Argentina ~week 93

This week was really great! We got to work hard and then end the week with Christmas and Skype!

Monday night we got two new investigators: Marianela and her mom Nora. They said like a week ago they were talking about Mormons had some questions about them. And then we happened to show up, haha! We taught the restoration and they accepted it pretty well!

Then on Tuesday I had an exchange with our district leader. And we contacted all that day and found a new investigator named Alberto, a really nice old guy who is catholic.

Wednesday we finished the exchange, had a lesson with the Bravo family and kept contacting all day.

Thursday we had lunch with the Cardozo family, and in the afternoon taught Marianela again. This time the plan of salvation. She said it answered some questions she's had for a long time, like where do we go after this life?

Friday we did weekly planning, and went contacting. We clapped at a door, and a lady Vanesa came out and we talked with her there and had a lesson. She is Christian and lives with Jehova´s witnesses and likes to learn about all religions. We shared with her the Book of Mormon and she agreed to read it.

Saturday was a really hot day and we tried to contact but everybody was busy getting ready for christmas. In the afternoon we went to the Gerez family, our branch president's family, and had christmas eve dinner.

Sunday we had church, but only sacrament meeting. It rained like crazy and only us, a tourist family, and a new family that moved in this week and knows my companion from one of his old wards we there. Me and my companion presided, gave talks, I played piano, and everything turned out pretty good for being improvised. Then we went to the branch president's house, had lunch with them and then Skype'd. Then it was the end of the day.

Anyways I hope you all had a merry christmas and that you have a happy new year this week!

See you all in 3 more weeks!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 92

Subject: Mission Christmas party, and Branch Christmas party

So this was another great and busy week.

On Tuesday we had our district meeting in Santa Teresita. Then we came back and ate lunch. Then we found and taught a new investigator named Cristina, then we kept contacting the rest of the afternoon.

On Wednesday we went contacting in the morning, and in the afternoon we taught our investigator Laura about the Plan of Salvation, and then with the Bravo family we watched the Restoration video.

Thursday we were contacting pretty much all day, and several dogs almost got us, haha.

Friday we had to go to pinamar for interviews with our mission president and then we had a small christmas party there. That took all day

Saturday we did a service with the Bravo family and helped mix cement and pour it. Then we ate asado with them. After that we went to the branch christmas party.

Sunday we went to church in the morning. It was raining like crazy after, but we were able to contact a few people, visit a less active family, and then visit our branch president's family because his parents are sick.

Anyways, that's it for this week. Here's a picture of my and my companion in the library right now as we write to you guys. Have a great week and a merry christmas!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 91

>
> This was another great week. Lots of walking and contacting.
> On Tuesday we went contacting new people in the morning. In the afternoon we looked for some people we had contacted before and set up appointments.
> On Wednesday we had zone meeting in the morning and set goals. We also got the new 'Ilumina el mundo' (Light the world) cards which we've been using alot. Then we had mission correlation, and taught the Bravo family. We also met a less active family, and taught them.
> Thursday morning we were contacting again, and in the afternoon we went looking for some investigators and less actives, setting appointments and contacting new people.
> Friday morning we did weekly planning. We tried to make orange chicken for lunch with orange juice. It turned out with a strong orange taste, but it was good. Then we kept contacting in the afternoon.
> Saturday morning we also we contacting, had lunch with Hermano Cardozo, and then went contacting in the afternoon. We talked about the 10 commandment with the Bravo family, and went contacting some more.
> Sunday morning we had church and my new companion introduced himself. In the afternoon we set up appointments with our investigators and went contacting some more.
> Anyways, that's about it for this week. We worked hard, contacted lots of people, and we'll recontact them and contact new people next week. Have a great week everyone!
> -Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 90

>
> Hi Everyone!
> This week was great and right at the end of it we got Transfers.
> Tuesday morning we went to one of the farther parts of our area to contact, then we went to some lessons we had planned, but they fell through, but we managed to set new appointments.
> So Wednesday morning me and my companion had to go pretty far to pay the water bill for our pension. But we got it taked care of. Then we went contacting in a part of our area that we haven't got to in awhile.
> Thursday after lunch we did alot of contacting again. We had a lesson with the Bravo family, and kept doing contacting till night.
> Friday morning we did weekly planning, and did lots of contacting and appointment setting in another part of our area. Then we had dinner with Hermano Cardozo. That night we got the transfer calls that my companion would be leaving.
> Saturday our investigators the Bravo family invited us to lunch and made empanadas for us. Then my companion took some time to pack, and we went to some other appointments, and did some more contacting.
> Sunday morning we went to church. Then our branch president and his family invited us over for asado. Then we had several quick visits to investigators and members so my companion could say bye.
> Today I got my new companion, Elder Sedgwick from California. He has a year in the mission now. He will also be my last companion. But we're excited and ready to work hard this transfer.
> Have a great week everyone!
> -Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 89

