Email 12/31/12

Ollo…

This week has been a little bit of a rough one for us. We worked pretty good on Tuesday. I went on divisions to an area called Lucerito. I was with an Elder Shelley. He is a super cool guy from Mesa. We just kept on working and tried our hardest to just stay focused especially on Christmas. We got a super super good lomito arabe (a type of tenderloin) when we got home. It was probably the best one that I have eaten in the entire mission. It’s a little hard sometimes because we have a zone that is sooooo huge. We have to do divisions with missionaries in the zone maybe twice or three times a week. I usually get back to my area dead tired because in all those areas all we do all day is just look for new people to teach. It’s very very draining, but I know that I just need to keep moving forward. I was sent here for a reason and we are going to get things moving in the zone. Other than divisions this week we really haven´t been up to much. We have some really super cool investigators that we are teaching but a lot of the them its super super hard to find them in the their houses because of the crazy schedule that they have during Christmas time. We just kept a smiley face on and worked our butts off. We had a little bit of a rough week because we were both sick a little. I had a really high fever and large headache and my comp was suffering with stomach pains and diarrhea but we just kept going and kept working as best as we could and in the end the Lord blessed us.

We woke up on Sunday and it was raining. Really here in Paraguay the rain is what makes people really just not want to do anything. During the week even if it rains a little, kids won´t go to school, just because it’s raining. So can you imagine what happens when it rains and people need to go to church? Yeah, they really don´t take it as a priority. So we were a little frustrated because we had so many people planned to come to church and our chances of getting them there was very very slim. But we decided to keep our heads up and to go out and do all that we could do to get someone in church. The Lord blessed us. As we walked into church we looked and one of our investigators had come and she had brought all of her kids as well. Our member had kept her commitment and had brought the investigator. Ahh I had to offer a prayer of thanks to our Heavenly Father. Really I have come to realize that He loves us so much that even the little tiny things that will make us happy He is willing to give us. Imagine how much more willing He is to bless us with something that is actually important. It all depends on our faith and if we are willing to keep doing the things that we know that we should do. As we do them the Lord will bless us. I have had hundreds of experiences that confirm that promise and I am sure that He will continue to keep that promise.

We had an interesting run in with a pastor this week and really it just got me thinking about how blessed I am to be one the chosen sons of God; to have been born in the gospel. I have been given the key to knowing the truth and I wouldn´t give it up for anything. It makes me sad sometimes seeing how much people suffer because of false doctrine and how Satan can have a hold so strong on people and their actions, but usually that feeling of stress and failure is followed by a beautiful spiritual confirmation of my calling as a missionary. That that is the purpose why I am here and I am to be the Lord’s mouth and hands here upon the earth to help His sons and daughters reach that level of understand and peace that can only come through living the truth gospel of Christ, which is a gospel of repentance.

I know that God is real. He is a person that has such an intimate love for every single person that I can´t even begin to describe it. I am gaining that love. One act of service at a time and one act of submission to the Lord at a time. I love you all and hope you have a happy new year. Think of the future, make goals, and act. ¨Our destiny is determined by our decisions.¨ Pres Monson. It is not chance, or fate that controls our destiny. WE CONTROL IT!

ROHAYHU PARAGUAY, HA CHE FAMILIA AVEI
Elder Beatty

Email 12-17-12

Hello all I have a lot of news to give but I just wanted to answer a few questions so that I could get my brain working again.
1. Are there any traditional foods that the Paraguans like to eat at Christmas time? Special treats, candies? I Think I talked about this last time. Here around Christmas time they all like to eat Fruit Salads. Because it’s super super super hot. They can´t really go for anything food wise because it raises your body temperature and that really is no fun at all. As far as candy goes…. Not really. What they do for the little kids is that on all the little stores on all the corners, they sell little fireworks. All the kids beg their parents to be able to give them a little money so that they can set something on fire and blow it up. It gets a little scary at times knowing that you have a handful of firecrackers in the hands of a 3 year old but I am not their parents. We have to sometimes avoid the teenagers when they get on fireworks or else they will throw them at us. Not cool! There are some pretty big ones that make some pretty large explosions. Kinda weird seeing little kids playing games to see who can hold it in their hand the longest. hahaha

2. What is the tradition that the children follow as far as Santa Claus goes?
Well as far as presents, they believe in Santa Clause but he isn´t the dude that they get many presents from. They mostly believe in the three kings that came. I guess 3 days after Christmas that’s when the kings come to the houses and drop off all the gifts. Its kind of cool because it makes it more of a religious thing but still they don´t focus too much on Christ here during Christmas. Really, here in Paraguay, Christmas is all about getting all of the family together. It doesn´t matter how far away you live or if you hate your family. You HAVE to come home for Christmas. Usually they have a huge dinner and party. It’s cool because it’s like the only time in the year when all the family gets together.

