Last Email Home - Week 17 - Nueva Cordoba - November 9, 2015

Ok, I have put off enough time not writing this last letter home to you.  I cant believe that it has all come to an end.  But ready or not, it has come.  

I truly want to thank you two for being the constant support.  You dont know how many misionaries I have come to meet and know who many times will go weeks without getting a letter.  However I always was sure to see an email from my fossils.  I have treasured this time and your words have been inspiring.  I have every email printed out (however they wont be able to come home with me.. its a lot of paper and a lot of weight) and stored.  I often went back through to reread, and even study.  In my P Blessing it encourages me to rely and look to my parents in the decisions in my life.  Without you even knowing, in these 18 months, I have looked to you to find my answers.  Often times, answers were found even though you had no clue of the question.  Thank you for staying true.  Thank you for being worthy and for loving me.  It means more than you will ever know.  I also think that now we will be the greatest of friends because here in the mission I have gotten used to speaking to the parents in all of the families.  It will be just like home!  

These 18 months have been full of learning and growth and I see how the Atonment continues to change me.  Yesterday I gave my last class, and I feel honored to be here doing what the Lord has sent me to do.  I know that the Atonement is so real.  As we were conversing in the class of Gospel Principles, I was remebered once again of a Mr Keyes Phrase.  our goal should be to INSPIRE and not IMPRESS.  

Christ lived by this rule.  Why did he come? To lead us to our father in heaven.  He did not come to "one up" or to "beat all".  He came to inspire us through his actions, faith, obedience, love, diligence, and patience.  He came to inspire us through his Atonement.  He has inspired me and I will continue to give my all so that I may be able to live with Him, my father and my family más allá.  Like dad always said, the atonement is the most motivating act that we have here on this earth. 

Let us put it to use.  Let us inspire others with the testimony of hope in that our savior lives.  In that our father loves us beyond measure.

As my companion and I were studying the other day, she found the answer to one of her greatest questions.  How can we be more grateful to our father in heaven?  There are many possible answers, but the one that we like best : to be happy in sharing this happiness.

God has given me everything.  He has given me my family, the gospel, the priesthood, my mission, covenants, food, prayer-- even his own son.  How can I show him my gratitude?  I can be happy with what he has given me. 

I am honored to have been able to serve him with happiness and a spirit of constant repentance in these times, but the service and grateful happiness doesn´t stop here.

Also this week we had a great successful activity as we had a FHE in the church.  Many conversos, investigadores, miembros activos y menos activos were present!  

We did a little show!  We acted out this story from President Hinckly of Big Tom and little Jimmy.  We had fun as the misionaries being the roudy classmates, then as Big tom found that his lunch had been stolen, a 16 yr old (mentally special) youth from the ward offered himself to be whipped and beaten instead of the young hungy boy.  Quickly a silence feel upon the whole room and the older sister of the special ed boy had tears flowing in her eyes.  Big tom (david from our ward) was able to bring a spirit of peace and gratitude and love with his flawless sketch.

It truly was a moment that I will never forget.

We are full with miracles this week and I hope to be able to finish well.

I love you all so much and I cant believe that it is just around the riverbend.

Hoorah for Isreal because Christ lives.  He is our Savior and the plan of redemption is being realized.  We have proof.

con mucho amor (for the last time... signing out)

Hermana Woolley

also, today we have pday de zona, entonces estare haciendo ( will be doing) trunky shopping muy muy rapido, y despues, hemos alquilado un toro mecanico!!!! (later we rented a mechanical bull) Yee haw! hahaha.  so I wont be getting on email (later) mas tarde- any last words-- its now or never

Week 16 - Nueva Cordoba - November 3, 2015

ok.  This week was yet another week FULL of emotions and what not.  We had 2 conferences (one with president and his wife, and the other with the president of area ELder walter F Gonzalez), a temple trip ( I bawled as I steped foot in that celestial room and now I am a proved model that the water proff mascara I have works!) , and  a Leadership counsil with all the zone leaders and sister leaders and the president.  Baiscally... all in all a week full of revelation and desires to change, repent, and give it all Ive got.