>
>
> This week was another great and successful week!
> On Tuesday we had district meeting. In the afternoon we found two new investigators Laura and her daughter Abril. We taught the restoration and Laura said she felt it was true se we invited her to baptism on the 17th. She wasn't able to go to church this week, but wants to go next week. Hopefully everything goes well with her. Then we did contacting the rest of the week.
> On Wednesday we did lots of contacting, and taught the Bravo family again and taught the the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
> Thursday morning we visited less actives with a member, and in the afernoon went contacting.
> On Friday we did weekly planning. We had an appointment in the afternoon, with a new investigator, but he wasn't home. so we contacted a few doors and a guy named eduardo let us in and we taught him. He doesn't go to any church, but said our message was interesting and he'd like to investigate more.
> Saturday we went to the far part of our area in the morning. We didn't know that not very many people live there and that they are mostly tourists, so we couldn't achieve much. In the afternoon we taught the Bravo family and started reading the book of mormon with them.
> Sunday we had church. Unfortunately none of our investigators were able to come. Then we had the asado that our investigators invited us too (see picture below). They are cool people, we talked to them in the street last week and they asked us a lot of questions and we became good friends, and they invited us to eat asado with them. They ask alot of things about the church, and they like how we can always answer them and how they always make sense. Also they said they feel good whenever we visit them. Then we just kept contacting and looking for previously contacted people.
> Anyways, that's about it for this week. Have a great week everyone!
> -Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 88

Subject: A great, successful week!

This week that we had was very good and we were able to accomplish alot.

So on Tuesday we were contacting pretty much all day. We found a new investigator named Claudio, who is from the evangelical church, but left them because he doesn't like how they always talk about weath and temporal things. We taught him the restoration and he agreed to read and pray.

On Wednesday we did lots of contacting again. We clapped at a door and a guy named Javier came out and invited us in and we shared a message with him, his wife, and his mom. They are really cool investigators, they used to live in my old area, they have and uncle and cousins that are mormon, and they really liked us and actually asked us to come back again. It was really cool.

Thursday we had the traveling Elders with us. They are elders that go visit all the areas and help contact and find new investigators. We did lots of contacting with them and found 3 new investigators.

Friday morning, we did a service project for our branch president's family and helped them move lots of stuff, because they are building a new house. In the afternoon we did more contacting, and then had dinner with hermano Cardozo.

Saturday we did weekly planning in the morning, then had lunch. In the afternoon we visited Javier and his family again. Then are reading and praying and they like everything we teach them. The difficulty with them is that Javier is on house arrest for robbing alot when he was younger. He's trying to see if he can get permission to go to church still, and we're praying that they'll let him.

Sunday we had church in the morning. Then we had lunch, and left to go contacting. We started talking with two young couples outside talking, they asked us alot of questions and we ended up talking for more than an hour. They told us to come by next week.

So it was a really good week. We ended up with 11 new investigators, who are all pretty interested.

Anyways, here's a picture we took by the entrance of our area.

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 87

Subject: A busy, but great week!

So this week was kinda crazy, but it was really great!

On Tuesday we had district meeting, then lunch with the Gerez family, then contacting all afternoon.

On Wednesday we had to leave around noon because Elder Rasband was coming to visit the mission. We had a 6 hour bus ride, and spent the night with other Elders.

On Thursday we met Elder Rasband in the morning. He chose to shake everyone's hand. He talked about the inspiration of our mission calls and areas, and told us that if we are complaining about our area, companion, ward or anything, that we are mocking the Lord. Then he talked alot about revelation. That afternoon I had to do migrations paperwork. And I spent the night up there again.

Friday I did more migrations paperwork, and had another 6 hour busride to my area and got back around 10 pm.

Saturday we just contacted basically all day.

Sunday after church we kept contacting. and then had dinner with Hermano Cardozo.