3. Tell us about a service that you provided for someone this week. Do you get many chances to give service?
This last week we helped a family move from one of their houses to the next. It was super super tough because it was super super hot and they had us lifting all the super super heavy things. I can´t lie but I have lost a ton of muscle here and I’m mister skinny now. We usually have a service project planned out every single week. Its gonna get cool because people are gonna start painting their houses for Christmas so we will be able to have lots of work to do.

4. What type of jobs do most people have that live in your area? How do they provide for their families? What is the most common occupation?
Well in CDE everyone works down in the central of where are the Brazilians come in. They sell stuff. All the Brazilians come in with their money and they buy lots of stuff at a super super super cheap price and then they take it back to Brazil or take it to other countries to sell at a higher price and make lots and lots of money. That is the most common occupation, that you just working in selling stuff.

Ok so what has gone down this last week? Really it’s been one of the most tiring weeks of my entire mission. I have never worked so hard and talked and called so many people in my entire life. Every night usually while we were in our last lesson I would be falling asleep and then while we were planning I could barely stay awake. I really feel that this last week I have given it my all and I was on the verge of death practically. I was transferred. I was sent out of CDE and now I was resent back into one of my old Zones. Nemby. Really this zone is struggling a ton right now. There are about 26 missionaries in the zone and they aren´t having practically any success at all. President wrote me in my email and told me that he wants me to get things moving here in the zone. I got here on Wednesday and my new comp is Elder Hugie from Logan Utah. He is an awesome missionary and just finished his first change as a zone leader. I got here in the zone and we could see right off the bat that the missionaries weren´t working with any of the members and their attitudes really aren´t what they should be. We did divisions my second day and I went to part of my old area because it got divided. I was able to work super super super hard in that area because I already knew the members and the area. We taught a good amount of lessons and talked to tons of people and there were a few people who looked like they had the chance to progress. The missionaries have all heard that here in Zone 3 its super super hard. We are going to change that attitude and make this zone the highest baptizing zone in the mission. We have a lot of work to do and a lot of stuff to change But I know if we just keep working hard and keep trying to be obedient the Lord is going to bless us in our efforts.

We also got here in the area and really there weren´t any investigators and the members hadn´t been utilized so their whole attitude was really kickback and relaxed. We called them and we left with them and we worked. Really I felt like I had to use all of my capabilities and talents and my whole being just to keep moving and working because that’s what I want to do here. I want to make a change. We saw a ton of miracles though. I want to tell you a few of them.

My first day we went and got a reference from a member and as we went to contact it, we talked to the dad and he was an awesome guy. We taught him lesson one and gave him a baptismal date. He said that he would read and pray. So we were super super pumped to come back on Saturday and meet his wife. They have 4 kids. We came back on Saturday with the member that gave us the reference. The dad wasn´t there and so we couldn´t stay but the member was able to stay. We talked to that member on Sunday and she said that the wife is super super prepared. She hasn´t been baptized in any church and is looking for the true church. Whooohooo We had a hardcore miracle with that. So we are going to work with that family this week. Also another miracle that we had was on Saturday. We had taught and clapped and gotten references from like 50 people and we were starting to get a little disappointed. We talked to this guy who was just taking some beer into his house to start drinking. His wife let us in and we talked about lesson 1 and the family. Wow. It was a huge miracle. We asked the mom if she would like to know if the message was true. She said that she already knew that it was true. We were a little startled from that response and so we asked her how she knew it was true. She said that she just felt it was true and didn´t know why. WHOOOOOOOO I would have to say that that lesson was probably one of the most spiritual lessons that I have had on my mission. After talking about the restoration and the first vision, I just started testifying of what a huge blessing it was for them and their family to have 2 representatives of Christ in their home and that the gospel was going to be a huge blessing to their family so that they can someday live forever again. They were speechless. The spirit was palpable. We just left it in silence after me testifying and really I knew and could see that they had more light in their eyes and they were smiling. It was such an awesome and fortifying experience for me and my companion. We are going to keep looking for miracles like these families and we are going to have many many more baptisms.