In one of the conferences I was asked to give my last testimony (mi testimonio fiel).  It is awful becaue all of my comps, and friends, and leaders are staring at you with a silence that kills.  There are often tears, and nerves, and so much more.  As I stood up there to rendir cuentas a little bit about my mission and what it means to me, I was surprised that I did not feel nervous.  I had prayed a great deal before, only pleading to be able to feel the spirit testify through me.  And the truith is, I have no idea what I said, or what I had planned to say, but I sure did feel the spirit.  I know that what I am doing here is right, and that it means the world to me.  Then everyone started telling me goodbye.  What a hear wrenching experience.

To update you on some things--

K*a- Remember how we found her and the other family through a miracle??  well. it was shortlved.  After passing by 3 millino times, her husband opened the door and gave us back the book of mormon.  It hurt, and I would be lying if I said that I didnt cry as we walked away from that home.  They need the gospel, but have chosen another path.  The other family also told us that it would be impossible to meet up with them. It can be discouraging being a missionary sometimes, but they are moments that I am sure that I will miss dearly.  There is nothing like being down and having a great companion at your side who makes you laugh, or suggests to go get ice cream.  I am scared of being alone when I get home.... jajaj truth comes out.  These are sacred moments that only help us get stronger with each experience. 

Halloween- doesnt exist here.  They say that it s diobolic.  how sad right? So, a Hna tulian (mini misisonary) came back to viist us and played us the monster mash.  That was how I enjoyed my night.  However, me and Hna Ascuña, and Hna Ortiz all put on black and white to try to dress up a little bit.  We forgot to take the pic, pero bueno.  YOu win this year with your costumes

another torture that I am currently living...... today an elder returns home from his mission in chile to come back to the ward.  We have spent the last week doing everything for this overstressed mom in the preparations of her sons arrival. She has been so nervous that she has had diarreah and vomits for 1 week now.  Please dont tell me that you at home are so emotionally exhausted that this is happening to you because it is loco......  Just keep being you and all willbe well.  We have been oing lots of cute crafts from pinterest to decorate the church, and much more.  ya... puts me beyond trunky.  Then the Hermana Baca looks and me and just hugs me and says "sorry that this is so close to home... BUT MY SON IS ON HIS WAY!!!!!"  she then will squeeze me so hard that I truly thought that my ribs were ghoing to be broken--- like grandpa woolley.  I now understnad.  So my expectations for the HOMECOMING:... I want people in the airport, I want signs, I want hugs, and I want tears.  Bring it on!  It will be a moment that we will only experience once and I want it to be sacred!  I would also love to stop by the temple on the way home since I get in at 10:30 that morning!!!  and go with all the fam :))

I am not quite sure what else to expect or say.  I just want to get home to you .

Travel plans- still dont know when or how I will be getting to buenos aires.... but this next week I should be getting the run down.  When the decretary handed me my itenerary yesterday.  I also cried, but I am not sur itf they were quite the same tears as dads-  overwhelming no mas.  also, you bought me a car???????? que????????  You think that after living in this country of awful drivin gthat I will be willing to drive one of those things when i get home.... and  in. the. snow.  jajajaja 

One last spiritual thought.

Today as I was studying, I came across a verse that says that the fruit of the tree of life is the most precious. above all other things.

yet, what does it reperesent?- the love of god.

However, there is  another scripture that is quite similar.  What is the greatest gift we can recieve- above all other gifts?  Eternal life.

I began to think.... Do these have a connection?

I believe so.  Why is eternal life so great?  Because there we will be able to always feel of the love of god as we live in his precense with our families.  This is pure happiness and it is greater above all things.

ON sunday my comp gave the lesson in RS about the love of god, and there were many tears shed in an example she gave.  I loved it and will share it with you when I am home.  remind me to tell you about it and the feelings and imp`ressions i had. 

