Maybe It's Emily

klgaldkfnga;djklf

2012-01-08T21:41:00.001-07:00

Just to get some things off my chest.
I'm the new Relief Society President in my ward. I'm just afraid I won't take it seriously enough rather than being so nervous or not up to the challenge. I'm stomping down the voice that would want to stomp me down. How much I want to be a good Relief Society president for these sisters!
I am grateful for the sisters who accepted the callings to help me. I need them, and I hope they just as much need me. How much I can't do this without them!
So really, I'm okay. Just a lot to think about, you know?
I always have a lot to think about. My calling. School. Buying a car maybe soon. Boys.
How much I hate that subject right now.
Because I broke up with my boyfriend. Almost two weeks ago. And the decision was mutual. And it was a bummer, sure. I worked and flirted my booty off to be able to get to where we were. And I was crazy about him. But things weren't moving along towards marriage. Really, no. And I keep telling myself, This is better. He can't fulfill your needs. He has a bad attitude sometimes. He's not what I need. And I get to a place where I feel good. I feel great! And that I have moved on! That we can just be friends and live free and enjoy thinking about what the future may hold!
But every night I dream about him. I hate those dreams. They make me miss him and put me right back on square one. And he's such a flirt. Whenever I see him he does it. But I think he does it to a lot of girls. I dunno! And he won't leave me alone- he's always in my head. I can't concentrate because mentally I'm yelling out WWWWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYY?????????????
I just want this to go away. It's dragging me down, it's bumming me out. It makes me want to cry. Because I feel so dumb. We had our first date back in August, and he would get close and then back off, get close and then back off. And I would always want to say I'm done! I'm done playing this game! I don't want to date him anymore. And then something would happen, and there he always was, with the cue card that said Date Him!!!!! And I did. I always ascribed it to Providence, because what else would it be? It happened way too many times for it to be coincidence. So is this what is happening again? Or do I just need to learn control over my romanticism? What do I need to do concerning this? I feel so lost.
And then I ask myself, If you can't even figure out this, how can you give your dedication to your new calling and to the sisters? How can you help and sustain them when you can't even help and sustain yourself?
And I want to listen to the still small voice. I want to know what I need to do.
Brain ready to explode now.

Dating.... stinks

2011-11-21T22:48:00.001-07:00

I found out about a book that explains how I feel about this subject:

I seriously hate dating.
Something that has been a blessing to me is the counsel from Pres.Uchtdorf that he gave in a CES fireside in November of 2009:

"I know this may be a disappointment for some of you, but I don’t believe there is only one right person for you. I think I fell in love with my wife, Harriet, from the first moment I saw her. Nevertheless, had she decided to marry someone else, I believe I would have met and fallen in love with someone else. I am eternally grateful that this didn’t happen, but I don’t believe she was my one chance at happiness in this life, nor was I hers."

Dating and finding my eternal companion is all my choice! Nobody controls this part of my life except for me.

"There are those who do not marry because they feel a lack of “magic” in the relationship. By “magic” I assume they mean sparks of attraction. Falling in love is a wonderful feeling, and I would never counsel you to marry someone you do not love. Nevertheless—and here is another thing that is sometimes hard to accept—that magic sparkle needs continuous polishing. When the magic endures in a relationship, it’s because the couple made it happen, not because it mystically appeared due to some cosmic force.
"Frankly, it takes work. For any relationship to survive, both parties bring their own magic with them and use that to sustain their love. Although I have said that I do not believe in a one-and-only soul mate for anyone, I do know this: once you commit to being married, your spouse becomes your soul mate, and it is your duty and responsibility to work every day to keep it that way. Once you have committed, the search for a soul mate is over. Our thoughts and actions turn from looking to creating.
"But what about those who despair of ever finding an eternal companion? First, don’t give up. Go to activities, meet people, and do all you can. I know that dating can be rough. Rejection is one of the most painful things we can experience. Trust me, I know how this feels. I fell in love with Harriet long before she fell in love with me.
"But this didn’t stop me—not at all. I found ways to be in the same place she was. When I was administering the sacrament at church, I arranged to pass it to her family. I was doing the best I could to impress her, but I think she found me a little immature. The sparks simply weren’t there for her. I despaired of ever convincing her that I could be anything more than a friend.
I went away, joined the Air Force, and then traveled half a world away to attend pilot training in the United States. It wasn’t until I returned to Germany having completed my training as a fighter pilot—years after I had first met her—that this beautiful young woman looked at me and said those magical words I had been longing to hear: “You have matured since the last time I saw you.”
I moved quickly after that, and within a few months I married the woman I had loved for a long, long time.
"So don’t give up, brothers and sisters. Just because you have been rejected a time or two—or three or four, or a couple hundred times—don’t despair. Brethren, the secret to finding the girl of your dreams is to get to know many of them and then, when you fall in love and it feels right, ask her to marry you. If she says no, you continue to search and to pray until finally you will arrive with that young woman at the altar of the temple. Just don’t give up.
"Now, sisters, be gentle. It’s all right if you turn down requests for dates or proposals for marriage. But please do it gently. And brethren, please start asking! There are too many of our young women who never go on dates. Don’t suppose that certain girls would never go out with you. Sometimes they are wondering why no one asks them out. Just ask, and be prepared to move on if the answer is no.
"One of the trends we see in some parts of the world is our young people only “hanging out” in large groups rather than dating. While there is nothing wrong with getting together often with others your own age, I don’t know if you can really get to know individuals when you’re always in a group. One of the things you need to learn is how to have a conversation with a member of the opposite sex. A great way to learn this is by being alone with someone—talking without a net, so to speak.
Dates don’t have to be—and in most cases shouldn’t be—expensive and over-planned affairs. When my wife and I moved from Germany to Salt Lake City, one of the things that most surprised us was the elaborate and sometimes stressful process young people had developed of asking for and accepting dates.
"Relax. Find simple ways to be together. One of my favorite things to do when I was young and looking for a date was to walk a young lady home after a Church meeting. Remember, your goal should not be to have a video of your date get a million views on YouTube. The goal is to get to know one individual person and learn how to develop a meaningful relationship with the opposite sex.
"Now, there are those among you fine young members of the Church who might never marry. Although they are worthy in every way, they may never find someone to whom they will be sealed in the temple of the Lord in this life. There is no way for those who have not experienced this despair to truly understand the loneliness and pain they might feel. I know of many women who want more than anything else to be a wife and a mother, and they cannot understand why their prayers have never been answered. There are many single men who, for whatever reason, also find themselves alone.
"First, let me tell you that your prayers are heard. Your Father in Heaven knows the desires of your heart. I cannot tell you why one individual’s prayers are answered one way while someone else’s are answered differently. But this I can tell you: the righteous desires of your hearts will be fulfilled.
Sometimes it can be difficult to see anything beyond the path immediately before us. We are impatient and do not want to wait for a future fulfillment of our greatest desires. Nevertheless, the brief span of this life is nothing in comparison with eternity. And if only we can hope and exercise faith and joyfully endure to the end—and I say joyfully endure to the end—there, in that great heavenly future, we will have the fulfillment of the righteous desires of our hearts and so very much more that we can scarcely comprehend now.
"In the meantime, do not wait for someone else to make your life complete. Stop second-guessing yourself and wondering if you are defective. Instead, seek to reach your potential as a child of God. Seek learning. Become engaged in a meaningful career, and seek fulfillment in service to others. Use your time, your talents, and your resources to improve yourself and bless those around you. All of this is part of your preparation for having a family. Immerse yourself in your ward or branch and seek to magnify your callings, no matter what they may be.
"The great purpose of this mortal existence is to learn to fully love our Heavenly Father and our neighbor as ourselves. If we do this with all our might, mind, and strength, our eternal destiny will be glorious and grand beyond our capacity to imagine. Be faithful, and things will work out for you. That is His eternal promise to all who love and honor Him."

And I find that this time is to prepare me for when I do find someone who I can share my life with. It will come. I'm practicing right now. I need to learn to communicate. I need to decide what I want so that when I come across it, I can recognize it and work my heart out to never let him go. It's a humbling experience.

I seriously hate dating. But I know that it's for my good. I'm going to be an awesome wife someday for all of the silly things I go through today. Ladies, hold your heads up high! You go through this for a reason. You are being turned into diamonds. You are being prepared. You are being perfected. You are perfect sisters.
Besos! Be of good cheer, and I'll try too, okay? Deal.
Emily

Coming home

2011-09-28T08:13:00.006-06:00

When returned missionaries say that there should be an RMTC, they're not kidding.
At least make a support group or something!
At first coming back home wasn't too bad. I was doing really well actually! But the more I'm home the harder it is. I think I actually got depressed yesterday. I hate being depressed. The anxiety of not knowing what's going on in my life or where she's going has been getting to me. I've heard that when you get home you don't feel like doing anything anymore. Like all the stuff you used to love to do doesn't really entice you anymore. I used to love books and movies; I loved to learn and go to school. But the desire hasn't been there since I've been home. I don't feel like doing any of that stuff. But I also hear say that you kind of have to get in your mind what you like and what goals you want in your life and push yourself (aka force yourself) to do it. Because it's not easy. It's not easy coming from a very structured life where it was all planned out for you that made sense, to a world that everything is up to you. It's not easy coming home a new creature, unsure of who you were and who you are because it's still so new.
And don't even get me started on dating and boys.
But I'm reinforcing the idea that coming home is definitely a trial by fire, testimony gaining and strengthening experience. You gotta rely on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ even more, that they will not lead you astray or let wander in paths of bad choices. That they are still there to listen to and answer your prayers. Because they will. Maybe in their own time and their own way, but they will. I've been trying to tell myself that. I'm trying to more than that. I'm trying to believe it.
And the anxiety slips away.
The depression ebbs.
And the road to hope clears and trust is established.
Therefore having joy in the journey becomes more than a cute catchphrase, but really your way of life ingrained into your heart.
So my fellow RM's, don't despair. We all go through it. I heard the average of about 6 months. I've heard 6 years. Everyone is unique. But we all go through it. Take hope in the fact that you are not weird or alone. You are not a freak. But you can wear out the storm and be even better because of it.
The mission might be the best year and a half or two years of your life, but she also makes the following years the best of your life as well.
Enjoy the journey.

Jane Austen was on to something...

2011-09-20T05:44:00.005-06:00

No man is offended by another man's admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment. -Jane Austen

I love how every woman I know loves Jane Austen. We can all relate to one character or another. I can relate to Emma. I'm not a matchmaker, I'm not rich, but I can relate to the fact that I'm young and live in my own ideal world. I'm okay with that.
Although I love Emma, I do not appreciate that Jane Austen was not writing about a character in her head, but about me!
In Emma, Emma takes young Harriet under her wing to help educate her and set her up with a smart match. Emma vigorously takes up this challenge until Harriet falls for Mr.Knightly, who Emma has unknowingly loved. And then Emma goes through the torture of wondering if she has lost Mr.Knightly forever.
Now change Emma for Emily. I'm dead serious. This is happening to me.
Add a bit of Elinor from Sense and Sensibility. I've meet a guy. Wonderful. He's great. I'm very interested. I'm pretty sure he is too. But just like Elinor and Edward, something isn't moving along. I really want to get to know this guy better. But the heartbreak ensues when the scene between Elinor and Anne Steele really happened to me. Twice. And I don't say anything to anybody. Because I don't want people to know what I'm going through. This blog isn't supporting my designs. But this is what pains me most...
Jane Austen novels always end up with the happy ending. But will my story? As much as my life is a realistic reflection of her novels, doesn't mean that I will end like Emma or Elinor. It breaks my heart. What to do? I dunno.
Jane, will you please write a happy ending to my story?

Post

2011-06-30T09:34:00.004-06:00

I'm home! Just to let you know...

1. I will call you!

2. I made a new blog for spanish speakers wanting to know more about the gospel. Refer whoever you want!

3. I'm doing alright. Thanks for all your support and prayers; I have felt them!

4. I love you!

Besitos y abrazos, Emily

She is in the States!

2011-06-17T10:24:00.002-06:00

Emily called about 6:45 a.m. to let us know she was in Dallas. So it looks like she will be in SLC at the scheduled time.

Airline: AMERICAN AIRLINES AA604
Leaving date: 17 JUNFrom: DALLAS TX at 12:05 p.m.
Arriving: SALT LAKE C, UT at 1:40 p.m.

Gate A3

I know there will be lots of missionaries coming home from Argentina. So we may be hard to find.

On Her Way Home Finally!

2011-06-17T02:06:00.003-06:00

Emily wrote that they were leaving early this morning. She neglected to tell where she was going and how. But we will assume that they made it to Santiago. The flight was on time into Dallas at 6:11 a.m. on Friday, June 17th. (as of 11:30 p.m.) Anticipated time of arrival in Salt Lake City is expected to remain the same.

I will check first thing in the morning to see if she sent out any messages when she lands. We will call the travel department to make sure that the missionaries made it onto this flight.

NEW ITINERARY

2011-06-15T16:16:00.003-06:00

Emily sent an email saying that they would not be leaving until Saturday and coming in late Sunday. But an hour later we received her new itinerary. Parts of this letter are below:

The missionaries will be traveling to Santiago Chile tomorrow (Thursday) and they will travel from Santiago to the United States. This is the new itinerary.

Airline: AMERICAN AIRLINES AA940
Leaving date: 16 JUN
From: SANTIAGO, Chile at 8:50 p.m.
Arriving: DALLAS TX at 6:05 a.m.

Airline: AMERICAN AIRLINES AA604
Leaving date: 17 JUN
From: DALLAS TX at 12:05 p.m.
Arriving: SALT LAKE C, UT at 1:40 p.m.

We think they are sending them by bus to Santiago. I am curious about the volcano ash in Santiago, but they seem to think they can do it.

If you are thinking about coming to the airport, please check here to make sure she has made it out of Santiago on Thursday night. At that point, she is on her way home and it should be okay. I will make sure to post it as soon as American Airlines verifies that the flight is in the air.

DELAYED BY A VOLCANO!!!

2011-06-14T20:41:00.002-06:00

Yes, you read that right. Emily's flight has been delayed by a volcano. Let me explain. Last week, a volcano in Chile erupted spewing tons of ash in the air. The ash has reached Buenos Aires and is making it difficult for planes to take off. She is in a hotel in Buenos Aires with other missionaries on their ways home. She will call me as soon as she knows when she is flying out. We are all bummed.

Anyone who still wants to come to the airport, please call me at 208-705-6090 and I will put you on the call list.

Marilyn Georgeson
(Emily's Mom)

You Are Invited!

2011-06-08T01:39:00.002-06:00

Anyone desiring to come greet Emily when she comes home, here is the itinerary of her flight into Salt Lake.

Date: 15 June 2011
Airlines: AMERICAN AIRLINES, Flight AA 2529, Terminal 1
Leaving DALLAS TX at 300 P
Arriving SALT LAKE CITY UT at 440 P

Please look for our family and join with us to make her homecoming a big one.

A VOLCANO ERUPTED!!!!!!!!!

2011-06-08T01:25:00.004-06:00

THIS WEEK WE HAVE A MIRACLE BAPTISM!!! And we're excited. He's been a tough cookie. He's the husband of an ex-missionary and has been investigating for the past twelve years, and now he feels is the time to put his family together. That's his main reason. He's a good husband and father, and wants that family unity, and that's a big push for him. He will get his confirmation as he works and learns in the gospel. His son just turned 14, so we think that his son will be able to baptize him. BUT his family still doesn't know! That's okay, a sweet little surprise for his family on Saturday.

This weekend is stake conference. We're getting a special satellite broadcast from Salt Lake. A baptism for stake conference. A baptism for my last week. That makes my little heart sing.

We've been working more and more with members this past week. We had 13 lessons with members, when we struggle to get 7! We're involving members more and more and we've been meeting with success. All of our new investigators have friends in the church. The bummer is that we didn't get to meet all of our goals because...

A VOLCANO ERUPTED!!!!!!!!!

Puyehue, a volcano about 100 Km from in in Chile erupted spreading ash all over the place. We were helping the members clean the church when we noticed a big nasty cloud coming in. We thought "Snap that a huge storm!" and then when we went outside we realized that it wasn't rain, but ash and pumice. We left with a member to visit some appointments, and we asked him "should we be worried?" Na, he said, we were fine. We left out of our first visit, and people are running around with hospital masks like crazy "Are you sure we shouldn't be worried?" Na, we were fine. When we left out of our second visit we realized that we had a couple calls from our district leader. Turned out we weren't supposed to be outside. We thought that it was fine and we waited for someone to let us know that it wasn't okay. Alright, they call us two hours later. But we're fine. We bought some food and began boiling water-I believe that we now have enough water to last us a month. We've got water all over the place. I'll show you the pictures when I get home.

Yesterday only five of us were in church - us, the ward mission leader, the
bishop, and my convert Andrés Vila. Then an hermana came at the end. The stake president also came and called us the wimpiest ward :) We had sacrament meeting and shared testimonies. It was cute. They didn't want us walking around yesterday, so they said that we can visit members or stay in the pension. We were in the pension for a couple of hours and my companion decided that she was going to go crazy, so we ended the day visiting members. We had ash all over the place. I imagine that when I'm home I'll still have ash in my hair :)

And now Bariloche looks like the beach.

Wow! I can't believe that I forgot! It was crazy the first night because ash was falling like snow and there was some killer lightning. It was intense! The windows were rattling, and the thunder lasted for 30 seconds at a time I say! It was the shortest shower I have ever taken because I was so freaked out :)

The bummer is that now I have to visit a bunch of members to say goodbye since they weren't in church, especially to remind them that we have stake conference this weekend.

I gotta go, but take care! And I'll see you soon!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

The pics are from Hna. Bundy's camera, therefore she is in the picture of our patio Sunday morning.

Letter from the Mission President

2011-06-08T01:23:00.000-06:00

Dear Family Georgeson

Your daughter, Sister Emily Rose Georgeson, will complete her missionary assignment in the Argentina Neuquén Mission on June 14, 2011. We have greatly enjoyed having Sister Georgeson in our mission and appreciate more than you will ever know your willingness to share her with us and with the wonderful people of the Patagonia.

Sister Georgeson has served a most successful mission as an obedient, caring missionary. You can be justly proud of her and her accomplishments. She is returning home with a strong testimony of the Savior and the spiritual strength that comes from having served Him faithfully. We feel confident she will continue a life of activity in the Church. We encourage you to give her ample opportunity to share her testimony and missionary experiences.

Please recognize that adjustment is a difficult process for all returned missionaries and Sister Georgeson will need your continued love, support and understanding. Give her encouragement in making some of life’s important decisions.

Sister Georgeson has had a wide variety of experience as a missionary that will serve her well throughout her life. She has served as a junior companion and senior companion. More importantly; she was called to train a new missionary. The calling to train a new missionary is the most trusted responsibility in the mission. This shows the confidence that Sister Georgeson has earned. She is a wonderful woman of faith and it has truly been a joy for me to serve with her. We will miss her here in the mission and sincerely pray that she will experience success in all of her future endeavors.

On behalf of the entire mission, we express our deepest appreciation to you and pray for the Lord´s choicest blessings to be with you.

Sincerely,
Darwin F Peterson, President
Argentina Neuquén Mission

May 30: I got my super trunky papers today.

2011-06-08T01:19:00.002-06:00

Get to feeling better! I won't let you get me sick :) Really. I'm sorry that you had to miss Barrett's graduation. But at least I'm not alone in missing out on everything. Did Barrett's graduating class do anything fun for graduation?

I got my super trunky papers today.

AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! No gracias!

Hna. Bundy says that the MTC is for the new missionaries to de-worldatize themselves. There should be something like that for returning missionaries. Between the freak out of finishing and having to sign up for classes at BYU-I, I'm starting to hate my internet time. I tried signing up for classes but it won't let me. I want to say ENOUGH! Trust the Lord shall be my motto, because it's totally out of my hands now. Okay.

This week has been kind of a shocker. One of my converts, who everyone thought was doing really well stopped coming to church and began going to her old church. I have to call her because I haven't seen her in a long while. Nobody really knows what happened. But okay. I'll do my best to help her out.

I got to see folkdance in the church. The Samba, the Gato, and another one that I don't remember. We had the activity for the 25 de Mayo where I ate a butt load of empanadas. Hno. Cañumil sang folksongs. It was awesome. Hna. Bundy had her 22nd birthday! I made her biscuits and gravy. We ate with the Fila Guevara, and Hna. Guevara is una buena cocinera :) I'm sorry. She's a great cook.

We reached our goal of finding 16 new people to teach. It's all just a matter of opening your mouth. We're aiming to have at least one baptism each week until I go home. It'll be a little bit of a miracle since we have nobody prepared for these days, but the Lord can make things happen, no?

I got to speak yesterday in church. I based my talk on Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy, and who knew that the interlude hymn was the very same? I took it to be that the Lord wanted the talk that I had prepared.

I really don't know what else to say.

But take care, and I love you all!

Hna.Georgeson

Tell Adam good luck in his new calling! Pray, listen to the Lord, trust Him, and he'll do great :)

Letter from the Mission President's wife

2011-06-08T01:18:00.000-06:00

Brother and Sister Georgeson,

I just wanted to send a quick note and tell you how much we love Hermana Georgeson. She is so positive and so kind to everyone. She is such a wonderful missionary and has served so faithfully and with all her heart. Her beautiful singing voice has invited the spirit to be with us in many zone conferences as she has shared her wonderful talent. It will be hard to see her leave in a few weeks but we know that she is going to continue to be a missionary throughout her life. Thank you for teaching her so well.

Love,

Hermana Peterson

Zone Conference May 2011

2011-06-08T01:14:00.003-06:00

Here is a picture of our zone. I am in the front row next to Sister Bundy. Next comes the Mission President and his wife.

May 23: ¡WOW MOM!

2011-06-08T01:12:00.002-06:00

¡WOW MOM!

I love saying that because if you print this out and flip the page upside down, it says the same thing! How cool and ingenious is that!

Pero en serio! Crazy stuff! Sweet laptops, hijacked Internet stuffs, your bebito growing up, your other bebito apparently growing younger. The world has gone upside down crazy just like my ¡WOW MOM!

Whoa.

I hope you feel better, you must take care of yourself- drink water, drink tea, drink air, whatever you can get your hands on! I keep thinking that you're all in winter because it's turned freakishly cold here, but alas, these are summer bugs. Here you bundle yourself up more and drink tea. Mmm, tea... Don't contaminate! :)

How's Papito doing? I haven't heard from him in a little while. I imagine it's crazy with Barrett graduating. Scream extra loud for me!!!

This week has been fairly calm. It's gotten a lot colder. It snowed a little bit. Now that it's colder the snow isn't melting in the hills round about. Everybody kept threatening us with snow this weekend, but we came out triumphant. We just have to wear a little more.

This Thursday is Hna. Bundy's birthday. The 25th is a holiday, and we're going to eat empanadas at the church for lunch. We can invite investigators, and who wants to miss empanadas?!?

We're shooting for two baptisms on Hna. Bundy's birthday. They're the spouses of members. Walter and Vanesa. They'll wonderful, really. Sincere, caring, they just need a little help to awaken their desire to know for sure if the church is true. They already know it, but that's our work to help them acknowledge it. It sounds weird, and it's hard to explain, but it's true.

I LOVE MY MISSION! I keep having dreams about going home or being home, and they make me freaked out and sad at the same time. Go home?!? That's not supposed to happen! I just got here! I don't want to stop speaking Spanish! NEVER!

Well, I have to speak to you when I go home, but it'll be a weird experience.
But fine. I'm keeping myself concentrated. I always forget that I'm going home. I'm working so that nobody realizes it. It's been working up till now. MWA HA HA!!

love you all and take care!

Hna. Georgeson

May 17th: AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

2011-06-08T01:07:00.001-06:00

NOW I get the message from Janelle :) Just kidding! Let her know I think about her too and I loooove her!

Kristin is married!!!!!!!!!

Rhawnie is pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

Por qué el mundo sigue tan rápido???? Ré loco!!!

Anyway, zone conference yesterday! Bittersweet because it's my last! But it was great. We listened to the talk from Elder Oaks about desires, because in reality, everything has to do with our desires. It blows my mind away! The thing that I loved the most was when president showed a talk given by Elder Holland in the MTC in January this year. It made all of us think.

It stirs up tiernos sentimientos upon thinking about this moment.

I must say it again, I loooove being companions with Hna. Bundy. Ella es un pan de Dios! Really, she's a sweetheart, a hard worker, and a motivated missionary. She has patience and confidence in me. She's helped me a lot in these two short weeks. I know that Alto 1 will be in good hands when I go. She never ceases to amaze me.

Cristina got baptized! Her cousin, Diego Sepulveda baptized her. Her daughter came to the service. The next day when she was confirmed she cried. She felt the spirit. She received a witness, and I'm so happy she did. It came out great.

We're now fighting for Walter, the husband of a member, to be baptized. We're teaching him tonight, and we're going to try to set the date. We're also fighting for Marta and her family so they can be baptized also. Marta I met when I was here with Hna. Smith, and always wanted to visit her, but never found her. I say she's the reason why I haven't left yet! I needed to find and baptize her and her family! We're aiming for a baptism on Hna. Bundy's birthday, May 26.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! And I love my crazy Argentines. I have dreams at night. Weird dreams. Sad dreams. If I'm not working in the mission field, I'm going home, and it makes me sad. Last night it was Johnny Depp dressed up as Jack Sparrow as a member. Hna. Bundy and I called him Sparrow and he didn't like it, and was trying to avoid us. But when I called him Johnny he came and said "How can I help? Who needs fellowshipping?" And then I woke up. But I liked it. I would love Jack/Johnny to accompany us.

Gotta go, but I love you all! Stay cheery and cool! Keep my baby well! Keep yourselves well!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I don't have an accent?

2011-05-09T15:17:00.002-06:00

Anyway, I don't have an accent? That's cool. I've got a talent for accents, so it makes sense that I haven't developed one. I haven't spoken English at all for the past 3 months, and I'm going to end that way. My companion and I are both from the U.S. but we're going to be speaking Spanish the entire time until I go. I promise, I'm speaking Spanish the entire time! I didn't get to tell anyone, but the other day a man we were talking to asked us our names, and Hna. Bundy said hers, and I said mine, and he said "She's from here, you can hear it in her voice." And then asking Hna. Bundy, "Where are you from?" TRIUMPH!!!

Hna. Bundy is amazing. She's great. She works in a way that I never have in my mission, and we're seeing so much more success. At times I find it demotivating the lack of progress the ward has made since I've been here. It really bums me out. But Hna. Bundy told me that her goal is to help me see the fruits of my labor here. At times I feel like a crotchety old missionary compared to her. But I love the way she works. It's a challenge, but one I like. It's not easy, but I know it's worth it.
By the way, Hna. Sancé did end up with Hna. Jones. Qué tal.

Cristina didn't make it to her original baptismal date. But after this last lesson this past Saturday she's even more excited. When I say excited it's like Daddy excited (w o w). But you can tell she's looking more forward to it. She asked us at what time it would be and everything. She went to church yesterday, and she seemed to have a good experience. We're very content :)

Not really too much to say right now.

Well, I did talk to you all yesterday.

Take care and love you all lots! Concerning the new branch, or ward, or whatever it is, go anyway. Support the decisions of local church leaders. You'll all be blessed for it.

Tell bub not to worry about it. The Lord will help him no matter what he wants to do.

Love love love, Hna. Georgeson

P.S. I'll let you know more and more about miracles next week.

Wait - I'll tell you one. Last week we passed by the house of a new investigator whose a little slower. We wanted her to pray, but she didn't want to. Instead of giving up and doing it ourselves, we guided her through all the steps. It took a while, but it was a sweet moment. We helped a daughter of God open the doors of communication with her Heavenly Father. Yay. That's all :)

Bariloche 'till the end

2011-05-09T15:09:00.003-06:00

Letter dated May 2nd:

Tomorrow is Día de Bariloche and yesterday was Día del Trabajador (like Labor day). Feriados all over the place!

First things first. I'm sorry for not writing last week. I was so caught up in trying to leave instructions for registration that I wasted all my time. I got permission today from president to do registration, so I'll go ahead and do it at a later time. Once again I'm really sorry, it was a lack of responsibility and care on my part. Also Mother's day is the 8th so I can call home! I will be calling around the same time that I called last year so be aware! It'll be about 20:00 here, so I think that it would be about 17:00 there. Fa, I think. Wait - that's this Sunday! WOW MOM!

Thirdly, today is transfers. I was not transferred. I get the immense pleasure of staying in Barioche 'till the end. But sadly Hna. Sancé is being sent to Neuquén. Mi refuerza me deja! She's leaving me! I'm really excited because she gets to progress and move on with her mission and have tons of great new experiences. It's a bummer because I'll really miss her. Our district leader told us the name of her new companion, but according to the missionary couple in the office, this sister doesn't exist. I think she'll be with my Hna. Jones, my companion from the MTC! That makes me happy because I haven't seen her since January 2010! I'm getting Hna. Jones' companion Hna. Bundy. I believe she got here in December. They told me that she's a fun and energetic missionary, so I'm excited. I think we'll get along just great.