We are starting to meet with the new district leaders to make sure that they are talking with all their missionaries so that we can just keep working together as a team. We are super super pumped to be together this change Elder Hugie and I. We know we are going to be consecrated missionaries and help the whole zone and this ward just take off and reach the potential that God wants it to be. It’s funny because we have been hassling the members here a ton about leaving with us and so it leaves an impression that we are super super serious missionaries. They ask me how much time I have and I tell them that I only have about 5 months left and then they freak out as to why I don´t slow down and just relax a little bit to end my mission. Then it’s sweet because I can bear my testimony to them about how much I love the Lord and my Heavenly Father and that They do everything so that I can be happy. And They haven´t asked me to ¨slow down¨ So I’m going to work with all my heart, might, mind and soul. Its soo sweet to see the look in their eyes. Some of them get scared but a lot of them really can feel the importance of the missionary work here in the area. I just would like to say that I love the mission. I wish that every single person in the world could go through an experience like this. Yes it is very very hard. You get rejected and you are stressed and you have trials. But its all true isn´t it? So what else matters? I love you all and hope you have an awesome Christmas season, because I´m going to have the best one in my entire lifetime, here in Paraguay teaching the gospel. What could be a greater blessing?

Rohayhu Paraguay ha rohayhu familia

Elder Beatty

Email 12-10-12

Hello all,

Sorry that I didn´t get off an email the last week. We were in the mission office and we were trying to write really fast so that we could get off to CDE fast. I forgot to tell you guys about the baptism of Pamela. It turned out to be a sweet baptism. A lot of members didn´t come because there was so much rain. That usually is a sign that really people aren´t going to come. We did have some members come though. Juan Carlos her step dad that we baptized about 2 months ago was able to baptize her. They had to do it twice because the very tippy tip of her hand didn´t go in the water. The whole family is now baptized and united. It was a super awesome experience for them and I know that the Lord is very content with their actions and desires. Now they can start preparing to go to the temple in 1 year. I was talking with Juan Carlos while he was changing his clothes. He had such a hard time talking without getting very emotional. He said that really he felt so good and felt so much loved performing that ordinance. I know that he is going to be able to lead his family now as the head of the house and prepare to receive the higher priesthood order as well. We were super super pumped and very happy for that especially because we really didn´t have to do anything to help Pamela. Plus my companion was sick so I couldn´t leave the house to go and teach her. She kept reading her BOM and kept going to church without us even having to invite her. That is faith. Knowing you should do something so you just do it without being told.

Other Crazy things that have happened this week was that we came back from Asuncion late Monday night and so we were super super tired on Tuesday and it’s just getting hotter and hotter so we really had to kick it into overdrive to just keep moving forward. Right now we are focused on teaching a family that we have been teaching for a while. They are the Britas Family. They are super super simple and have been to a lot of churches but at last they are starting to progress and understand all the stuff that we are teaching them. All of the Children are now coming to church. Really it was a huge miracle and felt awesome to walk into church. We decided that it was the time for a trial of their faith so we weren´t going to go look for them. We were going to let them come by themselves. We were sitting there in priesthood meeting and all of a sudden Gabriel walked in. Whooohooo. I love it when people come to church by themselves. So we were like ok at least Gabriel came to church. So we sat there and listened to the lesson and just were really content, we left the class and all of a sudden Clara the sister came out of the Young Women’s class. Woooohoooo.. yay! this day just keeps getting better and better. So we got into the next class we were pretty happy when a Member brought his other younger brother that isn´t a member. whoooohooooo yeah that’s what I’m talking about....... we helped them get all situated and ready in the class when all of a sudden our other investigator comes driving up on his motorcycle and was pumped to get into the class. Yeah I just love it on days like this because I feel that people are starting to let the doctrine of Christ motivate them to do and to act. I am so thankful to our Heavenly Father for helping them realize and feel the need to come to church that day. Now it’s our turn to work super hard and help them build their faith even more so that they can continue to keep their commitments until they are baptized whoooo.

This week as been super super super crazy as far as the weather goes. So we leave the house around 10 and its super super super super hot. We walk around and we sweat and we teach and all that jazz. Then around 6 these huge rain clouds come and the wind picks up and we find ourselves in a huge storm and we get soaked because we didn´t bring jackets or umbrellas. It happened to us about 3 times this week. It was fun though just getting to walk around in the rain. Everyone was looking at us like we were crazy, but I wouldn´t like to think of it in that sense because we had places to go and people to baptized. The rain doesn´t stop the work.

I had another crazy run in with the super super old ward member lady that said I was going to be an apostle. We had been helping the Primary program as they prepare for their Sunday program and we were singing with them and helping them follow the words and I was playing the piano. She came up to me again and she said ¨When you’re an apostle and a General Authority, don´t forget about poor little Sista Vasquez down here in Paraguay.¨ When she said it again, it was just a normal thing I wasn´t too shocked. I love those great sisters that just work so diligently in the primary and nursery. They really are the ones that will inherit the celestial kingdom. Because they are humble and meek, willing to help all those that they meet. Being around so many children has probably helped them have a change of heart and become as they are.

