the zone leaders. We got there at about 2:30, just in time for me to do a interview for a baptism. After that we went and met investigators of the two pairs of sisters. With the second investigator I did another interview. Between the two inter views I was interviewing for about 2 and half hours. After that we finally went and taught a few more people in the zone leaders area.
Thursday was pretty normal. We had zone and district meeting and ate pizza afterwards. We also found and inactive family with help from a member. They seem pretty cool and I know our visits will help them a lot.
Friday we found a really cool guy named Miguel Angel (I swear half the people are named that here, that or Edwin). He owns a business selling corn on the cob at carnivals. He listens really intently and helped us teach to his nephew when he didn´t understand what we were explaining.
Saturday we had an activity in the church. All the missionaries in my ward had to put on a skit and in the morning we wrote one about the Plan of Salvation. It turned out really well. A lot of investigators came and they all liked it, is great.
Sunday was great! Want to know why? Because the wife of Transito said she wants get baptized this Saturday!! Yes! After 3 months of working with here I am super incredibly happy. I know for a fact that it will bless her life. It also gave me a great testimony of prayer. We prayed to know the date she would get baptized and we KNEW she would and could be ready by the 28th. She seemed like a stone, but I know with a lot of prayers, from me and others, she was finally able to say " Yes." Now we just need the actual ordinance to take place. We visited Miguel Angel and his wife with his nephew and niece. We taught them about Joseph Smith and now they are super excited to go to church this next Sunday. They were even asking me if their bibles where Okay to bring.
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Monday, June 2, 2014
La trigésima séptima semana!
Week 37
Dear Everyone,
This week was super duper crazy. On Monday I found out that I was training again. I was super sad because I stinking love Elder Gavilanes. We worked super well together. Tuesday I had to go to San Salvador for trainers meeting. It was a 2 hour bus ride there and 2 hours back plus a long meeting, which didn`t leave us much time to work. Elder Gavilanes went to all the houses of investigators and said goodbye.
This Wednesday were changes. We went to Versailles at about 8:00 for another meeting with trainers and trainees. Afterwards was changes meeting. I found out that I would be training Elder Pocasangre or translated Elder 'Little Blood' from Guatemala. I also found out that I am now district leader of five areas in our zone. We made it back to our area at about 2 and ate and had a little bit of companion study to help him prepare for the day. During the day we crossed a river and my comp lost his shoe and so we had to go chasing it down a river for 15 minutes. It was hilarious, but I felt bad for him because it was his first day.
Friday I had to go to San Salvador for district leader meeting. Right after I got back I had a baptismal interview with Carolina. It is crazy to do an interview. The Spirit is so strong and you just feel the spirit guiding you. Saturday, I had another interview for a baptism on Sunday. Sunday was super nuts. There was a question about someone being baptized and we were running around the entire day trying to figure stuff out, then the bishop said he would rather baptize them the next Sunday and there was a girl crying because she wanted someone else to baptize her. Basically it was a mess and I had to try and figure out what to do. But I learned a lot and I feel like I made the right decisions in the moment.
I am learning that you really have to learn to rely on the Spirit in all your actions!
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
First two photos: me and two of the assistants who were going home. They are super cool. Elder Reynolds, whose brother is the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, and Elder Larsen.
Others: The President and his wife with my new companion that I am training.
Dear Everyone,
This week was super duper crazy. On Monday I found out that I was training again. I was super sad because I stinking love Elder Gavilanes. We worked super well together. Tuesday I had to go to San Salvador for trainers meeting. It was a 2 hour bus ride there and 2 hours back plus a long meeting, which didn`t leave us much time to work. Elder Gavilanes went to all the houses of investigators and said goodbye.
This Wednesday were changes. We went to Versailles at about 8:00 for another meeting with trainers and trainees. Afterwards was changes meeting. I found out that I would be training Elder Pocasangre or translated Elder 'Little Blood' from Guatemala. I also found out that I am now district leader of five areas in our zone. We made it back to our area at about 2 and ate and had a little bit of companion study to help him prepare for the day. During the day we crossed a river and my comp lost his shoe and so we had to go chasing it down a river for 15 minutes. It was hilarious, but I felt bad for him because it was his first day.