In recent news, we decided to drop Andrés San Martín. It's really sad. He's so proud of heart and so ridiculously silly that it just doesn't penetrate to his brain! When we taught him the ten commandments, he began rallying on about the first commandment where God declares that he is a jealous God. We went to the scripture guide in the back of the scriptures and read that there are two definitions for jealous in the scriptures, the applicable one the first. We kept telling him the first definition, the first definition, but he just kept saying the second? The second? His lack of genuine listening was wearing on us. We taught about prophets and at the end he declared to us that he doesn't believe that there are living prophets. They didn't prophesy something new in conference, therefore Pres. Monson is not a prophet. He also began reading D&C and was accusing Joseph Smith of being an emphatic jerk (He was reading in D&C 28). We tried explaining to him but he wouldn't let us talk, he just kept accusing. That's it! We invited and taught him the best we could, and now it will be to his condemnation. I feel bad for his son. His mother a member, his father refusing to recognize the legitimacy of the church. His wife makes me sad. She's going to suffer her entire life for choosing him to be her husband. Their entire family will suffer. For that the church encourages that we court faithful members of the church to avoid such discord and strife. It makes me really sad to think about how much that family will suffer. Their poor son!

In happier news, we have four other baptismal dates. Elisa and Juaquín, who are mother and son, for the 14th. Cristina for this Saturday. She will be a work of faith and a miracle. She's hard to crack, but slowly we're gaining her confidence. She's not to big on organized religion because her mother made herself mentally ill from fasting and reading the Bible too much (Cristina was only about 15/13 years old). We found out recently that she prays to Gauchito Gil, who is bogus. He's not even a saint! His tale comes from Mendoza or Córdoba. He's the Argentine Robin Hood. Yet people pray to him all the time. This opportunity to work with Cristina will be great and wonderful. She's willing to listen. Just needs to be encouraged to try. I want to help her develop a relationship and trust with Heavenly Father.

As far as this week goes, that's all I got. I'm learning more and more about following the Spirit, working under his direction. Exercising power and authority. Developing charity. I'm continually learning about the law of consecration. I love my mission. It fills me with so much gratitude to think about how richly my life has been blessed. I have such little time left, but I'm not leaving without richly blessing someone else's life in the name of Jesus Christ.

How are you all doing? I haven't heard from you in about two weeks. How's it all going? Graduation plans? Work? Clubs? Other enjoyable recreational activities? What's the scoop? (I feel like I'm a part of the Scooby Do Gang. What a ham!)

There's a member here who's preparing for a mission. Leo- 20 years old. He reminds me a lot of Adam, with Barrett's hair. We were in their house yesterday and it really hit me. He looks a lot like Adam if he were Latin; they like the same kind of music. He even plays a little bit of Warcraft. A little. It made me think about how much I love my brothers! They mean the world to me. The world. They are a huge part of who I am. Adam, Micah, Barrett- I love you!

Also mama, I think more and more about what kind of member I will be like when I go home. I have come to realize that missionary work has everything to do with everything! I love the gospel! I think about how I will integrate missionary work into my everyday life. I think about it... and I think I'll be like you! I now get why you are always the last to leave... everything! You talk with everyone, you make them feel at home. You make them feel important and special. It's not because you're nuts- heaven's no! You didn't serve a mission, but you live in the spirit of missionary work.

And Daddy... you're my Daddy. I'll always love and admire you.

I gotta go, but take care and have a great week! I'll talk to you Sunday! MAKE ROOM IN YOUR SCHEDULES TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO ME 5 MINUTES EACH- MAMA you get 15 :)

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

An elderly lady called me Hna. Yoyo

2011-05-09T14:59:00.002-06:00

Letter dated April 18th:

I'm not going to lie, everything about today has been a surprise! BARRETT WENT TO PROM! AND I MISSED IT!!!! He's like my young little adult! I freaked out and showed the pictures to my companion. By the way, what's a smartphone?

The article about the sister from Puerto Madryn (April Ensign) is from another ward over there. I never knew her, but that's so cool!!! I'm kind of freaking out about everything. Don't make me trunky!!! ;)

First thing, DON'T GIVE ME MORE MONEY. I'll be spending the least amount possible. I don't want to take out a loan. I would much rather do any menial labor to earn money, or even just do online classes before taking out a loan. Please tell Daddy to please do my registration quick. If needs be, please make Barrett do it. Or Adam. If we wait I will not be able to get into the classes that I need to.

He he, don't tell Elder Chivers, but my Hna. Smith would be perfect for him. She's about the same height. 1 meter and 93 centimeters. I don't know what that means. Just tall :) I will have to let her know about him ;)

You were right, your pouch letter really surprised me. I thought maybe someone died. Nope, my mama just wanted to write me a letter. Mary's home by now. OH MY GOSH! Wow! How time really goes by.

This week has been interesting. I shook hands with a man who blew his boogers into his hand because he didn't have a tissue. Needless to say, it freaked us out. Also, I forgot to tell you, an elderly lady called me Hna. Yoyo. My companion could keep back the laugh. Thank goodness she was elderly and didn't notice :)

Andrés didn't get baptized, but we set a new goal with him for 30/4. He's nuts. I say that lovingly. He's already decided that the Book of Mormon wasn't true. He says that his six month old son told him that the book wasn't true. His son repeated his mom and said "lie" one day and he took it as a sign. That and he doesn't like how the Book of Mormon has a lot in common with the Bible. I don't know what the man expects then. So basically he's decided that he has two signs saying that it's not true, but when we asked him if he's made a decision he says "Not yet." He's living proof of what James says after 1:5. It's sad.

We have two more investigators with a baptismal date- Elisa and Juaquín- a mother and son. He likes it all (12 years old), but we think they slept in yesterday, therefore they didn't come to church. Their date is for 30/4 also, so it'll be hard core fighting to get them there.

We hold English classes every Saturday morning, but nobody comes. The man who came regularly before hasn't been there for two weeks. Juaquín came with a friend this past Saturday. We'll be seeing if we're going to keep it up or stop if nobody comes. Everyone says that they'll come, but where are they???

This week has been frustrating for my companion and I concerning the members. One of them made my companion cry. But then again, this member isn't a can of peaches. We don't get members to accompany us because they all give us excuses. We can't take it anymore. NO MORE! We'll be trying to just spend time with the sisters to try to befriend them. Pray for us that it will work!

Last night I had a dream that my companion could speak English. It was cute with her accent. Today we ran across members from Brazil who are here on their honeymoon. How cute! I also lost my planner yesterday. It must have fallen out of my pocket. We searched all over the path that we took, but we couldn't find it. I find it extremely frustrating because I had a lot of important notes in it. Plans, goals, ideas, birthdays.

Speaking of birthdays...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all, and take care! Tell the boys to write me!!!!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

It's official! She coming home! (UPDATED)

2011-04-05T14:06:00.003-06:00

I got the itinerary for Emily's return flight. She will be home on June 15th. We pick her up at the SALT LAKE CITY airport at 4:45 p.m. Anyone can come to welcome her home. I'm sure she'll love it.

We have room for one person if you can't make it all the way to Salt Lake.

I'm getting on the Christ Train.

2011-04-05T13:57:00.002-06:00

That's the amount of pesos I paid to send all my and my companions letters. I've been holding off on sending off letters, and now I literally have to pay. Haha!

Before I forget, Mamma, soon BYUI will be sending a registration packet so that I can sign up for classes. When I left there was that big blue plastic document holder. In there you should find a syllabus-plan type of thing. The classes I need to take. There are some classes a little out of order, but basically it should let you know what classes I need to take in Fall 2011. Please sign me up as soon as you get the packet! If you need help I'm sure you can call the school. Or maybe you can even ask Barrett :)

That brings me to another topic. Work. I've been thinking about what Daddy proposed to me before leaving that maybe I could live with... Oh my gosh, I can't believe I've forgotten their names! The ones that went on a mission a few years ago, that live in American Fork. That maybe I could live with them to be able to find a job. If you could pass me their email (and maybe their names too) I can ask them. Talk to Daddy about what he thinks, if it's still a good idea or a bad idea, and then I'll go ahead and ask them. Thank you!

This is a picture of zone conference. Elder Aidukaitis is first person on the left. President and Sister Peterson are next. I'm on the far right. My companion is next to me.

Conference was amazing. I'm pumped in my commitment to be a better person and a better missionary. To follow Christ. I feel illuminated. Like I'm walking on clouds. I just have to put myself on the ground so that I can talk to people on the streets here on earth! I loved all of the talks, and I can't wait to read them when the Liahona comes out. Let me know how you're all doing!

My companion and I are doing okay. She's a great missionary with lots of great ideas. I love my companions who think differently than I do. They come up with the greatest ideas. I love to find opportunities to serve her. I'm going to be finding more! I want to help her out way more than I have been. I feel newly committed to serve, lift, and bless. To forget about me. I'm tired of the Me Train. I'm getting off and getting on the Christ Train. Some talks I liked this weekend were by E'Perry, E'Oaks, Pres.Uchtdorf, E'Robbins, E'Scott, E'Bednar, and Bishop Burton. Along with basically all others. They make me want to change who I am so that what I do reflects more of what I've become. I want to be better. More worthy. I've got a lot of bettering to do. It will be painful and not very fun like they said in conference. But if it means blessing others and being able to be worthy of Heavenly Father's blessings, I can't get comfortable with my status of discipleship. I've constantly gotta strive to do better. Know that I love you and want to serve you too. Tell me what I can do for you. I love you all immensely.

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

I wasted all of my time for the Lord's work!

2011-04-01T21:17:00.004-06:00

Oh my gosh!!! For several reasons.

A) How are you keeping in touch with Luis?

B) Ada was pregnant?

C) She's with a guy named Lamborghini?

D) WAR!

E) Radiation!

F) Tsunami!

G) I don't have any time to write! My fault, I was typing up something to help us find more people to teach- lists of acquaintances (I don't know how to spell that) and friends of members to help them invite others.

He he. The CD playing in the mall is skipping.

Anyway, I wasted all of my time for the Lord's work.

How's Kristin doing? Has she gotten married yet? Don't worry about the trunky papers, I filled it out myself. I had to do it because I don't want to be enemies with the mission secretary :) Nah, he wouldn't hate me, but I don't want to take my chances with anything.

Short story. We were to have a baptism last Saturday. Fam emergency had to leave town. Don't know when will return. Boo hoo. Helped R.S. with activity for anniversary. Now we have lots of sweets and left overs. But two references. Yay!!!! For the awesome Hna´s.

Andrés is okay. Still smoking. Need suggestions for how to stop smoking out of anxiety!

Enjoy conference, listen to the prophet and do what he says! D&C 1:38

Love you all and take care! Don't get radiafied!

Love, Hna. Georgeson

OH MY GOSH, ANDRÉS GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-03-21T14:28:00.002-06:00

OH MY GOSH I did not even know anything about Libya! I heard something a couple weeks ago about something in Egypt, but this is insane! People ask us (me) if we (I) know what's going on in the world (with the US). And I had no idea! I was in the house of one of my converts the day of the earthquake and her TV was on when we came. I still can't believe the destruction. It's like those apocalyptic movies like Dante's Peak and Volcano. I can't believe it. My eyes deceive me. Yes, we are in the last days! Everybody cites a scripture that I still don't know where it is, but that in the last days the times goes by faster and I believe it!

We start transfers today again, and I'm still here with my refuerza Hna. Sancé. This transfer and one more. I can't believe how much time has gone by.

The last days indeed. I believe it. Let it be a warning that we really do have to prepare ourselves spiritually, for it's true. Following the prophet means so much more now. Have I said it before? I LOVE THE PROPHET! How I gained my testimony of him? I applied what he counseled us to do and I know I have been blessed. I know the prophet is called of God because my blessings have come from Him. I will follow the prophet. And what he says is true. Families are central (see Hna. Beck's message in Ensign from March). CERNTRISIMO! Which means really central.

I don't have much time to write, because I spent a lot of time writing my president my miracle story.

OH MY GOSH, ANDRÉS GOT BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't even believe it! No, I could, but the moment was so surreal. We know it was a big difficult step for him, but oh how great the blessings will be. Okay, I think this ciber is closing, but just know that it was a miracle. A fight. But he made a covenant with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and now he is cleansed from his sins. He showed that he believes that the Lord will not guide him through wrong paths, and now how he will be blessed. We bawled our eyes out because it was such a beautiful moment. I know what we do now is so much more important than just having baptisms. I know that Heavenly Father was really pleased with his decision. He had been waiting to bless him for at least 15 years. His moment came. It was beautiful.

I love you all, and take care! Don't go too crazy on me!

Tell Adam Matt 15:17-18. I thought it was kind of funny.

Love you all lots!
Hna. Georgeson

Thanks a lot Alto 1!

2011-03-21T00:13:00.002-06:00

(Okay, this one is late too! Sorry.)

I can't believe that they dissolved the branch! (They didn't.) Wow! The boys should drive out to Pocatello one Sunday and see how it is, just for kicks! I can't believe it! But maybe when I come back I'll have a calling in Primary or Young Women's just like every other sister here! :)

Whoa.

I really wish I could tell you that a bunch of stuff is going on, but now that I think about it, a bunch of stuff has been going on!

We now are preparing two to be baptized! Andrés this Saturday, and Juana the Saturday after. Juana has been a roller coaster. The first visit we invited her to be baptized, and she said for right now, no. And then we challenged her again the second visit, and she said yes! We were so happy! And then she went to a baptism and said that she felt good. And then she went to church and she seemed to enjoy the classes and meetings, and the next day she said that baptism just isn't for her! Imagine our surprise! We talked to her, listened to what had happened, and then we invited her to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. We had invited her to read and pray before, but she stopped reading after the initial reading. We told her that's why! We told her that the key to knowing if she needs this baptism is knowing that the Book is true! The next visit she said that she will keep her baptismal date. That was a great relief to us, and a great answer to our prayers in her behalf. She didn't come to church yesterday, and she felt really bad. She had a really bad headache and didn't even wake up when we came knocking at her door. We taught her Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, and I don't think she'll miss another Sunday, because at least she now knows why it's so important to come to church.

Andrés has been investigating for the past 15-20 years. Everybody in the ward knows him. He's never really received an answer to his prayers that this church is true. He's read the Book of Mormon, but he's not reading to get something out of the experience. There's a lot of confusion about his experience investigating. Everybody says something else. We're just taking everything for his word for right now. This baptism is a step of faith for him. It's hard for him to exercise his faith. He's agreed to get baptized as a sign of faith. That God will let him know if this baptism is an abomination before Him. I believe he's already started panicking, but Hna. Sancé and I will be giving him tough love. He's just being silly. He needs to get over obnoxious fears and trust the Lord to do something.

We had a ward missionary activity. Almost half in attendance were not members. There were only about 10 or 11 people. We planned everything with our ward mission leader, and he couldn't even come! Hna. Sancé and I did almost everything ourselves. The bishop's wife supplied the refreshments :) It turned out into a half disaster, but whatever. Now we know a little more of what we're dealing with in the ward. We called a bunch of people to invite them, but nobody showed up of those whom we called.

Thanks a lot Alto 1.

I love these people desperately, but I think they're trying to kill me.

I didn't get to give my talk because the stake asked the Bishop to assign talks to get the youth revved up for Seminary. I'm sure the one youth that was in attendance really enjoyed it. Where are the others? What can I do for these people? They're driving me nuts. The Bishop was about to cancel ward council again until I gave him my "what" look. You know, the one that says "please tell me that that's a joke." If Hna. Georgeson has anything to say about it, we will have ward council, even if it's the missionaries, the bishop, and the bishop's wife representing the R.S.. We will have it. I say it's a call to emergency leadership. In the war chapters in the BoM Moroni, because of the wars, was appointed a type of emergency leader of the Nephite people, because basically they weren't capable to govern themselves normally during times of war. If these leaders don't step up, I say that the Bishop should take charge of everything and maybe reassign. That's way leftist/extremist, isn't it? I've gone crazy! In a thoroughly normal way. But all is well! We shall see change!

By the way, I still haven't given my talk. There we see once again the progression in the ward. Hopefully this next week.

I just remembered that I forgot my trunky papers again, so I'll have to write and ask you to send me the info next week. Oops. The mission secretary is going to hate me. No he won't, he loves me, but I won't be his favorite sister :}

Haha, I love you all! Take care and have a great week! Pray for us that we'll have success and inspiration, and Andrés that he'll make it to baptism!

lots of love, Hna. Georgeson

The Love of God

2011-03-21T00:06:00.003-06:00

(This was sent March 7th. Sorry I'm late once again.)

The situation with the ward... I didn't give my talk. A member from the High Council came so I didn't have to speak, but this upcoming Sunday they're going to give me a huge block of time.

We have an investigator, Andrés, who really doesn't like the war chapters of the BoM. Every time we ask him about his reading he says "still no wars." But to be honest, I believe that he's not really reading to get something out of the BoM, because I've been in the war chapters this past week in my reading and I LOVE them! I feel like I have learned so much. This morning I read the epistle of Moroni to Pahoran, and it made me think a little about myself.

I'm so willing to lay it into the members because from our point of view they're not doing anything- like lazy bums. But they have another point of view. Therefore there is something else going on here in the ward. It's not just that they're not fulfilling their callings. There's something deeper.

We met with the YW presidency this week to talk about the girls that have basically gone inactive. They give us excuses right and left. The purpose of the meeting was to make goals and plans to help them come back to church, but as soon as we began explaining what we've learned they began with the excuses. They blame it all on the parents (all of their mothers are inactive members), and that they can't do anything without the support of the parents. I wanted to just disappear. I hate excuses. I really don't like them. They were killing me. Pres. Benson said "Any excuse, no matter how valid, weakens the character."

We didn't get anything done in the meeting. We wasted our time that could've been used finding more people to teach. But now we know more. These people have so many ridiculous problems. Back-sliding, back-biting, two-timing, any kind of two-facedness you can think of is creeping in. And now we know more about the situation and now we can help them more. But I know that God loves His children, He loves His church, therefore He will not let them slide off into apostasy. I know that He will work a miracle in these members.

For happier news, I've had a stellar weekends worth of studies. I've loved my studies and they have helped me to change some attitudes and points of view that I've had. First of all I would like to encourage all of you to learn about patience in Preach my Gospel. Family home evening, scripture study, whatever it may be, do it! At the end of Chp. 6 there's an attribute activity- a type of self evaluation- and I encourage you all to look at it. It opens up minds and helps to understand the purity of the doctrines of each attribute. Not the way man sees it, but the way God sees it- the way it really is. It's helped me a lot to remember that patience really is a divine attribute of God.

Also I read for about the fifth time the talk by Pres.Uchtdorf from the Oct 2009 conference about the love of God. After reviewing the doctrine of patience I read that talk, and I testify that through this gospel God shows His love to his children. It strengthened my testimony that the leaders of the church have been called of God and really are His servants. Strengthened my testimony that God lives and truly loves us, and that through the blessings of this restored Gospel we see and feel the love of God. Through the Book of Mormon, the priesthood, the organization of His church- and all this after learning about two principles.

A couple other things- this morning we climbed Campanario Hill- again. That thing is a beast. BUT! On the bus to get there there was a guy that I could've sworn was Chris Martin from Coldplay. I internally freaked out. I didn't get another glance at him because he got off the bus and began climbing the hill right away, and I didn't see him again. ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Oh my gosh, ¿¿¿¿what if I saw Chris Martin!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????? Worldy thought for today (note to self: how do you spell world? Is it really like that?)

Besides that.... I've received the dreaded "trunky papers"! But because we went to the hill I forgot them at the pension. The only questions I can remember are where you want to pick me up, or what airport you prefer me to return to (Salt Lake City I would imagine, right?), and some other questions that I don't remember because the last time I looked at them was about two weeks ago. I'll let you know in the next email.

Take care and love you all lots! Thanks for all that you do for me.

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

Filled with righteous indignation!

2011-03-01T02:08:00.003-07:00

Alright, the pictures - Hna. Sancé, the day I went to go look for her in Neuquén (the elders aren't my zone leaders. The one next to Hna. Sancé is Elder Isidro from Peru. He was in my zone for a long time in Zapala [Which I found out means "swamp" in mapuche]), and Itziar's baptism. Hooray!
This week has been really good. We've been working really hard and we made our numbers better. Not perfect, but better. We finally had ward council and we're going to be doing a marvelous work and a wonder with our members. They assigned me the talk the week after fast and testimony Sunday because they know that I'm going to tell the members exactly what's going on. It's not just us who feel it, but the bishopric too. They recognize that something is going on too. We (us and the ward leaders) have been having problems with ward participation in everything, and they know that Hna. Georgeson won't have any gaul letting them know what they're doing to recent converts and to their salvation.

I'm slightly filled with righteous indignation.

Yesterday was a spiritual and emotional turn-around day. We visited the recent convert Kami who has about 10 months being a member and already is inactive. She doesn't want to come to church anymore. She doesn't like it. There's nobody her age, almost nobody else in YW's, the members don't care for her, her Young Women's president either, and she feels victimized by the members because whenever she goes to YW mutual, something goes missing/stolen, and she knows that the members blame her. Know when it comes to the all missing things and what her YW pres supposedly said, I don't know. I do know, however, that she is a good girl. She has potential. She feels hurt. Yeah, she's a stinker. Immature. But whatever, she's 13. She looks a lot older, but she's still only 13 and everybody gets offended when she acts like a 13 year old. It drives me nuts when mature sisters from the ward tell me how offended they are when she doesn't come greet them. I just want to say "Sisters!! She's only 13 years old! YOU grow up!" She doesn't have an example in her home either. I don't know what goes on in her house, but it's not good. What she needs is mercy. She can't pay right now. She's spiritually and emotionally poor. She doesn't have the funds to earn the respect and love of members. She needs their mercy. After talking with her yesterday I wanted to cry. I understand! Because I know I was a pain in the bum too. But my leaders had mercy on me anyway. And I feel like they saved me. And how her leaders are not showing the same mercy and love that the Savior shares makes me righteously indignant. They're destroying their ward by their selfishness! They have no youth! They have 5 kids in primary on a good day. And what do the youth and primary leaders do? Nothing. They don't come to ward council, they don't visit their kids, nothing. I'm going to freak out one day and it won't be pretty. The kind of situation that makes me want to bang my head on the table.

Also, I found out that I am developing more charity and shedding fear of talking to everyone. I approached a drunk man yesterday. I normally avoid drunks that hang out on corners. I hate drunks and tweakers. They make me mad. But I came up to him and he let me take away his beer and we talked for a bit. He thought of you guys. He asked me if I had a mom. I said yes. He begins to cry as he asks me if I have little brothers. I said yes. And he starts busting up crying even more "That's beautiful." and says something about my family. I didn't really catch it all, but we're going to be visiting him. Lalo is his name. Pray for him too. It felt good to dump out the beer and break that stupid bottle.

Check that out. I'm developing patience and love for my fellow man! Aren't you proud of me? I'm trying to work so that we might begin to see miracles, which means leaving every rock turned upside down, and I know we'll see them. We've been seeing a lot more success trying to work like that, just keep praying for us that we'll have the inner strength to keep working like that. Because trust me, it's hard.

Love you all and take care! Say hi to everyone for me!

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

Also mamma, a man named Pedro said this to me about two weeks ago "Your mother must be pretty" ("Tú mamá debe ser bonita") That made me a little creeped out, but an Argentine wanted you to know that you're pretty! ;D

Go to your heart checkups!

2011-03-01T02:04:00.002-07:00

Well. This week has been difficult. We've been trying to work but I guess not hard enough. We got nothing moving forward in the work.

Elder Aidukaitis focused on how us as a mission to see miracles, true conversion, and baptisms every week. He layed it into us good and hard. Which makes the results of this past week a lot harder to take.

One good thing: Itziar was baptized! Itziar is Ayrton's little sister. Hooray! It was a crazy baptism. The brother who baptized is an ex-boxer, and I don't care what he says, he's got a little bit of damage on the brain. We wrote him the prayer so that he could memorize it, but it took him four times to get it right. The other Hermanos were getting a little frustrated. And we made him practice the movements of dunking her, but that came out kind of funny too. The most important part... She was baptized. Afterward I asked her how she felt.

"Different. And clean!"

And yesterday when she was confirmed I asked her the same question.

"Different and good."

It's so sweet and awesome to see her faith. But I was reading an article this morning from the conference of Oct 2009 from Elder Redlund (I think that's his name) about keeping the lasting effects of conversion. He said it's like a heart transplant.You get a new heart and you have to go to regular checkups to make sure that your body isn't rejecting the new heart. You have to go to these checkups frequently to avoid the danger of your body rejecting the new heart. Sometimes people become lazy after the surgery, maybe not lazy, but lax. They don't go to all their checkups and they stop taking such good care of themselves. Then he makes the comparison on a more spiritual level. The Lord gives us a new heart - we are converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ! But then we become lax, light up on our prayers and scripture reading, and our spiritual hearts are in danger of being attacked by the natural man. We have to maintenance ourselves so that we can keep our new heart. Keep that in mind everyone!

Having Elder Aidukaitis come was a blessing. I really liked the conference. He put everything on real terms with us. He said everything without flinching. Fa!

I am getting along really well with my new companion. Hna. Sancé is wonderful and a great missionary. Everybody we talk to thinks that Guatemala is part of Mexico or they think that she doesn't already speak Spanish. They always ask her how long it took for her to learn Spanish or if it was hard for her. But in all reality, she's great. She works with faith and is learning really well to express herself and talk without being ashamed. It's a great blessing to be with her. Fresh faith and fresh ideas to get everyone up and moving along.

Love you all, and go to your heart checkups!
xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I've been in Argentina a year!

2011-02-20T21:59:00.001-07:00

Hooray! Bueno, my companion and I are not going to get chocolates or flowers, but tomorrow marks my year of being outside of the U.S.. I've been in Argentina that long! Whoa!!!!

I bet you're all wondering about my new companion. Hna. Sancé from Guatemala. I'm training a Latin! It's because I'm so cool! (yeah, right (: ) And humble too. We've had a rocky few days, but we're hanging on, in some miraculous manner. She's sweet and quiet. And she's going to cook a food from Guatemala today that's called Creamed Chicken. Yum! I like it already! Ha ha, just kidding!

This week we have zone conference with Elder Aidukaitis. In all seriousness, he's coming! I'm going to know all of the presidency from The South America Area. But the conference is going to be way different. He let it out on our zone leaders and rebuked them for their lack of faith, planning and goal making. He told them there's nothing in our way if we open our mouths and talk to everyone, to be able to achieve one baptism a week at least. Fa! That would be amazing! I'm more than willing to believe in his promise, so we will see success as we follow the counsel of the Lord through one of his ordained servants, and from there see the many fruits of success. I'm excited!

I really wish that I had a whole lot to tell all of you, but really, there's not much. This past week has been a blur with all the crazy changes. Do you all remember Ayrton? His sister, Itier is getting baptized this weekend! We're working like crazy to be able to get her ready. Just two weeks to get her ready! But we'll be okay.

Love you lots and take care! And YOU wax strong!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I'm going to be a Trainer!

2011-02-11T11:31:00.002-07:00

Tell Adam thanks. That really means a lot to me. More so since I have felt something different these few days. A peace and calm.

We have transfers today. Hna. Dennison is leaving and I'm training. When President first told me about two transfers ago I freaked out. I did not want to train! I'm so not cut out for the job! But with something that President told me in our interviews has helped me to change my point of view a lot. He said "The Lord wants you to know how much He trusts you." Although I'm still a little stressed out because I'm companionless until Thursday, I'm okay with training. I'm okay. I think that's a miracle. So tell Adam thank you. Don't worry, just because I'm okay doesn't mean I'll let my guard down and be a lazy trainer.

I have no idea of who she is. If she's white, Latin, what her name is - I don't know. My district leader said that he doesn't know either, so I'll find out everything on Thursday.

I'm a little tired. With all that's buzzing around I didn't really sleep last night. But that's okay. I'll be fine. I kind of do it on purpose so that when I travel I can sleep.

Did I tell you that Elder Arnold came here about a month ago? I think I forgot to tell you. Guess what!? Elder Arnold from the Seventy came to my ward! He, his wife, and one of his councilors spoke (His councilor is from Rigby and knows my Bishop Peterson!) It was wonderful. He really is a loving man. Very much so. And very tall. That part was cool too. He doesn't seem that big and intimidating in conference, but in real life he's giant! You pay a little more attention that way, no? :)

That and about two weeks ago two people thought my companion and I were spies. One man wouldn't give me his name or let me write his address down because he thought I'd send it to Barak Obama. Silly man.

Our convert Ayrton came back from vacation! We've taught him twice and his sister is planning on being baptized the 19th! Woo hoo! We're really happy. She got up in church and bore her testimony. She's eleven and not even a member! It was sweet to see her act of faith.

I did send pictures to Daddy's email, if you didn't get them then the card from the camera is bogus! Nah, that means you'll just have to wait to see pictures for a little while.

Tell Adam and Barrett to take care, that I love them, and that Micah needs to write me! Did he get my letter?

Love you all and take care! Listen to the spirit- We have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and one of his main jobs is to help us make righteous decisions, so listen and do good. Please.

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Use Preach My Gospel!

2011-01-31T15:33:00.002-07:00

About the money, don´t be too worried, after the first year I've had to buy some things to replace... Shoes, my watch, my backpack... The watch was today. I just bought a new one because fixing my old one was so not worth it. Just watch - I'll come home with a whole new wardrobe! :)

Just kidding. I don't want to spend all this money on silly stuff like that!