Today we had district activity and played on the beach. A dog stole a football we brought and it took like an hour to get it back.

And that's about all this week. Here is a picture of the entire mission.

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 86

> Hi Everyone! This week was great, and very busy.
> On Tuesday we had District Meeting, then I had an exchange with our district leader's companion in Santa Teresita.
> On Wednesday we finished the exchange, and it was raining very hard, but we visited a few less actives and contacted people.
> Thursday we did some contacting in one of the rich parts of our area, not very much success, but we found a few people that could become future investigators.
> Friday we had Zone Conference in Pinamar. We had to get up a 5:50, travel a few hours, and we got back at like 7 pm. They talked alot about having faith and raising the bar.
> Saturday we got a new investigator named Carmen in the morning. Then we had lunch with Hermano Cardozo. Then we did lots of contacting and found about 20 people that told us we could come back another day.
> Sunday we had church. There were 21 people there. Then we brought the sacrament to the other 2 elders in our ward, because one has chicken pox, but he's getting better. Then we did some contacting and had dinner with Hermano Cardozo.
> This next week is going to be busy too. We have the privilege to listen to Elder Rasband from the 12 apostles on Thursday. It takes about 6 hours on a bus to get back to our mission offices, so I'll be traveling alot this week, but It'll be a great week!
> picture: asado we ate this week.
> Have a great week everybody!
> -Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 85

Hi Everyone! Sorry about last week I couldn't write much because I had lots of travel to get to my new area.

Now I'm in the Coast, in a place called San Bernardo. I live a few blocks away from the beach and not very many people live here. They say in the summer many people have vacation homes and come and stay here and that there are lots of tourists.

So on Tuesday I basically unpacked, we cleaned, wrote a little bit to you guys, bought the stuff I needed for the week, and had a correlation meeting with the ward mission leader.

Wednesday we went to visit some less actives, then it started raining like crazy so we went to clean clothes and our pension for a while. We were able to do a little contacting then visited a less active.

Thursday we had our zone meeting. Travel here is really expensive and far. We had to get up early to take a bus at 6:30, because the buses only come every few hours. Then we had to wait a few hours for the meeting to start. After the meeting we had to wait for the next bus, and then got back around 5 and had dinner with a less active member.

Friday we did weekly planning in the morning. After lunch we were taking our bikes to the farthest part of our area, but they started having problems, so we had to walk them all the way back. Then we visited a less active family. Then we had to stop by with the other elders in the ward, because one of them got Chicken Pox and we had to help them buy medicine.

Saturday I got sick. Just a fever, headache all that kind of stuff. I slept alot and studied basically all day.

Sunday we went to church in the morning. Then we had lunch, helped the other elders with the sacrament and that's basically all.

Anyways, next week will be great. Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 84

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Porter Severtson
Date: Tue, Oct 25, 2016 at 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Rainy week, Lots of cancelled appointments, Argentine Mother's Day

Just wanted you to know that I couldn't write yesterday because I got to my area late at night. I'm in the coast, the farthest part of the mission. It's a tourist area, but it'll be really cool. I'm with Elder Casablanca, from Florida. I'm not a District Leader anymore, but I'm Senior Companion. Everything's going good, and I'll let you know more about it next week.

Here is where I live on Google Maps:

https://www.google.com.ar/maps/@-36.690762,-56.6821702,3a,75y,260.62h,85.12t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sNr7QiilGczUJVqhG829FTw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

Just so you can know where I'm at if your curious.

I'm really excited to work here in the coast. It'll be a great place to end my mission.

Here is a picture of me and my companion.

Anything else, or any other questions, I'll answer next week.

I won't have time today to write my main email to everyone, but you can tell them, on the blog, the stuff that I told you today, and next week I'll write about the last to weeks.

Have a great week!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 83

This week was another great week! On Tuesday we had District Meeting and talked about how we can better leave committments for our investigators. Then we went to a few appointments that got cancelled, and set new appointments, then taught English classes.

On Wednesday we had lunch with the Ifrán family. Then we went to a few appointments that we had set with new investigators. We had a lesson with Nicolas and Sofia, some of our investigators. We told them about the Book of Mormon, and they looked excited to read it, especially Sofia. Then we had ward family night in the church building and a less active family came.

On Thusrday almost all the people we went to look for weren't home, but we were able to talk with a few less active people and set a few appointments with investigators. That night we had a Ward Council.

