¡Hola Todos!

This week we had the privilege to go to Capital, Buenos Aires and listen(conversate) with Elder Bednar! All the other missions from Buenos Aires were there and it was broadcasted to all of the missions in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It was one of the coolest experiences ever. He talked about learning and asking by faith and being more intune with the Spirit. The way he spoke was really incredible and difficult to escribe, you had to be there. Anyways, this week in the work with Elder Lopez is about the same, the work is not moving very quickly, but as I learned from Elder Bednar, its the Lord that hastens his work, not us. We just need to make sure we are doing our part and be patient.

Scripture of the Week: 1 Nephi 10:17, I started the Book of Mormon over and came across this scripture. With Elder Bednar and him talking about asking and learning with faith. I was able to recognize how Nephi was able to do the same thing. To really recieve answers and learn from the Holy Ghost, we need to act and learn from experience, by doing something and then comes the learning from the Spirit.

Funny of the Week: Well my companion is still adjusting to the food and food schedule here in the mission. Before he didnt eat hardly anything for his meals and is a skinny person. One night we show up to a less actives house and she unexpectly has a dinner prepared for us. As we start eating, they leave the room for a second and my companion, under his breath says Help Me. I just laugh remembering how full I used to be all the time haha.

Fact of the Week: I dont know if I have shared this before, but Argentines like to talk a lot. Its a little frustrating sometimes when we do contacts or in lessons as they go on and on, but its their culture.

Love you all, Chau!

--

Elder Trent

Elder John and I on divisions

The Elders that live in my pench minus my companion, because I was on divisions this day. The farthest one is Elder jarrin from Ecuador and the other is Elder Dye.

Elder John is our district leader by me.

We bought pizza. The pizza here is different, but I like it

¡Hola Todos!

This week flew by. I say that a lot but, i seriously feel like I was
just writing here yesterday haha. The work is moving a long. Me and
Elder Lopez are getting a long very well. Now that we divided the
areas and our area is smaller, the work has slowed down some and we
dont have any good investigators we are working with, but we are
putting an effort to talk with everyone we see! This has been helping
us a ton in finding new people to teach, even if right now they dont
progress. I remember before and to the start of my mission how much I
didnt like talking to strangers randomly on the street or at their
door. Now, I can do it so easily without problems and I actually
desire to talk with everyone. Im developing better and better the love
and charity for people so they can hear the Gospel. it just shows how
the Lord really does make our weaknesses become strengths if we humble
ourselves, having faith in him.
Also, this next Wednsday we will have the opportunity to hear from
Elder Bednar in person as a mission, as he will be coming here to talk
to the missions in Buenos Aires! Im super excited to hear him in
person and learn from Elder Bednar.

Spiritual Experience of the Week: This week, I dont have an experience
in particular to share. But recently this morning, I was able to
finish reading the Book of Mormon for the second time on my mission
all the way through. As I ended it, I felt the Spirit really strong
testifing to me of this powerful tool and gift we have and need to use
in our lives. The Book of Mormon really does bring me happiness and
guidance in my life and I know that it is true.

Scripture of the Week: 3 Nephi 12:6 talks about hungering and
thirsting after rightneous. I would invite all of you to do this in
your lives. To really develop the desire to put God first in your
lives and make changes to be in more harmony with our Father in
Heaven.

Fact of the Week: They have a dessert here that is made from canned
peaches and cream with dulce de leche, way good! Before the mission, I
didnt not like peaches, but the canned peaches here are so good.

And thats about it for this week,
Love you all and talk to you next week,
-- 
Elder Trent

Elder Trent is a Papa!

¡Hola Todos!

So Im here still in Arco Iris with my new companion that I am training straight from the MTC.....Elder Lopez! Elder Lopez is Mexican but is from Spokane, Washington! His parents moved from Mexico and joined the church in the US. So he grew up speaking Spanish and English all his life. So he is fluent in both. So he only had two weeks in the MTC. He did track in high school and is very smart too. He is a pretty quite person and doesnt say much, but a really hard worker already out here. It has been fun to get to know him and train him how to be a missionary. Since he already knows the language, he is able to talk with the people which helps out a lot for the both of us. At first to train, I was pretty nervous and for the first few days with him, I didnt know what I was doing really. But now I am confident and super excited to continue working with Elder Lopez!

Training is a whole different ball game out here in the mission. I am trying to focus all my attention on helping Elder Lopez have a good experience and learn how to be a missionary. But it is something really awesome to do. It reminds me when I first started my mission, not knowing anything or knowing what to do. I have to remind myself sometimes that he is in the same situation and I need to explain everything we do to him so he can start his mission right from the beginning, being obedient and happy.

