Week 2 - Nueva Cordoba - July 29, 2015

Hola mi familia amada!!

How are you all doing?  Sorry that I was unable to write you on Monday.  I sure hope that you did not call the mission offices and ask if I was still living. The elders in the office have told me that it gets pretty annoying when the parents call. jaja.  

I was not able to write due to a Leader Council that we had with the President and his wife, the Asistents, all the Sister Training Leaders, and Zone Leaders.  We had a little conference and talked a lot about the plan for the mission so that we are able to then take this information to the rest of our assigned missionares and animate them.  The meeting was in the Mission Home and it lasted all day.  At the end, we all went to a soccer field to play around, and battle it out.  Obviously President was there as well, running up and down the field.  It was pretty great.  He is a great guy and really loves us. The picture of me and Hna Humacata is at the field. 

I dont have a lot of time to update you on the week, so I am just going to spit out some info instead of writing out and telling my usual stories. Perdonenme.

First things first.  I AM SO TIRED!  We are constantly  running and calling, and planning, and solving everyones problems.  It leaves little time for ourselves and our own needs. This week we did our first exchanges.  I was forced to be a big girl haha. No it went great.  I went with Hna Mikolocjik and I love her so much.  She is the tall blonde.  Now I am just tired from travelling, and gonig to 3 confernces, exchanges and more this week.  It will all catch up on me.

This week we made a cake (a huge alfajore en realidad)  for Hna Ortiz and her birthday.  It was crazy being sneaky "moms" and taking the batter to bake the cake in a members house.  It all turned out well and we partied a little bit (including jumping on the bed). I may or may not be a good influence on these sister missionaries.  jaja

V*a was not baptized this week, but the hope is not lost!!!  When we went to meet with her, she told us that as she was praying (Which at first was really hard for her) she felt like she was floating.  In that moment she knew that it was all real what we were telling her.  How exciting right?  but it was really funny because everytime we talked to her a baptism all the times before, she would freak out and say, "Please lets just take it slow!"  But this day when we arrived, the first thing she causually commented was that she had seen a really cute white skirt in a local shop down the sreet.  And coincidentally, she was looking for a white modest shirt.  All of her thoughts are pointing to baptism, but she didnt want to tell us she had recieved her answer.  As we kept talking, she finally let us know what had happened and the answer she received.  She was smiling the entire time, and even had tears streaming down her face.  It was a super speacial moment. We are now planning her baptism for this coming week.

I am super well, and Ive got to get going.  Please keep me updated on Rachel.  Let her know I love her.

I am living with a sister from Spain, and her accent of s in sticking.  Kill mylself hahaha.

Love you all and got to go.  Keep praying for V*a, and I am glad that all went safely in Powell, aparte from the nipple biter fish. jej

te amo,

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

Hurrah for Isreal

Week 1 - Nueva Cordoba - July 20, 2015

Howdy doo-- Feliz dia del amigo!!!!!!

Well, I guess you could say that this week was one of the craziest weeks of my life!!! First of all, secrets out.... a lot of times when we have been in the mission for a while, our bodies start to break down.  Now when I twist my back, an orchestra sings a cute little song as my spine twists and crackles.  But, my companion is a little bit older in the mission... and in real life too.  Hna Humacata is 25 and is from a small town near General Paz in Rio Negro.  she has one more transfer than me and we have known each other since the first day I arrived in Argentina as we were doing visa work together.  

She is falling apart too.  This week she had 3 doctor appts so all in all, we did not have a s much time to work as we would have liked. 

BUT... GOOD NEWS!!! We have an investigador who has a baptismal date this saturday and came to church yesterday! She was a reference of the 1st conselor. We met her. Had a first lesson. Had a baptismal date, a second lesson, a third lesson and an attendence! She is the perfect investigator and we are sooooo excited for her and the progress she is making.  She often cries with us.  Pray for V*ia this week in her progress towards her baptism and her interview this thursday!!! There is a slight chance that we will be moving the baptism to sunday or the following week because this sat. is a temple trip for the ward, and no one would attend the service. But tonight we have another lesson and we will work the details out. We are really excited.

