Small and Simple Things: Week 84

On Monday we had our Zone P-day with President and the assistants and the Zone Trenque Lauquen. In the morning we played soccer and wrote and in the afternoon we ate subway (president paid) and we played a bunch of games kinda like EFY games haha including missionary tag as ironic as that might be. Then we had some lessons in the night with Elias and Morena and Franco. We were finalizing the plans for the baptisms on Saturday!!

On Tuesday we had our Zone Conference! It was a super good conference and we talked about how we need to be constantly looking for new people to teach even if we already have people that are progressing and are going to get baptized. We have a standard of Excellence to get 10 contacts every day and 1 baptism a month. So we are always trying to reach that goal!!

Wednesday - Friday was work as usual and we were trying to finalize everything for the baptisms! And trying to invite the members so they actually go. We made some invitations cards to pass out to people.

Saturday - WE HAD THE BAPTISMS OF FRANCO, ELIAS, AND MORENA!!! I had to chance to baptize them all! It was amazing!  It was such an awesome day! I'M SO HAPPY!!! There was actually a decent turnout of people that went! Watching people enter the waters of baptism is THE BEST! Its my favorite part of the mission! Being able to see people use the atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives is incredible! I LOVE THIS GOSPEL!!

On Sunday we had the confirmations and i started packing after because im leaving santa rosa :( Im super sad to leave the people i have gotten to know here but i'm excited to go meet new people and see a new area! I don't know where yet :/

I read about the strippling warriors this week! I love being able to see the faith they had even though they were way younger and out numbered. The stories of the Book of Mormon are what makes me most excited about missionary work!

Alma 37: 6-7

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

I KNOW that it's really by the small and simple things brings miracles and salvation to the lives of others. I met Franco and his wife contacting in the street one day and now Franco got baptized and we are working with his wife! MIRACLES HAPPEN!! God has a divine plan for everyone! It's really by the small and simple things that brings miracles and salvation to the lives of others. I just want to finish these last 3 transfers off strong and keep on finding, teaching, and BAPTIZING!! Let you guys know where i go!! LOVE YOU ALL!!

• Elder Tanner

We threw them away, don't worry! Week 83

This was a week full of miracles!! Franco and Elias and Morena are going to be baptized on the 23rd!! They all went to the Stake Conference that we had and they met President Hymas and Elder Rios an area authority!! It was awesome! They are all excited to be baptized! They all already passed their baptism interviews as well!

We had a member bring Franco to church and now they are like best friends so that's cool! The member is Natanael and he is our Stake Mission Leader! He always works with us! Also Franco gave us all of his cigarettes! It was weird holding them for a second haha we felt like sinners but we threw them away don't worry!

This week we have our zone conference and P-day with president! We played soccer in the morning and now we are going to play games and eat subway in the church! I don't have any time today but I love you guys hope you have a good week! I know God Lives and This is His work!! The church is true!!! Read your scriptures and say your prayers!!

• Elder Tanner

My New Record! Week 82

This week was one of the most successful weeks of my mission. I don't know how we keep finding such amazing people that are ready for baptism. We have 6 people that will for sure be baptized this month or next month! We have 5 people preparing for baptism on march 23rd!

FRANCO WENT TO CHURCH FINALLY!!! We had to go to his house and wake him up but he still went! It was 8:45 and I told my comp “I don't think he's going to come” so we called a taxi and went to his house to wake him up. He washed his face and brushed his teeth and we all went! We got there at 9:10 during the sacrament song but we made it! And He loved it! He wants to go this Sunday too! He and his daughter are preparing to be baptized on the 23rd of march! I'm so happy and excited for him!

We also found a couple of kids that go to church every week but haven't been baptized. They go to a different ward but live in our area. So right now we are giving them the lessons so we can baptize them on the 23rd as well! They are gonna start going to our ward. They are named Elias and Morena. They are 9 and 10 years old haha.

This week we also paid rent for all the houses in the zone and we also had a district meeting. We also found 33 new friends this week! That's my new record!! Even though we had meetings and had to pay rent all day. We have been contacting EVERYONE and I think that's why we keep finding people ready for baptism!

I love this work! I've had so many powerful experiences testifying of the atonement of Jesus Christ! We have a friend named Alejandro that has done a lot of bad things.. So we have been helping him understand the atonement of Jesus Christ. He really wants to change His life and has so many regrets. Its sad to see people in pain like that but it's amazing to see how our message Christ and help can free them! I know Christ lives and I know that we can always choose to follow Him and be forgiven! No matter what we have done, we can ALWAYS be forgiven!! I love this work! Have a great week!

• Elder Tanner

PS. I also got an email this week from a man I baptized last July and he told me he is preparing to go to the Temple. So at the end of my mission I will get to witness his family being sealed in the Buenos Aires Temple. This is the best news a missionary can have and I am so happy!

*Note from Mom: While speaking with Romina, the wife, about the details of the sealing so that Elder Tanner can go, she replied with this message:


Estamos muy felices de que puedan estar con nosotros en nuestro sellamiento, queremos muchisimo a su hijo , el nos ayudo muchisimo,  sus palabras , contencion y perseverancia con nosotros fue esencial para que pudieramos salir adelante con mi esposo despues de que nuestra hija Alma falleciera. Vamos a estar enternamente agradecidos !!!

Bring out the Armadillo Week 81

This week just flew by. I feel like we had Pday yesterday and here it is again -it's super weird haha. But we accomplished a ton!

My sister Shay asked me on our skype call today what was my "High, low, and Way to go" this week. So I'm gonna write you guys what they were haha.

High - We found 2 kids that have been going to church for years with their grandma but aren't baptized yet so we are going to get on that and get them baptized!! They are named Elias and Morena. Their mom said she wants them to get baptized and we can pass by their house 2 or 3 times a week!

Low - Franco didn't go to church :((( He said he he was gonna go on Saturday and was excited to go but then he didn't show up. He even told us to call him in the morning to wake him up but he didn't answer :( We were super bummed about that.

Way to Go - I helped the hermanas from Toay move their house. So me and my comp had to do all the work and move all their dressers and fridge and washing machine. And they moved from the second floor of an apartment building to another second floor so that was fun haha

I had the chance to read the Book of Mormon for kids this week. I wanted to read it because it helps you understand all the stories from the Book of Mormon better. I loved it!! It was so good to read about all of the Book of Mormon stories in a couple days! I just want to be like Alma or Abinadi or Ammon or Nefi! They are The best missionaries ever haha

THIS CHURCH IS TRUE!! I know it! Keep sharing the gospel with everyone you can! Love you all! Read your scriptures! Say your Prayers! Be Happy!!

Cool Story:

We went to General Acha this week and we had an asado! And they start making the fire and stuff and they bring out a HUGE chunk of beef and a chicken. Then he brings out an armadillo!! I was so excited cuz i've been wanting to try it my whole mission! (it was actually really good and tasted like chicken and pork combined)