On Friday we did weekly planning in the morning. Then we went to look for future investigators and a few appointments we had. Most of them had cancelled, but we managed to talk to a few people.

On Saturday we talked to our investigator Nanci, and talked about parts of the plan of salvation that she had questions about like baptisms for the dead, and the 3 kingdoms of glory. We showed her that those things are in the bible and are things that the true church of Jesus Christ should have. We also visited a few less active families.

Sunday was Mother's day here in Argentina. We went to church, and afterward like no one was home, or they were all busy so that was a little difficult.

Anyways next week we have transfers, not really sure what will happen with me.

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 82

This week was a great week.

On Tuesday we had district meeting in the morning. Then we taught an investigator who is from the Universal Church, a big Evangelical church. She talks alot, but generally accepts what we tell her. Then we went contacting and taught English Classes.

On Wednesday morning we had interviews with our Mission President. We were planning to come back by 1 and work, but there were several delays and we didn't get back until like 5. Then we had a ward family night in the church.

During the interviews they had given us the challenge to give out 20 book of Mormons the next day. On Thursday we had lots of appointments and we had to travel alot but we managed to get 8. Now we have the goal of 5 per day. We set up lots of appointments for Saturday.

On Friday we did weekly planning in the morning. In the afternoon we taught several people. Natalia, a less active who stopped going to church a few years ago because her son would misbehave. We read Ether 12:4 with her and left her to read Mosiah 4:11-14, and the story of Alma the younger in Mosiah 27. She came to church on Sunday which was cool. We also found two new investigators which were old investigators a few years ago. They didn't like the idea of sacrifice, things like getting up early to go to church each week. We shared Mosiah 2:41 and talked about to Joy of living the Gospel, like many people talked about in General Conference. Afterwards we could tell that they understood very well, and had a great desire to keep the commandments.

Saturday we had several appointments set up. We called almost all the members we could think of, because we needed someone to come with us to the appointments that were women. Nobody was able to come. So we went anyways, hoping that there would already be men in the house, if not, we were going to cancel. But is turns out none of them, were home anyways. Then we taught a less active family.

On Sunday we went to church in the morning. Unfortunately none of our investigators came, we'll see this week what happened. Then we went to a 'white storm' in another area in our stake and helped them for a few hours.

Today we had our district activity and made homemade hamburgers in the church building and then played UNO and some other games we had.

Anyways, that's all for this week. Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 81

This week was great! I had my Birthday, and then General Conference in the weekend.

Tuesday we had our district meeting and my birthday! After we had exchanges, I was with Elder Henrie, one of my zone leaders. We taught our investigator Karina, and she wants to go to church and progress. Then we got a new investigator, Majin. Then we taught English classes, and ate Ice Cream for my birthday.

Wednesday morning we went contacting, had lunch, and kept contacting in the afternoon. Then we had a lesson with our investigators, Nicholas and Sofia, and a family night with Ivan Acevedo.

Thursday we were contacting in the farthest part of our area, we had a few appointments get cancelled over there.

Friday morning we did weekly planning in the morning. Then we were contacting and inviting investigators and less actives to the general conference. We had three appointments get cancelled that day, but found several new people that we can potentially teach.

Saturday we had a lesson with our investigator Nanci, and a member Ani came with us and we taught the Plan of Salvation. Then we had General Conference. Here the conference is from 1-3 and 5-7. So we have to wait during the sessions, but it was really good.

Sunday morning we went to look for one of our investigators, to bring him to the conference, but he wasn't home. We went and it was great.

This morning we had our zone activity. We played a few games and had a picnic.

Well, that's it for this week. Here's a picture from last week when we had a service moving bricks, and then celebrated my birthday and the pushed my face in the cake.

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 80

So this week was great! Monday night I had to spend the night in my last area, El Cruce, because it's alot closer to the mission offices where we had to be on Tuesday.

Tuesday we got up early and went to the mission offices and left for the temple. All the district and zone leaders got to go. After that, we all had lunch and talked about the mission plan for the rest of the year. We came back and went the English classes we are teaching in our ward. A random guy came and was telling us about his political campaign to legalize poligamy in Argentina. He wanted us to support him with that, because he though mormons still did that, and we had to explain to him that we don't and it was kinda awkward.

Wednesday we had the district meeting in the morning. Then we went contacting and set up appointments with our investigators. That night we had Ward Family night at the church building.