Did you get the photos? (No I didn't.) I was so happy to find a computer that recognized my camera!

Today is the last pday of the transfer, so my companion and I took a stroll around Bariloche, because who knows who will be transferred!

This week has been record breaking. Hna. Dennison and I are decided that we are not going to tell anyone any more where we´re from. We get into too many macanas (or pickles I should say). Two people thought that we were spies this week. One wouldn't even tell us his name because he thought that we would send his information to Barak Obama. Silly little man. The next day he was like a different person. He told us his name and gave us his phone number.

We had a homeless prophesier preach to us. That was gross. He had dentures, but I don't get the purpose because only half of the teeth were in his dentures. He would be all calm, and then he would start spitting and yelling, waving his arms, pretending he was on the cross,and then he would start the cycle all over again. Un poco loco. After about ten minutes he said " It's nice to listen, isn't it?" and started to walk away, and then I said "Come back! If it's so nice to listen why don't you listen to what we have to say?" We bore our testimonies and invited him to church. Silly half-dentured man.

This week also my companion and I are putting into practice the use of Preach My Gospel in the ward. We did a survey yesterday. Supposedly about half of our ward has Preach My Gospel (11- about half of the active members). But we know that some of these people don't, because after asking them about Preach My Gospel, they ask "What's that?" For heavens sake. And nobody raised their hand when we asked how many of them use it. We've been thinking about it and we can't see a downfall in using Preach My Gospel. We will see success in all sides of the church after applying precepts found in Preach my Gospel. Lives of members will be blessed. Inactive members will come back to church. Attendance will increase, assistance of investigators will increase, lives will be enriched, testimonies found and strengthened, and the Lord's kingdom here in Alto 1 (the ward) will grow without fail. That is my gift of prophecy after appropriately applying the principles in Preach my Gospel. My favorite part I read in there was about making relationships, or making friends. Getting to know neighbors and all the people who are around you. Principally it gives you opportunities to bless someone else's life with the gospel, but it also enriches live with the friendships we so dearly crave. We lack that here a little bit, but Hna. Dennison and I are working hard so that the members lives will be blessed, and so that the missionary work will move forward.

Something Hna. Dennison told me yesterday helped me out a lot. She was talking about her MTC teacher and how much of a hard worker he was. It totally inspired me. My mind felt enlightened and my heart took courage.

Miracles are reachable!

That little phrase resonated in my head over and over again, and I took heart and began working harder. I feel like it's been so hard these past two transfers because I feel so unworthy to be a senior companion. I feel like I can't do it because let's face it- I stink! But something she said rang with me and gave me courage, faith, and a confidence I haven't felt in a long time. I felt the spirit of missionary work and the grave importance and lack of time to bring souls of my brothers and sisters unto God! I felt a little part of what I imagine Ammon, Aaron, and their other brothers felt. I felt invincible. I'm going to do my best to remind myself that miracles are reachable, and that the Lord is on my side (be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side!).

If I had any advice for any of you back home, read Preach my Gospel! Your lives will be enriched, your knowledge expanded, and testimonies strengthened and made firm. Use Preach My Gospel! September 2010 Liahona.

Love and miss you all! Take care and don't get too sick!

Love you lotsxoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I've been shopping!

2011-01-31T15:28:00.004-07:00

Today has been a hectic pday. If you find money missing, it is because I went gift shopping! Mamma, you're the easiest one to buy for, I've gotten you way too much! Micah was the hardest. What I wanted for him nobody had, but I got him some other things that are pretty cool. One of a kind. I went to a couple artisan fairs here in Bariloche, and they've got my head spinning! I love the arts! I just have to kick myself out of it because in an hour and a half I have to work and I can't do that with art and shopping on the brain... I hate shopping! I want to get one more thing for Barrett, but what it will be, I don't know... Only Daddy and Adam I have left. I want to get them something one of a kind! But what that thing is, we're still searching...

But today has been fun getting to know artisans from the area and all over. We met some guys from Peru and others from other parts of Argentina. The girl who did Barrett's gift is a woman from Rosario, other part of Argentina. Man, I want to tell you what I got, but alas, I won't! A sup rise it shall be! Tee hee hee :)

About what they said during ward conference, it makes me think of a class a Book of Mormon teacher gave to us concerning the Amlicites:

4 And the Amlicites were distinguished from the Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.

13 Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.

14 Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the words which he said to Nephi: Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed, and I will set a mark on them that they and their seed may be separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me that I may have mercy upon them.

15 And again: I will set a mark upon him that mingleth his seed with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also.

16 And again: I will set a mark upon him that fighteth against thee and thy seed.

17 And again, I say he that departeth from thee shall no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever shall be called thy seed, henceforth and forever; and these were the promises of the Lord unto Nephi and to his seed.

18 Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon them.

19 Now I would that ye should see that they brought upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation.

His class was about being safe during holiday vacation, to make good decisions, because just as righteousness always marks itself, wickedness also. That we have the liberty to choose, but the consequences set by an eternal, loving, constant God will always come about. A mark, a sign of bringing upon oneself their own condemnation, or lack of happiness brought about by the gospel of Christ and His coming. Therefore, DO NOT MARK YOURSELF!

This week has been another week of learning. This morning's personal study has summed up what probably went wrong for me this week. Alma 29

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

After reading this I began thinking more and more about how I view my mission. There are so many times where I feel like I'm messing up, and how much I really want to go home, work for two years, and go on another mission. There are so many times where I feel inadequate and I just want another chance. I thought maybe that would've been a good desire, but I can see how much that has affected me when Alma says "[I] do sin in my wish." That way of thinking does negatively affect my mission as Alma explains the following:

6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?

The Lord has given me precious time to serve Him, and I should take advantage of the time He has allotted me. I know that I am so imperfect and a lot of times I stink. But I should be grateful that the Lord has pushed me out here in the mission because I can't imagine my life without it. The Lord has been so merciful even to little old me to send me out here. How grateful I am, and how much what Alma said hit me to change my attitude from self doubtful negativity to gratitude (thank you President Monson!). And Alma continues with his testimony that every missionary should echo:

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

That is how I should view my precious time, not as a countdown to another mission and another chance (because who knows if I'll get one?), to fulfill the work which the Lord had commanded me. I love the Lord and I'm so grateful that He was persistent in sending me out here. Crazy Argentines and all :)

Wax strong all of you! Love you all and take care!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

2011-01-22T16:34:00.001-07:00

We actually learned about fasting that same Sunday too, and the Relief Society President taught it very well- I was inspired! It was aimed directly at us from the Lord. We actually fast once a week, but we've been noticing that we've been getting lazy in our fasts. I reread the lesson this morning in my personal study, and I loved it! We were actually fasting this morning, and so reading what it says in Gospel Principles really helped me to take heart and fast with gladness! I loved reading that lesson.

So that whole thing about the ward... The thing is in the MTC they make a big deal about not spending too much time with the members like bum elders and sisters, because many times it's a time waster and our purposes as missionaries are not fulfilled. We love the members but they just talk and talk and talk and don't let you breathe, so a 45 minute appointment turns into a 90 minute appointment, or even more! In my personal experience I've never really spent too much time with members, so our new initiative is new for everyone.

We're trying to work more with church leaders. Keeping the ward mission leader more involved, working with the R.S. president to activate sisters and find those who are still willing to receive us and the church. We only have about 30 people a REALLY good week, and there really should be about the same amount of people in the ward as assistance in Downey. Meaning that we have a work to do. We're going to focus our finding efforts more in the members because knocking isn't getting us anywhere. This week was another fail number-wise. But we're talking to as many people in the street as we can and doing a lot of contacts. The Lord will see our efforts and bless us!!!

Mamma- Galician was exactly what I needed! It was a word in my Spanish workbook. It helps a lot!

Advice for Adam- DRINK YOGURT UNTIL YOU GET SICK OF IT, AND THEN WHEN YOU REACH THAT POINT, DRINK MORE! Wait, I'm sorry, we drink yogurt here. Adam, eat it. If you have to drink it, that's that healthy for you :) That's what killed me about my antibiotics. Whenever I have to take them I make sure I up my yogurt intake, and up the vitamins.

Tell Barrett-Bubbalicious GOOD LUCK and study hard!

I sent Micah´s letter in the mail today, so he NOW should get it in about three weeks. Keep pluggin and chuggin Micah-MuggleMooler!

I don't know what that means. I just wanted him to have a cool nickname like Barrett.

Mamma, keep your chin up. You have many reasons to be bummed out, but so many more greater reasons to have peace and be content. Remember, dogs do go to heaven, and worse comes to worse, know that Heavenly Father has a plan for all. Treat them well and take care of them. Give them a bone for me!

Are you all going to the temple with Dianne? Go! That would be wonderful! There are times where I really miss the temple, and one of the first things I want to do as soon as I get back to the U.S. is go to the temple. Take the boys with you if you can.

I love you all, take care! Enjoy raisins for me! my tastes for deserts have changed. Instead of really sugary carbs, I crave raisins and fruit! And I couldn´t buy any today, and for that you must enjoy them for me.

Love you, and YOU wax strong!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I'M BEING TRANSFERRED...... Just joking!

2011-01-10T13:02:00.002-07:00

I'm going to Villa de la Angostura tomorrow!!!

Just kidding!

But really, I am going there tomorrow. Our entire district is going to knock and do contacts the entire day to help the elders there. It's right next to Chile!

Alright. This week has been challenging. We lost all of the investigators that we've had. Nobody really progressing, going on vacation, dropping us. It's been tough for my companion and I. We've been knocking doors all week and almost nobody let us in. That's been a big blow. BUT it has given me time to think about the service I'm rendering to the Lord right now. I've been realizing that my companion and I can do better at getting more contacts, or talking more to people, talking to more people, and saying more things of quality! Our Zone Leaders have a zone study programito for us to follow, and the first two days helped me to think about why I want to open my mouth more. I loved all of the scriptures they wanted us to read, but I especially loved DyC 60:2-3-

2But with some I am not well pleased, for they will not open their mouths, but they hide the talent which I have given unto them, because of the fear of man. Wo unto such, for mine anger is kindled against them.

3And it shall come to pass, if they are not more faithful unto me, it shall be taken away, even that which they have.

Wow, the Lord says that he'll stop blessing us with the gifts that we have if we don't open our mouths. I appreciate the gifts I have been told I have been given in my patriarchal blessing, and to think that the Lord maybe has been taking them away, little by little, because I'm not opening up my mouth enough! Needless to say, I don't like that. A great week for reflection.

My companion and I are also making up goals to work with the ward. We don't know how much we should involve ourselves in the ward, ward councils, visiting members, because we want the most amount of time to dedicate to teaching and finding, but we're trying to figure out how much we need to put ourselves out there in the ward.

I've accumulated two ties here in the mission, and I have finally given them away to two young converts who were just sustained to receive the priesthood. My companion said that the look on Ricardo's face was adorable. I really wasn't paying that much attention, but she said he was looking at it, fingering it, just looking like it was his birthday all over again. That pretty much made my day. I love that kid. He's so earnest. He has his weaknesses, but all he needs is a little bit of encouragement because he already has the desires. He reminds me a lot of Micah in some aspects. I want Ricardo to succeed! I'll offer to adopt him if I have to! He's 17 and not sure if a mission could really be something he could do, but his blessing when he was confirmed said that he would go on a mission. I know he could and he'd be the best missionary since Dan Jones.

Also, if someone could write me and tell me what Galician means, I would really appreciate it.

Feliz Día de los Reyes!

And today, 10/1/11... Feliz día de San Nicanor!

I got a calender from a fruit stand, and on the back it has the saint for each day! Sweet!

Take care and YOU wax strong!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

¡¡¡FELIZ FIN DE AÑO!!!

2010-12-31T12:54:00.002-07:00

Really quick first of all, if you could find me the address of Benjamin Stocking please!

He was a sub of ours in the MTC, the best sub ever!!! I loved the first day he came to teach us. He came in and asked us how many of us had ADD, and from there announced that he had ADD and that we would always be doing fun stuff so he wouldn't get bored. He's awesome!

Anyway, I bet this is a surprise to be getting this email.... SURPRISE! Our leaders called us last night and announced to us that we were to be emailing today because Monday wouldn't be Pday like we thought. It's a surprise for us too! Woo hoo!

This morning my companion and I left running for exercises to go get our packages from our leaders, and please Please PLEASE tell Ashley and everyone in the single's branch "Thank you!!!!!"

Tomorrow will be the day of writing letters because it's Pday and everything is closed. But that's good!! I've really been needing to write letters. And wash clothes. And clean. To be honest we've been big bums.

Just kidding! No, just really busy! We've been working a lot. Slaving away in the sun! Here in Bariloche it doesn't get that hot, but these past few days we could've fried and egg on our arms. Well, on my arms, my companion's ears. How talented would that be? Oh, but I've loved it. A lovely change from the cold and dry. Right now it's hot and humid! Oh sweet, sweet bliss! Oh, I'm sorry, are you freezing your tuckah's off from the cold?!? MWA HA HA!!! I'm sorry, I'm done rubbing it in your faces. Just a little payback from a couple of months ago.

This week has been nuts. Working, running from appointment to appointment, eating Christmas left overs. My zone leader, E'Smoot, one of our elders from the MTC, was transferred, and my district leader from Caleta Olivia is now my district leader here too. Silly transfers. Oh yeah, we had transfers, and guess what!!!

I got transferred!

Just kidding! Hna. Dennison is really special, because she's only my second companion that I've had for more than one transfer. Yep, we're still together! So much to learn and so much to do! This week has been scary because we've been visiting and elderly woman who will die in the next few days, and every time we

I'm sorry, I just found a giant dragonfly in the window next to me.

We go to sing to her we think she'll stop breathing and die. It scares us every time. But okay. We'll keep trying to help any way we can.

So don't expect an email on Monday, I'll hear from you all on the 9th!

And my Hna. Palacios went home! Nuts! I can barely believe it! Wow. It goes by way too fast. Just gotta work hard so we don't lose a moment. It's like D&C 4. I don't know what it says in English, but read it and mull it over.

Tell Micah I'm proud of him and will send the letter as soon as I can.

Tell Adam I love him.

Tell Barrett he's tall. Haha, I love him too, the big galug.

¡¡¡FELIZ FIN DE AÑO!!! ¡Que lo pasen bien!

Cuidense, y ¡nos vemos en el año que viene!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Belated Christmas email.

2010-12-30T20:43:00.002-07:00

First of all: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TIFFANY HAYDEN!!!!

Please tell Ashley that I really appreciate it! Not only appreciate, but more like this OH MY GOSH THANK YOU!!!! Por favor. That makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside! I need a little pick me up in the mail :)

CHRISTMAS THIS WEEK! We're trying to set everything up. We're only going to be working about five days this week. I like Christmas, but on the mission it's terrible! Making all sorts of plans, having to watch investigators go on vacation, stressing, waiting for your brain to explode... But alas, we're going to make it the best thing we got!

I really wish I had tons of stuff to tell you this week, but there's not a whole lot. It's been really stressful. I'll just say it right now- senior companionship stinks. WHY DO I HAVE RESPONSIBILITY?! I don't even know if I wrote that right.

Service. Let me just vent to you. THESE MEMBERS WON'T LET US DO SERVICE. We ask and ask and ask. Now after lunches they don't even wait for us to ask, they just say no. This week has been being stuck between that rock and a hard place. But we didn't put us there. I didn't think so. To be honest I just feel so out of control. Bang my head on a wall out of control. My companion and I have come to the realization that the members don't really trust us and/or like us, so that's going to be our focus now. Trying to replace the amazing Hna. Smith is a nightmare. I'm just not as cool as her. And now we suffer for our lack of awesomeness. WHAT MORE CAN WE DO!?!?

And we can't really say that we blame them, because every time they actually do come with us to a teaching appointment, the person is not there. That's a big reason why they don't trust us. I'm just at the end of my creative rope. Maybe I really do stink. I do need to wash my clothes :)

Anyway, do you want to hear a funny story. We've been teaching this guy this past week, Gabriel. He's been progressing, reading the Book of Mormon, and this last appointment we taught him the first part of the plan of salvation, and we gave him the commitment to repent. He told us, "Nah, I'm not a bad person, and maybe one day I'll get there, but for right now, no."

I was okay with it. I really wanted to leave him a reading from the Book of Mormon, and I thought of the perfect chapter. Alma 4 or Alma 9. I read some highlighted scriptures in my BoM, thought they were really good because they talked about repentance, and left Alma 9. The next day after my study I was wondering, what did I leave him to read? I began reading the chapter and it goes a little something like this...

8Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God.
9Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness?
10And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?
11Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.
12Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his cfierce anger he will not turn away.

Um. Oops. Looks like Hna. Georgeson needs to brush up on her scriptures, because she really wanted 2 Nephi 9 or Alma 5. Tee hee hee. Maybe this will freak him out to repentance?

Anyway, I gotta be getting off, but let Micah know that I'm writing him a letter that I'm going to try to put in the mail today.

Take care, and I'll talk to you Saturday! (No email on Monday the 27th. Next email will be on January 3rd.)

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

The Divine Gift of Gratitude

2010-12-18T19:55:00.003-07:00

Bueno. First things first: CHRISTMAS! Can you believe that seven months have already passed since I last heard you all? It's crazy to me to think that time has flown by so much. Okay, so the dates are...on the 20th I'll be able to write again, we still have pday. On the 25th we'll call, at what time I don't know. We don't have to work on Christmas, so it's up to me or it's up to you. If there's a preference, let me know ASAP! And on the 27th we will not have pday, so do not expect an email from me this day! Anyway, CHRISTMAS! There's still so much to do! Today is crazy and hectic. We still haven't gotten a lot of stuff done. I would love to tell you every detail of my week, because it's been crazy. BUT you'll hear all the wonderful details in my phone call :)

This past week we had zone conference, and the sisters from Esquel were here. We went hiking on a hill called Campenario, the steepest, most ridiculous hill. But way fun, and Israelites at the top! That part was really cool. As we were coming down my companion thought I was right behind her and took of with other elders, and the elderes we were walking with found a pair of chaps from Wales and stuck behind to talk to them. Well for the other Hermanas that's no big deal, for they are from Chile. So I stuck with them and we were on the trail on our own, and... I directed them for the worse and took the wrong turn in the fork of the trail. I GOT LOST ON AN ARGENTINE MOUNTAIN!!! Ok, it's not a mountain, it's a ridiculous hill. We were okay. After about a half an hour we found the trail again. My pants are really dirty for falling on my butt twice, once knocking out Hna. Escobar. That day was so funny. My companion thought I was dead. And now we know... Don't listen to Hna. Georgeson! Nah, now we know the beauties of an Argentine... hill, with all the trees, and how it must've been for Joseph Smith (that's what Hna. Escobar kept saying, I loved it!) being in such a secluded and peaceful place. We weren't afraid because we knew we'd be okay.

It was a lovely precursor to our zone conference, because it was awesome. The General conference talk we focused on was Pres. Monson's on "The Divine Gift of Gratitude." Hna. Peterson, the mission president's wife, challenged us for five days to express more gratitude in our prayers. I needed that challenge because this week has been so hard, but how it has helped me to get through this week. I'm grateful that Ayrton got baptized! I'm grateful for the Young Single Adults who made it to his baptism. I'm grateful that Hna. Peterson sent me some new shoes without holes! Shoes from the pilgrim era, but without holes! :) For a companion that always wants to keep moving forward. For E'Herbert who shared his chocolate with us from his mom. Hooray for Hersheys! I'm grateful that I have money this month. I'm grateful for Hna. Ponce who gave me her boots the last time I was here, for those boots that I still have and use. For the members that help us so much. For the Lord's patience. For His mercy. For His never ending love.

"Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings,but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love."-Pres. Monson

And to all of you, and you mamma. Thank you so much for taking care of everything, for helping me out and listening. Thank you daddy for answering my question. Thank you Adam for your cariño. Micah for your love and humor, and Barrett for including me in a partecito of your life. I love you all, and take care.

Hna. Georgeson

Being in Bariloche

2010-12-09T14:16:00.003-07:00

Being in Bariloche, the place is filled with such pretty things that I definitely want to get for you guys, so thank you so much for the help. Tomorrow the assistants to the president should be coming with some shoes from the mission home, so I should be doing a lot better.

This weekend we had a baptism! Eli Moyano, who is the girlfriend of the stake mission leader (now you see why he has that calling... he's so good at it ;) ). She's pretty happy, and so are all the YSA in the stake. We're trying to keep them animated for the baptism that we're going to see this Saturday too, for Ayrton. We're working to see a good turn out and a lot of support at the baptism

One question that I hope everybody will help me with- ¿What are some ideas for ward activities or ward missionary activities? I want feedback! Please!

The weather is different everyday, but recently it's been getting warmer. The sisters from Esquel are here for Zone conference tomorrow, and as we were getting everything ready for them to sleep, we got so hot, we slept with the windows open! It was wonderful. Warmth!Because we're seeing zone conference tomorrow the entire zone was here today, and we went hiking up Mount Campenario, a very short but wickedly steep hike. My legs still feel like Jello. As we were going back down my companion went faster with the elders, and I stayed with the other Hermanas, and we ended up taking down the wrong way and.... we totally got lost! We kept going down thinking "We'll be okay," until there was no more trail, just a whole bunch of trees. About twenty minutes later we found the trail again, but my clothes are so dirty... so much dirt! I guess my companion, when she got down to the bottom and realized that we weren't there, thought I had died or something. But one thing is for sure, I'm tired. We had to go up twice, and that stinking mountain is steep! But okay, we're alive and safe. The lord heard us and our lovely Hna. Arrancibia found the way. That's my Hermanita! (That's right, we totally had the same trainer.)

Alright, I think I'm going to end right now because I've run out of things to say! Pero bueno, una cosa mas if you really want it. In chapter four of Preach My Gospel there's a scripture study about a few standard questions that we ask ourselves everyday. Where to go, what to do... While studying these two questions specifically I found two scriptures that I really liked.

2 Nephi 32:2-5

"Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

"Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

"For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

And D&C 52:3-4

"Wherefore, verily I say unto you, let my servants Joseph Smith, Jun., and Sidney Rigdon take their journey as soon as preparations can be made to leave their homes, and journey to the land of Missouri.

"And inasmuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do;"

So in order to receive revelation to bring to pass the Lord's work, have success and fulfill His will, four things must be done.

Ask, Knock, be Faithful which means Be diligent and obedient.

Be good and listen to the spirit! Do what you know you need to do.

Love and miss you!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING!!!

2010-12-09T14:13:00.002-07:00

First of all, HAPPY LATE THANKSGIVING!!! My companion and I meant to do something cool, but alas, it was only polenta, eggs, and a rice cracker. Woo.

Today is a crazy Pday. My companion and I have wandered all around downtown Bariloche all day. All of Pday! But it's been killing me because I want to say, Ooo, I want to get that for Adam! Or Micah! Or whatever, but I found out yesterday I have a huge hole on the side of my shoe that can't be fixed, so I now have to go get new shoes. That was kind of a bummer. Being in downtown Bariloche makes me feel like a tourist, because there are lots of tourists here! But the coolest thing about the day is the fact that we just went through the local cathedral. MY FIRST CATHEDRAL!!! I was so cool!!! That has been something that has always been on my list of things to do, not the list of what I want to do, but what I need to do, and I did it! It was amazing! It's not that big, but it was still amazing!

This week has been appointment after appointment after appointment. We're trying to work hard and run all over the place. Being senior companion is a lot more responsibility than I anticipated, but okay. It's got me thinking a lot more about my purpose as a missionary, and why I'm here, and what I need to do to take advantage of the time I've been given.

This upcoming week we have one baptism, and the week after we have another. The one for this week is Elisabeth Moyano, the girlfriend of the stake mission leader. Yeah, now we know why he has the calling ;).

So we're putting things together and trying to work. Really there's not too much to say about this week. It's been a whirlwind. My companion! Hna. Dennison from Morgan, UT. This her third transfer here in the field, with almost six months in the mission. She's grown up so fast! And I keep making her work and do more and more. She's doing really well. Hooray!

Therefore, take care! I'm sorry I didn't write so much, but I totally don't even know what to write this week.

Bueno, I'll write about Ayrton. About a few weeks ago before I got here, Hna. Smith and Hna. Dennison were chased down the street. "eSmith! eSmith!" (which is how they say the name Smith). She chased them down and said "Do you remember me? You talked with me in the street about a few months ago!" Well, we talk with a lot of people. "I want you to visit my grandson. He's lazy and needs to get up and do something!" And that's how they found Ayrton. He's going to be a great missionary one day. His testimony is so strong. He always talks about how great he feels when he prays and reads the scriptures. The spirit speaks to him and how gratifying and wonderful it is to see him being filled with so much joy. He's so smart and wants to learn more about the gospel every time, and is absolutely willing to hold true to what he has learned. He knows the Book of Mormon is true. He knows that God answers his prayers. That tithing is important. That the word of wisdom is important. We're working with him to help build a safe and sure foundation so that he will never fall.

Bueno, this is Ayrton.

Now be good! Stay safe! Read, pray, and do.

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Happy Turkey Day!

2010-12-09T14:09:00.002-07:00

Okay, this keyboard is messed up and I can`t put exclamation points or normal... uh, I don`t remember what they´re called. Things you use like in didn´t or you´re. They´re really accent marks.

Today is a holiday therefore not many things are opened. I finally discovered a little bit of Bariloche today, something I´ve never been able to do. We went down by the lake and the local mini cathedral, butalas, ´twas not open. We finally bought some of the famous Barliloche chocolate, and OH MY GOSH is it delightfully pleasant. If I can getaway with it, I´ll try to smuggle some home for you. Also we went by this touristy goods store, and OH MY GOSH I´ll smuggle something from there too. Something made me think of Ann, so she can expect something too. I wanted to put a smiley face right here, but the whole keyboard thing. It turns out like this :?. Alrighty then.

TRANSFERS!!!!! Each mission is 100 percent different. Our mission,because it´s so big and transfers can mean almost 24 hours of traveling, we don´t get transfers so much. We normally stay anywhere between 4.5 to 7.5 months. Nine months even happens every now and again. The longest area I´ve had was Zapala which was 4.5 months, all the rest as one or two transfers. Not including Bariloche. I´m staying here for a little while longer than one transfer. and I´ve only ever had one companion for more than one transfer, my dear Hna. Palacios. I´ve come to really miss her! Now do you get why I´m a little bummed. I´m a bit of a special case in my mission. As consolation, there´s another sister here in the mission who moves around as much as I do,and I´ve had a lot of her companions. We´re just cool like that :) Smiley face! Just please bear with me and my bummed-outness. I´m still trying to get up and work everyday with all I got.I also got some surprising news from my mission president that you´re going to find out soon in a couple of weeks. In a blessing from an elder he said that I shouldn´t be afraid of change, that it´s the way God works. There´s a lot of changes, and I feel like barfing right now.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I won´t barf. It´s just the really rich and delicious chocolate talking.

Anyway, Have a Happy Thanksgiving! We´ll see how we´ll celebrate this beloved day, but enjoy the stuffing and turkey for me!Love you all! Take care! Read, pray, and go to church! The essentials that keep you from falling.

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I'M BEING TRANSFERED!!!!!

2010-11-15T18:55:00.002-07:00

Wow. What a heck of a week. Or couple of weeks I should say.

First of all, please tell Kristin- OOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH MMMMMMMMYYYYYYYYYYYYY GGGGGGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so wickedly happy for her!!! That's wonderfully amazing! I'm going to be smiling all day now.

Oh my gosh- I realized Monday night after writing my email- HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!!!!! I could really kick myself for not writing it Monday. What better way to celebrate another year of love and family than with tough gifted moose meat.

I only say that with much love and a chuckle in my tender heart.

This I have realized this week. I've made it to the point in my mission where I forget which language is my own. I purposely think in English to make sure I don't forget anything, but then I begin talking in English, something that I don't think my Peruvian companion really appreciates. I get thoroughly confused during the week.

Also..... my companion and I have invited a ton of people to be baptized in this transfer... 10 people who said that they would be baptized! And yesterday we decided!.... That none of them would be baptized right now. Yes. Kind of a bummer. Even more so because....

I'M BEING TRANSFERRED!!!!!

Yes, you heard me right. I'm being transferred. Only after two transfers in this area- three months- I'm already leaving. I CAN'T TAKE THE PRESSURE!!! They say that if you get transferred a lot and if you have a lot of companions, it means you're one of the crazy ones. One of the ones that the companion can't stand. It means that I'm nuts. How wonderful. But the best part is that I'm going to......... BARILOCHE!!!! To the same ward that I was in about three months ago. I'm going to be working with the trainee of my dear Hna. Smith. Her trainee replaced me, and I'm going to be working with her. Also what I've realized is that I have not been in all four provinces of my mission. Bariloche is in Neuquén, not Rio Negro! Dang it! My plans have been foiled!

But okay.

My mission is officially insane.

But okay. I'm also going to be senior companion. I didn't have any plans to be senior companion until the last transfer of my mission. What a bummer. I have to be responsible! AHHH!!! Pero bueno. The Lord has some crazy plan for me that will be for my good and my benefit. Alrighty then. We move forward.

