New PDay and a new companion all in the same week.

Dear Family and friends,


Well, well, well . . . the missionary got a new PDay, but we didn't know until checking email on Wednesday.  He is busy so he is happy.  Josh never did like to sit still and do nothing.  He made sure to send a picture of the new companion.  Enjoy the letter.

It is true, Pday is now monday again.  And, we now no longer use backpacks, Dan Jones and just a Book of Mormon.  And I am training!!!!! Apart from that, not much has happened of interest. 

Yes, Elder Ramirez is in Mar Del, and alot of last week was waiting for Elder Christianson to get here. But, now he is here with all the energy of a new elder to...well, knock doors introduce us and let me talk.  It's a good time!

But really, this kid is a stud, I already love him to death and we're doing great work.

Speaking of work, Paolo couldn't come to church because...well, he had a hangover. He is doing so great with the Word of Wisdom, but an entire life changed so suddenly is something summamente difficult. We're going over tonight and really just bringing the spirit about the atonement of Jesus Christ. That's what is going to heal him, so we figure it is what he should lean on from the beginning. Makes a whole lot of sense actually...

Luciana and Ezequiel can't get married until jan! It isn't that they don't want to get married or aren't trying, they really can't. He is in the police academy until the end of the year 24 hours a day nearly the entire week, and won't have a job until he graduates. If they get married without his job, they won't be able to recieve the financial support from her parents and will have no way to live. So, they are still getting married and going to the temple, I just might not see it.  Which is ok.

We found a few new people in the couple days we had to work, we'll see if anything happens. One older couple that doesn't know how to read, but I think some other missionaries across the river have the BoM on CD, so we are going to try and get it from them.

What else....the heat is getting to be killer. So nice that we can't use backpacks anymore, keeps the heat down. 

It isn't going to be as hot as last summer though, that was just miserable in Tres Arroyos, here we have the ocean and river real close so it gives a nice constant breeze.  We have family home evening with less actives and investigators nearly every night this week, which is a good feeling. We made so many appointments contacting and knocking doors that we are packed every day. Not exactly a bad thing.

And yeah, that is pretty much everything exciting that has happened since last wednesday. Sorry you didn't know about the change in Pday until...well, today. Don't worry about it, I will just read your email for next week.

But, I hope you are all still doing well, having fun, and all that jazz. Here is a picure of me and my kid Elder Christianson. Put it up on the blog?

I love you!

Your missionary son and brother,

Elder Joshua Wartena

We are getting a package together to send for Christmas.  If anyone has good suggestions for a Deet product to send please let me know.  Also, we would love ideas for items to put in the package to send.  It will be summer in Argentina on Christmas day.  It will be HOT.  He has requested that we try to keep packages small because he has to pay 1/2 of whatever it costs us to send it to him when he receives it down there.  For example, if it costs you $30.00 to send the package, he has to pay $15.00 to receive it.  We try to keep enough money in the account to cover the shipping costs.  If anyone was planning to send him a package consider putting it together with what we are sending and we can cut down on the shipping and receiving costs.  

Josh has said that the thing he wants to most from all of us is emails, physical letters, and sharing the gospel with less actives in our own neighborhoods.  Just like a missionary--but so appropriate.  When you think about it, what are the things that bring the truest happiness?  In the end it will be our relationships with others and our service and sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ that last through eternity and bring us true joy.  May this Christmas be a time for the things that matter most.

Hope you all have as wonderful a day as we are.  We just love hearing from our missionary.  It really is exciting to be a part of spreading the gospel around the world one soul at a time.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

WOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!! Yes, ask and ye shall recieve.

WOOOOOOOOTTTTT!!!!! Yes, ask and ye shall recieve.

Guess who is training, yup, me.

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

He gets here in about 6 hours, Elder Christiansen.....yeah, there are only 20000 Elders with that last name.

So, this week was ridiculously boring, well, half and half. Conference=Awesome. Yup, april it was all about families, here's what I got out of this one.