Thursday we went contacting in the morning and after lunch we visited our investigator Karina. She told us that she wants to go to church, because she has seen blessings from what we have taught her. We set up appointments with a few other people.

Friday we did our weekly planning in the morning. That afternoon we went to contact more people. We set up several appointments for next week and taught a less active named Jorge Garcia.

Saturday morning we had Mission correlation meeting. Then we set up appointments and contacted people. We had a family night with the Aguirre family.

Sunday morning we had church. Then in the afternoon we went to the farther part of our area, and taught 2 less active families. All the investigators we were gonna visit cancelled on us, but we were able to set appointments with them for next week.

Today we did a service for a less active lady in our ward, even though it was PDay. A few other missionaries from our zone came to help out. Then we had cake for my birthday tomorrow and they rubbed frosting on my head, haha. It was really sticky.

I have pictures, but forgot my camera cable so I'll send them next week!

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 79

So this week was very busy and we didn't have very much time to work.

Monday we had transfers like I told you last week.

Tuesday I got to work with my new companion. We passed by some of our investigators and less actives we are teaching so they can meet him then we taught english classes.

Wednesday morning we had district meeting. We did some contacting and looked for some people to teach, then we had ward family night.

Thursday we went to the farther part of our area to contact and set appointments with investigators, less actives, etc. We did alot of walking that day.

Friday I had district leader training meeting all day pretty much. They surprised us telling us that we're all gonna go to the temple tomorrow. I'll tell you how that goes next week. Then we did weekly planning.

Saturday we did some more contacting. Had several appointments fall through, but set new appointments for next week.

And Sunday we had church in the morning. And spent the rest of the day looking for some more of our investigators so my companion can meet them. We met with Ruben and Irina, some of our most progressing investigators and taught them the Plan of Salvation. It was cool to see how they reacted when they understood the Plan of Salvation. I can tell they understand better the purpose of this life and have a greater desire to follow Jesus Christ now, and understand His important role in our lives.

And that's about it for this week. I would write more, but they place where we normally write was closed and we had to look for a new place. And I have to travel right now to spend the night in somewhere closer to the mission offices for the temple trip tomorrow.

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 78

Hi everybody, it was a great week this week! We were able to have our Church Open House and end the week with transfers today.

On Monday it was pretty much Normal PDay. It rained all-day so at night we just planned for the Church Open House.

On Tuesday we had the last district meeting for the transfer. I bought an alfajor for everyone in my district because the begged me too, haha. Alfajores are like a type of cookie in argentina. Their basically like soft graham cracker cookies dipped in chocolate is the best I can describe them. There are many different brands and types. I've attached a picture of my district and my zone this transfer. We didn't realize that the board in the back said 'repent and return to the Lord' haha. That afternoon it rained like crazy and we had to cancel English Classes because there was no power in the church.

On Wednesday we went to look for some of out investigators in the morning. In the afternoon we went to the farthest part of our area to invite everyone to the open house for saturday. That night we had a Family Night in the church.

On Thursday we did some contacting in the morning, then in the afternoon we kept contacting and inviting people for saturday. We also printed off invitations and taped them to some of the bus stops. That night we had a ward council.

On Friday we did weekly planning in the morning. In the afternoon we finished all the preparations for saturday, printing off maps and lists of people to go visit. That night they called us about our transfers for today.

On Saturday we had the open house. In the morning about 16 missionaries from the stake came, and did divisions to visit less actives and investigators, and contact new people. We got a lot of referrals from that. In the afternoon was the open house. Unfortuntalely not very many people came, but it was still a good experience for the members and the few people that came.

On Sunday we went to church. Several less actives that we invited came. That afternoon we visited a few families so my companion could take pictures and say goodbye.

Today we had transfers. On Friday they surprised us when they said my companion was leaving, we though for sure either I left or we'd stay together because he's new here, but nope. We had to take all his suitcases to the mission home on the buses in the rain, and then come back with my new companion's stuff. His name is Elder Cortes, from Colombia. He has a few months less that I do in the mission. We're excited to work together and we have lots to do after the open house on Saturday with all the referrals we got.

Here are the pictures for this week:

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 77

This week was another great one!

On Tuesday we had zone conference in the morning. We talked alot about the importance of having a vision in mind to what we want to become. Then we went contacting and taught english classes.