Its true! I was able to go to the temple-  What a wonderful experience.  The truth is that as I put on my white dress, and saw myself in the bathroom mirror, I began to cry.  I felt so much peace and comfort in that moment.  Upon arriving in NVA CBA, I was intimidated by my companion, the huge area, and all the instrucciones I received.  The city and movement made me nervous and the skyscrapers made me claustrophobic. jaja  but as I sat in the chapel waiting for the session to start, and all I could hear was the quiet A/C, sitting next to my comp and my bff (ex comp) in the temple, the tears were streaming.  I was nervous to do a session in spanish, but I was amazed that it didnt even phase me!!! The only thing that threw me off was seeing the new temple movie!!! THE BLONDIE!!!  the veil was a little tough because its hard to pronounce the words right when I dont see them written out, and people are just fogging my ear with whispers.  But we made it through and it was beuatiful.  As they prayed for the missionaries, I felt a wave hit me that literally took my breath out of my chest.  As I later spoke with my companions, they said the exact same thing and they felt an additional power.  It was so impactante.  We are so blessed to be prayed for daily.  Know I wrote you allllllllll on the temple roll so you are being prayed for in many parts of the world! jaja I even wrote down "ashling woolley" hahah its true its weird hahahaha

In the celestial room we took a long while.  I was so calm and I felt protected from the world.  I felt so loved and it is a feeling that I never want to forget.  It was a familiar feeling that really recharged me.  I spoke with my Heavenly Father in prayer for about 25 minutes in prayer, and let the tears shed.  I truly believe that mom was in the temple at the same time because at one particular moment in my prayer- praying for the family- I felt a tingling in my heart, and I knew you were on the other side of the world praying for me, in the lords house, and doing his work at the same time, in the celestial room.  In the after math, it makes sense that you would have been there too.  Gramps tambien.  Thanks for sharing the moment with me.

Then I opened my eyes because the celestial rrom got a little rowdy (well, as rowdy as the celestial room can get! a little sobs and celebrating whispers)  4 brides, 4 grooms, and their families.  Wake up call.  The real world, and celestial marriage is jsut around the world.  We felt so weird jajajajajajajaja.

Also, another great miracle of the week!  We found a new investigator.  V*a. Her husband is a less active.  When we showed up at her house, she let us in and said, "something told me that you would come today!"  So we walked in, met her and her family, got her to cry and commit to come to church.  On sunday, she not only showed up in a skirt.... but with her entire family (4 kids bathed and dressed nicely).  The ward leaders were extatic!  They have plans to be married and she will be baptized soon as well! Milagros a ful!

Also, another favorite moment of the week:  We went to eat at the bishops house. the bishop was not home, and the wife had a million things to do. She is super stressed, so we showed up early to help her out.  My comp washed her dishes and swept her floor, and I played with her kids while she was right there cooking the lunch.  We took over a friend magazine to color with the kids and keep there attention.  Bruno has 3 years.  When I walked in the room, he was really timid.  Then as I pulled out the crayons, he was so excited to paint the sheep and shepard (Christ)!  Suddenly, he asked me, "Are you my friend?"  I said, SI!!!  He said, ok!  and we got a long just great.  Next thing I knew we were hiding in curtains and playing around enjoying our time.  He stole my heart. At one point, I scrathed a zit, and a little blood came out.  He touched my cheek and asked if I needed a bandaid.  I didnt know if I shoud feel embarrassed or loved and cared for in that moment. jaja

 As we began cleanig up his toys, I started to sing I am a child of God.  He joined in with me, and we sang the 1st verse over and over until all was cleaned up.  His mom looked over and saw what was happening and started to cry.  She thanked me over and over for inviting the spirit of love and suppot in her home.  Bruno INSISTED to sit by his new friend at lunch- me.  I greeted him goodbye with a kiss on the cheeck (the custom here) and he squealed.  toooooo cute.  I love little kids and I amstill planning on working with them when I get home.  El Ed.

Then comes sunday.  I was teaching the class, and we got out just in time for the sacrament (last hour).  As we started the sacrament meeting, the bishop asked me to introduce myself and share my testimony as the new sister in the ward.  As I walked to the pulpit and said Hola, I heard a scream "MOM ITS MY FRIEND! ITS MY FRIEND!!!"  Bruno was standing on his chair, pointing at me with a huge smile on his face!  It made my day.  He even shared his crackers with me during the sacrament.