I am out of time.

sorry i couldnt uplaod pictures of the week.  You will see them soon enough! 

I hope you have the greatest week yet, and keep on praying for me and Hna Ascuña.  We send you our love!!!

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL!

Week 15 - Nueva Cordoba - October 26, 2015

Howdy do family!  I am doing great.  Just doing what a missionary does best every day all day long.

We have had very little time in our area, so it has been an uneventful week.  We did exchanges in Bell Ville and Leones.  It was my last time in Bell Ville, but I did not visit or see anyone I know.  Kind of a bummer, but an excuse to go back one day. 

Funny moments of the week:

-someone contacted us because they couldnt believe how blonde our hair was, or the straightness of our teeth.  She later told us that she had been to church before and would love for us to pass by.   It was while we were in exchanges and Hna Miko and I laughed pretty hard after.  Sometimes we have to use our skin  tone and accent to our advantage. 

Also, a lady in the ward is super pregnant and will give birth on wednesday, so we went and helped her make pan relleno!  SUPER RICO!!!  You will all be able to try it soon :)

Spiritual thought:

This week I decided to take dads advice as a challenge.  I have been studying the word VENIR.  How many times do we read or pass over this simple word while reading the scriptures?  I began to study more and in the GEE  it says that it means to obey, te be a disciple, to come closer to, or to follow.

 When we invite people to come unto christ, we truly are inviting them to act and change their lives by learning, and acting upon the whisperings of the spirit.  We invite them to follow his teachings and make covenants with Him.  My favorite scriptures have this grand invitacion.  COME.  Omni 1:26, 3 Nefi 9:14, Moroni 10:32-33

It is a divine gospel. 

Also we can come unto him as we give of ourselves, and leave him our will.  It comes through repentance.  As I studied more of his atonement, I found this scripture.  in Dyc 19 it reads,

16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

 17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

 19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

 39 Behold, canst thou read this without rejoicing and lifting up thy heart for gladness?

 40 Or canst thou run about longer as a blind guide?

 41 Or canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me? Yea, come unto me thy Savior. Amen.

He is there and always will be.  It is a mesage that only hits me harder and deeper each time I read it.  I feel so honored to be able to bring this message of glad truth to many.  He lives.  Be examples of him this week and strive to sacrifice yourselves in his honor.

Sorry it was a week muy sommerized but I hope you keep being who you are, but dont change too much!!!

Love you!

I repeat.. are there things that you want me to buy here?  Today we went to cchange some of my dollors because when I take money out of my card, it is 8 pesos to 1 dollar.  However we found a secret kisosco that changes 16 pesos to 1 dollar so now I am RICH!!!  The other sisters went to make the exchange and we felt super top secret.  it was funny.  I have found some great things to buy.  Send me requests!

love you all,

hasta martes (because lunes I have a leadership conference)

Also, this thrusday I will go to the cordoba temple for the last time!!! It is going to close on saturday and open up after I leave.  too crazy

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

 

Week 14 - Nueva Cordoba - October 19, 2015

well, you know me.  The time has run out responding to all the other emails and planning my future.  I wont have time to write out everything from the week, but I will be able to tell it to you in detail and in person in just a few weeks!

We have been having a real hard time finding people to teach, but this week we found 2 families!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As we called our Zone leaders to tell them the news, we all had ganas de llorar de gozo.  The president and assistents have been pretty worried about us and the area after seeing so many weeks without any prorgess as far as numbers go.  However, God allowed us to break that curse this week after sincere prayer and fasting, and all I wish is that these sweet sweet families we have met have the courage and feel the prompting to learn more and make covenants with god.  I now realize that I may not see the end of the stories of many of these people, but I sure have been impacted thus far, and I am sure any news of them in the future will bring the same joy to my heart.  We are working miracles here in the mission. 

I have learned that we cant do things on our own.  We need his help and guidance.  Also we need the help of the members.  Please be a help to your local missionaries back at home!!!!