So, here is the plan of salvation, here are the prophets, listen to them, they know what is going on. But, you do have your agency, know that you will receive blessings or suffering based on how you use that gift.

I really liked it, even though I didn't get to hear the priesthood session.

Elder Claudio R M Costa, I always like his talks, along with Pres Uchtdorf, and Pres Monson.

Pres Packer is still my favorite, hands down.

What do missionaries do when they are bored on Pday? Well, sometimes we pull out the conference edition and try and figure out who the next prophet is going to be. The conclusion, Elder Perry.

We also make awesome Cafe Rio burritos, it's turning into a tradition for pday.

We are now no longer even a zone. We are a district and part of the Villa Mitre zone. It's only a 4 hour bus ride...we really are teh regects of the mission.

Doesn't stop us from doing kick butt work! Ok, so not much happened this week work wise because of transfers, conference, and not having my comp here. But, we did find someone new, Estellamaris. She is goingto get baptised, I'm pretty sure. She really wants to know.

Paolo is still having problems with cigarettes, but hates them and wants to change. Really putting forth an effort, he's so cool!

I was with Elder Beyer, an Elder that Elder Palmer trained, these past 2 days. He is from San Antonio, but had to be picked up here and since their area is 2 hours away and they have to come back thurday, they just stayed with Elder Robles and I so we would be able to work in both areas. (Elder Robles is training too)

I think that is everything of even moderate interest that has happened the past week. Oh, I DEEP CLEANED the entire house in anticipation for the new kid. Bleach, everything, buying new stuff to replace the old garbage (like, the shower curtain that was growing mold, we burned that. How do you know you're in Argentina? The flip flops you wear to shower are actually not always to protect against fungus, they are also good giant spider killers and you get in to shower and there are spiders on the wall.)

Still doing good down here. Finished Mark and am half way through Mosiah in spanish so my study goals are on track.

Oh, ok, you asked for a christmas list, here is a final one

1) The most powerful DEET bug repellent you can find. If it melts fabric it comes in contact with, it's strong enough. I was remembering last summer...I think I counted 100 bites on my body once.
2) Maple extract. Pancakes just aren't the same

3) Ranch salad dressing packets (2 or 3) Salad just ins't the same either

4) Tapito hot sauce. Or any ridiculously small bottle of hot sauce.

5) Twizzlers

6) A picture of you guys now. I would like to show people how big my brothers are.

 

Question for you to think about. Why is it the sword of the spirit? Why is everything else something you do, preparation, faith, prayer. How do you take hold of the sword of the spirit? What are you supposed to DO. (Find the verb! Oh thank you winston grammar...)

 

Anyways, it must needs be that I must go, but will have more exciting things next week (or so we hope)

Thank you again for the email, I love you!

 

Your missionary son and brother

Elder Joshua Wartena 

P.S.  And, there are more photos up, look and enjoy!

  Mama here,

I have decided that I do enjoy many things about being the mother of a missionary.  I love P-Day emails.  Something to look forward to on a regular basis.  It is almost like Christmas morning every Wednesday.  Learning to listen more intently for the promptings of the Holy Spirit as you care for someone so far away.  Many, many things to learn and do.  Now I am on a mission to find out info on DEET.  Not being the outdoors, up in the rugged outback type of person, I really do not know what to send him.  But never fear--I will find out and send it.

Also, please send in your responses to Josh's question about the Sword of the Spirit and what we are supposed to do.  Having a missionary who supplies you with a gospel topic to research on a regular basis is awesome.  All those years of morning devotionals are paying off as he now comes back and teaches me and guides me through the scriptures.  I've just got to add that having your kids grow up and go on is bitter and sweet all at the same time, and I am just barely beginning to learn about that part of life.  

Well, have a great week.  Embrace the changes come to you and be happy.  Each change is a gift from the Lord. He gives them to us to help us grow, learn, and be joyful.

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Hard times in the mission field

Well, this was an interesting week....

So, Malvina was going to get baptised, right, well, she can't. Her home situation (think...concentration camp and you're about there) makes her not able to come to church or be baptised until she gets out in January and moves to Bahia Blanca. Yeah, we're all looking forward to it.