Take care and talk to you soon!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Feliz día de gracias! Or in other words- Happy Thanksgiving!
If it even is this week. If not... read that last part next week. ;)

This week has been tranquilo!

2010-11-10T20:01:00.003-07:00

I gotta make this quick. I'm sorry this one is going to be short.

This week has been the week of service. We've been helping one of the elder's investigators. Here in Argentina (or any Latin country for that matter) makes a big deal about the first birthday. You know, your first birthday where your parents have a ton of pictures of you in your booster with cake smeared all over your face and your hands. Yes, that first birthday. In the U.S. This birthday is normally celebrated with a cake, family and friends. No no no. Here it's a grand fiesta. They rented a party palace place that's like a small Boosters, with decorations galore. All this fancy shmancy stuff for a one year old. But that's how they do it down here. My companion and I were in charge of the decorations. We spent all week helping her prepare for the big day.

The only real bummer is that they didn't come to church yesterday.

All that service only to not show up!

They'll be receiving a phone call soon.

Anyway, more than this this week has been tranquilo.

But for your spiritual entertainment, Please read Preach my Gospel, especially chapter 2. If you want to be spiritually uplifted every day, it has suggestions to be able to get the most out of scripture study. Even if it's ten minutes, you can!

Especially for the boys (refer to Pres. Monson's opening remarks the beginning of Conference).

Also read the following article by Pres.Uchtdorf-

El verano pasado mi esposa y yo llevamos a nuestros nietos gemelos a Kirtland, Ohio. Para nosotros fue una oportunidad especial y preciosa de pasar tiempo con ellos antes de que salieran en sus misiones.

Durante nuestra visita a ese lugar, aprendimos a comprender mejor las circunstancias del profeta José Smith y de los santos que vivían en Kirtland. Esa era de la historia de la Iglesia se conoce como una época de grandes tribulaciones, pero también de enormes bendiciones. El Señor confirió en Kirtland algunas de las manifestaciones celestiales y dones espirituales más extraordinarios que el mundo haya conocido. En Kirtland y lugares circunvecinos se recibieron sesenta y cinco secciones de Doctrina y Convenios… revelaciones que trajeron nueva luz y conocimiento acerca de temas tales como la Segunda Venida, el cuidado de los necesitados, el plan de salvación, la autoridad del sacerdocio, la Palabra de Sabiduría, el diezmo, el templo y la ley de consagración 1.

Fue un período de progreso espiritual incomparable; de hecho, el Espíritu de Dios era tal como un fuego. Durante este tiempo aparecieron Moisés, Elías el Profeta, y muchos otros seres celestiales, incluso nuestro Padre Celestial y Su Hijo Jesucristo, el Salvador del Mundo 2.

Una de las muchas revelaciones que José recibió en Kirtland fue una revelación llamada la “hoja de olivo… tomada del Árbol del Paraíso, el mensaje de paz del Señor a nosotros” (introducción de D. y C. 88). En esta extraordinaria revelación se incluye la sublime invitación: “Allegaos a mí, y yo me allegaré a vosotros; buscadme diligentemente, y me hallaréis” (D. y C. 88:63).

Nah, just kidding! Here it is in English:

Last summer my wife and I took our twin grandsons to Kirtland, Ohio. It was a special and precious opportunity for us to spend time with them before they left on their missions.

During our visit there, we learned to better understand the circumstances of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Saints who lived in Kirtland. That era of Church history is known as a time of severe trials but also supreme blessings.In Kirtland the Lord bestowed some of the most remarkable heavenly manifestations and spiritual gifts this world has ever experienced. Sixty-five sections of the Doctrine and Covenants were received in Kirtland and surrounding areas—revelations that brought new light and knowledge about topics such as the Second Coming, caring for the needy, the plan of salvation, priesthood authority, the Word of Wisdom, tithing, the temple, and the law of consecration.1

It was a period of unparalleled spiritual growth. Indeed, the Spirit of God like a fire was burning. Moses, Elijah, and many other heavenly beings appeared during this time, including our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.2

One of the many revelations Joseph received in Kirtland was a revelation he called the “olive leaf … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, and the Lord’s message of peace to us” (introduction to D&C 88). This remarkable revelation includes the sublime invitation, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me” (D&C 88:63). As the Saints of Kirtland drew near unto the Lord, He truly did draw near unto them, pouring out the blessings of heaven upon the heads of the faithful.

A Spiritual Outpouring

Perhaps the culmination of these spiritual manifestations occurred during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. One of those present was 28-year-old William Draper, who described the day as a “day of Pentecost.” He wrote: “There was such a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation.”3

These spiritual manifestations were not limited only to those inside the temple, for “the people of the neighborhood came running together (hearing an unusual sound within, and seeing a bright light like a pillar of fire resting upon the Temple), and were astonished at what was taking place.”4

Lorenzo Snow (1814–1901), later to be President of the Church, was living in Kirtland during this blessed period. He observed, “One would have imagined that after receiving these wonderful manifestations no temptation could have overthrown the Saints.”5

But, of course, great spiritual experiences do not make us exempt from opposition and trials. Just a few months after the temple dedication, a widespread economic crisis shook the United States, and Kirtland felt the effects deeply. Banks failed, leaving many in difficult financial straits. To make matters worse, many of the Saints who were immigrating to Kirtland came with very few material possessions, not knowing what they would do once they arrived or how they would survive.

Before long, persecutions arose and mobs formed against the Saints. Members of the Church—even some of those closest to the Prophet, many of whom were present at the dedication of the temple—apostatized and condemned Joseph as a fallen prophet.

As I walked near the Kirtland Temple with my wife and grandsons, I pondered how tragic it was that some could not remain faithful even after the spiritual manifestations they had witnessed. How sorrowful it was that they could not endure the ridicule and criticism of disbelievers. How sad that, when faced with financial trial or other struggles, they could not have reached inside themselves and found the strength to remain faithful. How unfortunate it was that they somehow lost sight of the miraculous spiritual harvest at the dedication of the temple.

The Lessons

What can we learn from this remarkable era in the history of the Church?
One of the great, enduring lessons of the Kirtland period is that our spirits need constant nourishment. As President Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) taught: “Testimony isn’t something that you have today and you keep always. Testimony is either going to grow and grow to the brightness of certainty, or it is going to diminish to nothingness, depending upon what we do about it. I say, the testimony that we recapture day by day is the thing that saves us from the pitfalls of the adversary.”6 We need to stay close to the Lord every day if we are to survive the adversity that we all must face.

In some ways our world today is similar to Kirtland of the 1830s. We too live in times of financial distress. There are those who persecute and rail against the Church and its members. Individual and collective trials may sometimes seem overwhelming.

That is when we need, more than ever, to draw near unto the Lord. As we do, we will come to know what it means to have the Lord draw near unto us. As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. We will see clearly that the Lord does not abandon His Church or His faithful Saints. Our eyes will be opened, and we will see Him open the windows of heaven and shower us with more of His light. We will find the spiritual strength to survive even during the darkest night.

Although some of the Saints in Kirtland lost sight of the spiritual experiences they had, most did not. The majority, including William Draper, held fast to the spiritual knowledge God had given them and continued to follow the Prophet. Along the way they experienced more bitter trials but also more sweet spiritual growth until, ultimately, those who endured to the end were “received into … a state of never-ending happiness” (Mosiah 2:41).

You Can Hold On

If ever you are tempted to become discouraged or to lose faith, remember those faithful Saints who remained true in Kirtland. Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are part of a special generation. You were prepared and preserved to live at this important time in the existence of our beautiful planet earth. You have a celestial pedigree and therefore have all the necessary talents to make your life an eternal success story.

The Lord has blessed you with a testimony of the truth. You have felt His influence and witnessed His power. And if you continue to seek Him, He will continue to grant you sacred experiences. With these and other spiritual gifts, you will be able not only to change your own life for the better but also to bless your homes, wards or branches, communities, cities, states, and nations with your goodness.

It may be hard to see that at times, but hold on a little longer, for “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” and wait for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; see also D&C 76:10; 133:45).

I bear witness of the truth of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of this, His Church. I testify with all my heart and soul that God lives, that Jesus Christ is His Son and stands at the head of this great Church. We have a prophet on the earth again, even President Thomas S. Monson.

May we ever remember the lesson of Kirtland and hold on a little longer—even when things look bleak. Know and remember this: the Lord loves you. He remembers you. And He will ever sustain those who “endure in faith to the end” (D&C 20:25).

Don't forget- You can hold on!

Love you all, Hna. Georgeson

I hope to hear from you next week.... with those promised pictures!!!

I've gotta work!

2010-11-05T09:36:00.000-06:00

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my area. Our transfer ends in about two weeks, and I'm really hoping that the Lord doesn't see fit to take me out of Caleta. I really don't want to leave! If I leave, I think I would die. I want to stay in an area for a decent amount of time. If I'm here the next transfer that means that I'm here for two because my companion goes home at the end of the next transfer. I've been thinking about all of the people here, and the responsibility I have to help all of them learn about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. That there are so many being prepared to listen - I've gotta work!

I've also got to help everyone. Not be a burden but a help and a service.

This week has been long, and my Pday super short. Right now it's about 5 o'clock, the end of my Pday. We've been helping out an investigator of the elders with the birthday party decorations of their daughter. I'll try to send photos, they're really cute! But because of that, our Pday has come and gone yet again, leaving us with much more to do :)

This week Irma committed to be baptized. And her nutter of a mother who said that she wouldn't come to church came to church yesterday and said that she liked it. Irma's sons, Nicolas and Ariel, have come twice to church, and they love it too. This family is going to be baptized. Such good people. The kind of people who have trouble putting food on the table but offer you everything they have. Irma even came to church this week wearing a skirt. That's awesome! Hna. Aquino, my previous companion, and her companion before me found Nicolas and his brother on a bus and they got to talking. Mind you Nicolas is 10 years old. We saw them all the time in the street, but never really knew how to describe his house. They're still fairly new here. I'm telling you, it was no coincidence that they began talking to them on the bus. We're so happy for them and all the blessing they're going to receive! Even another son of hers, Yamil, has been robbing her Book of Mormon to read. WOOOOOOOOOHHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Don't you just love seeing miracles?

Bueno, for right now I say toodles. Take care and strengthen your testimonies! Do the little things! Because through small and simple things to great things come to pass :)

Love you all

xoxoxoxoXXo, Hna. Georgeson

7 Months to Go!

2010-10-25T16:47:00.000-06:00

Remind me to tell you the joke about wow mom when I come home. To me it's hilarious! Maybe not to others, but it cracks me up every time :)

I don't remember what I wrote you last week. This week has been calm. We have some investigators that are really progressing. One is María de los Ángeles. She is wonderful. She's accepted the goal of getting baptized! She has an adorable daughter, Macarena, who has a personality twenty times bigger than her body. I love it! We're so happy for her and her willingness to heed the call of the Savior.

Another is Lucas, whose mother is a less active member. He's 12 and has had the influence of the church in his life his entire life, but has never gone. We're teaching him, and he reminds me so much of Adam. It's funny. But yesterday when we were talking to him he told us that he prayed to know if the Book of Mormon is true, and he said that afterward he felt funny. A good kind of funny or a bad kind of funny? A little bit of both. It's just that it's weird, these feelings of the Spirit if we've never felt them or recognized them before!

This is something that I was studying in the morning. Receiving revelation, or answers, through the Spirit and prayer. Read Moroni 10:3-5 and examine what he tells us that we need to do. Try it out. Sentence by sentence try it, and follow his counsel. Let me know how it all turned out.

Send EVERYONE my love and my greetings, and we'll be talking soon!

xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Get out of the cave!

2010-10-11T22:54:00.002-06:00

Emily wrote her letter to the family specifically, but I cut out an excerpt to share with you.

I love my humanities background. The allegory of the cave is what I feel like my life is. Life is the cave. Being ignorant and living without faith in God and in Christ is life in the cave. It makes us chained to the wall, living believing that life are the images and shadows that bounce along the walls. Faith in the Gospel in Christ frees us from the cave. It takes us outside. At first it takes a while to adjust, but when you begin to adjust to the light you begin to see colors. Real things instead of shadows. Flowers, sky, grass, bees, everything! At the end of this allegory this person who left the cave is taken back and is mocked by his old comrads who think that life are the shadows on the walls. This person is unsatisfied with his life with the shadows because he has experienced something greater. We don't have to be pushed back into the cave. We can keep living outside, exploring, enjoying. This is what I feel like my life is with the gospel. My eyes keep adjusting and I see more. My life has more meaning, more sweetness, more joy, more peace. I feel a strong sense of gratitude for the mercy of my Savior and my Heavenly Father. I can be like them. With faith in them I can do anything. I can be like Them. How grateful I am that the mission has taken me out even more from my cave!

So my fellow Georgeson's, get out of the cave. Study the scriptures, pray, and be assured that the Lord will do whatsoever you need of Him. If you believe you will recieve a witness, by gum you will recieve it. If you believe that the scriptures have answers to your questions, by gum you will find those answers. Have faith and leave the cave. Adjust your eyes and live the beautiful life the Lord has given you.

I love you ALL so very much. Take care, and go outside! Enjoy the light.

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

Follow the counsels of the prophets

2010-10-07T17:15:00.001-06:00

Carlos is out of town in Chile still. Cell phones from here in Argentina don't work in Chile so we can't call him, and he hasn't called us. My companion and I have a joke that he's there forming his own Church with our books and doctrine. Crazy Carlos. Nah, we have no idea of what's happened to him.

Roque and Isidro were not baptized. We've postponed his baptism a week so we can help prepare him more. It was a little too immature. Roque texted us the morning of his baptism to tell us that he couldn't be baptized that day because of a family problem. We're going to set up a time this week to go see him and talk some more.

First of all... I LOVE CONFERENCE!!! I feel so cheated that it didn't last longer, and now I have to wait another six months! Really, it went by so fast. But what I love about this conference was that I felt like it spoke specifically to me, about some things I've been thinking about in my life. There are many things in the conference that I heard that they probably said before, but I really wasn't listening. My testimony lately has grown on listening to the voice of the spirit, actively seeking answers to your questions. With diligently studying the scriptures, you will find the answers you are looking for. Ask specific questions and you will find the specific answers. This is the principle of FAITH! Pray to find, and then LOOK! ACT! And I have felt this principle act in my life this weekend. It strengthened my testimony even more about all those talks about how grateful we should be for a living prophet and the restoration. This weekend we saw the heavens opened and we were able to enjoy the bliss of listening to the word of God being revealed in these latter days. What a blessing we have as a people in the latter days!

This weekend has been really stressful. From programming baptisms that fell through, to finding out about transfers and that my new companion is going to be my old companion, Hna. Karina Palacios. She only has three months left in her mission, and although I don't know what's going to happen, I think I'll be with her when she finishes her mission. So we're in this. BUT I will not turn back nor turn down. I have accepted the call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and a disciple I will be.

Pres. Arnold is the Area Seventy here for Argentina, and E. Zivic who offered an opening prayer is from Buenos Aires. He actually spoke in a stake conference in Zapala, so it was especially sweet for us here in Argentina. His talk was especially touching.

Don't worry about baptism clothes. The members here need to do the service, nobody else. But thank you for the thought, I know it came with the best of intentions to help (That and I think that as a missionary I really shouldn't ask for help from home).

Has Barrett been sleeping wrong? Maybe that could be the cause of his pain. But also... exercise really can help too if you can believe it! Do it! And tell him CONGRATULATIONS! Our little brainiac.

Good luck with your nose mamma. Don't bleed to death please! Also tell Micah and Adam that I love them too, oh so very much. Love my baby so very much, and don't forget to pray for me!

Tell everyone that I said HI! And THANK YOU!!!! For everything. I really am grateful. I count my blessing that you all support me in the way that you do while I'm here on my mission.

Follow the counsels of the prophets and make daily goals TODAY to apply their words, the words of God, into your lives. (D&C 1:38)

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

This week has been good.

2010-09-27T23:09:00.001-06:00

Thank you so much for the pictures! They did tickle my heart! How did you get the pics of Luis? Has he called/written? GOOD! I miss that kid! And now that I know Spanish, we definitely HAVE to talk when we get back. Tell him I miss him!!!

This week has been good. And I have no reason as to why. As far as the work goes, our success this week is not only spiritually, but our numbers show it as well! Lots of lessons and lots of new investigators.

Also, I saw my very first nun. My sista in the catholic faith. She was on the bus. It's nothing, but I thought it was really cool.

In other spiritually uplifting news... Our investigators Roque and Isidro are getting baptized this weekend! In all reality, it's going to be a nightmare. Two baptisms, conference weekend, and we don't even know at what time until Thursday night because Roque won't find out his work schedule until then. So we just have to tell everybody to prepare for a baptism Conference weekend at any time. Oh yeah, and all of the baptism clothes have gone missing. But hey, they're willing and they're ready to make their first covenant!

Roque is keeping true to his goals to stop smoking and reading the Book of Mormon everyday, and Isidro went to church in Buenos Aires yesterday (he's out of town). How awesome are they?!?

Also there's Selena. She's the eleven year old granddaughter of the Relief Society President. She wants to get baptized, but finally told us that she's never asked her dad. It breaks my heart. She's a good kid. Quiet, a little shy, but a good kid, and already her father doesn't really trust her to do anything or go anywhere, and her mother is very much so disinterested in her life. We put some goals with her to start reading the Book of Mormon every day, pray for help and strength, and obeying her parents. After two days of doing this, then going and asking her dad if she could get baptized. We found out in Relief Society yesterday through her grandma that she's really scared to do this. We were talking about being examples to your children, and her grandma told the Relief Society that Selena talked to her about these goals, and said to her "Are things really this hard?" She's genuinely scared to do this. This weekend we fasted for her so that she'd have the faith and courage to talk to her dad and that her dad would soften his heart, and I have the faith that the Lord hears and answers prayers and sees our efforts in our fasts. Therefore she can do it and he can say yes!

It really got me thinking, the thing she told her grandma. "Are things really this hard?" It's difficult to learn this lesson at such a young age. Maybe this means that she's someone really special to be able to take this kind of trail from the Lord being 11 years old! The thing is yes, things are really that hard. Life is really really hard. Oh but how much He will help us! It is hard, but He will not leave us alone! We need faith, which leads to courage, which leads us to action, which will lead to a stronger testimony and more faith as we see how the Lord will bless us, and the cycle continues onward and onward! Yes, things are really that hard, but the Lord will take part of the load. Yes, life is hard, but it doesn't have to be. Rely on the Lord, use His strength and have faith that He will provide, and He will provide!

We're going to try to call her tonight to see how she is and if she did the deed. I hope so.
And I can't write so much because I'm researching stuff for investigators and I gotta go!

But take care. Read your scriptures, pray daily, have family home evenings, and pray some more.

Love you all, and thank you so much!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Thank you so much for your support.

2010-09-23T20:10:00.001-06:00

Sorry this took so long to post. She didn't write me this week. She wrote her father instead. So here's his letter.

Momsy and Popsicle

I'm sorry I haven't been writing spiritual experiences. I didn't really think it was that big of a deal. I seem to have upset several people by doing so. It's not my intent. I don't know what else to say. I don't exactly have spiritual experiences oozing out my ears. All I can say is that I'm learning. At times it feels like one step forward and two steps back, and for that I don't have anything really to tell you. I'm trying to push forward. I'm trying to be the best missionary I can be. I'm still trying to figure out why in the world the Lord would want to send me on a mission, let alone a mission here in Argentina, Neuquén. I'm trying to work as hard as I can. I want to serve an honorable mission, and I'm trying. That's all I can really say.

Thank you so much for your support.

I am getting along well with my companion. She's a sweetheart. We're both learning patience and faith. I can't really complain too much. The only thing is that she's keeping a pet snail in the apartment. I hate snails! But she keeps him covered and out of sight, therefore whatever. I tried talking her out of it, but she loves the thing too much. She knows of my fear/slight phobia of snails, but now I know of her fear of ants.

ANTS.

This is why we get along. We're both irrational :)

I sing in Spanish all the time; that's how we get into houses. "Hi, we're missionaries from the church of Jesus Christ, and we'd love to come in and sing you a song for two minutes." There are some areas where it works and other areas no. Here, not so much, but there's not much else we can do about that. We do all that we can, and that is sweet satisfaction. Not baptisms, not statistics, but trying with all you got. Therefore okay.

We had District Conference this past weekend too. Actually, the missionaries had Zone Conference on Friday, and the mission president, his wife, the assistants to the president were here all weekend, as were the other six elders from the other areas. We got to see our President all weekend and our lovely elders. Poor things. They were stuck in the small apartment of the zone leaders. Ten of them! Some even had to sleep in the bathroom because it was so cramped. Next conference (GENERAL CONFERENCE!!!) us sisters are going to help them find houses to stay in and food to eat. Silly unprepared elders.

The District Conference was good. One of our investigators, Isidro, came to both sessions Saturday and Sunday. He began coming to church to try to help pull his family back together. Still only his six year old daughter wants to listen, but he's moving forward strong. I think the conference for him was something different because it had a strong focus on the family and temples. We see him tomorrow and can talk about it more. Sis.Peterson talked about how she loved her family and was glad that they can be together forever, and President Peterson invited the congregation to prepare for the temple, and for those who weren't members, to be baptized so that they can go. I love our President. He has the guts to say what needs to be said in such a loving way.

Our Zone Conference was about Chapter 4 in Preach my Gospel, Recognizing the Spirit. President told us that the greatest desire Pres. Hinckley and Pres. Monson had for missionaries is for them to learn to listen to the spirit; not give rote presentations but to teach to needs according to the spirit, and that many church leaders thought that it was impossible to be able to do so. That puts what we learned in conference into perspective. Not just something sweet and lovely- listening to the spirit- but something real and difficult and so worth the giant amounts of effort that you have to put into it.

There are many times where I feel so inadequate for the work. That's why I feel like many times I take one step forward and two steps back. But what we learn in our studies and in conferences, what we learn from church leaders, helps give hope that I can do whatsoever the Lord wants me to. And if anything, that's the kind of support I need. The reassurance that I can do it. It's really hard to remember it on my own. Please help me to remember it.

Thank you so much for all that you do. Letters, emails, thank you.

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

THIRSTY FOR THE GOSPEL!

2010-09-06T16:30:00.001-06:00

Muchas gracias for the recipe! I'm going to make them for my companion. Yay!

First of all, let Janelle know I shall send her a letter soon. But in the meantime, Elder Oaks talk Nov 2009 conference. It's EXACTLY what he was talking about.

Caleta Olivia- I don't exactly have words to describe her yet. If I had to, it would go something like this- THIRSTY FOR THE GOSPEL! Success shall be ours! MWA HA HA!!!!

Carlos is traveling to Chile to meet with his leaders of his church. He said when he comes back he'll be ready to be baptized. Okay. He already told us that he really wants to mission (... be a missionary? Nah, he wants to mission). Alright. We'll get him a Preach My Gospel.

For right now we're focusing on Roque (Rocky in Español) and Isidro. Roque has his baptism on Saturday. We're fighting so he can make it. Every time we go to teach him it's like a whole 'nother revelation for him because he was never ever taught that that's how things are, but he's accepting it. We totally rock his world. In a good way or a crazy way.

Isidro was a contact that my companion did with the sister before me. We went to his house (about the third time for her) and he wasn't home. Next thing we know he comes to church the next Sunday! We met with him on Wednesday, and we set up a baptismal date! He gets it and he really likes it. He really gets it! The detail is that he has to go to Buenos Aires to do surgery... one day before the programmed baptism! So we'll try it again tonight. He's willing though, and that's all we can ask for.

My companion is sweet. The only thing is that she keeps finding snail shells and taking them to the apartment. Not only that, but it turns out that one of them is alive, and it freaked the crud out of me this morning (for people like Janelle and Tiffany, they know that this is a BIG deal to me). So we'll see how it goes. Nah, we get along really well. She thinks I'm funny, and I think she's really sweet, so we get along like peaches and cake (which is the standard cake filling in Argentina... at least in the Patagonia).

I'm still working and still going strong, so you all better be too!

Thank you so much mama!

Hna Georgeson

P.S. EVERYONE- I WANT CONVERSION STORIES! How did you come to know that the church was true or Joseph Smith was a prophet? Converts and life long members alike. I know they're special experiences. How did you feel? What helped you to know? What gave you that confirming witness?

P.S.S. Mama, can I now have a recipe for frosting and nun puffs from my cook book? Gracias!!!

Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaleta Olivia!

2010-09-01T23:35:00.001-06:00

Thank you for the email! It was a pleasant surprise. I just read the last one you sent, and then when I went to read daddy's yours was already there. It was a sweet surprise.

Caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaleta Olivia!

I am here.

I finally found a map and found out where I am. I thought it was further down south. But I'll just settle for where I am. It was really nice here for a few days and as of late started again with the cold. But I'll live with this cold. Being by the ocean again, worth it 100%.

One day I'll figure out how to send you pictures. I tried sending a letter, but the post man gave it back saying that if I put it in two envelopes it would be cheaper. Asi que bueno. (so, okay.)

This week has been interesting as to the adventures we've had thus far. My second day my companion got peed on by a dog. Worse than Hna. Smith. We both laughed our heads off. Que mal soy yo! Na :)

The other day while walking to the bus stop the lady walking in front of us began running, and we looked back and noticed the bus was coming. We started booking it too, and next thing we know the bus turned around the corner right behind us. It wasn't even our bus! We laughed our heads off at that too. I wonder if the bus drivers think it's really funny when people do that. I would.

For my birthday my companion gave me an alfajor with a candle on it. I thoroughly enjoyed it. An alfajor is almost like a hostess cupcake, ya know, the chocolate ones. But they're soooooo much yummier. Way better. I liked my birthday even though almost nobody but my companion knew. It doesn't bother me at all. Hip hip hooray for my bday!

I can't really think of anything else that happened. But first let me tell you about Carlos.

He's someone really high up in his evangelical church. Hna. Aquino told me that he's like the Pres. Uchtdorf in his church, like the Pres. Monson of Caleta. He comes to church every week, participates, befriends like the members should, he's awesome. After his baptism he might be translated or become the fourth Nephite or something. He lives for the gospel. He's more open to baptism now than before. We're going to get there. He knows it too. He's going to Chile next week to talk with his 'leaders' and be 'released'. He still goes out 'preaching,' but instead of inviting them to his congregation, he invites them to ours. Yeah, he still has a little ways to go, but he'll get there. He's a good man.

Bueno, Thank you for everything! And thanks for the recipes mama. Can you send me one for soft pretzels? Qué rico! What a bummer! My keyboard doesn't have the upside down exclamation point!

Well, until next time, ciao!!!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

I'M BEING TRANSFERRED...... AGAIN!

2010-08-23T17:29:00.002-06:00

You want to hear some exciting news?

I'M BEING TRANSFERRED...... AGAIN!

I was only here in Bariloche for one transfer (6 weeks), and now I've already got to go! When the elders called us they didn't say anything at first (maybe to get back at us for a trick we played on them the other day... our bad.), and then when they finally told us I thought it was a joke. For like 5 minutes I was like "Elder, stop kidding. It's not that funny anymore." He said "I'm not joking Hermana, you really are going."

AHHHHHH!!!!

The reason it's a bummer is that Hna. Smith and I have worked really hard to get this area up and running. We've worked really hard and have found 5 people willing to follow Christ and be baptized- 5 solid baptisms. And now I have to leave them all behind! Me mata! (It kills me!)

Hna. Smith is training this transfer. That is why I am leaving. She was told she was going to train and she's been waiting for the opportunity for a while. I just didn't think I'd get kicked out after one transfer!

I am going south. It's the farthest south that the Hna's go here. Se llama Caleta Olivia. It's a petroleo town, or like a place where they pump oil. They've got those giant oil pumping machines everywhere. I've been told it's even MORE cold and there's wind just like Zapala there. Yippee skippee! The comfort is that there's no snow because it's along the ocean. My new companion is a Latin. Hna. Aquino, and Argentine! I get an Argentine companion! I think this experience will go so much better than the last time I was with a Latin. Hna. Smith says that she's really nice, loves to laugh, and is kind of quiet, so I think we'll get along really well. Even though it's really hard to leave this area in Bariloche, I'm looking forward more to working and seeing the same miracles that we saw here. I want success, and if I work hard, success is what I'm going to get.

When the members found out I was leaving, I really realized that the members liked me more than I thought. I thought I was just some missionary in their ward, that I didn't really matter to them, but I really underestimated them. they are so loving- they LOVE their missionaries. They take care of them so well. They've seen how the missionary work has grown since we really started working here, and it was just really sweet, I'm not going to lie. Humbling too. Really made me take a step back and think about the calling I have.

My comp and I were really excited to have our birthdays here in the same transfer, but alas, we're not! She had been telling members that my birthday was coming up, and there was one Hermana in the ward that wanted to cook us dinner on my birthday. When she found out that I wasn't going to be there, she invited us over last night to eat dinner with her and her daughters. This is the same Hna. that gave be new boots and socks after she found out that my feet were soaked. Oh, wait, I didn't tell you that story!

