Juan's Baptism and a Watermelon Helmet

Dear Family,

This week was a pleasant one.  Elder Hatfield and I had some of the best lessons we've had together this week.  We found a lot of new people to teach and our branch is growing!  Looks like we've been dunging it pretty well (preparing the vineyard - a scriptural reference to Jacob 5). hmhmmhm.  

I did a lot of divisions this week with a few elders which was fun.  And Elder Hatfield and I bought a watermelon.  And we made a sweet helmet.  I think that was the best 2 bucks I have ever spent.  

There was a ton of great experiences this week, and I felt the spirit really helping us push forward.  There was a baptism, of one of the sisters investigators on Saturday.  His name is Juan Luis Meza, and he is deaf.  It took a pretty long time to teach him and help him understand principles...so it was an awesome long awaited baptism. His family are less active, all except his older sister Nila.  As his sister Nila was giving a talk about the holy ghost he sat and watched, not being able to hear, but just watching and feeling.  Nila began to cry because she had all her family in church and her brother was finally being baptized.  Juan watched her for a few seconds and a look of concern  came over his face.  He stood up right in front of everyone (40 people or so) and gave his sister a humongous hug.  There was not any room for shame or self consciousness in the way he acted... it was just pure charity.  I don't know if I have ever felt so good in my life.  

Also Ricardo (the golden one) gave a talk in church about unity.  His wife, Graciela, got a calling as a primary teacher!  

Elder Hatfield is kicking some behind with his inspired questions, it is amazing to watch him listen and pay attention to the spirit, and then trust that the words will come.  He is a great teacher, because he relies on God instead of his own knowledge.  In about 4 of our lessons he asked some amazing questions that brought the spirit better that any amount of preaching or explaining could.

I got calls from the President about 5 times about random things this week!  It is keeping me on my toes.  I swear every time I answer the phone knowing it is him, my voice cracks when I say "Heeiilllo." 

 

(Elder Neifert's cousin is heading out on his mission this week)

Words for Ryan:

Nothing has made me grow or learn more than my mission so far.  I think i have felt scared and uncomfortable and awkward everyday, but it is the biggest blessing in the world.  

Make every little thing you do, the most important thing in your life in that moment.  Whether its studying, or teaching, or planning, put all of your attention and focus into that one thing. Its a lot tougher than it sounds, but I have gotten a lot of good results that way. 

Every day you should wake up having faith that this day will be the best day of your life.   I think that faith comes from being obedient. 

and more than anything love the people.

Can you guys send me his email?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGAIN REBEKAH!  I LOVE YOU!  

Love, 

 

Elder Neifert

I am a Bus

Dear Family,

Hello, I have been on buses all week!  I did a division for 3 days with the Elders in Santani and spent 14 hours on a bus on my way to Asuncion and back again.  I feel like a bus.  In Santani we had some awesome lessons.  I was with Elder McSwain from Farmington, Utah and Elder Lubomirski from Argentina. I think Elder McSwain is one of my best friends in the mission.  One of our lessons we met a lady who cuts hair for a living and we taught her about repentance and the pathway to being clean from all our sins.  It was an okay lesson because she seemed pretty uncomfortable about something and didn't speak too much.  At the end, after bearing our testimonies, we asked her to offer a prayer before we left.  She started out thanking the Lord for all that she had and then she stopped and started to think (search) for what to say next, and she began to cry.  She then asked her Father in Heaven to help her to become clean and free from all of the guilt and pain in her life, saying " por favor padre, ayúdame a ser limpio como éstas misioneros, para que un día puedo vivir contigo en los cielos" (Please Father, help me to be clean as these missionaries, so that one day I can live with you in heaven). That, I think, has been the most powerful prayer I have heard in a long time.  By the desperation and longing in her voice it was easy to tell that she is someone who had been through a lot of tough stuff.  And she ended it by bearing her testimony that she knew she would be clean one day thanks to Jesus Christ.  It was a lesson that made up for all of the sacrifices and let downs.  

Life as a Zone Leader is okay.  I am a bus.  I get to talk to the President a lot more, and that is the coolest thing! 

Ahh yes, the mounds of the Cahokia people,  I hope they have as much fun as I did there.  (There is an Indian burial site near Elder Neifert's home - his mom is taking her class there this week).

I GOT THE PACKAGE!  Thank you for the jerky and seaweed.  It was just what I had been craving. 

I have already replaced the old pictures with the ones you sent.  I tell everyone about how dad killed that deer, and they all say, "Dang he must be some type of RAMBO."   Rambo is really big down here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, REBEKAH!  I GOT SOMETHING FOR YOU!  ITS Love! And a bracelet thing.  But until next year.... hmmhmhhmhm. 