No progress with anyone else, yeah, it's kinda odd. We had so many people say we could come buy this week that we kinda got overloaded and weren't able to focus on just a few people as usual. This is good, I really like having a bigger workload. We also went out to the tiny little town 30 minutes out (it's 7 x 7 blocks) and found 6 people in a few hours that are awesome. The church really isn't known out there (nor are the Jehovah's Witnesses or anything) and it was like a clean slate to work with. We are the first missionaries to go out there in...well, along time, I'm not sure exactle how long.

Yeah, a long week of walking alot, talking to alot of people, and many many shut doors. But, no guns, dog bites, or yelling.

Pday was good, we had a great chicken lunch, played basketball, yeah. 

Elder Ramirez is going to Bahia to get his Pat. Blessing, and is excited.

He is having problems, I'll let you know how it turns out, I wrote a long email to Pres this week.

Ok, finally got the photos up. There are...16 new ones, of the two baptisms, crossing the river, pictures of Patagones (awesome old spanish part of the city) and some random stuff)

Enjoy!

I honestly do love the people, Mom. Alot!

Ok, so we had to find a different internet place this week, and don't hace alot of time to email, but thanks for everything you wrote me, great to hear what's going on. I'm praying for all of you, thanks for the support, love, and the letters! I got the pack of letters this week, it was awesome.

Well, until next week, I love you!

Your missionary son and brother

Elder Joshua Wartena

Baptism

Dear Mom,

I have decided Gen Authorities are like super heroes. Yup, since last conference Elder Packer has become my favorite apostle. Well, talk wise at least. 

It could be harder, you could be a member in Argentina where the leadership sucks, there are nearly no members, and there are no morals! I'm not supposed to share negative stuff though, so we'll move on.

There are going to be pictures of our baptisms, actually no, we can't access the photos on ER's card for some reason....that's a problem.

Nate is getting braces, cool! 18 months, really? How long did Chris have his?

 

HAHAHAHAHAHA. I like the plan, my brothers should all be better than me. Each improve one year over the brother before. Talk about competitive...

Bomb, a paycheck...1 year later. Can you, like, pay tithing on that for me? You see, withdrawing dollars here in the amount of 7 would be a headache, then sending it without having it be stolen is unlikely.

 

Ok, baptisms, MARIA! YES; YES; YESª! FISTS IN THE AIR YES!

She is so happy! I mean, she is just...clear. That makes no sense, but you can tell something big happened.

Malvina probasbly won't be being baptised this week. Her home sisutation is...difficult. She is trying to get out and move to Bahia so she can be free (really weird situation) But is still great.

HAve a date planned for the 25 with Romina, a family member of a member if she gains her testimony. This is what we were instructed to do by the 70 (along with about 100 other things)

People from the Dominican rubplic have a very different accent. Story.

Knocking doors isn't the most effective way to work, but last week I felt like we really needed to do it, that we would find someone that morning. Well, my comp didn't feel the same way and was a pill the whole morning trying to do other things. (it's kinda hard at the moment, I'm looking forward to the next transfer to tell the truth)

Anyway, I knew we needed to knock Moreno, on the right side, and there would be somebody. Well, we knocked like 10 straight blocks to the house and no one let us in. So we go back to a lady who said we could come back later (it wasn't a very convincing ''come back'' but nonetheless) Her son let us in immediately and asked us to talk about religion and the church. ARgentina (the woman's name) had contact with sister missionaries in the D Rupublic years ago but someone was killed or something like that and she lost contact then moved here.

Ka-Ching. Enter us. Uruguayan and N. American teaching a Dominican Republican named argentina in Argentina in the area called America.
Romina and family. We had set a goal to find a family a certain day, and had one more person to go by, a family member of another member. It was getting late, the area was kinda dangerous (the gun incident area) and we were being careful. Well, they let us in, and bring out the BoM telling us how they used to know missionaries and went to churh before, but had to stop. She is great, he openly told us he's lazy and probably won't come.

I'll keep you posted.