It snrained here for about two days-ish and my boots were done for. I had tried gluing the sole back to the boot like three times, but the sole was coming off again, and then the zipper on the boot finally broke apart. I had to walk around with safety pins to keep them shut. One night we went by her house because I really needed to go to the bathroom. She asked us how we were doing with the snow and rain, and we said that yeah, my feet were kind of wet. Next thing I know she comes in, gives me a pair of boots (that I was totally NOT expecting) and when she saw how wet my feet and socks were gave be a fresh pair of fuzzy socks that kept my feet nice and dry. I was so grateful. She did me the service. It was hard to accept, but something said "she needs to do the service for you." So right now I have some really good boots and a sweet sweet friend here.

So we went to her house last night to find an asado (an Argentine bbq)! Que rico! It was so nice of her. She really is a special lady. And then next thing I know afterwards she comes out with a cake and a candle and starts singing happy birthday to me! It was so sweet. Although I'm going to be spending my birthday in a brand new area I really did feel like it's okay, she made it special enough. I can't get over how wonderful she is. I really am grateful. Even something silly like celebrating my b-day with me just really made so much more the difference. And keeping me feet safe, dry, and warm. The Flia Ponce really are special. I love the Hna. Ponce!

So that's some sweet stuff going on. We are really happy for the progress of our investigators here in Bariloche. Karen has been coming to church willingly (and even yesterday early!), Rafael and his niece Mikaela (our new baptismal candidate) have been reading the book of Mormon all by themselves, Ricardo stayed for all three hours of church, and Daiana, another bap. candidate, totally came and seemed to enjoy it. Even her inactive older sister came with her. I'm really happy for all of them and the progress their going to make. Very happy.

Thank you so much for your prayers and letters and stories!

Thank you so much mamma for writing me, I just feel very happy to hear from you all.

Tell Barrett THANK YOU! I can't write to him today, but tell him to try the online class. I think he can do it. Learn some diligence and push himself. I know he can do it.

Tell daddy thank you for the email and I love him!

Tell Adam and Micah I totally 100% love them too.

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

But that's missionary work, right

2010-08-18T21:01:00.001-06:00

This week has been one crazy hectic whirlwind. We've had some pretty sweet highs and some agonizing lows. But that's missionary work, right?

I don't really know what to say all that much this week. A lot of this week has been knocking doors that didn't open and running around from fallen appointment to fallen appointment. BUT I'm okay, I just don't have any super cool stories.

We did try seeing Kristina this week, but she wasn't there the two times we tried setting the appointment. The last time she left us a note with her dad that says that we can come Tuesday. We're just so happy because she's still willing to see us! Really, anything that can happen in this mission is almost worth it because an investigator still wants to see us after all the obstacles that have fallen her way! We are so happy.

That's wonderful news about the priesthood in the ward! Right now we are really anticipating two of our baptisms because it means two more priesthood holders in the ward. Right now the ward is fighting to keep it's ward status because with a lot of members they either moved away to one of the other wards in the stake or they have gone inactive. A good relief society is 5 sisters without the missionaries. We had only one active member of Young Mens, but after Sept. 18th we're going to have two more for them.

One of them is Rafael. He's 12 years old and a great kid. At first when we met him he was putting on this tough guy attitude, and I remember thinking How in the world are we going to do this? But he's opened up a lot to us. Not like a whole heck of a lot, but a lot more. His first week in church was yesterday and everybody loved him. He's still got that tough guy thing going on, but he's willing to put it down every once in a while. My comp says that he's going to be a great missionary some day. I totally believe it. We just have to exhort his parents to come to church too!!!

So I've been studying this activity in Preach My Gospel in Chapter 4 about Moroni 10. The question is "What does Moroni exhort the reader of the Book of Mormon to do?" Well, you have to read Preach my Gospel to get the whole idea and the better-phrased question, but it really has helped me to open my eyes as to how to receive a witness of the Book of Mormon like Moroni promised. Read it. Do it. Love it. Please.

Love you all and thank you so much for all that you do!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Almost half way there!!!‏

2010-08-18T20:55:00.002-06:00

Before I got here, my companion spent EVERYDAY working with less actives and former investigators the last transfer. She's so ready to move on, and I trust her judgement. BUT we are trying our best to encourage the members and beg for service opportunities, and slowly but surely we get more references. Okay, references for less active members, but with children and husbands that are not members! Hey, we gotta start somewhere. And the visiting teaching idea is good, but that's not our job. We just don't have the time to do that! But we'll mention it as an idea to the RS president.

Members do feed us for most of the week, they're really good at taking care of the missionaries. Yesterday we ate with the Hna. Acuña, a crazy outspoken - offend everyone - super strong member. She's batty and I love it! She always takes care of us. And knits us sweaters. I have to send you a picture of the sweater of my companion. It's a gem.

We did not get to visit with Kristina this week. The day we went to our apt she was at the hospital. We went the next day and she told us that she lost her baby. She was going to the hospital again in the morning so that she would be home when we came in the afternoon. In a time like this she was rearranging her schedule so she could see us! We have another apt tomorrow morning. Wish us luck! More like the spirit. He's way better than luck.

Yeah, Internet is around, but I don't know to what extent is their audio equipment. He likes movies, not just the words. We're still looking into ordering more movies. Like the Joseph Smith Movie!!! I don't know if we can order it in the mission, but I will do almost anything to get it!
And if you haven't seen it, watch it. And of course they speak Spanish. Why wouldn't they? Nah, Bariloche is diverse, but not that diverse. There are more Brazilian tourists than anything else.

Next we've ran into A LOT of transvestites and people of whom we cannot distinguish a gender. Yes, Bariloche is also filled with weirdos and drunks and pot smokers. I just found one pot smoker thus far, but I've been told that there are more. Oh Bariloche, how I love thee so. People who see us try talking to us in their broken English that they've learned in elementary school, but I honestly feel like they're trying to harass us. It's just because we're blonde.

And we're going to stop seeing Juanita for a while. After our last apt, it's apparent that the missionaries should hold off for a while. It's a story that I'm not quite sure how to explain.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADAM YOU OLD FART!!!! I LOVE YOU!

And tell Daddy that about the deal, I think I've gotten a decent start. Yay!

Enjoy the fair!

And how did Sis. Hobson die? That is so crazy that you all didn't hear about it. Is Adam okay about it? She really was sweet.

And to leave you all, I copy my letter to my mission pres. love you all and thank you so much!!!!

"We put another fecha! It's the son of a menos activa family. That story was kind of a miracle. All of the sisters told us about this family who left off going to church more than ten years ago, and then one Saturday during their weekly knitting activity she showed up at the chapel, the mom, and told them that she wants her two sons baptized. We went and we realize that it's going to take some work and a lot of prayers and faith. The parents remember almost nothing about the church and it almost seems like the one son that we meet is doing it more to please his parents rather than because he wants to. BUT he chose his own fecha and was all smiley about it afterward. Something is going to happen here. I just know it.We also have found another investigator, Kristina, that is just amazing. I think the adversary is working really hard to make sure that we never can catch each other, but the Lord WILL conquer. Hna. Smith and I know that we will see some amazing miracles with her.

An experience I had with prayer was in my second transfer. The Hermanas from Cultural Co. came for a zone conference and we ended up doing splits that night. My being here for only about 7 weeksish in Argentina and not really understanding anything or where anybody lived, I got lost with the other Hna. Palacios from BsAs in the dark lonely streets of Zapala. We wandered around for about a half an hour until finally she suggested that we stop on the corner and pray because I really had no idea where we were. I prayed that we might be able to find the house, but if not then that we would be guided to someone ready to meet us. After about five more minutes of wandering around we gave up and began knocking at the first house we saw. The woman, Nora, let us in, and Hna. Palacios explained the restoration in a nutshell and about prayer, that we can pray to know the truth for ourselves. The next time we went to visit her she began crying because she had never been taught to pray like that. She knew that we were different. She prayed about Joseph Smith and felt this rush of calm. We left her a Book of Mormon, and the next time when we came back she told us that the book was different; it was special. But her husband was very much so catholic, and didn't want us coming back to teach her anymore. He even wanted her to return all the stuff we gave her. But she couldn't deny the answer to her prayers that it was good, that it was true. She kept the Book of Mormon and I never got to go back to her house. But I know that the Lord guided us to someone ready to hear. I don't think right now was the time, but the Lord will prepare the way for her to receive the gospel in its fullness. She is really special.I'm sorry that's so long, but it was such a special experience for her to tell us all that stuff. Moments like that remind me why I looked forward to serving on a mission."

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

P.S. Mamma, can you email Jennifer Squires and let her know I have a couple of letters for her, I just need her address! Thank you!

Happy August!

2010-08-08T15:59:00.001-06:00

Alas, another week has rolled away and you haven't written me! As I sit here in this booth I cry rivers of tears as the lost words of my sleeping mother are sent into the realm of dreams.
I think my companion has rubbed off on me. Or maybe that means I'm rubbing off on myself.
I love it when she reads me her journal entries. They sound a lot like that and then make me laugh.

Anyway, on to stuff that is a wee bit more important!

I officially declare that I've hit the point in my mission where I'm exhausted all the time. My companion says it happens to everyone. I'm just going to take it as a good sign as to the fact that I really do try to work hard. There are days better than others, but alas, I cannot slack! I would hate that.

The work here in Bariloche is picking up. The ward here is really small. Somebody told us that about ten years ago there were about 100 kids in the Primary in this ward. 100 kids! And not just one person said that, a couple! And now about 30ish people attend faithfully every week. They're small but faithful. Yesterday after church about 5 sisters from the ward ran up to us and asked us to visit Hna. so and so, a less active member. It's difficult as a missionary to handle this situation. We would love to go visit the less active members, but we also have to be missionaries! It is part of the responsability of the missionaries to visit less active members, but the majority of the responsability falls on the members. These members are a part of their fold- they are the ones that can stay and help them out, genuinely make them feel loved- not the missionaries! I'm sorry, I just had to get that out. This is why visiting teaching and home teaching are so important! The members are the ones that make the difference, not the missionaires. Therefore go out and do! Now! Don't wait for invitations. Go out and actively find! Oy vey.

That is one of the only things that makes us lose time every once in a while. We try to use these opportunities anyway to find investigators- friends and family- but it still gets us.

This week we had our first real lesson with Kristina, a girl that we found knocking doors last week. She's so amazing! Just down to earth and level headed. When we explained Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, she asked us all the questions that she had without any kind of embarassment and then at the end said, "I think I really just want to study this all out and pray about it." My companion was like PLEASE DO!!! She didn't freak out or get all offensive or anything. She just took it all in stride and doesn't automatically rule it out over the miraculousness over it (if miraculousness is even a word. Don't laugh at my lack of communication skills). She just really wants to know the truth. We're so excited to see her again, but we fasted for her yesterday so that she would get an answer and be able to move forward to baptism. Because she's so great she's going to see a lot of opposition, but we want her so bad, and so does Heavenly Father. He won't let her fail and fall. He'll help her.

And on Saturday morning somebody let me iron for them! I was so happy! Drying machines don't exist here. Everything air dries and gets wrinkly, therefore everybody irons EVERTHING. Have you ever ironed a tshirt? I have.Have you ever ironed your sweaters? I have. These poor mothers here have TONS to iron, but never let us help! But an investigator, Juanita, let us iron for her because she just hates it so much. Juanita is lovely. A middle-aged mother who always takes care of us. She has two awesome kids: Natalia and Emilio. Emilio is a hoot, I love that kid. We've been building up this amistad and confianza (like friendship and trust) with them. They listen always, but understanding is another story. We've tried so many things to help them understand things like prophets and the apostacy, but Juanita just doesn't get it. Her kids do, they're really smart, even 11yr old Emilio who never seems like he's listening. If anybody has any suggestions, please do send.

Also suggestions for a Walter, who is married to a member. He just doesn't like reading. He's more of a visual learner kind of guy, but visuals like movies really aren't accesible here. How do we help him? He needs a testimony of the Book of Mormon, but how? Please send your suggestions to me pronto.

Okay, so you have until next monday.

Thank you so much for all that you do! Love and miss you all a lot.

xoxox, Hna.Georgeson

P.S. And tell Adam that I love him.

Bariloche, Alto 1 ward

2010-07-26T11:15:00.000-06:00

Bariloche, Alto 1 ward. My area is covered with hills. I'm so not kidding. We are so tired by the end of the day it's hard to climb up the stairs to get into our apartment at night. We both feel like we're just now opening the area. We've been doing lot of knocking on doors. Believe it or not, even though it's a touristy place, it's not that bad. We've found a lot of great people lately. It's the Lord blessing us for our diligence to walk up all of these hills! We can still feel the success that we're going to have here. We know we're going to turn this area around.

This past week we've meet a lot of people from other religions (some nicer than others... even a Buddhist! She was sweet). We had a guy threaten to call the cops on us. Qué mala onda (what bad attitude)! But alas, we finally merit the title of hard core according to our zone leader. oh yes. Hard core I am.

The other Elders are great here in Bariloche. We love our zone leaders. I've heard a lot of E.Jensen from my trainer. I've also heard he makes really good chili. I'm going to be talking to him about that. Also, E. Argueta from El Salvador is priceless. His laugh always makes you smile. He leaks pure joy. And he's really smart when it comes to gospel stuff. We always call him and ask him questions. And just talk about the good ol' work of the Lord.

My companion and I get along really well. We've decided that we're the same person, but one in a taller body. In all seriousness. We have the same preferences, the same dislikes, the same sense of humor. We even read each other's minds every once in a while. It's insane! No really, it's crazy how much we're alike.

Send my condolences to the Parkes. They really are good people and I hope they're doing okay, especially with his mom.

I still pray for all of you. Keep moving forward. Do the little things that make a big difference! Pray! Read your scriptures! Have family home evenings (you'd better still be having them)! Little things, I know, but I can't tell you from this side of the fence what an incredible difference it makes in the lives of the people that we serve.

I'm sending letters with pictures today, so keep a watchful eye!

Love you all so much!!!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

Bariloche

2010-07-19T13:52:00.004-06:00

Yeah, well last pday was a different pday. I don't have normal pdays anymore. MAH! Just kidding! Kinda.

Anyway yes, yes I am here in Bariloche. My new companion is amazing. I love her! She's really funny, tall (6'4''!), and from California. She's like a taller version of me! She has about 3 more months than me on the mission, and she's ready and willing to work hard to find people, which is exactly what I want. The last transfer she opened up the area (they took out the elders in this ward and put in sisters) and was supposed to train a new companion. But her new companion never got here and she's had to work with mini missionaries and members, so the work has been REALLY slow since she's gotten here. We're both really looking forward to start knocking and start finding. It's going to be awesome. We know we're going to have success here.

But the thing is that this past week has been a barrier in the work. My companion, like right when I got here got really sick. This entire week we've been in our apartment. Needless to say, with all the extra time I got a lot of stuff done and did a lot of studying. But one week after getting here I still don't know anything about our area! Nah, I can't blame anybody, and especially not her. She's been dying because she wants to work, but every other moment she feels like she's going to puke.

So that is the mission Bariloche experience. Besides that, it's been nice here. It was really cold before I got here, but it warmed up while we were in the apartment all day. Now there are icky clouds looming amongst the mountains threatening rain and snow. There are mountains really close everywhere. It also feels like Rexburg in many aspects. Wind, cold, a little bit of snow here and there. Hills- Bariloche is just a land of hills. Definitely like Rexburg. It's going to be an adventure, right?

But it's all going good.

And Zapala. You can tell me whatever you want, but Zapala was... like a training grounds. Like not the real thing for me. But Bariloche is going to be a lot better. I know it is. I'm actually going to be a missionary here. And I totally get the soccer thing. Just because we never grew up fanatics of anything doesn't mean I don't get it. I actually do get it. A lot. That's why I wasn't egging him on or making fun of him. I felt bad because I know it means a lot to these people. And I understand the thing with Gabi's mom. I understand that she's depressed and so her brain is broken. Okay, maybe not so much like that, but I know she doesn't think normal... but that's what drove me insane! I can't keep in touch with my old companion, but she was just starting to understand when I left. I think she'll get it.

Tell Adam to keep his head up, and Micah to get up and do something more (refer to the hymnbook for more instructions on this subject)! And let everyone know I really do appreciate the love and support, and the letters they send. Des, Beth, everyone! I haven't forgotten about you! I will send letters ASAP!

Thanks so much for everything, and take care!!!

xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

July 12 Transfers!!!

2010-07-19T13:48:00.002-06:00

Haha, you are my secretary! Ah, just kidding! I'm glad to hear from you because I got some exciting news... TRANSFERS!!!

I'm going to Bariloche!

Saturday night the new district leader in Zapala (our beloved E. Smoot from the MTC!) informed us that my poor companion that wanted to leave Zapala would stay, and I who wanted to stay would leave. It really really stinks. I feel like I did nothing in Zapala, like I helped nobody. That's the worst part. I feel like I leave with shame.

But what we always say is that the work is directed by the Lord, and He doesn't need me in Zapala anymore. He needs me in Bariloche!

Bariloche (bah-di-loh-chay) is a skiing place in the mountains. Therefore I shall see snow and a lot of coldness. Boo. I'm going to be working in the downtown area with Hna. Smith from the U.S., and she's the tallest sister here in the mission, well over six feet tall. And blonde. With blue eyes. Yeah, we won't stick out. Nah, because there are so many tourists there during the winter (for behold, here it's winter) we are going to find a lot of English speakers, so we won't stick out... too much.

Hna. Palacios gave me some Peruvian sweaters and thermals to wear because it's supposedly REALLY COLD.

Oh heavens.

So right now I'm writing in the bus terminal here in Neuquén capital, waiting another 50 minutes before my bus leaves. I think I'll arrive at about 10 or 11 at night.

My goodbyes from Zapala were interesting. I wasn't going to say anything in church so I could say goodbye to the people afterward visiting, but my companion told the bishop who had the first councilor assign me a talk without a topic 1 hour before sacrament meeting, who also told the ward at the end of the sacrament meeting. Thanks Hno. Villar! Nutter. I only say that with love.
So for right now that's where I am. This past week we've been having difficulty with our recent converts. Two of them, a couple, have decided to "help their marriage" they're not going to come to church. They got into a fight after the loss between Germany and Argentina because he was in a bad BAD mood. The fight was pretty ugly, the church came up (because we were at their house during the match- we made them lunch and my companion was treating the loss of Arg lightly which bugged him even more), and he decided that to help their marriage he's not going to come to church, and to keep the matrimonial unity she decided she's not going to go either. It's stupid. My companion felt awful because she felt like it was all her fault, but they were on this path for a long time. It's just that they've finally come to the point where they leave it all behind. It's sad, but they have their agency.

Another one of our amazing investigators isn't coming to church anymore either. It's Gabriela, whose dad recently died about four months ago. Her mom (who I officially now think is insane) is in a bad depression and is often alone, which makes it even worse. She guilts her children into leaving their lives behind to spend time with her. I can understand that she's hurting, but now her children are hurting too. Her two daughters that got baptized won't come to church until she's better. The thing is that she wants to be miserable. We visited her this past week and stayed with her because she was alone (and her daughters asked us to visit so that she wouldn't be alone), and we left her fine and dandy. The next day however we found her daughters in the street, the one saying "what did you say to my mom last night? What did you do?" When her daughter came to her mom's house about 15 minutes after we left, and her mom began yelling at her saying terrible things. This is why I think her mom is nuts. She went AWOL on her daughter, and now her daughter doesn't trust the missionaries- at least the sisters. And yet again Hna. Palacios felt awful because she tried to do what was right, but to her she made the situation even worse.

Okay, so I fumed for a moment there.

The thing is as missionaries we have to respect the agency of these people. As hard as it is to watch them make stupid decisions with their lives, we have to let them do it, because it's their lives. We work with them to help them, but in the end it's their decision.

But I have hope for the future, my future in Bariloche and my really tall companion. It's going to be good. I'm going to work hard to make sure I don't leave Bariloche like I left Zapala. Can you smell that? It smells like... MISSIONARY SUCCESS!

Send everyone my love!
xoxo, Hna. Georgeson

P.S. Mama, keep you eyes out on my email, I think Hna. Palacios might try to send my pics.
Thank you secretary! (Nah, just kidding! Thank you Mama for all that you do for me xo)

Happy fourth of July!

2010-07-09T20:39:00.002-06:00

This past week I had what the members call a "liver attack". Basically I had the strong desire to puke and a super high fever. The members say that it happens because of the diet of grease and fats, red meats, red pasta sauce and pasta and bread. This is the second time this has happened. Let me just say I don't want a destroyed liver and therefore am going to take much better care of myself. It's that there's so much preassure to eat the food of the people- if you don't eat they ask "Why aren't you eating? Don't you like my food? EAT!!!" No more of this! I'm taking a stand for me and my health. There's a sister in the ward that asks me "Are you on a diet Sis. Georgeson? Are you on a diet?" No! I'm not on a diet! I don't want a liver transplant by the time I'm 32!!! Take a stand for you health!

Strawberries! How I miss them so!

Happy fourth of July! I wore red, white, and blue yesterday, but nobody noticed.

The loss of Argentina at the world cup was interesting. We didn't meet any hostile people, but we were with members during the match (we made tacos for them), and the husband got all mad and cranky, and we found out the next day that they got into a fight! My companion doesn't understand why these people would take a loss in soccer so hard, but the loss was embarassing. I can understand. Not the whole fight-with-my-spouse thing, but being bummed out, yes.

So this week has been really interesting. Today I'm in San Martín de los Andes. It's lovely! My companion and I had the highest numbers in our zone this transfer so we got to come here. We're going on a really expensive hike today. Expensive because this place is so touristicy. But I can see why. Cabins. Snow. Spas. It's green here! Much more different than Zapala, the desert land of dirt. We had to get up at 2 this morning to travel the four hours to get here, and we won't get back to Zapala until about 4 in the morning tomorrow. Yay!

I sent some pictures to mama last week, hope you all got them. My adventures in the crazy land of Argentina.

Our converts are doing great and they progress every time we visit them. It's wonderful.

If there's anything I can say to you as a missionary is that you help the missionaries. Not only with refferals, but with the courage to talk about God and the gospel. Not only that but visit less active members and invite them to church. Be a friend to investigators. Do your home and visiting teaching. Strengthen the stakes of Zion.

love you all, and send my love to everyone!

And thanks Daddy :)

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

June 28 Pictures

2010-06-28T21:35:00.017-06:00

Regarding the world of soccer, please regard my email to Barrett for my sentiments on the matter.

I still hope everything is going alright- the car, the familly, the dogs, the dancing chocolate chickens... What? Who said that?

I would send you pictures (yet again), but everything is stupid. Why won't everything work?!?!??? BBBBBAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!!!

There are times where I feel like Charlie Brown. The poor kid doesn't ask for anything, yet the crap seems to fall on his lap. BUT to help make up for it he has a pretty sweet dog that can fly his doghouse like the Red Baron with a cool yellow bird for a sidekick. And throughout it all, he keeps moving forward.

I just want to say, first of all, THANK YOU ALL OF YOU WHO WROTE ME! And Des, I got your letter, it made me SSSSOOOOOO happy! I love you lots and lots and lots! I was actually thinking about you the other day. I was telling my comp about your brothers. Yay for Des!!! And yes, I miss our partieees :)

Right now we're in week five of the transfer. Two more weeks until transfers. I feel like we just started! And June is almost over! Who in the world made time go by so fast?!? Craziness!!! The work here is insane. We've been trying to improve our numbers (evidence that we actually are working) and we've been talking to EVERYONE. Let me just say that in the past two days I've heard enough excuses. But alas, hay que seguir adelante (which is meaning ya gotta keep moving forward)!

WAIT!!! My companion has taken mercy on my soul! I'm going to try to send pics- I hope they get to you!!!

Anyway, we're working our tails off to see more baptisms, find more people to teach, spread the word- of God!

Keep safe, keep cool, keep the commandments, all that great stuff.

P.S. Mamma- can you send me simple recipies for diabetics? Pretty prease???

Love you all lots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

xoxox, Hna.Georgeson

Hee hee hee, I was playing with the images. Too bad I'm a missionary and can't really give hugs to everyone I want.

#1: Gabriela's baptism

#2: Diego's baptism

#3: Hno. Castro who baptized Juliana, Cloromiro who was baptized by Diego, our new convert

#4: Me and a rainbow one very cold and windy day in Zapala

#5: My comp, Hna.Palacios de Cerro de Pazco, Peru, and I in the last zone conference

#6: My comp and I in the house of a recent convert. We're eating piñones, yum!

#7: Museo Zapala! I'm robbing them! Mwa ha ha!!!

June 21" GGGOOOAAALLL!!!!!!!!!"

2010-06-28T21:33:00.002-06:00

It's funny that you said something about family history. Yesterday my companion and I were with our most recent converts and we spoke about family history work. They already have been interested in their genealogy (lordy, I don't know how to spell that anymore) and about ten years ago spent some time researching. How awesome is that? Their baptism was great. His sister, their neice and their daughter and her family all came, and many more members came than normal, although it was an icky day yesterday. Juliana (not Janina, my bad) was baptised by a brother in the ward with tons of experience and when she went down accidentally swallowed some water. When she came back up we thought she was dying! Not litterally, but we were concerned. She's older right, with health problems. We were all like AAAAAHHHHHHHHH! But she was okay. And then Cloromiro's baptism was performed by our convert from about two or three weeks ago. His first baptism already! The first time he went down in the water his elbow was sticking out so he had to do it again. The whole baptism part was... interesting. A slightly worrysome experience. But-

Afterward Juliana and Cloromiro bore their testimonies at the end, and although their baptisms were less than glorious from our side of the glass, they gave such sweet testimonies. Especially Juliana. At times she's self concious about what she says, and she got up and said "I- I don't know what to say. It doesn't come out. I really don't know what to say. I've been to many churches, I always enter with faith, but this is where I feel God." I was so content to hear her say that! This is the same woman who when my other companion and I first found them, we thought we would never get through to them. We were about to stop visiting them. And now they're the members of the ward with whom everything just clicks. It's amazing!

Also in happy news- WE REACHED THE STANDARD!!!!!

This means that the goals for the mission- the numbers of baptisms, lessons, contacts, etc- we reached/surpassed them all! To reach the standard is very rare because at times there aren't many people to teach, there aren't those who progress. BUT this week has been a week of miracles. My companion's foot stopped hurting her as much as before and so we could walk faster, we go downtown to the hospital for her treatment every other day so we´ve taken advantage of the time to do contacts, by some miracle many doors have opened and we've found new people to teach. For the past three weeks we haven't had anyone who was progressing to put a date to be baptized, but by some miracle we found them. We found a family of old investigators (almost six or eight years that they've known the church), and last night when my companion extended the invitation to be baptized, accepted. In no way, with no reason, should we have been able to reach the standard. It makes absolutely no sense. God will always be a God of miracles, eh?

In other news, I'm a huge fan of homemade bread. I love making it. Today for lunch my comp and I are going to eat french toast with my bread! YUM! But without syrup. There ain't no syrup here. What a bummer. Meh, whatever!

Also the Mundial is going on- the World Cup of soccer! FIFA!!! WOOO!!!!

I'm not going to lie- it kills me that I can't watch. But alas I still know what's going on; it's all they talk about here! My team- France- has won one and lost one. I'm so disappointed. They're a wickedly awesome team! How could it be?!?! Whenever Argentina plays the streets are empty, the taxis are still running, but nobody's in them- they've all ran into their houses to watch the game! All is silent until Argentina gets a goal, and then out of the silence- and I'm not making this up, it really happens- you can hear yelling and screaming and noise makers ALL OVER THE CITY. Then people begin yelling and screaming out their windows "GGGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
I personally love it.

Thank you for the support and prayers. I'm really glad to hear from you this week. I was a little bit worried, but I'm glad to hear that you're all doing okay and working- even if it is only in the yard :)

Take care of my baby, I want to see her in 11 months.

And take care of yourselves, I want to see you in 11 months too.

Love you all!!!!!!!

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

June 14 Ayudame!‏

2010-06-28T21:31:00.001-06:00

The title of this email means "Help me!" Therefore please do so.

I'm so very ready to bang my head against the wall. Only if God doesn't zap me with a lightning bolt first.

First of all, I feel terrible. Not only physically because yet again I'm sick, but spiritually. Working has been so hard this week, and our numbers show it. I'm coming to the slow realization that if I don't work with all that I have not only am I wasting my time, but the Lord's time- and God is the kind of person you don't want to tick off by wasting His time.

Of one thing I can testify is of the blessings of obedience in the first place. That when we obey from the beginning that we receive rich blessings of peace of knowing what we're doing is right before the sight of God. And when we don't obey we will feel like crap. This is a law irrevocably decreed from heaven! I promise! I'll find a scripture to back me up.

In happy news our recent convert, Diego, who got the priesthood a week ago, not only passed the sacrament yesterday, but is going to baptize one of our investigators this saturday! We were going to break the happy news to him, but the Bishop beat us to it. Diego's wife told us that he said "I'm going to kill the missionaries! I'm going to read the Book of Mormon slower now!" He's still reading his BoM (3-4 hours a day he told me.... whoa!!!!), but in about 8 hours he was already memorizing the words to perform the ordinance and thinking about practicing it on his wife. It's amazing. His whole family is amazing. His wife is a testimony powerhouse. How blessed am I to know such a person and be involved in their conversion.

We have 2 baptisms this weekend- an older couple in their 70's- Cloromiro and Janina. They've had a bumpy ride, but they're looking forward more day by day to their baptism. They're coffee and tea drinkers, but we taught the Word of Wisdom yesterday and they totally were okay with it and willing to put these things away. The thing that is the best is that they're totally family centered. The idea of eternal marriage is something that really hits home for them, and they love spending time with their children. They want us to send the missionaries to their son! It's great.