Wednesday we did more contacting. We had the idea of putting up fliers in all the bus stops for English Classes. Hopefully more people will come on Tuesday. We did that and kept contacting then went to the ward family night

Thursday we went to one of our areas to invite people to the talent show for saturday. We ended up doing a service project with a less active helping build a little house of brick and cement. We invited other less actives and kept contacting.

Friday we did weekly planning, went to give invitations to people in another part of our area, then had a ward planning meeting for the talent show.

Saturday we had the ward talent show, it was pretty successful. Several less actives and investigators came. Me and my companion did the go down moses dance, and needless to say it was a great hit! haha, it was funny.

Sunday we had church in the morning. It was one of the coldest days this year so only 31 people were there. After church we went to visit some people. We got a new investigator, a lady from Brazil. She talks in Portuguese to my companion because he's also from Brazil. I can understand most of it because it's pretty similar to spanish which is good haha.

Anyways that's about it this week. We have a church open house next week and hopefully it's a success. Then we have transfers on monday.

Here are some pictures and videos. We made tacos again one night. We sang We Will Rock You in the talent show with the sister missionaries and our ward mission leader. I'll sent you our other Go Down Moses in a separate email.

Argentina ~week 76

So this was another great week! We were able to contact several people and get some new investigators. Then there was a huge storm on Saturday and Sunday.

On Tuesday we had our District meeting and then went to visit some of the people we had contacted before. We got 2 new investigators, Marcela and Hector Moyano. They're about 60 years old and theyre siblings. They don't know how to read, and they're from the evanglical church, but they're less active there. They really liked our message, and they talked alot and wanted to come to church. Then we had English classes that night.

Wednesday morning we went contacting. We had lunch with the Ifrán family, a really cool old couple recent converts. We took a member with us to teach Graciela, a lady we've been trying to contact for more than a month and she finally changed her schedule to be able to talk with us. The lesson was alright. The member that was with us kept trying to confront her and telling her that her church isn't true. It was kinda uncomfortable, but I think we ended it well, she said we could come back. We visited a less active family close by and then went to ward family night in the church.

Thursday morning we went contacting, ate lunch in the pension, then went to find some people we had contacted earlier. We had a ward council that night.

Friday morning we had weekly planning, then lunch, and went to visit more people we had talked to before. We talked with a less active family then kept contacting the rest of the day.

Saturday there was a huge rainstorm. They say every year at the end of August there is a storm like that for the end of the cold. We had mission correlation meeting and planned the activity we are going to have on saturday, a ward talent show. We had a few appointments set, but they ended up getting cancelled.

Sunday It kept raining, just not as much. We had church and there weren't very many people because of the cold and the rain. Unfortunately none of our investigators came. We had lunch and went to look for some people we had contacted earlier.

Anyways, that's about it this week. It was a pretty good week, and hopefully we can visit with some of our investigators this week and invite them to church next week.

Have a great week everybody!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 75

Hey everyone, this was another great week! And no dog problems!

On Tuesday we had Zone Meeting and talked about how to find new investigators. Then we visited a few less active families, and and investigator but they weren't home, then we went to English Classes.

On Wednesday we talked with a few investigatos in the morning to set up appointments for later. We ate lunch with the Ifrán family. Then we found 2 new investigators from people we had talked to earlier. Its a couple named Ruben and Irina. They are very nice and ask alot of questions about the church. They don't go to a church but believe in God. That night we had to travel to Quilmes to spend the night because Thursday morning I had to do Trámites (not really sure what its called in English, just paperwork for migration stuff.

So Thursday I had that all day, almost. We got back to our area around 6 pm and went to ward council and ended the day.

Friday we did weekly planning in the morning. Then we ate lunch and went to work. We set up a few appointments with investigators and talked with two less active families and had dinner with Ramiro.

Saturday we had a 'Capilla Abierta' or open house at a ward in our stake so we had to help out all day. It was really cool. We have one planned for Sept. 10th

Sunday we went to church in the morning. They came to do a training for the open house we are going to have. In the afternoon we got a new investigator named Juan who doesn't have a specific religion but likes to study with lots of them. He understood the message of the restoration and said he would investigate more.

Today we had our district activity. We went to a place called 'republica de los niños' (kid's republic) which is rumored to have inspired Walt Disney. I don't know if that's true though. It's just like an abandoned theme park and it's free to go in and look at the rides and buildings. Then we went to Walmart.