Posted, post, mail, keep you posted...I feel like that connection has been made before...

The exciting stories of the week.

 

From the conference last week.

The trail of your faith is not the thing happening, it is how you choose to react to it. Ether 12:6

 

HA, the brothers sure have alot of faith in me. Tell them they better write me then! Nah, of course I would take care of them if you both died.

Well, I think I have an email from Chris.  I am going to respond to him before I get off. But thanks again for the email, I love you all.

One last thing, we did service the other day, cleaning up a back yard. The member lady gave us lunch to take home and ''a little gift'' I am now a proud owner of a bottle of agrentine colonge...

 

Your missionary son and brother

Elder Joshua Wartena

Another week, another pday, what can I say?  He is serving the Lord and we couldn't be happier.  Please keep praying for his safety.

Signing off for now, 

The Mama

Baptisms

Dear Mom,


Oh man, you have no idea. Elder Eaton and I were talking about Costco muffins today and we both want a tray now...
So, I spent quite a bit of time on the UVU site looking at sholarships and such, so I have nearly no time this week.
But, I will tell you about the 3 baptisms we are going to have :D

Malvina, ok, I already told her story, the ex investigator who wants to get baptised and can now, she's still good.

Maria (Yup, miracles do happen) Has a date for the 11. WOOT! Sure, it's the anniversary of the World Trade Center, but hey...
Finally had a lesson with her friend (member) Hna Millan. Well, we pretty much did a great lesson on baptism (again) and ended with the commitment. She was about to go off on her usual excuses when Hna Millan (ok, this lady is awesome, but is a new definition for the word ''ditz'' just a few steps behind in the converstaion, which worked well in thsi situation because she didn't see Maria start to go in that direction) interuppts and says ''MARIA! You can get baptised!!!!! When are we doing it? Let's do it the 11th, Elder, can we do that, Maria, you're being baptised the 11th'' Well, this threw Maria off quite a bit (and us too) and she accepted very happily. She has no problmes being baptised, but apparently wanted someone else to make the decision for her right there.



Alberto. Ok, this is such a cheating baptism. He has been a member since 93 (with several years of inactivity) and his son is waiting for his mission call. Well, someone noticed that he is not on any list, has no number, and there is no record ANYWHERE. 
So, he has to be baptised again, and it counts for us. HAHAHAHA. 
First time I've giving all 4 lessons in under 30 minutes. Service this saturday.

So yeah, first few weeks of the transfer, baptism every week, looks pretty good.
And, zone conference (well, area conference with the new area pres.) next week, so traveling up to Bahia! Should be good.
Elder Ramirez is doing well...yeah. We're both fine health wise, might be going to a gym 3 times a week by our house this month, we'll see what happens. 
Ok, I have to go write pres, I love you all, thans for everything!

Your missionary son and brother
Elder Wartena






He is happier.  A baptism has a way of changing a missionary's attitude real fast. 


Signing off for now,
The Mama

The email to Dad referenced in the 8-25-2010 blog post

I went back over the blog post for Wednesday and I feel something is missing.  So, here I am back to set the record straight.

Josh referred to a gun episode that occurred last week.  I have decided to go ahead and post the email he sent to his dad so you can read the story for yourself.  It scared me, the mom, to pieces.  Here it is for your reading pleasure.

Dear Dad,

Freaking time...1 year ago I was...in the MTC. And my biggest problem was what seemed like an inability to learn spanish. Now I have 11 months left, am going into my 4th transfer with a latin comp and my biggest problem is the eternal salvation of souls in Viedma...

How times change

So, I'm just going to email you a rather interesting story in place of telling you and Mom about investigators.

It goes without saying that Mom does not need to know this happened? Deal? Cool.

