La Dedicacion del Temple Cordoba!

May 18, 2015

Hola!!! :)

Well, the time has just flown by in the Cyber today doing a lot of small little things, so basically I don’t have much time to write because we have plans to go to a street called Florida today. So....I’ll be quick.

Nestor is a champ a progressing super well towards his baptism. Basically, he’s changed a lot and been a huge example for other people where he lives. That dad of his friend said he’s seen a big change in Nestor and wants that for his own son and wants to learn more about the church. Miracles. Every single day. 

We did divisions this last week and it was incredible. The hermana I was with has a transfer more than me in the mission and I was able to learn so much from her. She is super amazing. I learned so much about setting personal goals, and how to make plans to reach those goals. (Not just goals like number of baptisms and lessons with a member) I feel like what I learned from her will serve me for the rest of my life. She is a huge example to me.

Saturday night we watch the Cultural Celebration of the Temple in Cordoba. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!! All the dances were so cool. I just died. I was smiling from ear to ear the entire time. I enjoyed it so much. I wrote down some of the dances they did in my journal. There was a super cool one that just the guys did called El Malambo. Look it up on You tube if you get a chance. I hope you appreciate it as much as I did. What I loved was the huge celebration to honor the House of the Lord. The whole time I was watching it I was just thinking about all this was for our Heavenly Father. It was a way to celebrate and thank Him for the beautiful opportunity He has given us to have another temple in Argentina where more saving ordinances can be made. Hermoso. 

Then there was the actual temple dedication that we went to yesterday. Even though it was a bummer that we couldn’t have investigators go with us to church, it was a great testimony builder for me personally. There are no words to describe just how I feel about the temple. With every temple constructed in the earth the adversary has less power. Argentina now has 2 temples. That is literally the greatest blessing for these people here in Argentina. I have taken for granted having like 15 temples in Utah. My testimony of the temple and its importance has been greatly strengthened this last week. I hope to never again take the many temples around me for granted. The temple is the most sacred place on this entire earth. For me personally, when I get back, there is no reason that I shouldn’t be able to sacrifice a few hours of my week and visit the house of my Lord and Savior and assist in His work. I love the temple. I love my Savior.

Well, life is good here in Argentina. Really solid all around. We’re seeing a lot of miracles. Time is moving by oh so quickly. I hope all of you are doing well. I hear it’s been raining a lot so I hope you enjoy that rain. That’s my life many weeks here in Argentina, no importa la temporada jaja. :) Well, Love you all with my whole heart! Cuídense! Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :) 

xoxo,

Hermana Van Wagoner

Feliz Dia de La Madre!

May 11, 2015

¡¡Feliz Día (Ayer) a TODAS las Madres!! :) No saben cuanto les amo! :)

Alright, so yesterday was just so fantastic talking with the fam!!!! The time just passed by way too fast! It’s absolutely crazy to think that the next time we talk will be in 3 months and we’ll be together! #trunkimuch? But really where has the time even go. I don’t even know what time is any more. 

So I don’t really know what to say because I feel like I already said it all yesterday, but I still gotta write because I only talked with the Fam yesterday, not the whole gang!

Awesome news! We got Nestor’s mom to finally sign the permission slip for him to get baptized! It was a huge miracle! Thank you soooo much for your prayers!!! (We’ll be now working on her to get in the water too. Poco a poco.) Anyways, yesterday was a huge miracle because Nestor wasn’t going to go to church because his mom wanted to go to provincia to visit her cousins early in the morning. After praying and practicing how we were going to help them make the decision to go to church for a little bit and then go to provinica, they decided to change their plans. Not by much, but the still did it! Nestor was able to go to church for like 30 minutes, partook of the sacrament, and then headed off to provincia. It seems so little, but trust me, it was a huge sacrifice! And now, because of that, he’ll be able to get baptized the 24th without a problem (we’re still praying a full!!) We had to change his baptismal date because the Córdoba Temple Dedication is this Sunday and because of that there won’t be Sacrament meeting. So yeah, that kinda threw off the baptism, but its okay because it is an INCREDIBLE opportunity to watch a temple dedication here in Argentina. It is the second temple here in Argentina. Everyone feels extremely blessed. Oh how I love the temple! I’m so excited to see  the Córdoba temple get dedicated! :)