And that's about it this week. Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 74

So this week was pretty good. We were able to find 3 new investigators, 2 of which seem really good. And a dog bit my hand.

On Tuesday we had district meeting which went pretty well. After that we ate lunch in the pension and went to look for a few people we had contacted earlier. Then we went and taught English classes.

Wednesday we had lunch with the Ifrán family. Then hermano ifrán came with us to teach a new investigator Hilda. She's catholic, which is why we invited him, he was catholic until a few years ago. It was a really good lesson. Then a less active called us for a blessing for his wife who's about to have a baby. They're in the area of the hermanas in our ward, so we won't be able to teach them. Then we had ward family night.

Thursday morning we found a new investigator from a list of contacts. She's very evangelical and didn't want to accept very much of what we taught. We taught a less active lady, and did some contacting in the afternoon.

Friday we did weekly planning in the morning, ate lunch at home, and went contacting all afternoon.

Saturday was also contacting all day, except for mission correlation meeting. We went to the farthest part of our area to work, because we had lunch there. But we showed up and the hermano had forgotten. So we just bought a bag a cookies with the little amount of money we had. We went to contact lots of people we had met before, but hardly anyone was home.

Sunday we had church in the morning. Then went contacting and looked for more people we had talked to previously. We got a new investigator Nancy, who's mom died recently, and before she died she told her daughter to go back to church because they went to an evangelical church together before. Funny story: We went to contact a house and a cat came out and I started rubbing it and it scratched my hand. We were walking to another house, and I wasn't paying attention, I was looking at my hand which was starting to bleed from the cat, and a dog came and bit my other hand. haha I guess it wasn't really a funny story but I'm all right. It just bled alot but didn't hurt too bad. Maybe if I had read in the bible Philippians 3:2 earlier, I would've been alright.

Today we had zone activity and made tacos and played soccer.

Anyways here's pictures of my hands. I'm alright though. Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 73

So this week was pretty busy being the first week of the transfer.

On Tuesday we had a normal day, my companions first day in the area. In the morning we went out looking for less actives and old investigators and contacting. In the afternooon we went to look for the catholic kid investigator that we got last week with a member with us. The kid wasn't there, so we visited a less active family with the member. Then we went to our stake center for training for a capilla abierta (open house) that they do here. We had to help our because another ward in our zone had it on Saturday. We also want to do one this transfer.

Wednesday we had district meeting and met the new district. It's cool but small now. It's me and my companion. The 2 hermanas in our ward and 2 hermanas from another ward. They're both training. Then we had lunch with the Ifran family, and they we went contacting in the farthest away part in our area, then we had a ward family night.

Thursday I had a meeting for all the district leaders in the mission. They talked to us about our responsibilities and about obedience. They are hoping to increase the obedience in our whole mission. My companion was on exchanges the whole time. We got back in the afternoon, did some contacting and finished the day like that.

Friday morning we did weekly planning. We had lunch in the pension and did contacting all afternoon.

Saturday we had the capilla abierta in a ward called Romero in my zone. We were there all day. We had to stand outside and invite people in for a few hours.

Sunday we had church. I got the assignment to play the piano every sunday in sacrament meeting. The bishop did that before, and he knew that I played, but he just barely asked me if I wanted to. It's pretty cool. That night we had a family night with a family that just has the mom and the 19 year old some. They're a little less active and we want to help him go on a mission. We shared 3 Nephi 12 14-16 with them, about how we are the light of the world and how we have to share it. Randomly another less active showed up, and one of their friends, Sandra, so we got a new investigator. She was uninterested at first, and now has a little more interest.

And I guess that's it for this week. We were very busy but it was fun.

Here's a picture of me and my companion in front of the church building.

Anyways have a great week everybody!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 72

So this was another pretty good week and it ended with transfers.

On Tuesday we had our last District Meeting of the transfer, and we took a district picture. That afternoon we visited a catholic kid that invited us to his house. He likes to listen to lots of religions he says, but he doesn't pay very much attention, and he asks us random questions like 'what do you think about Revelations Chapter 2?' and other weird stuff. So we're gonna go by with a member next time and maybe show him the restoration video. Then we taught English classes.

Wednesday we went out to work with a guy in our ward. Unfortunately the investigators we were gonna visit with him cancelled on us, so we visited less actives. We met an Aguirre family and their really cool, hopefully we can help them come to church. That night we had Family Night at church and they came with us.

