November 24, 2014

Hola a todos.

Motto for the week: God`s opportunity is man`s extremity.

It is almost always in the very end when we see the miracles! And I think I am nearing the very end, and so I am waiting to see a little miracle!  It was another week without our loved investigators in the chapel.  But I didn`t cry this week!  Instead, I thought about Nephi.  And how he had to create three different plans to receive the plates from King Laman.  Not because his first plans weren`t inspired, but because he had to learn something.  And then he ended up bring Zoram with him... he was doing missionary work!  And Zoram later became one of Nefi`s best friends.

We went over to Mika`s house to cut my companion`s hair... and just as Mica began, she said, "I`ve never actually done this before."  Hahah it was so funny, Hermana Gonzalez looked like she was about to die.  But she kept on smiling, she is awesome like that.

Also, a crazy man stopped us in the street and thanked us for all we do.  He then told us how in 2020 we will all be speaking the same language, all around the world, called "Esperango."  What the heck does that mean?

It is really hard, I will admit, to see a lot of sad things all the time.  Heavenly Father blesses us with the strength to love these people so much... that to hear of their sad stories really hurts.  But there is no other feeling like having the Spirit give you the words to say, to comfort those who are trusting so much in you.  Elder Holland said, "If we listen with love, we won`t need to wonder what to say.  It will be given to us-- by the Spirit and by our friends."  I absolutely love this... that when someone is confiding in us, all we need to do is listen.  We have two ears and one mouth, because we need to listen twice as much as we need to speak (I think Hermana Zanni said that).  And it is true!  Listen to them and to the Spirit, and words come that we have never spoken.

I am so grateful for the gospel in my life.  And when I see the hunger and abuse and suffering from serious sins, I know that all will be made right through the Atonement.  I don`t understand it all, but I know my Savior loves me and has a plan for me... and Heavenly Father watches over every one of His little children.  He is just so happy when we are happy and doing good things, and suffers from a sorrow only a God can know when we do bad things.  

Love you all.  Siga adelante!

November 18, 2014

We had a zone conference this last week with Presidente Zanni and Hermana Zanni.  Wow my mind is blown with how much I was able to learn from them!  The conference was 6 hours long but felt like 2.  One of the things that stood out is when Presidente Zanni said "Esta es la escuela de los Dioses."  Translates to This is the school of the Gods.  And it is so true... and not just the mission, but all of life!  We are being formed and shaped into a creature worthy of becoming Deity.  How amazing is that?  It hurts sometimes... but it is worth it.

This week was definitely a trial of my faith!  I left this conference with such a desire to work and to give everything.  We went out... and literally everything this week fell through.  We were both a little bit sick because it is so hot (speaking of which, our schedule changed due to the heat.  We now go to bed at 11:00, return to the apartment at 10:00, and wake up at 7:00!).  Our appointments fell through, no one came to sacrament as they said they would, and we had a few companionship struggles.  It was hard to stay optimistic... to keep this vision of success in our minds.  But I know that after the trial of our faith is when we receive the witness.  And if we endure it well, we will be exalted on high.  But I will admit... it just about killed me on Sunday when our investigators didn`t come to church.  I love them all so much... they have all had such hard lives.  I want them to find rest to their souls... and I know that only comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ!  

Sometimes it is hard to listen to so many sad stories from people´s lives.  Many deaths and trials and sicknesses. And you just love so much, and want them to accept these things and have peace and joy.  I found this scripture that I love.

Hebrews 10:39 "But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe unto the saving of the soul."

I love this so much, and I am so grateful for the miracles I have seen all around me.  So many!  Something funny that happened:  Mika found an answer to a prayer through the Book of Mormon in Alma 36:1.  She asked me, "Can you translate this scripture into English?  Because I want to tattoo it on my back."  Hahah it was really funny.  I will have to explain a few things.

Something else that is funny that happened:  I saw a Rodent of Unusual Size from "The Princess Bride!"  No joke they exhist here in Argentina, and it was just about the sickest thing I have ever seen.  It was so gross... and it was a pet tied up to a tree!!  I was in a dangerous area and couldn´t take a picture with my camera, but maybe next time.

And I don`t know if you can tell... but I really struggle to write in english.  and spanish.

Love you all!

Love, Hermana Eleanor Briggs

November 10, 2014

familia,

We are already at the end of the transfer I can`t believe it!  It has gone by so fast.  

Miracles of the week: there is this man named Eduardo.  He is always in a wheelchair during the day... sitting under a tree and watching the people go by.  He is 84 years old with white hair and just the sweetest expression.  We passed by him all the time, stopping to talk to him and ask how he was doing.  One day, I finally noticed that the back of his wheelchair says "La Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de los Ultimos Dias."  The name of our church!  So I asked him about it... and we told him of how when we are resurrected we will all have perfected bodies. He is crippled, and looked at us with teary eyes.  I feel something special about him.  Hermana Gonzalez and I left from talking to him with such a happy feeling... one that comes from talking with someone who is special.  Who has an innocence and sincere heart.  He is always so happy, just watching everyone in the shade!  And he has had such a difficult life.  I am so grateful for his example.

It is starting to get really hot!  It rains, and then is hot, and then rains again.  It is so green and beautiful.  Summer is coming and all of the families are out all the time, drinking mate and doing an asado with everyone.  We are invited to eat almost everywhere we go!!  Which is great but also really hard, because lots of times we can`t eat the food.

I found this amazing quote from a talk I was reading entitled "How to Obtain Revelation and Inspiration for Your Personal Life" by Elder Scott.  How perfect!

“I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”

I know that those who came before us are here, now.  I feel them more than ever while being here in Argentina.  All of my ancestors are here with me, including Papa Fred and Papa Stan.  I am so grateful for them and their spirits... I know I am never alone!

Love you all so much.  

Hermana Eleanor Briggs

November 3, 2014

Just photos this week, no time to write!

Hermana Richey and I laughing at the beach

Mika and Ivan! They are so amazing...just need strength and desire and faith to keep going.