Hmmmm...What else happened? Well, we went to the Villa (ghetto) on Saturday because we had a capilla abierta. The elders from that area had to come and get us to accompany us into the villa because it was dangerous. Obviously nothing happened to us. We were just fine. It was really fun though going to the Capilla Abierta. I always love the Capilla Abiertas! :) I’m now the one that has to coordinate which of the sisters in the mission help out with the Capilla Abiertas where there are only elders in the wards. So that’s fun. :) 

Fun Fact: A ferocious dog bit me this week. Well....almost bit me. His mouth/teeth/tongue were on the back of my leg (I felt them) he just didn’t clench down. I honestly don’t know what stopped him since he was already there. It definitely scared me, but it’s all good. I survived #dogbitesurvivor

Well, it’s going to be on the short side this week since, I talked with them fam yesterday already. Those were the biggest things that happened this week. We’ve begun to see a lot of miracles in our area. I’ve learned a huge lesson this week. Work brings happiness. When I get out there and work super hard and focus on the area and the investigators, I’m soooo much happier. I’ve seen a real difference on a personal level this week. I’m excited to keep working and to witness more miracles. :) Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :)

xoxo,

Hermana Van  

Bienvenidos a la Gran Mision Buenos Aires Norte!

May  4, 2015

Hooooola!!! Como Andan??

Okay, so sorry I wasn’t able to write yesterday! I was at the mission house welcoming the new missionaries to the mission! It was sooooo much fun! So what happens is the new missionaries go to the mission house to eat lunch and have interviews with President. Well, while President interviews the missionaries one by one, the assistants and a set of hermana entrenadoras start training the missionaries. We teach about health, safety, elegidos, 3 semanas, how to extend commitments, we do practices, chat get to know them, etc. It was suuuuuper fun. I absolutely loved it! The group of missionaries that just arrived is absolutely stellar! I can’t even believe it! Welcoming the missionaries just sent me right back to when I arrived. I can’t even believe so much time has passed! Never thought that a year later I would be the one doing the "training". Crazy. It was a really awesome experience. I learned a lot. :)

Okay, so as for transfers and my new companion. First off, I’m so incredibly sad that Hermana Palacios is gone. She is one of my absolute greatest friends. No saben cuanto le amo! Ah!!! It’s going to be hard not being with her. :( However, my new companion is awesome!! Her name is Hermana Urra!! She is from Chile! Fun fact: we were both in our training at the same time in Congreso. While I was in the MTC she had her first transfer in training. We both go home in September. It’s so so crazy. I can’t even believe that we’re companions. She’s so awesome. I love her. Oh! And obvio, I’m still in Chacabuco. I hope I die here. It’s an awesome area! :) (Die=finish the mission)

Another fun fact: My area is Korea Town. You know China Town? Yeah, it’s like the same thing but Korean. There are sooooo many Koreans that live in my area. They have a Korean Church in every block almost. It’s crazy jaja! Oddly enough, we don’t have any Korean investigators. I think it’s because they don’t speak Spanish very well. 

Hey so ya know when you don’t feel like you’re stressed out, but you really are so your body takes on the stress in weird ways? Well that is what is currently happening to me...I have dandruff!!!!! QUE ASCO! I found it like two days ago. Ugh!! Trust me, I wash my hair a lot so it’s not lack of washing my hair. My companion told me it’s caused by stress. I’m going to get some special shampoo. I don’t really know what to do to unstress myself because I feel fine. I mean, yeah stressed, but not like overly stressed. Meh oh well. That’s the mish. 

Hey fam, remember when we had Mexican jumping beans??? Yeah, I just remembered that today. Good times, good times. :) 

Um what more? We have a really solid little investigator named Nestor. He goes to all the mutual activities and church, and reads the BOM everyday and prays. He just does it all! He’s going to get baptized May 16th. I’m super excited. His mom, Nelsy, is a little hard. She said she supports him and everything and wants to go to his baptism, but she still hasn’t signed the permission slip and I don’t know why. Si o si we need that permission slip signed, so if you could all pray from her so that she can sign the slip that would be spectacular!! :)

Well, that’s just about everything I have to say for this week. Oh yeah, and I’m super excited for the Mother’s Day Skype sesh. I can’t believe it’s already time to skype again. The time has passed way too quickly. jaja! It’ll be fun seeing your beautiful faces! :) Well, love you all! Have a great week!! :) Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :) 

xoxo,

Hermana Van

Las Llaves y el Ascensor

April 27, 2015

Hooooooola,

Ummmmm.....where do I start? Well as of last Wednesday (the 21st) I’ve been in Argentina for a whole year. That’s so nuts to me. It seems like just yesterday I arrived and ran into the glass door of our apartment building. Crazy to think how fast the time flies.