Alas, I'm almost out of time!

But a few things...

A) PLEASE WRITE ME!!!!!!

B) I bought a winter coat today for the least amount of money I could find. It really is cold here and my coats weren't doing the trick. It's why I'm sick now. Please forgive me but I had to do it. I HAD TO DO IT!

C) PLEASE WRITE ME!!!!

D) Know that I love you.

Something else for you members and anybody else out there... HELP THE MISSIONARIES!!!! Fellowship in the church and find and invlove those who are less active. Please. They need you.

Lots of love and cinnamon gummy bears, Hna.Georgeson

P.S. Is everyone okay at home? I'm not going to lie, I'm a wee bit worried.

P.S.S. Bethybubbykins- it has been sent. Now you just gotta wait another 2-3 weeks :) xoxo

June 7 Salve las gallenas!‏

2010-06-28T21:30:00.002-06:00

The title of this email says "Save the whales!!!" Therefore, do so.

This week has been hectically slow. My companion, it turns out has tendonitis in both of her feet. She had been having a lot of pain and we finally went to the clinic on Friday and the doctor told her she shouldn't walk until she's done with the physical therapy he perscribed for her (which she hasn't even started yet). But, the nutter that she is, is taking the pills, got a blessing and is working never the less. I admire her willingness to work, but the mega-heavy-duty pills aren't really helping anymore, and it's been hard to stay focused to work. We have to walk .5 miles per hour so she won't strain the muscles that she's already straining. Crazy lady.

We've been spending a lot of time with the mom of one of our recent converts. Her husband recently died and she's taken it really hard. She never wanted to learn anything about the gospel, although two of her children were baptized within the past two months or so. We've been doing a lot of service because as of right now she doesn't want to learn. But yesterday..... she came to church with us! My companion and I are wondering if it was a good idea, because of it being fast and testimony meeting, we got the wonderful members who talk about anything except their testimonies, and also others who have been going through difficult times.... I was sitting with other investigators, but I look over and all of the members of their family were crying. Afterwards they all booked it out of the chapel and waited out in the car for the son-in-law. We went to visit them yesterday in the evening to see how they were doing, to talk about the experience, but it turned out the uncle of her husband died while they were in church, and we're afraid she's taken it as a bad omen or something, another reason to be mad at God. Oh heavens. We're worried because she's been really down, and we know that the gospel can help her, but she's still mad at God for the loss of her husband.

At times its really hard to keep moving forward and teaching and keep inviting. We really want to judge for them and say, "Why bother? They won't accept- they won't change." But it's not our choice, is it? We can't automatically chose for them. Just keep inviting, keep preaching repentance. It's all we can do, all the Savior would do. And there are times where these people have problems bigger than I could ever imagine. The kind of problems that make you think "How in the world are they going to overcome this? There is no place to turn for peace." But then we remember Ether 12 (read it, study it, love it) and we can work towards having more faith in the Lord- that He can do all things. He can- and will- remove the stumbling blocks. If it's according to His will- which it is- He will prepare the way.

Besides this not much is going down. The snow has melted and the streets are mostly dry now (my goodness, it was like Mudland!) We've been helping an investigator make alfajores de Maizena (very delicious) and enjoying many of the aspects of Argentina. Especially the people. The convert that just got baptized about a weekish ago got the priesthood yesterday! A shining moment for my companion and I. And we keep trying to exercize faith to do what the Lord wants us to do, not what man wants us to do.

To all my beloved friends and family- Sigan adelante! Which means keep moving forward! The gospel is true, the church is the church of Christ. He lives and He will give us all we need to stand straight and tall at the last day and to clear our path of the stumbling blocks of the adversary. Read your scriptures, pray contstantly and you really won't have any need to worry.

lots of love and gumdrops, Hna.Georgeson

It's snowing!

2010-05-31T21:06:00.005-06:00

Daddy! You get the official Email, how special are you?

Na, it's that I finally got my camera to work on the computer so I'm emailing photos to mama. And Mama, I know you're reading this, make sure the cuter pics get out. There are some for only the Georgeson's pleasure. POR FAVOR!
(These are from the MTC. I expect more now that she has figured out how to use it.)

Anyway, it's been a thrilling week here in Zapala!

First of all, we just finished another transfer here, and I'm still here with Hna. Polacios. It's been a lot better with her. A lot. We're looking forward to working together and learning together.

It snowed!!! On Wednesday like just over a foot. It was a freak snow storm because it never snows that much here. Although it was pretty the first day or two, the roads are now serious muddiness and we still get pelted with snowballs by the occasional adolescent hooligan. Hip hip hooray! And supposedly it's going to snow again this week. Oh Zapala, how lovely thou art.

Also, *bum budabummmmmmmmm* Baptism!! Our investigator de oro (of gold we would say in the good ol' U.S. of A). His wife is a member and he's been coming to church for the past four months or so. He finally got baptized on Saturday and it was awesome! Their whole family are now members and he's super psyched about taking his family to the temple. Hna.Polacios and I have a good feeling that he's going to be a rock of the gospel here in Zapala.

MAMMAMAMAAAAAAAAAAAAA! I've got to go already! But I'll try to send off more pics next week! lovovovovovove you all lots!

xoxoxox, Hna.Georgeson

I have a year left!

2010-05-24T21:29:00.004-06:00

Aw, I miss tennis, believe it or not. It's rough right now because everybody is getting ready for the FIFA world cup (in AFRICA!!!) and I can't even watch it. *tear* Oh well. The Lord will give me even greater blessings now, right?

Tell Adam CONGRATS!!!! That's awesome. With tennis and his room (tee hee hee). Hooray for cleanliness!

And thank you for the recipies! The only thing is... There's not too much here that we have back at home. Well, there is, but there are a lot of different things. As far as I know there's no canned pumpkin here. I've been told that I can just use butternut squash instead. And there's not applesauce. Or chocolate chips. Or brown sugar. They have something called black sugar, which is supposedly like brown sugar. Only black. There's no maple... anything. Also, no molasses (therefore I cannot make my own brown sugar. Oh well.) The recipies that you send, just make sure they're as simple as can be. But thank you!!!

Word to the wise- don't let missionaries stay in your house for more than 45 minutes! The people here LOVE LOVE LOVE to talk, for hours if they could. We lost so much time. My companion has the idea of doing service for others and the members, which is a lovely idea, but the members want us to stay for hours. In Argentina that's the custom. You come, you talk, you drink some maté, you talk some more. But I'm not here to be in Argentina! I'm here to teach the gospel! I don't want to stay in their houses for hours! It kills me! GAAAA!!!!!

That is my frusteration for the moment. This week we're turning things around and making sure we don't lose time. If we do I think my missionary head might explode. BOOM!!!

And I'm sick again. Apparently it isn't only me. My first and third companion here in the mission were sick more than they were well. Meh. We'll get over it. Also, my left eye has taken to twitching. I'm not kidding. Not a WHOLE heck of a lot. My companion said you can't really notice it. But now not only am I the American, but the crazy American! I'm nutters! I have an eye twitch! For the past week! Or more! My companion said it could turn permanent. What will I do if it's permanent? All my future flushed down the toilet because I seem crazy!!! NOOO!!!!

We had a baptism this weekend. YAY! Her name is Gabriela. Her sister was baptized a few months ago. She's 24 yrs old and really sweet. For about a month we lost her because she worked so dang much, but alas, the victory has been won. Almost. We had stake conference this weekend so she hasn't been confirmed yet. Yet.

This upcoming weekend we have another baptism, Diego. His wife is a member and he has two girls, 6yrs old and about 7 months old. It's been such a privilege to be able to teach him. He has such a strong desire to take care of his family. And he reads the Book of Mormon like a maniac. He told us it's not like he has to read, but that he wants to. The Lord is watching out for him and helping him through all of his trials and decisions to be able to make it to baptism. He's different in an amazing way.

So we keep working and working and working... maybe work some more. This week is the last week of our Elder Atuncar. We've been in the same district since I got here to Argentina. My mission and Elder Atuncar are like the same thing. This is the last week of his mission! WAAAHHH!!! Therefore we're going to try to take advantage of this pday.

Keep praying for us and thank you so much for... everything!

love love love, Hna.Georgeson

p.s. I had my 6 month bday in the mission. I have a year left! WHOA!!!

p.s.s. Micah and Barrett- Mythbusters are here. :D

email from May 17th

2010-05-23T19:49:00.001-06:00

How lovely! This upcoming Sunday we have stake conference. Elder Zivic, an area seventy, will be here. Everyone is really excited to have a general authority here. I've fallen into the habit of taking notes in every meeting, in every conference, fireside, you name it, I'm taking notes. I have a firm testimony that what they say really won't benefit you if you're not going to remember what they said. Therefore, TAKE NOTES! And hurry and write down what you remember from the conference so that it can bless you even more.

This past week has been heartwrenching. Really. It makes you realize the power of the Atonement and the power of Christ that helps us more real. More tangible. If that's even how you spell tangible.

One of our recent converts has no money and no food for her kids. We've been trying to work with our Bishop and the R.S. president to help out. It's been a slow process but we're getting there. She hasn't been able to come to church for the past month because the members that used to pass by her house haven't been passing by, and haven't been answering their phone. They show up to church... with nobody else with them. It's painfully hard with our convert right now.

Another couple who are also recent converts don't have work right now and need wood for their stove to warm up their house because it's been getting wickedly cold. They're in good spirits though. We're just worried about them.

With one of our investigators her "husband" who is a member has been drinking and gambling away the money she recieves from the govt to feed her children. They're running out of food. Her son, who got baptized about three months ago stopped coming to church and wouldn't talk to us for a long time. We've been worried about them because of the problems they've been having.

But alas, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. She's going to kick him out of the house. Which means that she can be baptized. Last night we spent time with the family (without their dad) and her son talks to us now. And if she gets baptized it would be the best thing for him, if not the rest of her family.

Also we have two baptisms coming up. They're so eager to learn and do their part to build up the Lord's kingdom. And if they move forward they can have so many blessings to come. Like a mission and baptising of their daughter. It's moments like these as a missionary that makes it all the more better.

I gotta go now, but I love you all, and tell Daddy that I'l write him next week and I did read his email.

Love you all! Hellos for everyone! xoxoxoxoxox, Hna.Georgeson

P.S. take care of my baby. I want her alive for when I come home!

AHORA!

2010-05-10T10:39:00.002-06:00

AHORA!

Estoy in Neuquen. Which is meaning I'm in Neuquen right now. I had to come back to do my DNI or apply for my temporary residence. I'm illegal right now! Okay, not really illegal. Legally illegal.

Okay, we're moving on from this conversation.

We had to wake up at 3 this morning to get to our bus at 4:30. I'm so out of it! But alas, naps on the bus!

We would stay here in Neuquén and try to relax, but silly us, we had already put appointments that we really REALLY don't want to cancel, so I guess it's a sacrifice worth making. More than I guess.

I'm not going to lie, talking to you all last night was awful. It made me want to go home so bad! Thank goodness we called last thing at night- going to appointments afterward would have been a nightmare! It's true, missions really do bless your family and I believe it. Even if it's not neccesarily with the temporary things, at least the spiritual things. Or at least we are more able to show and speak of our love for each other. I really do love you all. I love talking about my brothers. All the members when I tell them I'm the only girl are like "Oh my gosh!" But I wouldn't have it any other way. I love talking about my brothers. So although it was feisimo (horrible) to be trunky (thinking of home) afterward, I'm glad I was able to talk to all of you. It strengthens my testimony of the family and happy that I get to be with you forever.

Right now the goal in my companionship is to work more with the members. We're going to be doing a lot of service. We do a game to trick the members into giving us an hour of their time to do service for them, and this week we have a lot of members to go to. They still don't want us to actually do stuff for them, but we're determined to wear them down to show them that we're willing and ready to serve and work. We spent a lot of time with members yesterday, going from apointments to meetings and we're trying to get everyone excited for missionary work. We're going to be doing splits more often to get them more involved. Our Bishop is ready and willing to work too. We're really excited for Zapala.

Right now we have four baptisms right before Stake Conference on the 22nd of May. We are so excited for all of them. One of them, Gabriela whose sister and brother-in-law are members, goes to the ward choir, it's so cute! We just have to make sure we are in contact because she works A LOT and she recently lost her cell phone. She virtually disappeared for almost two weeks! But we're back in contact and we're going to make sure she's prepared for her interview and baptism. Ariel has been investigating for almost two months now. The one who used to drink since the death of his brother, but now he's on spiritual fire! We were worried for a while, he talked with an x-member and was spooked, but I'm pretty sure he still has the faith in the testimony he's already recieved to move forward. The other two are Clauromiro and Janina, a couple about your age mamma. She actually reminds me a lot of you. She loves computer games also, and she too has health problems. She can't see virtually anything. They have doubts and fears about baptism, but they really like going on Sundays. Although they might have these doubts, they seem less and less every time they go to church. We're working with them a lot to make sure they make it, and make it all the way.

We're teaching others who are progressing that we're really excited for their progression. Ones that have been through a lot that we know are going to have a marvelous experience with the gospel in their lives.
I'm still trying to live and learn. Spanish is- well, Spanish. But having a latin companion has been- interesting. We're still learning and loving and learning to love. We are so very, VERY different- not only culturally or language wise, but very different. But we're still learning from each other. I'm still trying to learn to open up my mouth and trusting in myself to teach. It's really difficult because I still can't really express myself the way I want to, and many MANY times I don't know what to say or what to teach. The times my companion does give me the opportunity to teach, half of the time I sit there with my mouth going "Uh... ah... sí..." I'm trying to tell myself, " You are smart! You are smart! You do know stuff!" Sometimes it's hard to believe, but I know that before the mission I knew stuff, I just have to dig it out of the corners of the attic of my mind.

Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement and your love. I love and miss you all and hope to hear from you soon. If you can't really write a handwritted letter, you can write through dearelder.com. I really would love to hear from all of you.

Thanks mamma! Love you all! And hope you had a happy mother's day. Tell Ann and Marti and Toni and everyone I said hi!

love, Hna.Georgeson

¡Hola! ¿Cómo andan?

2010-05-07T15:07:00.002-06:00

Oh check out my mad Argentine skills!

It's another great day aquí in Zapala.

Recently my challenge is to learn all the lessons in Preach my Gospel. My mission president challenged me to go through all the lessons and go through every little reading, every little activity, do every itty bitty thing to be able to understand. And i'm loving it! I've just barely gone through a page of the first lesson, but I feel so smarty now! I'm diggin it.

Lately my companion and I have been working a lot to find new investigators, so lately we've been doing a lot, and I mean A LOT of walking from house to house, doing contacts and knocking doors, trying to find the ones that really are interested and are not just being polite. We have 4 baptismal dates and my companion is like " More, MORE!!! MWA HA HA!!!" I think she was baptism-date deprived when she was younger. Just kidding! We're really trying to find the ones that the Lord has prepared and want to follow him and his example. Also, one of the chicas that wants to get baptized works ALL THE TIME, and we're trying to catch her to prepare her for her baptism. But it'll happen. She's really great. At her sister's baptism she had the desire to be baptized. She loves it. She goes to church every week when she's not sick (allergies, hooray!) and reads and prays and all that jazz. We just gotta corner her!

Cultural fact about Argentina- They don't really get married here. The process is complicated (in italics to signify ridiculous). Ranging from problems to not really wanting to have the "commitment" to divorces being really expensive or waiting ten years for it to be anulled. This makes life so much more difficult. We're working with the daughter of a member right now who can't really get married and it's so hard because she's so ready, but there's not too much we can do except keep teaching and praying.

I know that I haven't written much but I already gotta go!

love love love!

Hna.Georgeson

P.S. I can call home on mother's day! (May 9) The call can only be forty minutes, but I'm going to call about 8 p.m. our time, which should be about 4 p.m. your time. Please be waiting a little bit early for the call, and I'm excited to talk to each and every one of you- Adam, Micah, Barrett, Daddy, and of course Mamma. xoxo

I'm not doing so good. I need your prayers!

2010-04-27T18:37:00.003-06:00

Ah, my recent convert's husband. It's my new companion's mission to get him baptized.

We have some great investigators right now. Zapala really is a land of miracles. We have one girl who just committed to being baptized May 8! Her sister got baptized right after I got here, and if the missionaries have anything to say about that, their whole family will be members in at the most a year. They're all really great. About a month-ish ago their dad just passed away, and that void has left room for the gospel to work miracles.

And that's my favorite part. Seeing the changes these people make.

Like one of our investigators who has stopped drinking since the death of his brother a year ago and LOVES everything about the gospel.

Or like another older couple we're teaching who at first were listening to us just to be nice, and after my new companion read 3 Nefi 11 with them magically agreed to go to church with us. Before they never would have done that. They didn't even want a Book of Mormon. But now they want us to come by and teach them. They're reading the BOM on their own. They LOVED the church.

That's my favorite. Ni importa that we are rejected all the time. I don't remember the rejections. These people make it all worth it.

Mamma, don't "worry" about my last companion. She wasn't stupid. She's actually really smart. Some people have worse memories than others. Hers was just worse.
And alas yes, I have a Latin companion. It's been difficult enough with the language barrier, but since she's arrived she's turned some of our investigators around on a track to baptism. She really has done a lot and handled some very difficult situations with grace and poise. She really is a challenging and testifying missionary.

The dogs and cats are nuts here. There are dogs por qualquier lado. I miss our well behaved nutters.

And mamma, I didn't know you were growing out your hair! Must send pictures!

Speaking of pictures, I can't send them online, but I'll make a CD soon and send them to you.

And tell Adam to keep his chin up.

Send Ann, Marti, Toni, the Parkes- Everyone my love!

Even Bethikins and Rianne and Jenn and Shanda and Mandy and... oh, everyone.

love love love, Hna.Georgeson

(Emily also sent a letter to her Daddy hoping Mommy wouldn't see it. Oops! I read all his mail too! Here's her letter to him.)

Oh Daddy, this week has just been about enough. Please don't tell mamma what I'm going to tell you, I don't want her to worry, you can just tell her that I wrote the same thing to you that I'm going to write to her.

This week has been so hard. For a day (24 hours) I was with a member to work with me until my companion got here. It's so difficult now being surrounded by only Spanish speakers. We got nothing done because we were late to every apointment we had. Then my companion got here. I don't have anything against my companion, but it's so difficult because we really are just so different. We can't really communicate, and I can't really blame her, but I don't understand and I can't talk, we can't communicate. And I don't know the area Daddy. I've only been here for six weeks and this area is so confusing to me, and my last companion took taxis all the time. I don't know names, I don't know addresses, I don't know Spanish. How are these people going to trust me as their missionary if I can't understand them? We have zone conference tomorrow and I'm definitely asking my president for counsel because I feel so discouraged and frustrated all the time. Just imagine after only a transfer and a half being paired of with a native Korean. (Her Dad's mission was in Korea.) And Latins are so different. I didn't think so but they are. I'm just so thrown for a loop.

And I'm sorry you got my wah wah me me letter, but I would love some advice.

Thank you for all of your prayers and your letters. I pray for you too and know that you all will recieve blessings because I'm here.

love you, Hna.Georgeson

(Momma here! Emily needs big-time prayers from everyone who knows her. Pass it on to all her friends at BYU-I and in Lakeside, California. Whenever Emily got a new roommate at school, she would go through a big adjustment period. This isn't really any different. Pray....Pray....Pray for her to learn Spanish. This needs to be a positive experience.)

Transfers today!

2010-04-20T07:09:00.002-06:00

Mamma, don't worry about it. If you could send me stuff it would just be really sweet. It's not like I'm demanding it of you.... Or am I? I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!
Ok, not really.

We have transfers today. I'm staying and my companion, Hna. Porter, is going to Roca, about an hour away from Neuquén capital. In two months with three companions! Hna. Porter has been here for the past six months, so it's really hard for the members to see her go, and really hard for me to be the one to come in after her. My new companion is Hna. Polasias? I don't really know how to spell her name, but we believe she's from Paraguay, and supposedly she's an awesome cook.

Dang. More delicious food to eat.

So yes, you heard me right, my first Latin companion. After only three weeks with my trainer, one transfer with my second companion, and now they want to give me a Latin. I'm gonna die!!! I won't be speaking English for a while now, so bear with me in my emails if my grammar starts going downhill.

In other recent news, we had two baptisms this weekend! A mother and her 8 yr old son. Rosa's husband first invited the missionaries to their home because he really wanted to change his life around, and Rosa wasn't really into it. The more they were taught her husband's interest kind of disappeared, but Rosa was like "Yeah, I'll go to church," and bada bing bada boom, she and her son are now members of the church. They've lived pretty rough lives. Her husband is unemployed and they live off of welfare so they're really poor. On top of that, Nestor, her husband, is home during the week, but on the weekends he leaves to go drinking and what not with his friends and doesn't come home till about Sunday night or Monday. Before Hna.Porter said sometimes they would come and Rosa would have bruises on her. I think, though, that having the gospel brought to their home has helped them. Not completely with him, but I've never seen bruises on her or their kids, and he seems a little bit more sober. Not in a "I'm-not-drunk" sense, but a bit more together. She doesn't always understand everything we teach, or what she reads in the Book of Mormon. She's only got a 6th grade education, but it goes to show the Lord can bless anyone with the knowledge of these things. She might not understand with her head, but she can feel something. I already know I'm going to be learning a lot from her. Her humility and patience and forbearance are amazing.

I'm not going to lie, I'm scared out of my wits about this transfer. Me cuesta tanto con mi Castellano. Trying to pick up where Hna.Porter left off freaks me out. I'm so afraid because Hna.Porter is such a loving person, and the investigators and members know her so much better than they know me because I don't talk. I'm just afraid they won't open up to me and they'll just stop listening. I'm afraid because I totally don't know the area. The roads and barrios are so confusing. I'm afraid because our area book is in bad shape and doesn't have the addresses or last names of most of the investigators, so it's up to me to recognize houses and update the book. The work here in Zapala is amazing. People are so willing to hear the gospel. But there's so much to fix right now, and it's me who has to lead the way because I've been with the area.

But.

The Lord has put me in this pickle for a reason. Apparently He thinks I can handle it. So this is going to be a transfer of prayers and pleading. And please pray and plead for me.

I pray for all of you because, well, I LOVE YOU! And I want you to have what I have and more. I read in Moroni 2:13-14 this morning and it really struck me hard. Dice:

"But behold this my joy was vain, for their sorrowing was not unto repentance, because of the goodness of God; but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned, because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin.

"And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God, and wish to die. Nevertheless they would struggle with the sword for their lives."

And that's how some people live out their lives. How awful is that? That's not life. That's nothing. I don't even want to imagine living a life like that. But lately we've been finding those for whom this is life. And that's why I'm here. To bring them life where they are dead.

And as an annoying tidbit that all missionaries tell you, but that's why you are all so important! We all know people who are dead, spiritually dead, but you have the means to bring them life. If you really love your friends and family, share what you have with them. Don't let them curse God and wish for death. Pluck up the courage and share.

I love you all so much and want to hear from you! Tell Adam it's just an email for heaven's sakes. He can read it. He doesn't have to email me back. It would be cool, but he doesn't have to. Just read the thing by gum.

Keep reading your scriptures and follow the counsel of the prophets! They will never guide you wrong.

Mamma, you don't have to worry about me losing things or anything like that. I've got it down. Really. Don't worry about it.

Oh crud, where'd my camera go?!??!?!

Just kidding!

love love love love, Hna. Georgeson

P.S. While I'm thinking about my last name, most people totally don't remember my name because it's so different for them, so now I just tell them they can call me Hna.Georgi, lovingly bestowed upon me by a crazy elder from Buenos Aires.

Entonces, amor amor amor amor, Hna. Georgi

2010-04-12T20:33:00.001-06:00

First of all, before I forget, I didn´t say packages, but bubble envelopes. They don´t open manilla bubble envelopes, and the things you send in there shouldn´t be all that expensive. If you really really can, If you can send me some ibuprofen in a baggie or something mi cuerpo would absolutely appreciate it. I totally can´t handle the Argentine ibuprofen here, it´s awful. It´s so strong, it dopes me up! I'm like a drugged up wet noodle. So that would be so nice! Pretty please!

So this has been a wickedly hard and frustrating week. Although we've been working hard, our numbers don´t show it. According to our numbers we've hardly done anything. But at night we come home and we're just exhausted. We're honestly trying! My companion and I have really been looking forward to pday for a break from Zapala. We got permission to go to Neuquén to do my DNI, which are the papers I officially need to be in the country. That and Neuquén has a lot of cheap stuff, way cheaper than Zapala. Hooray for cheap!

Well, I my comp didn't tell me that I needed my passport, she said she didn´t think so after we had left the pension, so we got here after three hours on the collectivo only to find out I can't do anything today, so now I have to come back again during the next transfer and do all this stuff, and then my companion couldn't do any of her stuff because she didn't even know she had stuff to do! Afterward we went around, she bought a camera to replace the one she forgot on a collectivo a couple transfers ago (and in Argentina NOTHING is safe, you can't leave things left around for a second or else they're gone forever), and then we went to two stores to go shopping (explaining one purchase of a needed cardigan). In the second store when she went to go pay for her stuff she went to look for her wallet, which which was in the bag with her camera not in her backpack, only to realize it was gone. She left it in her dressing room and when she went to go look for it it was gone. Somebody totally jacked her stuff. Her license, her cards, her mission credit card, her cash, her everything. It was frusterating at first because losing things and forgetting things happens a lot with her, and a lot of the time I don't want to say anything to be bossy because I am junior companion. But alas, I figure this is a call to duty to help her out more and not to take the "the junior companion back seat."

Alas, just to boil it all down, this week has been a week of learning opportunities. I'm trying harder to open my mouth more and to be more proactive. Sometimes with some families I don't understand what they're saying, or what in the world I need to say, or it's just that I find them really intimidating. But I can listen more actively, I can pray more earnestly for the gift of tongues so that the Lord can fill my mouth with what I need to say, and these people find me as intimidating as I find them. To every excuse and fear I have, there's always something to deflect it. I just need to remember them!

In missionary news, we have two baptisms this week, a mother and son. We're going to have to make sure we work hard with them to make sure they understand this commitment and stay active. They haven't had too much education and need a little more help, but with the Lord we can do it! And we should be setting at least 3 more baptismal dates this week, three great people! And more if we can get away with it. We have some great investigators right now, so when you pray for me, pray for them too. They need it too. If not more than I do.

Love you all! Know that I think about you and pray for you often.

Follow the prophet, pray and read, and prepare :)

con amor, su Hna.Georgeson

As they say here in Argentina, Felices Pascuas!

2010-04-07T16:05:00.005-06:00

Emily didn't write one big letter this week. She wrote a little to each member of the family. So here are bits and bytes of everyone's notes.

To Daddy:
I feel so cheated, Easter and Conference went by WAY too fast! It's so not fair! I did get to see all of them, but it still doesn't feel like enough! I can't wait till they come out and I get to keep them and read them.

It's funny to think you're still getting snow. Right now is the beginning of fall and it's muy linda afuera (very nice outside). But the other day it was so cold! Like Downey in the fall. Oh heavens, I can't wait for winter!

I'm almost done with my first full transfer here! Qué loco! I now have a full 6 or 7 weeks here. And I'm beginning to understand a lot more and talk a lot more. Slowly, oh so slowly, but surely, it's coming. All the latin missionaries we were with last week made me practice, curse them! But I could have conversations! And crack jokes! Now ain't your daughter so witty!

EARTHQUAKES! One of the things we talk about with people that helps us to get through to them is that these are the signs of the times, and we gotta prepare ourselves, just like what they warn us about in Conference. We can see it's so not a joke, but the real thing.

And I wasn't going to get a blessing, but alas, my nasal infection is returning, and so that just might be a good idea. Hee hee.

To Micah:
Yes, I'm always down with something, but by now I just think it's hilarious. I just got over my last illness only to realize today that my nasal infection is returning. Hip hip hooray! Really now, I'm just giggling just cuz it's so silly. But Satan should know that He can't get me down this way, and if it's the Lord challenging me, then it's not much of a challenge. Except for the fact that I can't hear people because of the preassure in my head. Ok. Maybe it is a challenge, but one that makes me giggle.

Alice in Wonderland! You are going to have to buy it so I can watch it in 13.5 more months. And if you liked it I know it's good. Other people are always like "I'll never watch it, it's creepy," yadayadayada, I think it looks wicked awesome! And it's sweet that all of you were able to go together. Did you watch conference? My companion and I noticed that there was a huge theme about the relationship between parents and children. If you don't remember them you should go online and read them or watch them, just a little bit everyday. It's what our Heavenly Father wants us to know right now, so that must mean it's rather important. And I think it fits that all of you went to the movies. Just doing sweet things together like that makes all the difference.

Oh Micah, the mission is crazy, the mission is hard, the mission is fun, the mission is something I'd never trade out- ever. Everyday I'm learning, easy lessons and lessons that break my heart, lessons like the Nephites being reminded of things that they already should know that they forget and ends up kicking their butt. But that part is my fault. Anyway, as difficult or sickly as it is, I couldn't be anywhere else.

