SOY DE RIVER: Week 58

Dear Family and Friends,

The big rivalry Boca Jrs vs River Plate just happened and my team River won 2-0! I didn't get to watch it but I could definitely hear the people cheering after the goals. Every time there was a goal it was a complete madhouse. These are the biggest 2 teams in Argentina. The first thing people ask you when you walk in a house here is if you like Boca or River. River through and through. Soy de River baby!!

This week we got in contact with Mara again and she is interested again! She just felt bad that she couldn't go to church because she works and didn't want to “waste our time” but we explained to her that we just want to help her come unto Christ and strengthen her relationship with Him, And then we had a great lesson about the Book of Mormon.

Our other investigators are also slowing progressing. We have a lesson tonight with the Roa family and we will most likely put baptism dates with them! They are really cool and humble.

Me and my comp have been trying to speak pure spanish so that's fun. He's actually learning pretty quick. Still doesn't understand much but can communicate a lot better!

I have been studying chapter 6 of Preach my gospel this week which talks about the attributes of Christ. I also listened to the talk "Character of Christ " By Elder Bednar and have been trying to focus more on thinking about others than myself. I Love you all so much! I Hope everyone can work on at least one attribute of Christ this week!

Funny Story:

When I was on divisions with Elder Gonzalez from Mexico we contacted a guy and he was interested about why we were here. So we explained to Him why and he was like “you guys are actually pretty cool. I like your message. When I was younger I used to rob you guys so sorry about that. I feel bad about it now” but he said it was like 20 years ago he used to do that haha it was funny and he turned out to be a cool guy!

Love, Elder Tanner

Moral of the Story... Week 57

Dear Family and Friends,

Monday: p-day!!! We played tons of soccer again and it was fun. Not much to do in Bahia on P-Day but play soccer haha

Tuesday: We had a district meeting and then after we started divisions.

Wednesday: We did divisions in Pedro Luro which is a town like 3 hours away on Bus. It was super fun! I was with Elder Chiroy from Guatemala. We found new investigators for them and put a baptismal date!

Thursday: We did Weekly planning in the morning and they worked all day after that. We have found some awesome new people this week.

Friday: After our leadership meeting I bought some new glasses for an elder from Mexico that unfortunately broke his. He didn't know I was going to buy them but he wasn't able to and he REALLY needed them. His name is Elder Gonzalez and he is going home this transfer. I love this guy and he's probably my favorite Latino Elder in the mission!

Saturday was business as usual. We contacted a lot and found some really awesome new contacts! We also visited Gabi and she promised she would come to church and read the Book of Mormon. We have been trying to get this lady to church for like 3 months!!

Sunday: GABI CAME TO CHURCH AND SHE LOVED IT!! The members actually did a really good job befriending her and making her feel comfortable! I'm super excited for our lessons with her this week! Me and my comp also gave talks in church! I talked about the restoration and my comp talked about Jesus Christ!

Read Your scriptures, Say your prayers, Count Your blessings, be obedient, and have faith!! God Loves every one of us! Love you all!

Funny Story: Me and my comp were walking and a guy stopped to talk us and then started cussing us out in super good english. like real good english. I kinda laughed and I said "wow your english is actually pretty good how did you learn?" and he said from school and music. So we started talking some more in english and it turned out to be a good contact. He said we can come back and teach him sometime. Moral of the story, Don't judge people even if they cuss you out.

• Elder Tanner

Can't Stop, Won't Stop! Week 56

Whats Up!! This week went by really fast because we had Zone conference and Interviews and I was super sick yesterday so I just tried to sleep. I got the flu or food poisoning or something. It wasn't Pretty haha. Lost lots of weight though!! So I'm happy haha. I'm feeling a little better now so I'm still gonna play soccer haha cant stop wont stop ;)

We got a lot of new references this week that I'm really excited for. Basically this week we just contacted a ton to try and find new investigators! We found a couple really awesome ones! We are gonna work super hard this week to find someone to baptize this month. That's our goal cuz right now we don't have many prospects for the month of September. In the zone conference we talked a lot about how we ALWAYS need to have the spirit with us. And the way to do it is to use ur studies to learn and grow, have prayers with real intent and a humble heart, be exactly obedient, and work hard and testify!! I have been working hard to do all of these things lately. I know that this church is true. I Promise if you do these little but important things you will have the spirit with you as well! Love you all!! Have a great week!

• Elder Tanner

It was good Banana Bread: Week 55

Dear Family and Friends,

We worked SOOOO hard this week it was crazy. My new son came to work and I love it. I have 6 months already in this area so someone new was just what I needed to keep me going and not tired of this area haha. Elder Mickelson is from St George and has a super strong testimony. He doesn't speak a lick of Spanish but he is working hard on his studies haha.  We found 16 awesome new people to teach so we will see how they progress!

We helped the sister missionaries move their house with a few other elders. That was actually super fun. Also this week we had a house check by the Bentleys but we cleaned so much so it was spotless and we got the Prize of banana bread haha. It was good Banana Bread. Worth it.

I've been reading D&C a lot lately and I LOVE IT!! There is so much good stuff in there! Our teaching pool is growing and we are really focused on finding someone to baptize this month. I know if we work hard and have faith, the miracles always come!! Hope all is well in the US!! The argentine economy is crashing but its good for the American elders because our dollars are worth more now!! Yay for Argentina! Love you all!!

Elder Tanner