Also, I sent the spanish email update to the presdient to know a little bit more. (very good letter - see below)

A* came to church´--- but we are thinking of maybe separating them instead of marrying them because they are not progressing. But we will keep praying to know what to do.

V* has lost her ID and so cant get married like we had hoped.  It is going to be a long process,so  we are bummed about that.  Also the jws got her, and when we showed up she had a ton of doubts. 

Basically our previous investigators are not able to progress right in this moment, so god gave us hope with 2 new families :)

have a great week!  Today we went to the zoo and laughed at the monkeys!

Are there things you are wanting me to buy here?  Should I get something nice fro the grandparents or brent since we are going to his house?

I am glad you like empanadas.  I am curretly trying to work on my cooking skills to let you all try the yummy things from here!!

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL

LETTER TO PRES:

Hi President:

Thank you for the letter of diligence (a challenge letter to work to the end)..AHHH.  I can’t believe that the time has gone by so quickly.

This week, God helpedme remember and strengthen my testimony of the fast and prayer.  As I have already told you we have not found anyone for many weeks.   After 4 weeks like that, we did not want it to be acceptable to not find.  We fasted on Tuesday.  We fasted on Saturday with the mission leader and sincerely asked for help from the members.   All of the sudden, they gave us referrals.   All of the sudden they began to pray for us and for the area and for their own missionary opportunities.

Thursday night, after trying to contact all of the referrals we were desperate.  At 8:59 we were still waiting for the miracle.  At nine oclock exactly, a lady came to the door and opened it (her doorbell didn’t work) and she let us in.  She learned of the church in Peru and lives with a lot of family.  We taught, testified and prayed.  She accepted everything and we have another appointment with her this afternoon.  We left with huge smiles!!!!!

But, it didn’t stop there.  Of Friday we stopped at a house.  The wife would not let us in because her husband was not home.  So, we went back the next day.  She was home with her husband and 3 children.   Before we left they asked us for a Book of Mormon.

Our Father in Heave made us so hapy and humble to be able to work with him.  We feel very priviledged.

I am very happy.   You were right that we may not  be able to see the miracle of their baptisms in my remaining time, but it is not really important to me.   The ability to find them, know them and hear their answer – so long waited for-  to my prayers has helped me so much. I hope they can come to the point of trusting in the Lord also and have the desire to make covenants with him.

Don’t we have reason to rejoice?

We have the truth and w know the Savior.

Hurrah for Israel!!!

Hermana Woolley

Hola Presidente

Gracias por la carta de los fieles..... AHH.  NO puedo creer que el tiempo ha ido tan rápido.

En esta semana, Dios me ayudó recordar y fortalecer mi testimonio del ayuno y la oración.  Ya le he dicho que no hemos encontrado a nadie por muchas semanas.  Después de 4 semanas así, no queríamos que era aceptable no encontrar.  Ayunamos martes.  Ayunamos sábado junto con el líder misional, y sinceramente pedimos ayuda de los miembros. De repente, nos dieron referencias.  De repente, empezaron a orar por nosotras, por el área, y por sus propias oportunidades misionales.  

Jueves por la noche, después de intentar contactar las referencias, estábamos desesperadas.  8:59 y aun esperábamos un milagro.  Justo a las 9, una mujer llegó y abrió la puerta (porque su timbre no funcionaba) y nos dejo pasar.  Ella conoció la iglesia en Perú, y vive con mucha de su familia.  Enseñamos, testificamos, y oramos.  Ella aceptó todo y tenemos otra cita con ella esta tarde.  Salimos con sonrisas tan grandes!!!!

Pero no paró ahí.  El viernes pasamos por una casa.  La mujer no nos hizo pasar por que su marido no estaba.  Entonces volvimos el día siguiente.  Encontramos a ella, junto con su marido y sus 3 hijos.  Antes de salir, nos preguntó del Libro de Mormón.

Nuestro Padre Celestial nos hizo tan felices y humildes en poder trabajar con él.  Nos sentimos tan privilegiadas.