Spiritual Moment of the Week: This last week was pretty slow, with not a lot of lessons. Which is especially hard, because my companion is new and needs to practice teaching lessons to get better. So at the end of the week, our numbers were pretty low. But I didnt get to worried and had faith that the next week we would have more success. And then after church a man came up to us saying he wanted to get baptized! His name is Rodolfo, he has few mental problems, but understands everything. He has been coming to church for about a year I think is what the members have told me, but never wanted to get baptized, but now he has decided he does! A really cool experience, that shows after the trial of our faith comes the miracles.

Scripture of the Week: ! Samuel 16:7, this is one of my companions favorite scripture that talks about how the Lord looks at our heart, our potencial, who we can become. Its important to look at ourselves and other people for how the Lord sees them as well. I know that when this is done, our love for ourselves and others increase so much!

Fact of the Week: So when someone is training here in the mission, we like to say that the new missionary is our "hijo"(son) and we are the "papas"(Dad). Kinda weird but I go with it.

Funny of the Week: So here in Argentina, to say "wow" they say "Faaa!" which is pronounced "Fuuuh" My companion heard people say that and I explained it to him. He told me, "Elder I cant say that..."

Love you all! Until next week!

--

Elder Trent

Elder Lopez

(5th / 6th if you count the trio he was in-companion in 7 months!)

Big Changes!

¡Hola Todos!

Ok wow, so much has happened in one week of my mission since my first week in the MTC. This week was crazy, full of changes, announcements, new plans, etc. My world on my mission just got rocked a little.
Ok, to start this week was the last week for Elder Smith. It was hard for him to stay focused still and work, but I was proud of him for finishing his mission strong. This last week on Wednesday he had his interview, so we were in the offices for a good part of the day. On our way to the offices when we were on the train, was when the changes started rolling in from there on. We got a call that they are going to divide our area into two and that we were going to be in a trio with an other Elder, Elder Dye(He has 7 months on the mission). So after he had his interview, we were taking back to Arco Iris in a truck with the marriage couple missionaries who are over all the penches so we could supply the pench for four people now. 

Then, we had to go back to the offices on Thursday to pick up Elder Dye. And from Thursday to Sunday we had to teach Elder Dye both areas because we didnt know still how they were going to divide the area. So we worked in a trio trying to teach him everything. He is really awesome by the way and we are already good friends and get along great. He is from Idaho and played football, basketball, wrestling, and a few other sports in high school. Then after church on Sunday Elder Smith left to the offices to go home. And now me and Elder Dye are companions until Tuesday which is the transfers. So after that, we had to take time to divide everything in our Areabook when we found out the divisiones. Then last night we got the call of the transfers and whats going to happen. I will be training a new Elder! Elder Dye will always be finishing the training of another Elder! So we are both training and working in our new areas that will be split!

I wrote all of that really fast and disorganized but I dont have a lot of time, so I wanted to copy and paste my letter to President to tell it better as well.

President Robertson,

Wow, a lot has happened this week. A lot of changes that have happened and are going to happen. This last week for us was pretty crazy is the best way I can put it. To start, this last week for Elder Smith was hard as he was going home. But I made sure to help him out as much as I could to keep him focused and still work. Honestly, he did very well. He was a very good missionary, one of my companions that I had to work to develop a good relationship, but in the end we were able to get along well. He was such a humble person and had a love for everyone, not wanting to cause contention at all. I was definitely able to learn from him with this. I needed to be more humble and have a greater love for my companions and the people here in Argentina. Elder Smith really helped me to put that in action. I can say now that I have definitely grown more in this transfer than ever. This transfer with him was for a reason and I realize now some of those reasons as I got the news that I will be training and guiding an area that will be split into two. Its a big responsibility for me, being only out for six months, but I know that the Lord has trust in me and I have the faith to do it. I read a story in a Liahona that had a quote from Elder Harold B. Lee that I liked that said something like, You have to go to the edge of the light and then step a few steps into the darkness for it to be able to be lighted. I applied this to what is happening now with me and Elder Dye. We need to put our faith in the Lord, by taking those steps into the darkness. We may not know everything, but we know enough and we have the Lord to help us. I couldnt be more grateful to be able to have these next opportunities with training, opening areas with such a young group of missionaries. I was pretty nervous at first but more than anything now, Im grateful and excited for the growth that will happen here. With me, with my companion, with Elder Dye and his companion, with the people here, and with the ward. Im really now starting to see the blessings of diligence and obedience that Im always trying to do.