First off, good news: Nicolas was FINALLY confirmed! It took so much work! He ended up having to spend the night with a member because his mom had something where she was going to have to take him to provincia. I can’t even believe how much opposition there was and how much it took to get this kid confirmed. Oh how I love him though. He is incredible! He stayed the night with the Patriarch and learned so much. He was telling us all about it. He’s so cute! 

The week was pretty normal. Yesterday Violeta went to church. She had a suuuuper long list of questions that she wanted to ask the bishop. She trusts him more than us I guess....whateves jaja. Anyways she’s Evangelist (is that the word in English) and she just has sooooo many doubts about the Book of Mormon. So she asked the bishop about them. Basically her questions were ridiculous. Like straight up ridiculous. She knows everything about the BOM (like about the jaredites, the lamanites, the dark skin, wars, etc.) because she has been reading a ton ABOUT it on the internet. But what she has yet to do sincerely is READ it, not ABOUT it. Amway she was saying that there is no physical proof of the BOM and what not. It was just a really interesting experience. My heart really hurts, because she’s so great and a real sweetheart. It’s such a shame that she was so deceived. :(  As I listened to all her doubts I was super sad for her, but the spirit burned strong within me as it testified that they were just lies of the devil and that the Book of Mormon is true. I could never deny it. 

We had divisions this week. My favorite part of the assignment I have is that I get to know the Hermanas and I get to learn SO MUCH from them! En serio. I love it. They are so amazing and I learn so much from them every time I’m with them. I don’t do much to help, but I know that I’m being strengthened so much by these hermanas. Heavenly Father has some absolutely incredible workers in His vineyard! :)

Okay, so I already briefly mention about how we had to have our lock changed right? Well we had another eventful occurrence with the keys. Okay quickly I’ll explain how the elevators work here in Argentina. There’s a door that you open and then there’s another door on the inside that you have to slide open and then you can enter. So we’re leaving to go to a district meeting and my comp has the keys. Well she opens the elevator doors and drops the keys right where there’s a crack in between the doors and they fall ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM. (We live on the top floor.) All I could do was laugh hysterically! :) Jajaja! It was so so funny. My comp just kept saying Hermana, it’s not funny, it’s not funny. But I honestly had no other reaction! We ended up have to call the elevator guys and they came and lifted the elevator up and went down and got the keys for us. So everything just turned out fine jaja! :) Too good!! :) 

Well, that’s all the patience I have for writing this week. Congrats to Brad and Ali! I’m super happy for you two!! Oh! Also, I’ll be writing next Tuesday because we have transfers next week. Yeah, it’s nuts. I can’t believe it. Anyways, I love you all and hope you all have an amazing week! You are in my prayers! Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :) 

xoxo,

Hermana Van 

Una Semana Milagrosa!

April 20, 2015

Muy Buen Dia!! :)

Como están todos?? Espero de diez!! :) Bueno, this week has been pretty crazy! It’s been a good one! :) Last Tuesday we had to go back to the apartment around 4 so a locksmith could come and change our lock for some technical reasons. So we had borrowed the movie 17 Miracles and decided it would be a good time to watch it. (Unbeknownst to us at the time that it was against the rules, because someone told us it wasn’t and then later we found out it was....don’t worry I’ve repented jaja.) ANYWAYS....17 Miracles. I think it changed my life. I know, it’s crazy that I hadn’t seen it until now, but hey, I guess it just didn’t call my attention before because I must have been a punk. But really, it changed my life. The love I have for the pioneers is sooo much greater than what it once was. I just cried in the movie. It caused me to reflect muchisimo on their lives and sacrifices and then on my own life. It makes me think of the trials I have or have had to face and in comparison to theirs mine are nothing. Ah, I just can’t get over how beautiful the movie was. I think of everything they had to go through for their beliefs. Everything they did to build up the kingdom of God. I am literally awestruck. One lady in the film said just as she was dying that everything would be worth it if her posterity was faithful. Being a pioneer descendent, that struck me so strongly. It is my duty and responsibility to be strong and faithful. They sacrificed so much and thanks to their sacrifices, I have been given the blessings of the gospel without doing anything on my part. I will be eternally grateful for them, what they did, and to be a pioneer descendent. 