I love being a missionary.  It is the most satisfying thing in the world. I dont want these moments to end.

fotos  are from the pday de zona, the shirts we ordered, some other sisters, and the yummy pollo al disco! My favorite food here!

The best is yet to come and I hope you enjoy your week in powell!!

I know this church is true, Hurrah for Isreal

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

Transfer Week 18 - Rio Tercero - July 13, 2015

Hola Fam!  

Bueno, Im sure dad has already called and informed the whole ward , and extended family member, maybe even the prophet himself that I have been transferred!!!(since I sent him a quick email this morning telling him I may not be able to write today due to the transfer and he then researched everything about my area and figured out my comp's name etc before I could write now and tell you about it) I am now serving as a Sister Training Leader in Nueva Cordoba with Hermana Humacata (de Rio Negro Argentina).

It is capital. Captial. Centro of Cordoba.   It should be a different experience.  I am exicted but a little nervous as well.  There are so many tall building and noise and movement.  How in the world?  It is situated right next to the univeristy so our ward is full of YSA students.  The average attendance is 90. That should be nice to see.

Surprise... Hna Solar was also transferred!!! They put elders in Rio Tercero and kicked us out! We were super sad to leave everything behind.  The members, P*o, the bikes, the tranquilidad, the super nice pension.  the companionship.  We were a happy two together.  

But I have quickly learned that changes are necessary.  And they often come right when the best things are happening.  Thank goodness we are good missionaries and we had the Area book updated! jaja :)  Now we just hope that the elders follow our plans that we drew out on the calendar, and that they enjoy the kilo of ice ceram we accidentally left them in the freezer.  bummer dude.  

TEMPLE TUESDAY!!!  You will never believe it.  Tomorrow I will take part in moms weekly temple tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Bueno.  One pro of being here in Cordoba is that we can attend the temple! Once a transfer, so obviously we are going to go tomorrow, the first day possible!  Hna Dennis is in a trio with us until wednesday because she is waiting for her companion to arrive from the MTC.  Hna dennis will be training.  SO, she is in La rioja.  Really far.  So she asked speacil permission to go to the temple while she is here in the city. And obvio her 2 comps have to go with her.  SO TOMORROW WE WILL ENTER THE NEWLY DEDICATED TEMPLE!!!   This means that the next pday we will have shortened time, but I should still be able to get a quick email in.  If not, you will know why.  

As a leader here, I will be able to visit Bell Ville for exchanges!!! Unless some things change around! But I guess you could say I am excited!  

This week I was reading from Jesus the Christ.  One quick spiritaul note that stuck out to me was the fact when it explains that Jesus literally CHOSE to give his life.  Christ loves us so much and we have such a great message to share.  Christ lives and loves us.  It is wonderful to me. (when Hna Solar and I couldnt sleep at night, we sang together "the wonderful song" [a title for I Stand All Amazed that my little cousin Jackson gave it] in the dark until we dozed off.  Two nights ago, the spirit yet again testified to me that it is real.  My tears rolled down my cheeks as I felt his love and protection in that moment.  Luckliy it was in the dark so nobody saw my ugly cry, but it filled me to the fullest.

"What other man has lived with power to withstand death, over whom death could not prevail except through his own submission? Yet Jesus Christ could not be slain until His “hour had come,” and that, the hour in which He voluntarily surrendered His life, and permitted His own decease through an act of will. Born of a mortal mother He inherited the capacity to die;begotten by an immortal Sire He possessed as a heritage the power to withstand death indefinitely. He literally gave up His life; to this effect is His own affirmation: “Therefore doth my Father love me,because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”^q And further: “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.”^r Only such a One could conquer death; in none but Jesus the Christ was realized this requisite condition of a Redeemer of the world."

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

con amor,

Hermana Woolley

 Hurrah for Israel!

Hello President,

Well.  Wow.   Transfers again.  It is crazy how fast time passes.  I am very happy to be in Nueva Cordoba with Sister Humacata.