Estoy muy feliz.  Nos dice la verdad en que capaz no voy a ver a estos milagros llegar a bautizarse aquí en mí tiempo, pero realmente no me importa.  El poder encontrarles, conocerles, y tener una respuesta -tan esperada- de mis oraciones me ha ayudado demasiado.  Ojala que puedan a llegar al punto de confiar en el Salvador también y tener deseos de hacer convenios con él.  

¿No tenemos razón para regocijarnos?

Tenemos la verdad y conocemos al Salvador.

Hurah por Israel.

Hermana Woolley

 

Week 13 - Nueva Cordoba - October 12, 2015

ok.  This cyber stinks  I will never come back here!  the compu has shut down 5 times now, and my hour is up.  I will not be able to write you all that I had hoped.  However, I did have a chance to look at classes again.  I sent some suggestions to allison, but I have no idea what to expect.  Also, I repeat that I do not have a date of when I will be going home!  I assume it should be coming to me in theses coming weeks.  But yes, they already called me to buy a ticket home.  I am assuming that transfers are the 15th of nov, then I will spend the day in Buenos Aires el tuesday, and wednesday I should be home there in your anxious arms.  Happy now?  That is what it looks like is going to happen, but they have not sent me flight plans ni a release date.  Take a chill pill.  Ill get there eventually whether you like it or not.

To keep you updated, my favorite memory of this week is when we watched the restoration with A*a!  We watched the newer full hour version.  She got a little lost, but at the end of the movie, I had tears in my eyes.  I copied the frase from the movie en saying, "You dont have to know Joseph Smith to know he was a prophet"  I then explained to her my testimony and also the close feeling of love, repect and gratitude that I have for him.  I truly feel like I know him, but more importantly, I know what he did, said, and saw is all truth.  He is a man called of God.  Simple testimony always gets my heart pounding.  She stared at the ground for a second.  She has been praying for about 3 weeks to know if what we are saying is true, but hasnt felt anyting.  Right after this moment, she looked at us, with a huge smile and said, "I think I have my answer..."  Pray for her to have the courage to talke to her boyfriend about marriage.  They both are young and have a fear of making such a big decision solo porque 2 extranjeras tell them they should.  we have a lesson with them tomorrow.  NAMES FOR THE TEMPLE ROLL: L*, y V*a, y J*.  We are in need of a huge miracle for these eternal families.  Good thing we believe and know that God is a a God of miracles.

Also, we had stake conference.  To my surprise, President Alliaud and his wife were there.  and just my luck.... I hadnt showered that day!!!!!  Our water heater normally runs out of hot water, and it is impossible to shower 4 young girls and have the hot water get to the last girl.  It was a cold miserable day, so I decided to hop in the shower after studies, but as duty calls, we had to run to an appontment.  We ran from appt to appt all day, and then traveled an hour to conference.  And that was the condition that they found me in.  Tired, almost 0 makeup and greasy hair on a saturday night.  (I am already worried about coming home with my greasy hair after hours of traveling and then habing you all wan to take pictures.)

Then, out of no where in the conference, I was writing down some notes, and Pte called me out of the audience to explain what a Situacion ideal is in front of the whole stake.  bingo.  Grease ball wrinkled skirt front and center.  I was so startled that there now is a line in my noteds from when he said my name, and my pen kept drawing.  jajaja.  Then I couldnt speak well because I turned bright red and got nervous.  oh well.  You win some you lose some.

At teh end of the conference on Sunday, the choir was singing the closing song, "nearer my god to thee".  It was storming outside and in the middle of the song, all the lights in the chapel went out.  Yet the choir kept singing.  Still all my song shall be nearer my god to thee.  Preisthood stood up and starting opening up the curtains.  They kept singing.  The presiding authority from the 70 had tears on his cheeks.  In the dark singing songs of praise and hope fro guidance in a fearful world.  As the choir sang, we were all crying, and even thinking about it right now brings tears to my eyes and goosebumps.  The lights come on right at the end of the song, and the electic piano came back in tune as well.  More tears.  What a special moment that I will never forget.  God heard our prayers and showed us he was close and always will be close.