Friday I had to go to San Salvador for district leader meeting. Right after I got back I had a baptismal interview with Carolina. It is crazy to do an interview. The Spirit is so strong and you just feel the spirit guiding you. Saturday, I had another interview for a baptism on Sunday. Sunday was super nuts. There was a question about someone being baptized and we were running around the entire day trying to figure stuff out, then the bishop said he would rather baptize them the next Sunday and there was a girl crying because she wanted someone else to baptize her. Basically it was a mess and I had to try and figure out what to do. But I learned a lot and I feel like I made the right decisions in the moment.
I am learning that you really have to learn to rely on the Spirit in all your actions!
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
First two photos: me and two of the assistants who were going home. They are super cool. Elder Reynolds, whose brother is the lead singer of Imagine Dragons, and Elder Larsen.
Others: The President and his wife with my new companion that I am training.
Friday, May 30, 2014
El trigésimo quinto treinta y sexta semana!
Week 35
Dear Everybody,
Just another super great week in the Ponderosa! It was full of drama: love, laughter, joy, sadness, regret, failure and more than all, success. Basically it was a telenovela.
A notable fact about this week was we had a very large amount of people preach to us. One day we were taught more lessons than we taught the people. It was a bit frustrating but, we just try to share the simple truths of the gospel that we can and bare testimony of the love of God for us. After that, there isn`t a whole lot more that we can do. The only time that it really affected us was one of the brothers of someone we baptized this week is very much against what we believe, even thought he very obviously doesn`t even know what we believe because he has never spoken with missionaries. He influenced the mom of Raquel, who we baptized, and she became super unpositive. We are really worried that she might influence her granddaughter, Loli, to not listen to us or go to church.
This week was super cool too because we had three people tell us they want to be baptized, with out us asking them. The only problem is that two of them have problems with a really important commandment, the law of chastity. But we should be able to resolve the problems soon, at least with one.
This weekend we had two baptisms. Raquel and Carla both got baptized. Carla got baptized on Saturday and it was super cool. You could feel the Spirit super strong and some of the investigators, relatives of Carla, that we brought were crying. At that point, Catia, who hasn`t wanted to get baptized for two months finally decided that she wanted to get baptized. It was awesome. Also, we had Elder Ford sing and play the guitar while everyone was changing, it was super good and everyone loved it. Raquel got baptized after church Sunday and it was just as awesome.
Three last things that are pretty cool: I realized that I have eaten a bunch of sopa de pata, which is cow foot soup. I also realized that I kinda like it.
We also had 160 people in church this week, 33 more than when we got here. The last was a really intense experience we had in the morning bringing people to church. We went to get a less active from his house in the morning and we found him drunk. We stood there just trying to communicate how much we love him and how we want to help him stop drinking alcohol. It was super intense and at the end my companion, Elder Gavilanes, got him to go get his alcohol and dump it out on the ground in front of us.
Well, the Lord loves me, you and all of our neighbors. That is why he gave us the Gospel, to be happy and live good lives. For that exact reason, He wants us to share it!
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Week 36
Hola Everybody,
This week was pretty interesting. Monday we went to a super cool water fall. It was in the middle of nowhere and we had a cool little hike through the wilderness to get there. It was super beautiful and relaxing. We just hung out there for a while taking pictures and eating snacks
This Tuesday I went on interchanges with Elder Steenhoek, my zone leadder who is from Arizona. It was super fun. We had a pretty crazy experience too. We were walking down the street and we saw a pick up truck backing up down a hill. After a second we realized there was no one in the car except a little kid in the bed of the truck. We saw that it was heading straight for another parked car, so we ran over and grabbed some railings that were welded to the truck and I don`t know how, but we avoided hitting the parked car and we were able to stop the car. It was super intense and neither of us know exactly how it happened, but I know God used us in that moment to help some one.
Cool other little fact that I want to throw in. Alex Boye is in the "Principles of the Gospel" book singing in a congregation.
We really became better missionaries this week. We were teaching lessons a lot more clearer in less time. We really felt the difference in how the spirit can testify if you teach clearer. The investigators don´t feel as overwhelmed and they understand the message a lot better. It also builds a lot of unity in the companionship. It was really cool to see our progress.
This Sunday was just as crazy as ever. We finally got the wife of Transito to come to church after trying for all this change over six weeks. We were super elated, but right after, Rachel didn`t show up to get confirmed and we weren´t able to visit her all day because she wasn´t home. Then we went the Transito's house and his daughter and granddaughter said they want to get baptized on the 14th of the next month. Cindy is super prepared and we haven´t really even taught her. She just knows. Katia has been ready for 3 months, but until didn`t want to get baptized, so it was super cool.