I enjoyed my time with Sister Solar, and learned a lot from her training.  I am grateful for all of the opportunities to grow and progress in this life.  The truth is that I am humbled by your confidence.  Thank you.  I really try to be my best and develop and I see that I am doing it.  Obviously I still have a lot to do, but our Savior is so merciful in giving us challenges, assignements and an elevated dedication.

Often it is normal to think that when things are difficult, we can rest because God understands.  However, He expects our best always.   I recently heard that Sister Romeril and her going home.  I was sad because she helped me a lot and is a great support.  Nevertheless, it makes me think a lot about the preparation that we do every day.  It would be terrible to go home unprepared.  Same with the mission area plan.  It would be horrible if it was not done and all of the sudden two new missionaries are transferred into an area.  Like Alma explained, what horror to arrive at the feet of the Lord without making any change or progress in this life.  In conclusion, we need the atonement in order to avoid that feeling of guilt and pain.   We need to change and strengthen ourselved every day in order to arrive with all of the peace in the moment he calls us.  And the great Atonement makes it possible.

I hope that in this capacity that I can help the Sisters make those changes and that they want to see in their missions.    Be better teachers, companions, students and so on.   I am going to work my best to be obedient and diligent so that I can give all to the Lord and return to his presence with honor and emotion.

Thanks for everything.  Know that I will give my best effort to support and help in this work.

Sister Woolley

Pictures:

the goodbyes, the comps, and the wounded knees from praying so long jaja joke.  Really it was becuase I chased after a soccer ball in my skirt, and fell on the ground.  The ward at the activity got a pretty good laugh. Its ok. I did too. But now it does hurt a little to kneel and pray. jaja.  

 New companion Hna. Humacata and Hna Dennis

Week 17 - Rio Tercero - July 5, 2015

hey fam!  This week I am sending you some pictures on Dropbox.  They are pictures form Zone conference, a good shoe shine after nearly 14 months in the mission (can you tell teh differnece), Your birthday cards finally came, Our mirror broke and now we are living blind!, also doing service, selfies in teh elevator,a huge avacado pit, and playing around like girls do best. (there should be about 14 or 17)

bueno, I dont know why it took so long for the letters to llegar.  maybe you can try to send letters and packages to this dirrecction:

Sister Katelyn Woolley

Gay Lussac 5270

Apartado Postal 49-x5009ZAA

5009 Villa Belgrano, Córdoba

C.C 17 Suc. 9

Córdoba, Argentina

Bueno,  I dont have a lot of time because I was writing a letter to President Young, but now that it is done and over with, I will speedily update you on the most important things.

WE FOUND THE CHOSEN ONE!!  P* now has a baptismal date and accepted to be baptized before I could even finish the official invitacion to be baptized.  He was a reference from an old investigator and we have now taught him 3 times in the last week.  FULL SPEED AHEAD!  It makes me nervous and sad because transfers are this coming monday, and it is very probable that I will be leaving, which means I will not be in the area to see his baptism.  But all is in the hands of the Lord.  

Argentina took second int eh America cup, but my comp was excited becaue Chile won.  We watched the overtimes and penalty kicks.  Bummer dude.  

Something that someone told us this week wis that our only enemy es our own error.  It is so true.  How many times do we push the snooze button, and as a consequence, we dont wake up on time.  Later we blame it on the stupid clock that didnt sound for the snooze.  However, whos fault is it that we pushed the button in the first place?  If we had just obeyed the first time, there would not be error.  We must afront and repeat until the correction comes and we are able to conquer our own error, walking away better.

In this way, we can avoid much sorrow and receive the immediate blessings.  I have seen too many people get discouraged for imperfecion, or for falling back into their addictions.  We doint have to make this life harder than it already is.  We have a savior and he will always be there to help and support us in our imperfecciones.  Use his power.  He loves us and we are his friends.  I urge you to set goals, and write down your plans to better obey our Lord and savior.  It is the only way to true and lasting happiness.

I hope that you have a great week.  Thanks for your letters and pictures.

Note: I am on the other side of the world, and had no idea about the world cup, nor President Perry.   

Hurrah for Isreal.

(I hope I can write more next week, but I gotta go save the world!!!! )

Im a busy girl.

love 

Hermana Woolley