I love you all, and next week I want your PONDERIZE scriptures for the week.  Last week I chose Words of Mormon 1:7.  And this week I have chosen Helaman 3:35

love you all 

we have the truth

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

HURRAH FOR ISRAEL

fotos - today we went bowling as a zone and it put me trunky jajajaj ehhhhhhhh it was funny to see all teh elders use all there force and will to not dance along to the music. Jajaja

the other pics are of when we dance to the YMCA so we dressed up as the village people

pss also this week we redicovered mate.  I drank SOOOOO much, that I had a stomach ache, and yellow teeth after.  THen I pulled out my handy dandy electronic toothbrush to save the day.  After a slight stomach ache, I have decided to only drink 4 rounds of mate insead of 15.

Week 12 - Nueva Cordoba - October 5, 2015

Ok, Its true.  The day has come and now I am in line as teh next missionaries of the mission to come home.  I will be spending my last transfer here in Nva Cba with Hna Ascuña!!!!  Wahoo!

Bueno we are going to dive right in to the happenings of the week

Something that I treasure more than anything is Revelation!!!!!!  We have the power to receive revelation from on high.  Have you ever thought about that???

This week I wrote down a lot of the worries that have been troubling me in these last weeks.  Then with presidents help and training, he showed us how to convert worries into questions.  Why do we need questions? Because revelation is the response to questions.  

I had the opportunity to have a load of revelation come my way in this spiritually packed week.  I felt like I was at EFY.  hah.  We started on monday by going to the mission home for a leaders training and council.  Wrote 6 pages of notes.  Then on Wednesday, President came to our zone to give a training, and have interviews.  I have said it a million times, and I will say it again.  That man is called of god.  Then on Thursday, we went to the temple!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 3 full hours of meditation and preparation in the Lords holy house.   Then to finish the whole spiritual marathon up, we had conference!!! ( I watched it in english with 3 other elders.  The conference really touched me, but I couldnt cry!!! The elders were there telling me to take notes every time an apostle spoke about the future, or making decisions, or getting married and having kids. jajaja.)

After the first session, 8/10 questions I had written down, had already been answered.  I thought, "This is too good to be true!"  So I made another list of questions for the coming sessions and what would ya know?  Every topic was touched, and my spirit was filled with understanding.  My spirit is at peace and all is well.  

Besides then many conferences and pages of notes, something hit me super strongly in the middle of the week.  We were visitng an old lady who was recently baptized.  However, her health is so bad that she can not assit church.  We had planned to share with her the scripture that Elder Oaks talked about.  Alma 7:11-12.  We explained that Christ had suffered her pains and her same sickness.  suddenly I started speaking, and my mouth was filled with words of truth that later filled the room with the spirit.  Just like when we pass through something new, we immediately look for somebody who has been through the same thing.  For example,

When I took the ACT, I asked cousins siblings, friends what it would be like.  

When I wanted to ride WICKED at lagoon, I asked what it would be like.

When I chose to come on the mission, I asked MANY what it would be like.  

We know that the answers that we receive are all a little different, becuase each case is different.  However, its just to get a feel and build up our courage to keep going on.  

Yet, we can always run to christ as our source.  Not only has he been through things "similar" to our actual problems, but he has literally passed through them.  What better source to ask for advice and comfort?

  I know that he feels for everyone of us and that He is my savior.  He lives.  Let it be known.

Have a great week and trust in him.  make goals to become better- to allow your progression, to feel the spirit and to ponderize new and old scriptures.

I love you all tremendously.  See you in 6 short weeks.

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

 11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions andtemptations of every kind; and this that the word might befulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy,according to the flesh, THAT HE MAY KNOW according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets

A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago, I was able to shut my eyes
The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it’s time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven’t accomplished much

“We have a super day planned,”
My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath,
“Yeah, if anyone lets us in.”