Then right after we left Transito's house we went to meet someone who is going to get married and hopefully baptized. When we got there he was getting drunk with his friends. It made us super sad and it took us a bit to kick up our animo, or get animated. THEN, after that we found a less active that was having problems with alcohol, but with Gods help and our visits and his strength, he has been clean for 4 days straight. We were super happy.
From a week that you could liken unto a roller coaster...
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Dear Everybody,
Just another super great week in the Ponderosa! It was full of drama: love, laughter, joy, sadness, regret, failure and more than all, success. Basically it was a telenovela.
A notable fact about this week was we had a very large amount of people preach to us. One day we were taught more lessons than we taught the people. It was a bit frustrating but, we just try to share the simple truths of the gospel that we can and bare testimony of the love of God for us. After that, there isn`t a whole lot more that we can do. The only time that it really affected us was one of the brothers of someone we baptized this week is very much against what we believe, even thought he very obviously doesn`t even know what we believe because he has never spoken with missionaries. He influenced the mom of Raquel, who we baptized, and she became super unpositive. We are really worried that she might influence her granddaughter, Loli, to not listen to us or go to church.
This week was super cool too because we had three people tell us they want to be baptized, with out us asking them. The only problem is that two of them have problems with a really important commandment, the law of chastity. But we should be able to resolve the problems soon, at least with one.
This weekend we had two baptisms. Raquel and Carla both got baptized. Carla got baptized on Saturday and it was super cool. You could feel the Spirit super strong and some of the investigators, relatives of Carla, that we brought were crying. At that point, Catia, who hasn`t wanted to get baptized for two months finally decided that she wanted to get baptized. It was awesome. Also, we had Elder Ford sing and play the guitar while everyone was changing, it was super good and everyone loved it. Raquel got baptized after church Sunday and it was just as awesome.
Three last things that are pretty cool: I realized that I have eaten a bunch of sopa de pata, which is cow foot soup. I also realized that I kinda like it.
We also had 160 people in church this week, 33 more than when we got here. The last was a really intense experience we had in the morning bringing people to church. We went to get a less active from his house in the morning and we found him drunk. We stood there just trying to communicate how much we love him and how we want to help him stop drinking alcohol. It was super intense and at the end my companion, Elder Gavilanes, got him to go get his alcohol and dump it out on the ground in front of us.
Well, the Lord loves me, you and all of our neighbors. That is why he gave us the Gospel, to be happy and live good lives. For that exact reason, He wants us to share it!
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
Week 36
Hola Everybody,
This week was pretty interesting. Monday we went to a super cool water fall. It was in the middle of nowhere and we had a cool little hike through the wilderness to get there. It was super beautiful and relaxing. We just hung out there for a while taking pictures and eating snacks
This Tuesday I went on interchanges with Elder Steenhoek, my zone leadder who is from Arizona. It was super fun. We had a pretty crazy experience too. We were walking down the street and we saw a pick up truck backing up down a hill. After a second we realized there was no one in the car except a little kid in the bed of the truck. We saw that it was heading straight for another parked car, so we ran over and grabbed some railings that were welded to the truck and I don`t know how, but we avoided hitting the parked car and we were able to stop the car. It was super intense and neither of us know exactly how it happened, but I know God used us in that moment to help some one.
Cool other little fact that I want to throw in. Alex Boye is in the "Principles of the Gospel" book singing in a congregation.
We really became better missionaries this week. We were teaching lessons a lot more clearer in less time. We really felt the difference in how the spirit can testify if you teach clearer. The investigators don´t feel as overwhelmed and they understand the message a lot better. It also builds a lot of unity in the companionship. It was really cool to see our progress.
This Sunday was just as crazy as ever. We finally got the wife of Transito to come to church after trying for all this change over six weeks. We were super elated, but right after, Rachel didn`t show up to get confirmed and we weren´t able to visit her all day because she wasn´t home. Then we went the Transito's house and his daughter and granddaughter said they want to get baptized on the 14th of the next month. Cindy is super prepared and we haven´t really even taught her. She just knows. Katia has been ready for 3 months, but until didn`t want to get baptized, so it was super cool.
Then right after we left Transito's house we went to meet someone who is going to get married and hopefully baptized. When we got there he was getting drunk with his friends. It made us super sad and it took us a bit to kick up our animo, or get animated. THEN, after that we found a less active that was having problems with alcohol, but with Gods help and our visits and his strength, he has been clean for 4 days straight. We were super happy.
From a week that you could liken unto a roller coaster...
Peace out,
Elder Vierkant
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