First Week of the Last Transfer: Week 97

This was the first week of the last transfer! We have been trying to find more people to teach and we found lots of people that seem really cool so I'm excited to pass by them again! However it's going to be hard because tomorrow we are going to Bahia Blanca for 3 days because we have our leadership meeting and then right after we have our Zone Conference. So that should be really fun but I'm bummed we are going to be losing time in our area :( I want all the time possible to be able to find and teach someone before I leave! I thought it was going to be harder to work this last transfer but I actually have a lot of energy and desire to work as hard as I can! I think I only get “trunky” when I think about all the food that I haven't eaten in 2 years hahah

I have been kinda down lately because I really want to find someone to baptize this transfer but nobody really wants to progress. But I read this scripture that really helped me!

Alma 26: 27

“Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.”

I really love this because sometimes we get down and want to give up. But when we keep going forward and are patient, then the Lord will always help us and give us success. Now in my case I don't know if my “success” will be baptizing this last transfer but whether it is or isn't I'm gonna keep going forward and I will find success in other ways! I love this gospel and I'm so thankful to be here in the mission! Love you all have a great week!

Elder Tanner

ps. The power went out again so thats why I'm sending this late! Love you all!!

41 Liters of Chocolate Milk: Week 96

Well yet another transfer went by and I'm starting last one in the mission. For those of you who don't know a transfer is 6 weeks long. TIME IS GOING BY TOO FAST…. This week was a pretty tough week. We got rejected a lot and one of our baptism dates is starting to doubt if they want to be baptized - so that's fun :( but we have kept working hard and trying to testify to them so I guess that's all you can do sometimes!

Not sure if you guys heard but there was a big power outage in like all of South America. Mostly Argentina and Uruguay but we heard parts of Brazil and Paraguay as well were affected. Crazy! President was super worried and told everyone to be in the house by 5:30 if the power didn't come back and to not use our phones too much to save the battery and a bunch of things hahah But it finally came back. So we're good!

Another miracle that happened recently is that I brought a bunch of pants that didn't really fit me and so I never wore them during my mission. I had like 4 or 5 extra pairs of pants. That's not the miracle though haha It turns out that there was an Elder from here preparing to leave on his mission to Brazil, that didn't have any clothes for the mission. So in my interview, President asked me if I had anything I could donate him, but if not, it's okay. President asked me because the Elder is tall and about my size. So I said “Yeah I actually have a bunch of pants that are pretty much new that he can have” So I gave them to him and they fit perfectly! He just left last week for the mission! So I thought it was pretty cool to be able to help him! President said it reminded Him of the talk by Elder Brook P. Hales in conference and the story of the overcoat haha.


Alma 5:

59 For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his aflock doth he not drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.

60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may not be destroyed.


Who are the shepherds? 

We know Christ is our main shepherd, but also our parents can be shepherds, and bishops, and good family and friends! We have lots of Shepherds in our life that want to help us be on the right track!

Who are the Sheep? 

We are the sheep of Christ, but we also have sheep. our sheep might include family, friends, or others that might be struggling, Etc..

Who are the Wolves? 

Satan is the biggest wolf. Worldly things many times are the wolves (internet, money, Media etc). Have you ever thought that sometimes we might be the wolves? That at times we might be the ones trying to harm the sheep? with unkind words to others, at times being bad examples, letting our sheep free and not going to find them, etc? Like Elder Holland said “I am grateful to know that in spite of my imperfections, at least God is perfect—that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the “natural man”6 and woman in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy. How grateful I am that at least God can bless those who despitefully use Him because, without wanting or intending to do so, we all despitefully use Him sometimes. I am grateful that God is merciful and a peacemaker because I need mercy and the world needs peace.”

This week I invite everyone to think of your personal Shepherds, Sheep, and Wolves in your life! And try to chase out as many wolves as possible! The Church is true! Christ lives and loves us! Read your scriptures and say your prayers! Have a great week!


Funny Story:

There was a big sale at a store called “Chango Mas” (owned by walmart), this week on chocolate milk here, and it's one of the best brands there is. Instead of like 100 pesos each they were 29 pesos. So me and my companion bought 41 liters of them hahaha. I'm kinda on a diet so this isn't going to help, but don't worry, I made a plan to only drink chocolate milk on cheat day (pday) haha lets see how that goes..


 PS!! Big Shoutout to all the fathers for Father's Day yesterday!!

Little Miracles / Alma 6:6: Week 95

Whats up fam!

This week went by really fast! We paid rents, did divisions, had district conference and district meeting, and WORKED! We found some awesome new people that could get baptized soon! We had a little miracle finding a family that could very possible get baptized next month! They told us their experience with missionaries 20 years ago who helped them in a time of need and are forever grateful for their service. They are super willing to listen to us and the mom that talked to the missionaries 20 years ago has 2 daughters who are 11 and 15 years old! We are really excited to start teaching them more and helping them progress! I'm really excited for this week to keep working hard and trying to find new people to teach and baptize!

Alma 6:6

“Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in afasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.”

I LOVE this scripture. If we want to help others receive the gospel we are commanded to join in fast and prayer. I hope everyone is always praying for missionary opportunities every single day. And I hope you are all working with the Missionaries in your ward and giving them references even if you think your friends or family won't accept the gospel!  Just do it! Love you all! I hope you are all having a great week!

- Elder Tanner

Stranded in Bahia: Week 94

This week we were in Bahia for a few days. We left on Tuesday afternoon and were there until Thursday night. We had a Zone conference with the Bahia Blanca and Villa Mitre Zones. It's way more fun to go there because when we do the zone conference here in Viedma we are only 8 missionaries instead of like 60. We got stranded in Bahia for an extra day because there was a big national strike on Wednesday and so there wasn't any buses to get home until Thursday.

We had a couple really good lessons this week! One with Natalia and the other with Solana. Natalia is struggling a lot with some family issues and she's trying to stop smoking as well. We told her she just needs to rely on God. We had a really spiritual lesson with her and shared these scriptures with her….

2 Nephi Chapter 4:
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.

We shared these 2 scriptures with Natalia and she started bawling. Literally there was a puddle of tears on the table haha. but I just love how it says to put our trust in the Lord, and not in the “arm of flesh” , meaning our own personal strength. That with HIS help we can do anything. Because HE is a God that loves us and wants to help us, a God that will answer our prayers in our times of need. We just need to trust in HIM! I Know that Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven love us. They know EXACTLY what we are going through in our lives. So keep praying and keep showing your faith. They are waiting for you with their arms opened wide! I Love you all, have and amazing week!

Elder Tanner