To Mommy:
Oh mamma, I wrote all the boys and daddy back that now I only have five minutes! BAH! But this week has been SOOOO interesting!

Funny story of the week: My companion and I were molested by this giant horny dog. I think he just wanted the carmelos in my pocket. Pervert.

Other funny story: My companion lost the keys to our apartment so we can't really get in. We have to go through our neighbors house and sneak in the back way. We're getting the lock changed today so that we can leave. The other week we woke up early to go running, and my comp came out of the bathroom and said "gah! We can't go! We can't leave!" I can't help but giggle, it's all just so silly!

Conference was awesome! And way too short! What the crud! I feel so jipped! Easter and Conference went by way too fast! Read it and watch it again! I know there are tons of things that bog us down in life, but the Prophet and Apostles have told us what the Lord wants us to know to gain happiness. Who are we to say no and not do them? Who are we to not follow the counsel of a loving Heavenly Father?

I gotta go already! I think about you often and hope you're doing okay!

Mucho amor y ravioli (the popular main dish here), su Hna.Georgeson

P.S. Felices Pascuas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Once again an interesting week in Zapala!

2010-03-30T15:31:00.002-06:00

I didn't write on Monday because we had zone conference. My first zone conference! It was really cool, like actually meeting missionaries here in the Patagonia, and also it's just a really nice bolster in all this chaos to see President and Hna. Peterson. There's nothing like being around your mission president and his wife. They bring such a calm and reassuring spirit, me encanta!

Our focus in conference was the Atonement and the Book of Mormon. We have a challenge to read the Book of Mormon before Easter as a mission, and we were encouraged to read with an emphasis in the Atonement. We talked a lot about that, and really what blessings we have because of it. I know it has blessed me to be able to realize what blessings I have received, what mercy the Lord takes on us. But also that so many people don't have this comfort or this hope. They don't know and they suffer because of it. How important are our callings as members of the Church to minister to all. My plaque (I think that's like the plaque from your teeth... I don't know how to spell that word, okay?) only has a little significance in the work. Everybody can invite others to come unto Christ. Everybody can open the door to a greater and more valuable relationship with the Savior.

We only have a few more weeks here in the transfer; we're already more than halfway through! How fast the time flies!!! I still don't know my area that well, but I've been working on that. My companion has only two transfers left and she's been here in Zapala for a long time, so I want to make sure I'm prepared to show someone else the area just in case she leaves. ARAHGIOGNAGN! My mission experience is crazy and like no other. I know everybody can say that, of course their experience is unique and crazy, but dude, really, mine is really crazy! But if the Lord thinks I can do it, then by gum I'm going to try to do it.

Oh! Funny story! I totally got mega sick on Tuesday of last week! I barfed in the house of a part member family. Let's just say that my breakfasts of banana and cereal still make me a little nauseous. Every week the president's wife gets another call from me or my companion saying "Um, Hna. Georgeson has another problem...." The Hna. Peterson and I are going to be tight by the end of my mission. I thought I was all better from my allergies and my nasal infection and everything, but my voice is going wonky again and I'm having trouble hearing, but I hope Hna. Peterson won't get another call from me. Curse you germs and sickliness! I will not give in!!! NUNCA!!!

Anyway, because of zone conference we had hermanas from another area stay, and so we did splits. I did splits with an hermana from Buenos Aires who has the same time on the mission as me, but way more mad skills with Castellano (obviously) and about two more months experience than me. We tried finding an investigator's house that we've been needing to go see, but I totally did not know how to find it. Hna. Porter tried explaining it to me, but psh, no way was I going to find it. We ended up stopping at a corner to pray, and I prayed that we could find the house, but if not, then we could be directed to someone who needed us and who was ready for the gospel. So, we kept going and we could not find the house. We ended up starting to do contacts at houses, and the first house was a woman who, oh man, my companion and I need to go see!! She was "re buena" or like just awesome, and I'm stoked to go back.

My Spanish skills are getting better. I take Alma 26:22 seriously, and right now I'm working on the exercising faith thing. But it's getting better. Not perfect. The phrase in Castellano "me cuesta" or like, whatever, you can look it up, is very familiar to me, but hey, I can have a conversation! I have a loco elder from Buenos Aires right next to me right now and he talks wickedly fast, and we can talk. Entonces, mejor.

Whoever wants to send packages can in small bubble envelopes, and hint hint I'd love hot chocolate or taco seasonings, or recipes for sandies! Or a nail file...
mucho amor! xoxox, Hna.Georgeson

Mamma, Try telling me about the boys! They might think their lives are uneventful, but I don't think so! Every week people ask me about my family, and all I can really say is "I think they're doing okay?" But I still love you!

Wink of an eye‏

2010-03-23T13:44:00.004-06:00

¡HOLA!

We're in week three of our transfer! How nuts! My first full transfer. Wow. I feel all super.

Everyday from 1 to about 4 all the stores are closed because of the siesta, and normally what we do for lunch on Pdays is everybody from the district gets together. Today we made tacos! Mexican food doesn't exist down here, and you can never find cheddar cheese or tortillas, but today we went to a different store and found the cheese, and we just cook up some stretched out empanada shells and call it good. Needless to say I'm very happy right now :)

I can't really say too much for what's going on around here, the same missionary stuff at the same missionary times. Walking, teaching, walking, talking, teaching...But it's all for a good cause, right?

Actually, I really like it here in Zapala. The people here are super friendly and open. You ask for their address and they just give it to you. My companion said that it's never happened to her in her entire mission, but we're so not complaining. I'm still learning to open my mouth in lessons. Although I've been here in Argentina for just over a month I'm still having trouble just listening and speaking with them. I can get the gist of what they're saying, but for some reason it's either "I'm talking" or "I'm listening," never " We're conversating." But I'm working harder on that. It's getting frustrating when people turn to my companion and say "Does she understand?" and I'm like "YES! HELLO?!? I totally know you're talking about me right now!" But alas, I'm going to change that!

Something that I've realized lately is that this mission is going to change me, like in the kind of way that it will hurt. I was so bent on not being that way, but it's something that can't really be helped. Now that I'm in an area where I can invest myself with the people, I find that when they have pitfalls or when they don't accept or refuse to understand, it kills me. So many people here have word of wisdom or law of chastity problems and they make excuses like "I can't do it. I can't change. They won't change. It's not going to happen." I think of how lame those excuses are. It's not impossible. Christ suffered everything so that he could help us if we find the faith to change. Yeah, so maybe Christ never smoked a cigarette, or lived with His girlfriend, or got drunk every weekend, but He knows what it feels like. He knows how we suffer, how we could suffer if we do these things. He knows how hard it is for us to leave these things behind. But He also knows that we can leave these things behind. I just need a scripture that says that! I've been coming to a greater appreciation for the atonement because I know that these things aren't impossible, and I just want so bad to let other people know too. Everyone, even those who don't want to know.

How are the boys doing? They can totally write me an email. They are still a part of my family after all.

And I would believe Adam. He told me that same thing when I was at the airport over the phone. I had been hoping he was still doing it. That makes me feel so much better. If he doesn't know, I wrote him an email a while ago, and he should WRITE BACK!!! For heaven's sakes, one of my elders from my second district from the MTC has already written me, why won't my brother!?! HDSAHDIFGANRTIOAGN!!!

That was the sound of frustration... or snoring.

Let everyone know I love them, even those who take a little bit of time to read the blog and those in Downey, Rexburg, and San Diego. Even my Bethy Bubbykins. She should be getting a letter soon.

Lots of love LOVE LLOOVVEEE!!! And take care xoxo

It's like that Micheal McLean song, "In the wink of an eye I'll be home."

I'll see you all in a sec :)

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

p.s. The dog that belongs to our dueña (apartment owner) barks just like S'More. I just realized this the other night and it trips me out all the time! My baby! *tear*

Remember this: Niokis

2010-03-15T19:54:00.002-06:00

Mamma, you don't have to email everyone. The reason I started the blog was for people to read whenever they had the chance. I appreciate it, but you don't have to do it.

Speaking of Janelle, HAPPY LATE BIRTHDAY!!!! But I remembered on your birthday and yelled out "Happy birthday Janelle!!" Does that still count?

No, I haven't felt any earthquakes or anything since I got here.

Let's start from last week...My companion and I were getting ready to leave Puerto Madryn on Monday night for a 18 hour bus ride, when at about 6:00 we got a call from our zone leader that was coming with us that our ride was cancelled. They had major flooding on the route we were going to take and a bridge collapsed in a town that we were supposed to drive through, so we weren't going to leave on at least monday. My companion and I were " AJSNDGGUFIDÑ!!!" because we didn't have any appointments, any investigators, lunch or food or anything. But thank goodness we had a wonderful sister in the ward with mad cooking skills who offered to feed us. But still. It's hard to work in an area when you know you're going to leave it.

The next day we got bus tickets to drive through a town called Esquel, on the other side of the country next to the Pampas (I think that's what the mountains are called here, the ones that separate us and Chile), then up to Neuquén, and then to Zapala. By the time it was all over, the trip just to Neuquén took 26 hours. At one point our bus was broke down, so we got off for about an hour near Bariloche (a freakishly gorgeous city) and waited for another bus to come and take us. While we were waiting there was this couple with a video camera who stupidly left it sitting unattended and it was jacked. Well, duh! You're in Argentina, what did they think was going to happen? They were kind of freaking out over it, but when we got to Neuquén we had to be searched to make sure that nobody on the bus had the camera. At first they weren't going to let us off the bus until they found it. We were like You have got to be kidding me! It was like midnight. But all they ended up doing was doing a half-hearted search though our bags and we got to get off.

I said goodbye to my Hermana LeGrow *sniff* and went with two latin sisters to stay the night in their apartment. It turned out one of my elders from my first district was in their district there! Yay Elder Smoot!!

At 6:30 the next morning I caught a bus to Zapala that was about another 4 hours long. So I should've gotten to my mission by Tuesday night, when I really got there Thursday morning. So honestly, I haven't really been in Zapala all that long. But there's something different about it. Especially amongst the members. There's a really positive attitude towards missionary work amongst the members. They always give us at least one refferal and we have lunch every day. Lunch here is the main meal. Normally they have dinner really late at night, but all the missionaries get into the habit of not eating dinner because it's just way too late.

Anyway, it's a lot different from Madryn. It's wickedly dry here with lots of wind and dirt. Everything is dusty here. Yeah, there aren't as many tourists (um, if any), our area is a lot bigger so we're taking taxis a lot, and oh my gosh, we have so many investigators! It's insane! Most of the time Hna.LeGrow and I had only three progressing investigators, but here we have at least 15-20. We never have time to do street contacts because we're always teaching someone, visiting someone. Holy Moly.

But although we're really busy with lessons, I realized yesterday that there are only 6 priesthood holders in the entire ward. Maybe. The size of the ward is alright, but there are all these women and children, and no men. What the crud!?!? I'm still trying to figure out details, but one of my goals for being here in Zapala is to find more men to be baptized and receive the priesthood. It kills me that all these women are in chruch without their husbands. All these kids don't have fathers to support and encourage them with their God given priesthood. There is a lot of work to do here.

My companion is Hna. Porter from Utah. She's a military brat, so she's lived in a lot of different states, but her family has been in Utah for a while. All of her extended family lives in Orange County, so we both love the California ways. Her cousin is actually the lead singer of the Aquabats (and that always reminds me of Ben from seminary, it made me giggle), she loves the same music I do, and she's a dancer and a hair stylist. She's a very loving and helping person. We're both blondes so the oogling doesn't stop, but she's been very helpful so far. She just finished training someone else, so she's ready to deal with me.

Yesterday we made a goal that we had to get some contacts done, so we went to knock doors on a certain street that she felt like we needed to go. We ended up finding this lady who, oh my gosh, is so ready for the gospel. We couldn't stay and finish the lesson, but we're praying hardcore that she let's us in again. She's totally ready and prepared.

So I babbled on and on again, but in more spiritually uplifting news, this week in my personal study I've been reading a lot about love. Our mission president has given us a challenge to read the BOM before Easter, and right now I'm in Mosiah with King Benjamin's speech to the people, and a common thread he has is about love, charity, and goodwill towards men, and therefore towards God. I also just finished reading Pres.Uchtdorf's talk from the last conference about love, and it was so good. Please just read it all! It's all so true! And because he is an Apostle of the Lord, we should heed his counsel and try to do what he asks us to do. Because if it's from an apostle, it's from the Lord. Keep striving, keep moving forward, and don't give up. Don't give up and I won't give up either, k? I promise.

love you all!!!

xoxox, Su Hna.Georgeson

2010-03-12T18:10:00.001-07:00

Huh.... This has been an interesting week. And now an interesting Pday.

We have transfers? I don't remember the word in english anymore, it's only traslados. We have them today. The surprising news is that I'm being separated from my trainer already. I've only been with her three weeks and they already want to separate us! She thinks that one of the main reasons they're doing this is that she's leaving two weeks early to go home because in four weeks she'll have 18 months and her brother is getting married, so the mission president gave permission for her to leave the mission two weeks early. I think I totally now have the new record for the least amount of time with your trainer. I'm going to Zapala, about three hours away by bus from Neuquen. My new companion is going to be Hna.Porter, who I've heard is a really hard worker. We have something called the Standard, which are the mission goals for lessons taught, contacts, baptisms, and she's met the standard a couple of times. I'm going to be learning a lot from her. I leave Puerto Madryn at around 10:30 tonight (about 6:30ish Idaho time), and the bus ride is going to take all night and then some. But good news is I'm not going by myself. I'll have my companion for most of the way, and my zone leader now is going to be my zone leader in Zapala, so thank goodness.

In happy news, we found our Luis! He was missing for about a week. We could not find him anywhere, call him, anything. But a couple hours after we started our fast for Sunday, we went by his house and he was home! It turned out that he had to stay at his work for at least four days straight to get all the work done, and where he works he doesn't get reception. It's weird that he didn't tell us that he had to stay at work four days straight, but he commited to another baptismal date, and he says he's still keeping all of his commitments like not drinking, reading and praying everyday. We really hope he pulls through.

The days are filled with walking, talking to people, clapping at doors, finding more people to teach, and walking. Wait- did I mention walking? Because we walk a lot. It doesn't bother me until Hna. LeGrow does her power walk, which is the pace of a steady jog. That's when it gets really intense.There are days where I get really discouraged with my "Castellano"(They don't speak Spanish, they speak Castellano. They make a big point of saying Castellano). There are days where I just wish I didn't have to speak Castellano because it just feels like Spanish word vomit. But I gotta keep moving forward, right? Because I can't give up.

PICTURES!!! I'm going to try to see if I can send you some.

It was kind of a surprise to hear about Bro. DiViesti. It's still weirding me out. I hope you're all helping Sis. DiViesti and Kent's wife. What are you all doing in Downey? I think the town has a secret quota for dead people every week. Downey: Town of Zombies.

Let everyone know I love them and miss them! Take care! Loves!!!
xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

P.S. If you could also send this to blancerich@gmail.com and jenneliza7@gmail.com and coppertree15@gmail.comAnd mamma, the last two emails, please make sure they have my address! Muchisimas gracias!!!

Just like San Diego!!!‏

2010-03-01T21:03:00.002-07:00

Surprising or not, I really didn't feel the earthquake. I know many places in Argentina felt it, but alas, I was not one of the lucky ones. I'm kind of on the other side of the country if you haven't noticed :) There are elders here who are from parts of Chile, so we're hoping their families are okay.

This week has been okay. Frusterating at times. Very hot. I'm still sick, I'm pretty sure it developed into a sinus infection, so right now I'm taking amoxacillin, a nasal spray that's a lot like flonase, and am going through tissues like crazy! I can't taste any of the Argentine food (sad day), don't smell much of anything, and can't hear anything either. It's been a lot better since I started the medicine, but from time to time it gets icky.

On the missionary front, things are okay. My companion had an investigator with a baptismal date, Luis. All he had left was to be interviewed and attend one more Sunday in order to be baptized on the 6th. The night before his interview we taught him the last thing he needed, went through the baptismal interview questions with him, did everything. He said he felt good and prepared for the interview. He had totally changed his life around. He said that to him the gospel meant change, and when he said that we were like "yeah yeah!" The next day when we went to go meet him at the chapel for his interview he didn't show up the entire night. We tried calling and calling, but his phone wouldn't get reception. He didn't show up to church the next day, and he still won't answer his phone. We've gone by his house and it looks like he hasn't been there at all. His neighbors say that he left for work Saturday morning and they haven't seen him since. It's so weird because according to Hna. LeGrow, the entire time she's been teaching him (for the past two months) he's never done anything like this. It's totally not like him, and it's weird that his neighbors haven't seen him. We keep hoping he's okay.

Besides that we have another investigator who's progressing. Hno. Andés Roberto. He's a wee bit awkward, but he's still a really sweet guy. We just challenged him to pray to know if baptism is right for him (and we're all hoping he's really listening to the spirit so he gets the real answer). He came to church yesterday, which was a pleasant surprise. We have a surprisingly good feeling about him.

Besides that all is okay. Yes, we're in the city part of the city right on the beach so we meet a lot of tourists. Sometimes it's difficult because they hear that we're from the Church of Jesus Christ and they think that we're just some other religion or other church and they're like "Thanks, but I have my evangelical church" or "I'm Catholic, I already have Jesus in my life" or "I'm a Jehovah's Witness and I don't really believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet or that the Book of Mormon is true." Everytime I just want to stare at them and say "Do you not realize we're just not preaching religion or just some church?!?!???? You're all ridiculous!!!" That's my hardest part. Needless to say I'm praying for charity. Lordy knows I need it.

Something I find I appreciate a lot more is going to church and the sacrament. As I was sitting in the chapel, surrounded by all these spanish speakers without my companion (she was at the piano), it was the one thing that was familiar, that I knew I could rely on. It hit me so hard what the sacrament really means. It means help, strength, and renewing an essential ordinance with my heavenly father. Definitely my most favorite part of the week, and something I'm going to rely on for the next 15 months of my life.

That's really it from this side of the equater. Know I love all of you and want to hear what's going on! I'll keep my eyes peeled for those letters.

xoxo, Hna.Georgeson

Argentina: Week 1‏

2010-02-22T13:18:00.004-07:00

BBAAAHHH!!! I'm here!!! And still getting used to the keyboard!

This week has been interesting. A)I can't speak Spanish! B) I have really bad allergies right now so I can't really hear anyone, let alone people speaking Spanish so I can try to understand them! C) Well, yeah. That's probably as bad as it gets. I can, though, do some contacts in the street. I did several yesterday with my companion. With my companion of course.

The flights took about 24 hrs total to get to Neuquén, with all the delays and everything. Muy largo, no? But meh, it didn't really bother me all that much. And can I just say, I LOVE FLYING!!!! Our Elder Johnson was so right.

Anyway, my mission president and his wife met me at the airport at around 8 Argentina time (we are 4 hrs ahead of mountain standard time), ate my first empeñadas, then went to bed. And it was so nice getting to Argentina because it's all nice and humid here! Me encanta (I love it)!!!!!! It's still summer here, so it's a nice break from cold Utah and Idaho (you can laugh at me in a couple of months, Winter really starts in June-ish).

The next morning they put me on a 11 hour (at least) bus ride to my area. I was all alone, on a bus surrounded by Spanish speakers, and I totally didn't know what they were saying most of the time! But I'm still alive, so it's all good :)

I met my companion at my first area, Puerto Madryn, which is about in the middle of the gulf south of the peninsula in the middle-ish of the country. I know the Peninsula has a name, but what it is, I don't remember. It's a decent size city, but it's pretty different. Argentina is very different from most South American country. We're right on the beach so there are a lot of tourists and those from cruise ships around. A LOT of people smoke around here. And as I said, Argentina is WAY different from any other South American country.

My trainer is Hna. LeGrow. It's a hoot because when I first got here, when I met the assistants to the President, they were like "Oh, you're in for a treat." She has a lovely reputation. They only said that out of love of course :) But ya know what, she's awesome. She's someone who'll tell someone how it is, which is a pretty good thing when it comes to being a missionary. She's been really patient because she has to take care of a gringa, and teach lessons, and work to accomplish all the mission goals by the end of the day. I really appreciate her. But she's also trying to get me to stretch, which has been hard. Yesterday at church it was really hard because she had all these other different responsibilities and I was left all alone going, "Ma- Eh- Wha-?" They were all talking, and I can't hear anything... Oy vey. But it's not to bad. Most of the time I do understand most of what they're saying. Sometimes I can understand all of it. Maybe it's only because I have my companion. She speaks way more clear than they do here, and It's way easier to understand what she's saying.

Hmmm... I don't really know what else to tell you, except that although it's been an interesting ride these past few days, I'm totally fine. Even the past two days where I was like " How can you people say no to this message! This is the word of God here!!!" I'm totally okay. I know why I'm here, and I promised God I would work my tuckahs off, so that's what I'm going to do. All the walking, all the talking, all the everything, doesn't really bother me. I know why I'm here. It's going to be a really hard, heart-breaking two years, but I know it's going to be worth it. Mi compañera said that the mission really is a test of fire and faith, and I believe it. But you don't get a diamond if you just let the coal sit on your counter.

Gotta go! Love all of you and pray for you often! Turn to the Lord, and He won't leave you. Please. Don't turn away from the God who gave you everything, including Christ- a way to eternal life. Please.

xoxoxo,
Hna. Georgeson

I have posted a copy of the letter she sent us via the mission president when she first arrived in Argentina at Emily's family web page. Also I have put up a letter with instructions for mailing to Argentina.

She had arrived!!!

2010-02-17T20:16:00.002-07:00

LA IGLESIA DE JESUCRISTO DE LOS SANTOS DE LOS ÚLTIMOS DÍAS
MISIÓN ARGENTINA NEUQUÉN
Zapla N° 24
8300 Neuquén
Neuquén – Argentina
Tel.:(0299) 443-2413

We are pleased to inform you your daughter Sister Emily Rose Georgeson has arrived safely in the Argentina Neuquén mission. We were excited to meet her on the 16th of February, as she arrived at the terminal here in Neuquén. Enclosed please find a picture that was taken during the mission orientation she was given on Wednesday.

Thank you for your willingness to share your daughter with us as a missionary and representative of the Savior, Jesus Christ. We know it is a sacrifice for you, but also know the Lord will bless you richly while Sister Georgeson is here in the mission field. We encourage you to write her every week with positive, encouraging news and comments. You should also receive a message from her every week.(P-day is Mondays.) Missionaries have a limited amount of time on preparation day. Therefore, they are only permitted to send and receive letters by email with their parents or guardians. You can then forward their emails to extended family and friends as you feel appropriate. All other communication to the missionary should be through normal mail channels. Instructions for mailing letters and packages to your missionary are included on the attached information sheet.

For your information, missionaries are permitted to call their family twice yearly for 30 to 40 minutes. These calls take place on Christmas Day and one other time (usually mother’s day). They should not call at any other time or for any other reason without permission of the mission president.

We were immediately impressed with the desire of Sister Georgeson to become involved in missionary work. On Wednesday morning, she left for her first assignment in the city of Puerto Madryn. We are confident Sister Georgeson will be a faithful, effective missionary as she applies what she learned in the Missionary Training Center.

May the blessings of the Lord be with you and your family as your daughter serves faithfully in this most sacred calling. Please feel free to communicate with us regarding any questions or concerns you may have.

With sincere best wishes,

President Peterson
Hermana Peterson

WISCONSIN!!!!‏

2010-02-12T18:22:00.006-07:00

I don't even know how to spell Wisconsin, let alone even go there! Way too cold for me :)

I assume many of you heard about my crazy visa situation. But first let me tell you a little bit of what's been going on here en la CCM (MTC).

After my district left (my first district) I was companions with the two sisters that were left going stateside, who were leaving in two days. Everybody thought I would only be here for maybe an extra day or two. They were a good two days, I love Hna. Harris and Hna. Squires! But then those two left, and I was put in another district, our district A.

Let me explain district A: Nuts!!! But I love those elders, they are probably my most favorite out of the entire MTC! The only reason I can't say they're my absolute favorite is because they're tied with the elders from my district B. Anyway, after my two hermanas left I was the only sister in the Zone, and put in a district who have never had hermanas. But I gotta say, the members they're serving right now have got to think that they're so impressive. They treat sisters, well everyone, so well! Always taking my tray, opening doors (sometimes if I ran to get out of the rain they would run behind me yelling "Quick! She's running! Don't let her open that door!" *sigh* love those elders! What a hoot :) ), carrying my backpack for me, carrying my stuff for me without my backpack... they were just all around awesome. All in Long Beach,CA Spanish speaking. Long Beach did so not know what they got.

My Elders that I was assigned to were E. Yeaman (pronounced like Yay!man) and E. Jackson. I'm pretty sure if I really was a boy I would be just like Elder Yeaman. I'm also pretty sure if he had a twin his mamma would be insane in the membrane. He's so nuts, but that's why I love him. I always knew I could say whatever I want to him and he could just sling it right back. He's planning on going to BYUI when he comes home, so I totally have plans to hunt him down then. Literally hunt - him - down. And finally hug him because he's so awesome. He used to always tell me that the only reason I stayed behind was to help out their district, and that the day they left I would get my visa and go lickety split. Well, he was wrong. You'll see why.

E. Jackson is a Army man, and you can tell. His Spanish is... well, we cut him slack because he's a gringo. No, in all seriousness he had the heart to go behind his choppy Spanish. He also gave me a lot of flack, but for us, I think we definitely learned a lot of patience with each other.

And one day I'll have to describe all the other amazing elders from that district, because they hold such a special place in my heart. So special. Elder Sturdevant, Elder Wickam-Paulson, Elder Horton, Elder Rice, Elder Miner, Elder Starta. Love 'em all.

Everybody thought I would leave before them, but no. They left on Monday *tear*. But I'm sooooo wickedly happy for them. I'm now with another district, district C, who once again have never had an hermana. My Elders are E. Pottorff and E. Flake. We're still learning from each other. They're a good district, and I finally have one sister for a teacher! Yay! It's nice :)

My companion situation has been crazy. After Hnas Harris and Squires left I was put with 3 Brazilian sisters (going, not from Brazil). Sister Hanson was my companion. She was also a solo sister and we had class on the same floor and everything so it worked out really well, we could just escort each other everywhere we needed to go. But then after almost two weeks, all those sisters finally got their visas (Brazilian visas have been coming in really slow), so I had to move a fourth time into a whole different building, with the most sisters in it, the same day my district A was leaving. That was a heart wrenching day.

Now I'm companions with Irmas Free and Heier. They are the sweetest sisters. I love them! They are so patient and so wonderful, I love it. They bring an excellent spirit, which I totally appreciate. Sometimes sisters don't do that because they're rather obnoxious. Anyway, yes, I'm really blessed. I like it. The Lord kept me here for a reason (Elder Yeaman!!!!!).

!So my visa! They were going to reassign me to go to Wisconsin, which nobody was going to tell me because they changed my reassignment at the last minute before I even knew about it, so that part is all good. They finally got my permiso on Monday-ish from Argentina, and the consulate was coming yesterday to sign all the visas. They changed all the forms so I had to get re-fingerprinted. I accidentally signed my name on the wrong line, and I guess when he saw he threw a fit (I guess he's really picky) and almost didn't take it. But alas, the Lord is on my side, and with a little talking with my travel agent lady sister, he accepted it, and so I leave Monday morning with a giant group going to Buenas Aires, leave here at 8, my flight leaving at 12:05, so Mom, keep phone lines open

Love you all, I only have thirty seconds left, but please make sure some of you are home so I can talk to you for a little bit!

xoxox

Leaving on a Jet Plane! Finally!

2010-02-05T12:48:00.002-07:00

Hi all - Emily's Mom here.

I just got a phone call from my stake president. He was contacted by a mission president in Minneapolis who had been contacted by Emily's mission president in Argentina. He was told that until Emily's visa comes through, she will be sent to Minneapolis to start getting her missionary experiences. So she will be leaving the MTC on Monday. I'm waiting for Emily to call me with her big news. Now how do I pretend not to already know? Hmmmmm!

Lonely! I'm still lonely!‏

2010-02-05T12:44:00.001-07:00

Okay, I'm really not that lonely. The elders I'm with love to sing me that song just to rub it in a little, because alas, I'm still the only Sister in my zone, the only spanish speaker left in my building (the dorms), and no tengo un companera! What is the world coming to???

So yes, I'm still here in the MTC, good ol' Provo. Don't think I'm complaining though. I'm not. I'm actually really okay with it, because I know the Lord doesn't just do things willy nilly. He always has a purpose. I'm still trying to find the purpose, the reason why I'm here, but I know there's one, and the Lord wants me to fulfill it.

The district of Elders that I'm with are all leaving Tuesday and Wednesday for the field. They think it would be all sorts of hilarious if I left after they did. Watch me laugh. haha. wow. I feel the enthusiasm.