Okay, I’m going to be completely honest here, while I love love love my companion, I’m just not a fan of killing people in the mission. (in other words, be the last companion before they go home). Because honestly, it puts me kinda trunky. Ugh, the worst. I’ve been thinking a lot about the fact that I only have 4 months left and it’s sad. I’ve been thinking about what that means and if the attributes I’ve developed have been instilled in me for forever. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can still be a missionary after the mission and how I can apply the things I’ve learned about in the mission. I’ve been reflecting a lot on my own personal conversion and what not. I’ve just had a lot to think about when I talk with my companion about how the post mission life will be. I honestly don’t have very many answers, but I do know that I want to work to make sure that the person I have come to be will continue and progress after the mission as well. 

Last Saturday we met 2 people through a member, Violeta and Saul. They’re 19 and 17. They’re absolutely incredible! We met them and talked with them for like 5 minutes on Saturday and they both came to church the next day even though Saul usually plays soccer at 10am. It was a huge miracle! And Violeta was already talking about how she wants to continue learning more and then maybe one day be a missionary like us. It was absolutely beautiful! I’m so excited to see their progress! Then as we were sitting in Sacrament Meeting  a 12 year old kid walked in all alone! His name is Nestor. We met him through his member friend (see how the members are the key?) this last week. We didn’t focus too much on him because him mom wasn’t too big on the whole church idea, but then towards the end of the meeting, or like half way, his mom and little brother walk in also! It was so so nuts! Miracles all around yesterday! Oh and then he went to the Family Night we had at church! It was so so awesome! The Lord is blessing us so much!!

So this email is a little long and I don’t have much more time to write. So I’ll leave you with this quote to reflect upon by Pres. Howard W. Hunter. "A great indicator of one’s personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others."

I hope you all have an incredible week! Love you a fuuuuulllll!!!!! :) Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :)

xoxo,

Hermana Van    

Vos Sos Colombiana?

April 13, 2015

Hola todos!!!

Well, it’s been an interesting week. I don’t really know what to say. It’s been a little bit of a difficult one. My poor companion is in a lot of pain pretty much every day. She hates staying in and resting, but it’s a necessary thing. Some days we aren’t able to leave so it can be hard on her because she wants to go out and leave so badly. And I mean I do too, but sometimes I have to be the reasonable one and tell her that it’s okay and her health is the most important. Sometimes I just feel like I have no idea what to do in order to help her. So that can be really hard because sometimes I feel like I’m failing her as a companion. But igual, hay que seguir adelante. She’s super great though. I’m definitely learning a lot a lot this transfer!

Last week we did exchanges with some hermanas. (There’s a super awesome story that I’ll be saving for after the mission, so make sure when you ask me about it to ask me about my first exchanges with Palermo jaja) I was with a new Hermana (she’s in her second transfer of training) named Hermana Olivares from Chile. We were in her area and it was just so much fun. She is an incredible missionary already. I love her. I learned so much from her. I found a life long friend in just one day of divisions. She’s so awesome! :) Something she told me is that something she thinks is super important in a future spouse and just in life in general is to be able to suffer well. I thought about that and I basically thought it was genius. I mean, we all have struggles and trials in life, and we can always choose how we suffer through the trials. (This actually all might make more sense in Spanish....Sufrir bien). Anyways, what it means more than anything is that we choose the attitude we have in our trials. We can choose to go through trails with a bad attitude suffering horribly and constantly asking why me, why me OR we can choose to smile through the hard times and be happy. There is always something positive in every situation and we choose if we want to see the positive or not. Suffering well, or suffering happily. It’s something that I want to apply in my life personally. 