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It’s 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate “air Box”
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It’s past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I’m not sure what to say

“Oh, Father” I begin, “What happened to us today?
I thought we’d teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we’d have knocked every street”

“Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it’s very hard to see”

“Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn’t your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back”

“And what about my family: They don’t have much to say
I’m sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I’m sorry but that’s on my mind”

“My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?”
The way he rides his bicycle, I don’t think he can see
Now you have it, I can’t go on, I don’t know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you”

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I’m standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, “My name is Jesus Christ”
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
“Arise,” He states, “Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak”

My attention’s towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, “Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you’re going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I’ve felt the same as you”

“I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don’t like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn’t equipped with 21 speeds”

“I understand you don’t like sweating, in fact it’s something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don’t like your companion- you’d rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth”

“It’s hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back”

“Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It’s hard not to hear from home when your family’s not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, “Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?”

“We have a lot in common, but there’s a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me”
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, “6:30 already, no way!”
I sat up and said, “Come on, I’ll even carry your scriptures today!”

No matter what we go through,
When we feel we can’t take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ,
He’s been there before!

Week 11 - Nueva Cordoba - September 27, 2015

Heyo fam bam.  Sorry this week will probably be a shortened version of my crazy week becuase I took some of my writing time to look at those horrid clases.  However, it has been so long, that I have forgotten what going to school is like, and thus, I am not sure what to sign  up for.  Please look at it, and then give me some wise options for a recently returned missionary who may be a little out of it.  Por favor y gracias!

Also, to all of those that wrote me thanks! But I wont be able to respond your letters this week.

A few tips of advise:

-dont step in dog poop with your left foot

-dont leave/lose your keys at 10:30 pm as a missionary

-dont plan to travel a total of 14 hours in 3 days without any sleep

This week was exhausitng!  of the 7 days in the week, I slept in my bed only 1 night.

We went to La Rioja (a 7-8hr trip in colectivo from midnight until 7 am)  So we rode all night and then worked all day only to ride the bus back home and miss another night of sleep.  The next day we yet again had to travel at the butt crack of dawn to go to Leones.  And the return home trip robbed us of another night of sleep.  

Then get this. We had a ward activity and we shared desserts (mom I used your RECIPE FOR LIFE as a guide to share a spiritual thought).  We had permission to stay out until 10:30 pm if a member took us home.  So we enjoyed the night and then left with 4 plates each of all the extra postre from the party.  As we arrived at the pension, we noticed that nobody had the key.  I had left the key inide the pension, adn the other sisiters had lost the key in the street.  So we frantically called the members to start looking for the key in the church.  We waited a good 15 20 minutes.  Then it turned into an hour.  During this whole time, we sat outside our pension door just eating more dessert and placing crumbs everywhere.  When the members calle dto tell me that they didnt find the keys, it was 11:30-  aka EVERY MISSIONARY AT THIS TIME SHOULD BE ASLEEP.  we had to call the office elders to come and save us.  However, they had a spare key of every apartment in the mission besides ours!!! So en fin, we went to sleep in the minis house at 1 in the morning!  It was an adventure.  We felt bad for making the elders come save us, but thats what they are called to do no?  

Then it gets better.  As we walked into the house of the mini... I stepped in a HUGE pile of dog doo due to the darkness of the night that I have not known for so long.  And with my left foot.  aka bad luck here in argentina.  ANd all the bad carma worked against me de verdad.  In thefollowing 2 days, a bird pooed in my hair, a dog sat on my foot and let it all out (pee pee), a car drove by and completely splashed and soaked me.  We laughed even harder as each hour passed by and the bad things only happened to me and not my comp.  

We are just loving life here and soaking in every second of sun that we can get.  The climate is crazy and somedays it gets to 80 degrees and then the next day it will drop to 29 with clouds and rain.  No joke.  