Thank you,

Elder Trent

Spiritual Experience of the Week: Was actually this morning during my personal study. I was pretty nervous with the coming responsibility of training and opening a new area, because this is very rare to happen, especially since im still young in my mission. Elder Dye is pretty nervous as he is the oldest with only a transfer more than me in the apartment with two new elders. But I was really a talk that really converted me that I mentioned a quote early with Elder Lee. I dont have time to share the whole experience, but my prayers were answered and I was comforted. NOw Im confident for the future and excited.

Scripture of the Week: Matthew 5:16 that talks about let your light shine. I invite everyone to be a better example to everyone and shine the light of Christ!

Fact of the Week: So Today and tomorrow is a holiday here, as well as in other spanish countries. Its called Carnaval. As of now, I havent had the chance to ask what it is exactly, so if your interested to know, look it up i guess haha. For me it justs means everythings closed and no one is home, but luckily the internet place was for us.

Funny of the Week: So on Sunday night we had a family home evening with Roman and his family. To start, they picked the first hymn. Now let us rejoice, which is one of my favorite hymns. Apparently they picked it but didnt know the tune. When we started it sounded like an elephant directing a monkey choir is the best way I can put it. Everyone off tune, in their own tune, but singing super loud. I couldnt stop myself from laughing during it a little. Not the best singers, but thats ok, it was a good lesson haha.

I will tell about more next week! about investigators and the area and companions and everything i just ran out of time now!

Love you all!
--
Elder Trent

There is a member in our ward that makes jackets, even though its still as hot as ever we designed our own! They turned out sweet!

Goodbye Elder Smith:(

¡Hola Todos!

This week was really good as always and went by reaally fast. its amazing how fast time flies on the mission sometimes or just when you are always staying busy and happy. This last week we had our interviews with President and I was able to receive some really good counsels and insights. Our Mission President is great! He gave me the heads up that I will probably be senior companion next transfer and maybe even training a new missionary so Im excited and always a little nervous for the added responsibility that I will have. There is only one more week in this transfer and since my companion is going home, I will be getting another. Elder Smith and I have been still working hard, even if he only has one week left on his mission he is trying to stay focused which I am grateful for. It has definitely been one of the most interesting companionships for me this transfer, but has helped me to be more humble and very patient. 

Also, this past weekend we had the baptism of Roman! We are very grateful that we could have this miracle and have had two baptisms this transfer! He is a capo(stud) and loves the Gospel. I have already been in this area for 3 months and am looking forward to many more great experiences in this awesome area!

Spiritual Experience of the Week: This week we had a cliche, but also awesome finding experience. My companion is very observant and good at offering everyone help, even though no one so far has accepted. But we are always looking for opportunities to serve and help. One day, my companion spotted an older lady that was carrying a heavy bag of groceries on the sidewalk. We decided to go over and and offered if we could help carry it to her house. She hesitated, but then gladly accepted. We were able to talk to her and get to know her as we walked to her house. She told us that her niece and nephew were Mormons that lived in another city, but didnt really know a whole lot about our church. She agreed to let us pass by another day. We passed by and she gladly accepted us. Her heart was softened by the experience and was more willing to listen to us. Experiences like this do happen, I know now! The lessons went well and we hope to help her progress and learn more.

Scripture of the Week: ! Nephi 3:7! Very common, but very true! Trust in the Lord and he will provide the way to accomplish was is needed.

Fact of the Week: I dont know if I have already shared this fact, so if I have sorry for the repeat. Here to sell there cars, all they do is put some type of bottle on top of it to show its being sold. And ya, im not really sure how the person would get in contact to buy it let alone know how much it is, but its how they do it here.

Funny of the Week: One day during this week, we were contacting a few houses and felt that we should contact this one house. All we did was clap(knock) the house and this 80 year old really friendly guy came out and just said come in! We didnt even say anything until we were sitting in their house haha! There was his wife and her mom who was 96! They had thought we knew english so thats why they let us in, because the man Pedro, like to study English. We started to get to know that a little bit and felt like we were talking to a teenager at one point and a sweet old couple another time. They were very funny, witty people with lots of energy and jokes! Haha old people are really funny sometimes! Anyways, we taught them a little English and then shared the Restoration with them. The best part was that they were very receptive with the message as well.

Love you all!

--

Elder Trent

Photo of the baptism of Roman and his family! His stepdad baptized him.