Also in the exchanges we were just sitting there waiting for a member to accompany us when this guy just walks up to me with his hand extended to shake my hand and says "Hermana Van!!" I was like what?? Then I realized it was a member from Palermo that had accompanied me and Hermana Cipriano like 7 months ago! It was crazy! It turns out that he is now menos activo and the hermanas in Palermo had never been able to get in contact with him before. And then I just show up knowing him and we find him in the street! Too crazy!!! :)

Basically the greatest thing ever happened to me yesterday!! We were just talking to some ladies knitting in the street yesterday when one of them turns to me and was like "Vos sos colombiana?" Translation: "Are you Colombian?" I was thrilled!!! It’s super rare when people think I’m not from Germany or Ukrainia or Holland. If they think I’m from South America it’s always Brazil! But nope, not yesterday! They thought I was from an actual South American Spanish speaking country! All because of my accent (well that’s what she said to me afterwards.) So yeah, it was a very proud moment of mine!! :)

Basically not a whole lot to report this week. PERDOOOONNNNNN!!!! Jajaja! I think mostly I’m just getting super lazy. But I can’t even think about what else has happened. It’s just been a normal week. Well, Nicolas didn’t get confirmed, but next week he for sure will!! We’re having a bit of a hard time finding right now, but it’s okay. We’ll be finding elegidos super soon! This week without a doubt! Thanks so much for everything! I love you all a fullllll!!!! :) Remember, when we love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :)

xoxo,

Hermana Van

Easter, Conference and a Baptism!

April 6, 2015

Buen Dia!!

Oh what a glorious weekend it was!! I'm seriously so so happy with how this weekend!!! :) Easter, Conference, and a baptism! What more could you ask for???

Hannah got to see her second family at Conference!

So Conference was just stellar!! I loved it so so much. I was very disappointed however that President Monson only spoke one time. It was very very sad! I love hearing our Prophet speak more than once. I can't decide which talk is my favorite. I just loved them all. I love that in conference we are able to receive so many answers to our questions and so much personal revelation. I honestly received so much personal revelation. I know that every single general authority is inspired and called of God. The amount of sadness I feel is unreal as I think about the fact that it was my last Conference in the mission. I don't know why, but conference is just extra special in the mission. It's hard to explain. Crazy to think that this October I'll be chilling with y'all watching conference. Oh also, set a goal for something in your life that you are going to improve on because of what you heard in conference. If we don't set goals and make plans in order to improve based on what we have just learned, it will have been wasted time watching conference. 

Hanna, Nicolas and Hermana Palacios.

So yeah, Nicolas got baptized!! It was absolutely beautiful!! :) Not even kidding. As he was in the font I looked up at his mom (She's not a member) and she was just crying so much as she watched her son enter into a sacred covenant with God. It was a very tender moment to witness. I have no doubt that he will one day be a missionary and that he will help so many people enter into this exact same covenant. Thus, we will never see the full fruit of our labor. 

So right now we're in President's house. My companion is quite sick. President wanted us to come today so that he could have interviews with both of us. This last week has been super rough for my companion and her health. But honestly her health has been really bad for the past few months. I feel so so bad for her. :( Basically she just got out of her interview with President and told me that she will be going home early. Mostly like at the end of this transfer. I'm so incredibly sad for her, however I know that this must be God's plan for her. She told me that she is extremely extremely sad, but that she also feels a lot of peace; that peace no doubt being a tender gift from the Spirit. I think sometimes we take for granted the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is without a doubt one of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father could offer us. I know that God has a plan very specific for each one of us. We are all His children and we are all unique. Because of our uniqueness we all have a plan that is very very unique. I have learned through watching my companion go through this trial that we must never compare the plan God has for us to other people's plans. We all need to pass through different trials and experiences so that we can learn and develop. And since we're all different we don't all need the same things in order to learn and develop. Remember mis queridos, to always trust in His plan. He is in charge. Life is a lot easier (even when we're in the midst of a really hard trial) when we accept His plan and His will. Se que es asi con todo mi corazon.

 Well I feel like that's it for now. Thanks for all your prayers and support. It would mean so much to me if you would all keep my companion, Hermana Palacios, in your prayers. She is incredible!  She is a hero of mine. Thanks for everything! I love you all so so much!!! Remember, when you love the way the Savior does, miracles happen. And of course, Stay Anxiously Engaged!! :) 

xoxo,

Hermana Van

Ps. I'm typing on an American keyboard. It's weird. #argentine