No, in all seriousness, they don't REALLY want me to be stuck here longer, but they're trying to have a good sense of humor about it. The two elders that I teach with are Elder Yeaman and Elder Jackson. Sometimes- wait- most of the time they remind me of Adam, Micah, and Barrett. Mostly Adam though. Especially E.Yeaman. He's nuts:)

It's been an adjustment teaching, not only with someone who isn't my companion, but also Elders and in a trio at that. Sometimes their spanish isn't that good, so investigators in our lessons are like "Que en el mundo dice????" (como "What in the world are you saying???") So they don't litterally say that, but close enough. It's all about having patience right? I know that's one thing I need to learn from them. Sometimes I just want to take charge of the lesson and be like "let me explain this to you my way," but my way is so not the right way. I have to try and make this not only a good experience for the investigators and for the Elders. I can't tear them down or walk all over them. We've all got to learn together. Yeah, it'll take a while, but it's what we all need. I can wait for perfection.

The past few days when it has come to teaching have definitely been learning experiences. I've been trying to think of ways to not just sit there and never talk, and also to try to get to the people in spanish. English is one thing, spanish is another! I'm trying to pray for the gift of Charity, because we can't do anyting without it (1 Cor 13). Like being able to see others through Heavenly Father's eyes. I'm really trying to rely on the Lord so that I will know what to say, but not only what to say, but what they need. Heaven knows I don't know everything that these people need. The past two days we've been teaching a lot and I've been trying to actually be a useful tool in the Lord's hands, and I've felt the spirit so much like I'm actually doing some good! It's been so nice, especially since I've felt like I've been hitting a spiritual brick wall the past few weeks. I feel like an effective missionary again! Woo hoo!

What else to tell you... Oh yeah! Because I'm the only sister in our zone, I was called as the coordinating sister. Sometimes it feels kind of silly because I'm only coordinating myself, but a calling is a calling, and an opportunity to grow. I did get to teach the new elders we got this week with our zone leaders, and I hope that maybe I can be of some good influence. I don't want to be known as the annoying sister missionary who is a party pooper, or a downer, or a nagger. But I do want them to act like Elders called by God. I hope it's working. Just a little.

The new elders we have in our zone came to replace my district, District B, and although it's cool, it makes me miss my district! And it makes me feel so old! Holy moly! Mi vida es interestante, no?

I'm sorry if some of the stuff in here is a jumbled and crazy, I'm still trying to get all my thoughts together. But know that I love you all and pray for all the time, because alas, I love you!

Bethy poo, that goes for you too.

And Erin, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME YOU WERE ENGAGED!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was my AH! out of pure delight and excitement :)

xoxox

Solo Sister

2010-02-03T07:12:00.005-07:00

Yes! I've been delayed! For right now it's been an extra four days and they still don't know when I'll get my visa.

Everyone in my district left, so now I'm officially declared a solo sister, moved into another district in my zone, and in with three portuguese speaking sisters. I've been hearing the song "lonely, I'm still lonely, ain't got nobody to call my OOOWWWNNN!!!" a lot. Hmmm.

But it's not so bad. My attitude has changed around a lot since I last emailed you. That day just stunk hardcore. That was the day I found out about my delay. When they called me into the travel office that night I knew it was coming, why else would they really want me? When I officially heard the news I was like "Oh man, I'm going to bust out crying!" But I was okay. I actually laughing about it. Okay, maybe it was more the laugh of an exhausted person after a ridiculous day, but still, it's better than crying. I gave up on trying to control it all. And honestly, although it's still stressful, I know I'm okay.

The rest of my district going to Argentina left on Monday, the last two sisters going stateside left Wednesday morning, so I've been solo for two and a half days now. Or maybe two days. Whatever. Solo means that I don't have a companion in my district, or in other words my class, so I have to have two elders from my class be with me at all times. If there's an activity where it's just not that appropriate to be with elders, like laundry, the temple, etc., then I have a sister who is my "companion," a sister who is in another district and everything, but has the same schedule as me. My "companion" is Sister Hanson, who is ridiculously pretty, but very cool. She is awesome. She's a visa waiter too, but for Brazil. The brazilian missionaries are having a hard time getting their visas because Brazil is changing their visa acquiring system, so hardly any of them are leaving because the process is going so slow. So we're all in the same boat. Except for me it's only been four days, and for them it's more like four weeks.

I'm with the district that is now officially the oldest. Which is funny because they're all Micah's age. They're all so goofy, like 19 year old boys without a girl around for the past 7 weeks, but they're all so sweet. We always knew that they knew how to treat a sister right, but now I have proof! They remind me a lot of Adam, Micah, and Barrett, and it makes me wish they would all just come here right now and serve missions. Just because it's such an experience. If you love someone, you want them to come.

OOOOOOHHHHH!!!! I totally forgot! Wednesday, a few hours after our hermanas left, President Uchtdorf came to the gym and waved to everyone! It was so intense!!!! Okay, I never actually saw him, I was on the track upstairs running so I couldn't see him while he was there, but a few elders in my new district FREAKED OUT later. It was adorable. Although I didn't get to see him, you knew something amazing was happening, because all of the sudden the gym got super quiet and everybody stopped what they were doing and just staring in his general direction. Although I didn't get to see Pres.Uchtdorf, I did get to see the dumb founded missionaries staring in his general direction.

I only have about two minutes, but I just want to say to Bethalicious, I love you, and I hope you honestly know that. Sometimes I wish you could be here, because it's so amazing, and we are reminded that the gospel is one of healing all the time, and I know it's true. I love you bubby.

40 seconds! Just enough time to say I super love you all, and keep on truckin'! Even if you don't have a truck! Or keep on Car-ing!

Last Pday in the States!!?

2010-01-23T23:24:00.004-07:00

Oh my goodness, this past week or two have been absolutely ridiculous. So many things to do and not enough time to do them! I've had some appointments, had many teaching appointments (the last week is dubbed super teaching week), had my jaw killing me the past few days, and now I just turned all my white undershirts pink because I didn't realize my new red skirt would bleed so bad. I'm so smart.

Yeah, it's been... interesting. Right now I think I'm too stressed out to even think about writing anything, but I gotta! But I can't even think of anything to tell you, it's just everyone giggling and getting all excited to go to Argentina. I don't think it's really hit me yet. I think the best part will be getting out of here and actually going to serve. I have loved the MTC, but it's such a "me" experience that it makes it hard to focus on others and how they need help. Since I last wrote I've had good days and bad. I talked with a counselor and he told me "Don't sweat the small stuff!" like the book. He had some copies of pages from the book and gave them to me. I've been reading them and I'm trying not to let things get to me.

It's still really weird to think I'll be in a whole different CONTINENT in less than a week! Thank goodness I'll be traveling with my companion, because the chaos at the airports are going to be hectic! The one thing I will miss are those in my district. I'm so glad my companion and one of our elders are all going to the same mission. Although I won't be able to see all of our beautiful faces, Hna. Jones and Elder Smoot are a great consolation prize. Elder Smoot is fast becoming one of my brotha's. Yeah yeah. No really, he sometimes does the "I'm not touching you" because he knows that the boys do it to me sometimes and until I sufficiently threaten to rip off their fingers. But Elder Smoot gets it after the first time. But it's not a mean thing. It's a district family thing.

My Spanish? It's... Spanish. I'm slowly losing my enthusiasm for it. I'm not going to lie. I feel bad because I'm not really speaking my Spanish very much right now and I know I'm getting worse, I just find it so frustrating that I can't express myself and doing simple tasks take 10 times longer. I know it'll be like that in the field, and it's going to kill me. Slowly but surely. And Spanish, in my opinion, is one of the most ridiculous languages. I do not remember French having so many rules. Maybe because it DIDN'T. It's very frustrating.

I'm sorry I'm not very "yippee skippee" right now, my day is slowly heading down hill. My happy place is not here right now. I'm just very frustrated and very worried.

Thanks for sending the trail mix. You really didn't have to, but thank you anyway. I'll be sending stuff home soon, things I'm not taking with me to Argentina. I'm sorry about everything that's going on. Please keep praying, and I'm praying too.
This is the first time I'm writing and email and don't have anything more to add, and still have about five minutes left. Normally I'm scowering at the computer because I needed to say so much more and can't!

P.S.S. I didn't have to go to the dentist. They think it's TMJ and if it is then I would have to go to a specialist and would probably have to delay my departure, and they don't want that, so they gave me a handout and I'm trying not to cause stress to my jaw muscles. One of our sisters is a massage therapist so she worked on my face, God bless her. I'm feeling much better today, but the pain was totally random. I started happening at the end of the day for no apparent reason. Hopefully it won't happen again.

And I hope there's still all that money in my checking account. I need to make a withdrawl, so please keep it there!

Keep safe, keep warm, and keep the love going around! Those who feel it's affects will be sincerely thankful.

love, Hna. Georgeson for the last time in the U.S.!!!

Since this email was sent, Emily was notified that her Visa has been held up with the Argentina consulate. Like this should be unusual. Idaho sent it back once and California sent it back twice. She is very frustrated, but it means she doesn’t leave next week like scheduled.

Week 8! Two More to Go!

2010-01-17T22:21:00.003-07:00

So in crazy news, we should be getting our flight plans in the next few days! One of our sisters going to California got hers last night, so most think tonight! It's still mind boggling. I can't believe in two weeks time I'm going to be on another continent! Whoa! Sometimes it feels like I'm going to spend all my time here in the MTC. Not saying that's bad. Not saying that's the best thing either.

This week has been... uh, weekful. I don't really have any highlights, except for the fact that Elder L.Tom Perry spoke to us on Tuesday. The funny thing is we just saw him on Christmas. He spoke about the restoration and his testimony of it. Spiritual and delightfully tall. He's got an excellent combination going on there.

One of our teachers, Hno.Richardson (BETH!! I love you) said that my companion and I have been teaching more powerfully this week, to which we're both like "Really?" But I can see where he's coming from. Our lessons this past week have been most excellent. Why? I don't know. Some of them have been really good, but some... like yesterday. We had the TRC (Teaching resource center where all of our lessons and spanish vocab and yada yada are based off of and we teach volunteers we've never met before) and we were late, and so we didn't have enough time to get to know our investigator so we just launched right in with teaching and addressing his needs, which were about tithing and being able to pay and also support his family. He was supposed to be a new convert to the church, but he was telling us that he has a mutual understanding with God about how he shouldn't pay tithing. He was driving us insane! But in the way where you can transplant your own understanding into someone else's head so they can wrap their head around how good the gospel is! We asked him if he had faith in God. "Of course." Do you believe that God can do anything? "Yes." Then God can help you pay your tithing! "No, I can't do that." GAAA!!! Then we tried the whole thing of God will bless you based of a scripture in Malachi, and Hna.Jones was being a good sister missionary saying that God will give us SSSOOO MUCH. "No, I can't do that." Then I tried my final approach, Do you love your family? "Yes, of course." Do remember about learning about being with them forever? "Yes, I think so." We recieve these blessings and so many more blessings for our salvation in the Temple, but you can't go to the temple unless you keep your covenants and the commandments. You need to keep the law of tithing to go to the temple, so that one day you can be sealed to your family for forever. If you love your family you'll pay your tithing you can all enjoy these blessings. "I dunno. I don't think I can do that." And this guy supposedly was just baptized!!! Like a week ago! It's not like I was super de-dooper mad at him or wanted to strangle him, but I have to admit, I was frustrated that he wasn't listening to what we were saying. We bore testimony, we said how we know the blessings are true, a tear or two was shed. But still he was being stubborn and not taking in what we were saying. Oh the life of a missionary.

In other news this week... It's been very stressful. Emotionally anyway. I've already been in to see a counselor and go again on Teusday. Today my companion and I are fasting that I can find some healing and healing for others. It's been very hard and has opened up my eyes to a lot about me. Stuff I've never ever realized before, and I always thought I was an honest person about myself. But the unearthing of these feelings have left me feeling like I'm someone I've never met before. And I think it'll be a while before I can wake up and say "I'm okay," but that day will come, of that I am sure. It's because of this gospel. With out the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge of his love for me and the Atonement, I would be lost. Probably dead a long time ago. But because of the knowledge of who I am I can move on. THANK GOD for the Atonement, because I cannot even fathom where I'd be. Oh my God, the mercy you've had on me. It's how I know I can move on, that I can be like thee, and that there is joy to be found in this world.

Don't you worry about me, I'm not coming home and I'm not planning on coming home until my 18 months are up. I can know that one day I can say "All is well."

Take care and lots of love, Hna.Georgeson

P.S. before I leave, do you want to send some trail mix my way? Not a whole heck of a lot, but a little bit? You don't have to. I'm just really craving trail mix right now. 2.5 more hours of fasting!

P.S.S. Mandy Hales, I really wish I had your 'Burg address so I can write to you! I want to let you know I love getting your letters with mucho fun that make me giggle! I would write this to you personally to let you know how much you are loved and appreciated, but alas, I'm hoping this will suffice for right now! Mucho amor!!!

Adivina que??

2010-01-08T18:57:00.009-07:00

No se si yo escribe esta frase correctamente, pero, guess what!!! I found out how to say poop this week. That's probably the highlight of my week. Not really. But it's up there. It's popa.

Anyway, in all seriousness it's been a good week. Plenty of new learning experiences of course. One of my favorite things was Mission Conference this past Domingo (Sunday). A lot of it was about rendering service, my purpose as a missionary, and about missed opportunities. I loved that last one because that's my greatest fear as a missionary, is that I might miss so many opportunities. I don't want to come home regretting. I don't want to be like Samson who was supposed to be one of the great ones and ended up being a sad failure, and I don't want to be like Jonah who did the work begrudgingly and ended up so depressed in his life. DON'T BE LIKE THEM!!!
And also all those who talked about our purpose from pg.1 of Preach My Gospel, one said to translate it for yourself and see if you're bringing yourself unto Christ. That's the measure of success not only in being a good missionary, but living a full, happy life.

In a large group meeting we had the instructor talked about miracles, because heaven knows that missionary work doesn't go forward with out them. It takes an absolute God given miracle to convert someone and change their heart. The reason miracles happen is by obedience to the laws upon which they are predicated. I don't even know what that means, but what I gather is that God blesses us with miracles through our obedience. If we are obedient we receive the blessings Heavenly Father has been waiting to give us, and if we are exactly obedient (as missionaries and so on should be) Heaven pours her treasures on all her children. Not meaning that heaven is a female. You get the picture.

If you have time read and ponder the scriptures in Alma 22-24. Read and think about how in the world they could even apply to you. I'm so impressed by the Lamanite's willingness to follow the Savior and their testimonies of the Atonement. They have truly been inspiring, and even more meaningful as I go to the temple and think about Christ. Pres. McKay said, "The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of the people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature."

How true that is for the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's! they are some of my new scriptural heroes; a powerful people of God. Also read Isaiah 1:18. It gets me even more now that I understand about he Anti-Nephi-Lehi's.

One last thing I want to leave you all with. One of our sisters had us listen to her favorite song called How Deep The Father's Love For Us by Phillips, Craig, and Dean and I want you to listen to it and read these lyrics:

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch his treaure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns his face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen one
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulder
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finsihed
I will not boast un anything
No gift no power no wisdom
But I vill boast in Jesus Christ
His death and ressurection
Why should I gain from his reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

Rather magnificent, no?

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant and ramble. But then again, this is my email. I hope you are all doing well, and please write! I'm still waiting for Erin's wedding announcement (tee hee hee!) Dearest Beth, TE AMO MUCHO! and wait by your mailbox.
Aggghhh! Only a minute left! I dunno what to say, but I love you!!!

xoxo,
Hna.Georgeson

2010-01-01T16:31:00.005-07:00

I only have 25 minutes today! Entonces, I must make this quick! It's been such a crazy week! We've been doing so much stuff that is so mind boggling that two days out of this week our planning was pretty much shot, which is muy malo. My companera, Hna. Jones, was called as coordinating sister of our zone, so she has tons of meetings to go to, which also means that I have to tag along with the other sisters in our district. It can be slightly frustrating, making them have to babysit me, but I cannot keep my companion from her calling!

So starting Christmas night, after the last time I wrote, Gregg Olsen, the LDS painter came and spake at our Christmas Fireside. It was so awesome, because he's probably my favorite LDS painter, and his painting "Be Not Afraid" is my second favorite, only to Del Parson's painting of Christ. They're both on the cover of my new study journal! Yes! You heard me right! I filled up my last study journal already and had to buy a new one! I'm so excited to fill it up and all that wonderful jazz. Anyway, Gregg Olsen! One of my favorite things that he said was "You can't paint the Savior without spending some time thinking about Him!" And in his address to us he mentioned "Knowest thou the condecension of God?", one of my most favorite scriptures (1 Nep. 15... something. Don't quote me on that. Look it up on LDS.org).

On Sunday Barbara S. Thompson, one of the counsilors in the Relief Society presidency came and spoke to us during Relief Society (Ironic ain't it?), and then afterward, we could all go meet her! So we totally did. She's so sweet! During her talk/lesson thing she said that while she was serving in Germany she was having a hard time trying to get to people. She said she thought "I'm here to do thy work, why won't people walk in my path?... I didn't think Heavenly Father was being fair with me." But she came to realize MISSIONARY WORK IS HARD WORK! It takes time and effort. And if we ever get the thought "The Lord isn't being fair with me", then there isn't something wrong with those you serve, it's YOU! Oh, and read Philippians 4:13. Por favor. Oh, and D&C 123. I'm pretty sure some of those last verses are the themes of my mission.

This week on Wednesday our district got to host new missionaries coming in! So that means we helped them check in, get their stuff, find their classroom. It was snowing like mad that day, but it was so much fun! I got to host three sisters, three wonderful sisters! My first Sister was going to Montreal, Canada, my second to the Baltic States mission (she reminded me of Sis. Daugherty, she made my day!), and my third to El Salvador. We were all sad when it was all over because it was awesome, but our lovely Hma. Squires prayed that we could do it again, and we're doing it again this next Wednesday! Only Hma. Squires could get that prayer answered. Estamos muy feliz y tenemos mucho animo!

One more thing. Read in the Book of Mormon everyday. If you want a change in your life, then you must read The Book of Mormon everyday. If you want to find happiness, then read The Book of Mormon everyday. If you want to quit bad habits, read The Book of Mormon everyday. If you feel lost and all alone, then read the Book of Mormon everyday. Hold on, are you getting what I'm saying? Are you catching it? Let me try one more time... READ THE BOOK OF MORMON EVERDAY!!! Wait- I think I forgot something... EVERYDAY!!! The Book of Mormon changes lives! Why deny yourself the converting power of the word of God? EVERYDAY. I mean it. I challenge you to read it everyday for AT LEAST a month, and I promise you it can change you... if you ACTUALLY read it.

Only a couple minutes left...Mamma, please tell Sis. Salveson, Bishop, Sis.Welch, Sis.Barnes, and the Brims thank you for their christmas cards! It meant so much. And please write on my blog thank you to Steff Gilbert, Michael Arnold, Kaiti, Beth, and Mandy for their letters! They brought sunshine to my soul.

Mucho amor! Hna. Georgeoson

2009-12-26T08:07:00.002-07:00

Hi everybody, just finished week 5... woot woot! Or is it week four... I don't know! Everyday blends together here! We never have any idea what day it is anymore.

So much has happened this past week, it's been a trip. On Tuesday Elder Anderson came and spoke at our devotional. It was such a good talk on the condensension of God. Read 1 Nephi 11. One of my favorites. End of story.

Last night we got out of class early to go to the fireside where we had a program by our MTC presidency, and this morning we had our Morningside with Elder Perry. I practically shoved my way into the gym so my companion and I could get good seats. We waited in line for forever! We also sang the 12 days of Christmas at the MTC which was hilarious!

On the first day of Christmas the MTC gave me:
A rock solid testimony
2 haircuts free
3 new companions
4 chocolate milks
5 hours of gym
6 :30 wake up (Pero I get up at 6)
7 lukewarm showers (it's the truth)
8 hours of rest
9 outbound calls (ever wonder about the phone numbers on the back of the pass along cards? If you've called I might've talked to you!)
10 more commandments
11 loads of laundry
12 hours of class

And that is basically our lives here at the MTC. Granted I haven't had a haircut yet, have three companions, or even drunk the chocolate milk, the experience here is one of a kind.

Speaking of kind, the elder that was on this computer before me got off early and let me get on to type this. It was muy lindo.

First I must talk about my two favorite things this week: A) I've decided I'm going to name my favorite Elder of the week. This will be my new tradition from now on, because I meet so many people and say "You are my new favorite!" But now I shall announce it to the world! This week it's Elder Ta'Alla from Australia (He's Samoan). He has a wicked sweet accent, is totally friendly, and can beat box! I met him his last day here in the MTC because he looked at me and was like "Oh my gosh!! You're Taylor Swift! You look just like Taylor Swift!!!" And he kept freaking out and it was muy lindo. He kept on pointing me out to his district and talked to some of our elders saying "Did you know Taylor Swift was in your district?!?" He was hilarious. Gracias Elder Ta'Alla!

B) Sis. Reas is finally here at the MTC!! I love seeing her because she's so full of love that spills over into the most amazing hugs the world has ever known! I've known Sis. Lindsay Reas for forever, and It's a fresh breath of San Diego love everytime I see her! Snaps and Kudos for this AMAZING Sista! *snap snap snap*

C) I realize I haven't talked about Spanish much, but what can I say, Spanish is Spanish. I know I'm still not that freakishly amazing at it, but it's coming. This past week has been rough because I was getting so fed up with it! It was often confusing and I didn't want to practice using it EVER! I was being so stubborn and so angry at it! It was totally bogging me down the entire week, because I was so frusterated and angry at it I couldn't really have the Spirit with me. The night Elder Anderson came I was asking Heavenly Father to help me find something from Elder Anderson's talk for me so that I could get my groove back. And then Elder Anderson used the "knowest thou the condensencion of God?" scripture, which is one that usually hits home for me. It helped me to remember why I'm here, why in the world I am learning Spanish, and what my purpose is, which is not ME. Oh yes.

Not much else to say, except our teacher came back on Monday. He just got married this past weekend and we've had this amazing sub, but it's nice having our teacher back anyway. And from the 12 days of Christmas, we really do have about 12 hours in that classroom. We always have Spanish Cabin Fever!!! If only we were pirates. That would make this crazy fever worth it. And Cabin Fever always makes me think of Muppet Treasure Island. Note to self: Watch this when you get home. Oh yeah!!!

Pres. Uchtdorf's wife came to speak to us during Relief Society on Sunday. Her accent is so cute! It totally made me think of you Jenn! . . .

Gracias por todos las cartes! Thanks for the letters! . . .

I cannot think of anything else except keep sending me the love! If you want to know my address contact my mamma through my gmail which is emily.georgeson@gmail.com and keep sending the love! Feliz Navidad! Or Feliz Natal as those crazy Brazilians say!

Ciao Ciao!xoxo, Hma Georgeson

2009-12-18T17:55:00.004-07:00

Buenas Dias!

...Please send the word out, I WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE!!!! Por favor!

(Her address at the MTC is:

Hermana Emily Rose Georgeson
MTC Mailbox # 358
ARG-NEU 0126
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT 84604-1793

You can also go to DearElder.com and post letters there. Make sure to denote the Provo MTC as the destination while she is there. They deliver M-F if you get it in before noon. Once she moves to Argentina, I'll post the new address here.)

So just some cool things I've learned this week, Charity- SUPER IMPORTANTE. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 strongly emphasises that, that we are nothing without charity (that Paul, what a good man) (emphasizes...?), and D&C 88:125 says that Charity should be worn as a mantle because it's SO THAT IMPORTANT! Mantle's aren't for people who make promises they're not so sure they're going to keep. It's for serious.

This past week the scipture D&C 123:12 has stood out to me, at least 4 or 5 times in the past day or two, and I was bugging me WHY!?! I knew that it's important, but why would the Lord plague me with such a scripture (not so much that it was a plague)? But I was doing companion study with mi companera and we were talking about our experience in the Temple earlier today, and she totally made me realize why the Lord would put that scripture in front of my face.

"Christ is the only on earth that can throw a stone at us, but he won't because he loves us." - Our lovely Hma. Squires

Don't get caught in the routine! What you put in is what you get back.

A story told to us during a Sunday meeting: A Russino orphan had 2 babies lying in the nativity scene that he made. When asked about it he began relaying the nativity with accuracy, until he got to the part where Mary laid him in a manger. Then the boy said, "Jesus asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him that I didn't have a mamma or a poppa, so I didn't have any place to stay. Then Jesus said that I could stay with HIM. I wasn't sure if I could because I didn't have any gifts to give him that were good enough." The boy thought and thought and thought, and then he realized there's something he could give Jesus. "'If I keep you warm, would that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus said 'That would be the best gift I could ever ask for.'" And so the boy climbed into the manger with the baby Jesus and with tears in his eyes he said Jesus told him "You can stay forever," with someone who would love him and NEVER leave him alone.

Oh my goodness, that story was so sweet! I want to find that boy and adopt him! For serious! For someone who hasn't been given much, he knows that he can rely on his Savior. What a special boy.

Some food for thought: Those who profess that God does not exist and religions corrupt the world are guilty by their own school of thought. Anti-religionists can rally together and fulfill their own prophecies of degeneration in the world. Any other religion or school of thought would inevitably cause theis world to crumble and fail. ONLY through the RESTORED GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST can the world be saved from ourselves.Oh yeah, I'm so good.

Lots o love! I mean, Mucho amor! And tell Barrett That I think it's totally awesome, his class. I'm going to try to send something today that hopefully he can analyze. Tell Adam that stinker should write! Something! Anything! It will not only keep us strong but will help him too.

Adios!!Con amor, Hma.Georgeson

P.S. Tee hee hee, since I've been here almost nobody has pronounced my name wrong, but today when we went to the temple the sealers kept saying Greggerson. Oy vey. That's Spanish for Oy vey.

2009-12-13T16:31:00.003-07:00

Hola from the land of missionaries!

This week has been... well, interesting. A lot of thinking, lack of sleep, and good experiences. I can't really remember last week really. I've been battling a cold with a gross sounding cough- The Zone leaders were always asking "Are you okay? Are you sure?" I was fine, I just sounded gross. I'm not really coughing anymore so that's good.

We had a "zone conference" which was pretty good. We went over what a "good" missionary is. Someone who doesn't care so much about numbers but moreso the people. We learned more Spanish (aagoijoeiuhggog!!!), and had some sweet devotionals and firesides. We had a mission conference (basically a devotional) on fast Sunday. I doodled a picture of a funny looking peach that went along with someone's talk on the fruits of our mission, and how to make sure the harvest at the end will taste so sweet. I'm hoping for more of a strawberry taste. One of the wives of the an MTC presidency member spoke about Mary and it was muy excellente! Elder Bruce R. McConkie said that
"Mary is one of the greatest women on the earth," and she did such a good job convincing us. She was saying that Mary, when confronted by the arch angel Gabriel still could've said "I dunno," or "No thanks, I like my girlish figure" or even "All the women will think I'm immoral when they see I'm unwed and pregnant," but Mary said yes. She still had her agency and she still chose God.

On Sunday we got to watch the Church Christmas music program, and I love how Elder Uchtdorf mention Saint Exuperry (I think that's how you spell it...) and Le Petit Prince, it made my frenchie heart happy :) I especially loved what President Monson said, "He gave us his love, his service, his life.... How silently this wondrous gift is given."

From one of our teachers we got a Braveheart quote that applies to missionary work, "If it's ever going to happen, the time is now!" Our teacher loves the phrase he got from one of his trainers "Chose to be a Gladiator, not a civilian." That's exactly the kind of person he is.

Some more quotes from this week, "We have no way to access the Atonement without the restoration." -Elder Holland

"How sad is it that the full keyboard is here on the earth, and other churches choose to tap the monotony of a single key and deny the harmony of religious joy?" -Boyd K. Packer

"It's not just another religious view, it's a declaration from God himself." -Elder Perry

"Serve in a way that those who don't know Him, that know you, want to know Him, because they know you." -A wonderful Uruguan man's pearl of great price

We also had Claudio R.M. Costa speak this past week, and let me tell you, he's probably my most favorite General Authority, besides the first presidency. I love listening to him speak. He always has a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. I always want to go up to him, hug him, and ask him to be my grandpa.

The other day in class our teacher once again stressed to us the importance of writing down thoughts and feelings during lessons and talks because they probably are mini revelations from the Holy Ghost. He says that much of the time we usually just bruch off these feelings as being warm fuzzies and don't explore them further. That night we were to watch Elder Holland's infamous "Don't you dare go home" MTC devotional, and I thought I'd try what our teacher suggested. I'm so glad I did, I don't think I'll ever not write down thoughts and feelings again! I totally felt the Spirit and found answers to questions I've been having. I only have 7 more minutes and I want to share as much of this as I can with you!

"I suppose there has been no young man to be so affected by his mission than I was."

"My mission meant everything to me! Everything!!"

"Do not live with the regret of what might have been."

"Enhance every hour you're given."A mission is a miracle! Don't go home with the regret because it had been otherwise.

There is a purpose and I ask you not to resisit it.

This is the most importand thing in this world: Participating in the salvation of the human soul!

Do not fight it!

When you have to work, work! When you have to study, study! When you have to pray, pray!

Don't you dare leave here FOR YOUR SAKE.... "I would take the cords from your cameras and tie you here.... You'll ruin your life (if you go home).

"Salvation is not a cheap experience! It was never meant to be easy! It never was! It's not supposed to be easy! You can't do it that way! It was not cheap, easy, convienient for the Savior, how Dare we ask to not have to drink any of that cup!

But he lives and loves . . .

xoxox, Hermana Georgeson