This week will be a great week I just know it.  It is the last week of the transfer and President in encouraging us a ton!  

ps. bad news the cordoba temple will be closed the 2-16 of nov.  o sea, I cant go before going home ;(

Have a great week chillins!

love ya!

have a great week!

con amor,

Hurrah for isreal 

Hermana Woolley

to explain some fotos--- all the members and comps I have had tell me that I am a blue avatar so they always tell me to attach my braids in the soquets to charge up.  jajaj.  and we had a leadership training in cba yesterday.  

Hna Ascuña and I have won the "tierna hermanas" award.  the adorables.  We are absolute opposites in height and color, but we are so chill and cute that the people cant resist us.  This is us as minions.  Also, the height difference and the fridge just killed us.  She didnt even notice that there were vitamis arriba until about 3 weeks.  we died of laughter.  

I am so happy here. 

Week 10 - Nueva Cordoba - September 21, 2015

Here I am again at the computer and I can not believe how fast the time is flying.  Today I hit my 16 month mark.  Dont cry for me Argentina.  Oh wait,  I already did.

However, we have to just keep working and praying and studying as the Lord would have us do. 

This week I was able to go back once again to my beloved home- BELL VILLE!  I saw Cesar, Caro, la familia Franco, Gaston y nicolle.  I was so happy.  Man I miss that place.  These names of people will mean nothing to you, but they sure have a sacred place in my heart.

Also this week we had the world day of service on saturday!  We painted and prepared a homeless shelter.  It made me think and remember of when we went to Puerto Peñasco (?).  There were a ton of people and not enough jobs.  So I painted a little, and motivated a lot.  I told my companion about me selling oragnes to be able to go to mexico and she just laughed and laughed.  HEY. (said in the voice of Si from duck dynasty)  She doesnt know how good they were.

You asked me about the earthquake in Chile.  Did I feel it.  HECK YES!!!!!!!  The first shake was right as we were getting home from bell ville.  So we were getting out of the taxi.  As we got to our building in NVA CBA, the other hermanas came out running with scared look on their faces.  They said, DID YOU FEEL THAT??... "I felt it...(the commercial jajajajajajajajaja)"  no.  But We had no idea that there had been an earthquake.  Next thing you know, everyone started coming outside in the entire city.  They ran down the stairs and the sidewalks were full of people.  I was upset because I didnt feel anything.  Then we went back to our apartment on the 5th floor and about 10 minnutes late, there came the aftershocks.  My comp was in the bathroom and we heard her squeal.  The ground shook and it felt ewxactly like the simulators at the science museums.  I was so excited to experience an earthquake that I was laughing and giggling as we once again joined the stampede of people running dowm multiple flights of stairs.  In reality, it wasnt very strong, but since we are in a tall building, we were able to feel it more and see the building sway. 

We spoke with our liders and a few members to let them know we were ok.  We prepared an emergency backpack, and then we all slept together in the main room.  We slept with our plaques on that night.  (the fotos are of us in terror!)  Many told us that there would be a larger after shock in the middle of the night.  We had everything prepared, and when it came, none of us woke up so it wasnt too frightening. 

It made me think a lot about the second coming.  Are we truly prepared.  We are not going to have 3 hours to gather our things and quickly repent.  Mas, tenemos que tener un plan de emergencia y bienestar.  Are we built upon a rock, or upon a sandy shore like the Cordoba capital?  I wanted so badly to be in Orem High School. AKA the safest building in utah.  jaja.  But I am well, and now I have another story to tell ever so dramatically when I arrive home.

The savior should be our rock.  As I packed my bag in case of an emergency, I was frazzled as to what I should pack. This is what I included.

-scriptures

-extra Book of Mormon to give away

-contacting cards

-articles of faith in contacting cards

-my partriarchal blessing

-picture of my family

-my hymn book

-a little bit of money

After I closed the zipper, it suddenly became so real to me of what is most important. 

Keep things simple and keep being righteous.

Also I read Mosiah 12:5 to comfort me.  Look it up.

It was a week of laughter and a week of fun.

I love you all

Vale thanks you for your love and your message.  It really touched her.

I love you all and wish you the greatest of weeks.

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

We gotta live like we´re dying (sing it in your heads)