Thursday morning we started an exchange with other elders in my district. I was with Elder Sosa in my area. We had lunch with a less active family, and went out contacting and setting appointments with other people.

Friday we finished exchanges then did weekly planning in the morning. Then we had lunch and in the afternoon we did a service project with a member, and we moved and cut some branches.

Saturday we had missionary correlation in the morning. That afternoon we had 3 appointments setup with new investigators, but they all fell through.

Sunday we had church. There we 45 people, which is alot for our ward. We had lunch with a member, visited a less active family, and then my companion had to pack.

Today we went to Quilmes in the morning for transfers. My companion left and I got a new companion Elder Bartoski from Brazil. He has 9 months in the mission and he was in the same first 2 areas as me. I'm still district leader, but my district split and now it's really small, but it's all cool.

Anyways that's about it for this week! Here's a picture of my district, my zone, and homemade tacos we made with a tortilla recipe from a mexican elder.

Anyways, have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 71

This was a pretty cool and busy week. And we got to end it with the Tribute to Argentina which was awesome!

On Tuesday in District Meeting we all discussed our investigators and their doubts/problems that keep them from progresesing, and gave ideas to help them. Then I returned to my area with Elder Flores, and mini missionary in my district that I have to do an exchange with. We went to go look for a lot of the people that we couldn't find during the White Storm, and at night we had English Classes.

On Wednesday morning we kept looking for people from the White Storm, just in a different area. We had lunch with the Ifrán family, and the finished the exchange we were on. That afternoon we went contacting, and found a few more people from the white storm. At night we had ward family night in the church.

Thursday we went contacting in the morning, then had lunch in the pension. We went to some appointments that ended up getting cancelled, and then had dinner with a member and went home.

Friday morning we did our weekly planning, then we left to go contacting a bit. Then we went to the tribute in La Plata, where 4 of the 7 stakes in our mission were invited. They showed pictures of everyone and I got to see lots of my old companions. The songs were really cool too, and president talked to us a bit before.

Saturday we went to an appointment with a family whose father died who was less active. But they didn't answer... Then we went to mission correlation, which nobody told us it was cancelled because the ward mission leader couldn't go, or the sister missionaries either.. That afternoon I got to go to the other performance of the tribute they did, because they asked me to film it for the live streaming. It was cool, because I got to see the rest of the people I didn't see before.

Sunday we went to church, had lunch with a member, and did some contacting in the cold.

Pictures this week:

I found Gobstoppers!

A picture of me, the 3 elders I trained, one of them is training for his 3rd time, and one of them just started training. It's me, my 3 sons, and 4 grandchildren.

And remember last year I got a minions cup by finding 3 bottle caps that say "promo" on them? This year they had the same promo but with Ice Age. We didn't actually buy any of the juice bottles though, we just found them in the litter on the streets, haha.

Anyways, that's about it this week. Next week is transfers, and I'm probably staying!

Have a great week everyone!

-Elder Severtson

Argentina ~week 70

So this week was pretty good, It got really cold again, but hopefully it warms up soon. We also went without water for like 3 days. Still don't have it, hopefully soon.

Anyways, on Tuesday we had Zone Meeting, and after that I did an Intercambio (exchange) with one of the elders in my district named Elder Lebaron from Utah. He has the same amount of time in the mission as my companion. It was a cool experience. We stayed in his area and worked until Wednesday.

Wednesday after lunch we changed back and came back to my area where we worked the rest of the night and went to a ward family night. 

Thursday morning I had to do another intercambio with Elder Tolman in my district. I also stayed in his area. Until Friday.

Friday we came back, did weekly planning, and then did some contacting, and last planning for the White Storm like printing maps and stuff.

Saturday we had the White Storm in the morning. It went pretty good. We had planned for the whole zone to come but only like half were able to come. Also everyone showed up late, the ward leaders, and the missionaries. So they went out to work late too, so we didn't get as much done as we wanted. But many from the ward commented that we did really good, and really liked the stuff we got done. So now they want to work more with us, which is awesome!

Sunday we went to church, and no investigators came. We had lunch at home, then we went contacting then I had to do a baptismal interview at night.

Anyways that's about it for this week. Here's a picture that I took this week.

Hope everyone has a great week!

-Elder Severtson

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