A little funny story is that with the family that we are teaching right now, really they are just super super confused about all the religions and how they started and all that jazz because they have been as it says in Ephesians that they have been tossed to and fro as waves by the wind. They think that Jews are atheist and Catholics at the same time. We tried to help them understand that it wasn´t that way, but finally it came down to where we just had to show them that there is only 1 true church. Really whenever we teach that family it is an adventure because we never really know what they are gonna say or have huge discussions about. We leave sometimes just laughing at some of the crap that people hear nowadays about religions. It makes me that much more grateful that I was blessed enough to be born in the gospel and to have had parents and teachers and leaders that taught those spiritual truths. I will always be grateful for their example and love.

I asked him a few questions and here are his responses!

1. Are there any historical places near you?

As far as historical places I would have to think that near where I am is the largest electrical dam in the world It is HUGE. We can´t go see it but I have seen some pictures and it is huge. Also there is another huge waterfall called Monday. It was in my first area of Franco. But really as far as any historical places near us I can´t really say that there are. There are tons of stories and folktales that I am going to tell you when I get home don´t worry. A lot of them are super super super weird hahaha

2. Have you heard about an increase in missionaries coming into your mission due to the announcement from Pres. Monson?

Yes President made an announcement to the Zone leaders that we don´t know how many more missionaries we will be receiving. we know that we will be receiving 60 more sister missionaries in the mission and there is a possibility within a year that they may open up another mission here in Paraguay. But ya tons of missionaries heading our way!!!!!

3. Do the wards there have Christmas parties and programs like we do here?

Usually the wards do a dinner for the end of the year. Its a fun time for the members to socialize. we are trying to get a talent show all set up for during the dinner so that way it turns out to be a little more fun. Any more ideas for a church Christmas activity?

4. Tell us about some of the members that you have come to know and love in your area.

There are a few members that I have come to really really love here in this area. One is Called Juan Manuel, Griselda, and Jose. They are converts from Elder Richards when he was here in CDE. Juan Manuel is studying to be a lawyer, and Griselda is his wife. They are both around 23 and Jose is their son. He is 4. He is a super large handful. Whenever we come over he freaks out and always wants us to play with him. Juan Manuel may be studying to be a lawyer but that doesn´t mean he acts like one. In some senses he seems like a college kid because he jokes around with us all the time. We love teasing him about his hair because its very long and curly and whenever someone comes over he has to go in and fix it to make sure that it comes out perfect. We always joke around with Griselda and Juan that they need to buy us burger king. Then Juan will say that he can´t have Burger King but we can have Grisel King. hahaha Referring to his wife. We love them and they help us a lot as far as helping our investigators feel at home while they are at the church. They have plans to get sealed in the temple next January or the following month.

5. How far do you have to walk to do your grocery shopping and computer time?

Luckily we have a huge grocery store called Gran Via. It is about a half a block away. Its super nice because I have been in an area where you have to walk about 15 minutes carrying your groceries in your hand and it’s not fun at all. It makes me all the much more grateful for a car.

6. What is your favorite thing about Christmas time in Paraguay?

My favorite thing about Christmas in Paraguay would have to be all of the barbeques that they do. They are called Asados. When they do an asado here it’s not hamburgers or hotdogs like what we do. It’s a huge side of a cow that they put over a fire and they just cook away for hours and hours. It really turns into a large project that comes out very very tasty. They only bad thing is while they are waiting for their meat they are usually drinking and so we can´t really teach them anything but they are really nice in offering us pretty much anything that they have.

7. What are some of the Paraguan traditions surrounding the celebration of Christmas?

You have to remember that it is very very hot during Christmas time so the people here instead of staying in their house and staying warm and watching it’s a wonderful life or a Christmas story they are usually outside partying and dancing and drinking. At midnight Christmas eve, everyone will set off large fireworks that sound like a huge war. I really feel like I am in WW2 while all those fireworks are going off. Its definitely a different style of celebrating Christmas, but it’s the culture. hahaha the other thing that is huge around Christmas time here is the fruit salad. EVERYONE makes it and eats it. And if you’re not careful a lot of the people here put wine in their fruit salad. It’s called clerico. Sometimes missionaries on accident eat that type of fruit salad. Whooops. hahaha

 Well hope that this letter turned out to be something enjoyable for you all. I know the mission is true and that it is the best experience that one can have. I love my Savior, I love repentance, and I love you all.

Elder Beatty