We're just walking along down the big road from the ghetto part of our area. A group of drunks is off to the side of the road by some apartment buildings. This is not strange at all...happy hour doesn't really mean anything. They started yelling some stuff at us, once again, not uncommon. Then one of them pulls out a revolver and runs over. First thought, ''Ah, Crap''

Sticks it up against the back of my comp's head at tells him to stop. E. Ramirez didn't even flinch, told the guy we didn't have time, another time we'll come buy. Pretty much told him to buzz off. Something about E. Ramirez being a truck sized Uruguashen made the guy move to the white kid next to him. Well, throws an arm around me puts the gun against my head, and then sticks it down my collar to conveniently rest against my collarbone. ''What you doin? You with God, where you goin?'' Well, I didn't even think about what would be the best thing to do, honestly my mind was kinda stopped. I threw my arm around HIM and just started chattin it up. ''Just walking here man. Walking with you buddy, what you need, bro?'' (I knew there was a good reason for learning all those slang words in spanish!) He liked that, let me go with the assurance that he wouldn't do anything, we were cool and he liked us. I told him I liked him too and he walked away saying he was a child of the devil and repeating himself in a very drunk manner.

Found out today from a member that he got taken away by the police that night after robbing a girl while the cops drove by. They let him go the next day... 

It wasn't scary at all, really. It was more of the ''I have a rock in my shoe'' annoyance.

But yeah, that's the exciting story of the week. The work is getting better (it couldn't really get much worse...) and you can read about it Mom's email.

Jeremiah was a bullfrog just came on in this internet joint...

Thanks for being of proud of me

Love you

Elder Wartena

Once again, that's all folks.  Enjoy life.  Smile often.  Eat dessert first

Signing off for now,

The Mama

Day in and Day out

So, the email speaks for itself.  

Dear Mom, 

Alright, you wrote alot, but I have a whole half hour to respond, so yeah.

Alright, I will tell you about the new people first.

Jose, ok so he really isn't new. We knocked his door, well, his family's door, he is in his low 20s last tranfer, but were never able to get ahold of him for a lesson. Wow, that's a run on sentence.

But this week we were passing by old investigators and had a strange sese of de ja vu knocking lidia's door. Yup, it was Jose's mom. Cool family, we talked with him about religion, explained the church, and talked about life in general and how the gospel makes it better. Not too interested in being actively religious, but we'll see.

 

Nancy thinks God placed us in her path to help her find him. That's a good sign. We're going over tomorrow night to teach her the plan of salvation. She's totally getting baptised.

 

Lucas, the son of a member, the brother of the leader of the evangelical youth group is coming to church this sunday. Because we are going to the ''mutual'' of his brother's church that we were invited to tonight. Should be interesting...

 

Malivina, an ex investigator who couldn't get baptised even though she loved the book of mormon and was in 2 ne or something. Is trying to get out of her house to move in with family in Bahia Blanca and wants another book of mormon and us to teach her.

Yup, she'll get baptised too.

 

The weather is grogeous. I'm almost at one year in argentina and am looking forward to the nearly tropical spring.

I left my planner (yes, we have missionary planners) from last transfer, and so can only remember the stuff to write about for the past few days. Oh, yeah, still here with Elder Ramirez. He's kinda bugging me to be honest, but I'll get over it. He's a good guy.

 

Health is good, I am still taking vitamins daily and working out alot. Really, you want to know about my acne? Well, it doesn't really exist anymore, the tell the truth. Guess I finally got over that. Or maybe the shock of having to use bar soap because you can't buy face soap here just killed my whole face.

Whatever!

 

I'm excited to see the house! You're all in school, growing up, changing the house, geez, I'm coming back to a different family...

 

So, you would ask the whole getting robbed question THIS WEEK and make me feel guilty for not telling you. So, go read Dad's email about the drunk who stuck a gun down my shirt.

Hope you enjoy it!

 

Well, the elder from Tres Arroyos is now out. Tres Arroyos is a completely sister missionary area now.

Oh...family videos...

 

That's about it, a good week. Well, a whole lot better of a week. Thanks for the email as always, love hearing about you all. Enjoy the summer, or what's left of it. I'm going to go put more pictures up on flickr, enjoy.

 

Love you all

Your missionary son and brother

Elder Joshua Wartena

Yeah!  That's it.  Love being a missionary mom.

Signing off for now,

The Mama