I love you guys and I hope all is well! 

Love, 

Elder Neifert

General Conference

Dear Family,

This week we did a ton of inviting to General Conference, but we only had Ricardo and his wife show up.  Ricardo loved it and so did his wife and it was really funny to hear Ricardo commenting on the people singing in the choir.  There was a really old guy who was just belting it out with all he had and Ricardo did a funny impersonation. 

Elder Hatfield is getting more and more confident with his Spanish skills and he is an awesome companion.  There have been a few great experiences where he will ask inspired questions or testify and it brings the spirit pretty strong into the lessons.

We found a menos activo (less active) named Carlos Lopez who left the church a long time ago so that he could teach Catholicism to kids.  We had an awesome lesson that we based off of Alma 5 and he is going to read and pray again about the Book of Mormon.  It was amazing to see him change from the beginning of the lesson to the end.  He started out with a ton of doubts about digging up past memories and going back to a place he already left, and he ended with, "I really do miss praying and reading the Book of Mormon, I think I will give it another shot!"

Also, I have been given more opportunities to serve.  Elder Lawlor and Bredsgaurd are going home so I'm a Zone Leader now.  It is a little overwhelming, because I am still trying to train Elder Hatfield so it will be a big test of my time managing skills.  I don't know about any of the responsibilities yet, but I am sure going to need a lot of help.

The package hasn't arrived yet...so I will keep on waiting and looking.  I don't have too much time because I have a lot of meetings and things I have to go to today - sorry!

Love,

Elder Neifert

Valdez Family Baptism!!!

Dear Neifert Family,

 

The rest of the Valdez Family got baptized! Ricardo, having just received the Aaronic Priesthood, baptized his wife and daughters! And there was no doubt that they got under! We talked and practiced before, but his wife, who doesn't know how to swim and forgot to plug her nose, fought him. Ricardo, knowing beforehand she must be completely submersed, fought harder and I saw a look that I have only seen once - in the eyes of a determined rooster. Afterward I gave the misioneras (ward missionaries?) the job of a video presentation while the Valdez family changed. We watched a video where a crocodile eats a water buffalo. There were about 3 investigators at the baptism... and I just prayed they would not be freaked out.  It was an awesome baptism and a good learning experience for Elder Hatfield and me. I am super relieved though that it is done!

 

 

 

I also gave a talk in church the day after and I bawled like a baby, talking about families and their role in persevering to the end. I talked about that one time we went on a bike ride with the Sonnes and I sped off and got lost instead of ending up at the car. Then dad sped after me and helped me find the way back. I don't know if you remember that, but I remembered it right before my talk. I then related it to how we must consult the map (scriptures, prayer, and church attendance) to end up at the right place. Most importantly - to rescue and forgive those who stray. At that point, I lost it thinking about you guys. So I said "DANG IT" and got down.

 

Another funny moment that happened this week was as we were preparing Fatima and Andrea for baptism. They are both extremely shy and the only thing they would open up about was Justin Bieber. So we related baptism to the ticket to a Justin Bieber concert. How they still have to make their way to the concert even if they have a ticket. Ricardo, being the super smart lawyer who makes connections like crazy, looked up after being in deep thought and said, "No, its not Justin Bieber...... Its JESUS BIEBER!"  He is a super funny guy, and I hope one day you guys can meet him. I think he wants to come to the states and is learning English, so we will see.

 

I hope all is well back home! I don't think I need anything specifically... I am good on pants, shoes and shirts! I have only opened 2 long sleeves.  I think I have 3 short sleeves that I haven't opened either.

Love,

Elder Neifert

Ricardo got baptized!

Ricardo got baptized!

We had a super busy week and it flew by super quick!  

We found 3 new families to teach that all seem pretty willing to keep commitments, but it rained on Sunday. AGAIN. So they decided to stay nice and dry in there peaceful holes of safety and warmth.  CURSE you Paraguayan superstitions!

But Ricardo and his family came, because they have real testimonies. Ricardo was confirmed and got the priesthood.  It was an awesome experience to see Ricardo and his family finally see and be part of the ordinances we have been talking about for so long.  Ricardo has quit smoking and so has his wife!  She and their 2 daughters will be baptized this Saturday, hopefully by Ricardo! 

Elder Hatfield's Spanish is getting better and he is starting to enjoy the mission more and more as he stops thinking about home. 

I read a few talks this week about learning by faith and asking in faith. It was a big help in figuring out how to progress and obtain more blessings.  The classic example of this was Joseph Smith's prayer as he asked God which church he should join, not which is true, nor which is the best, but which one should he act upon and join himself with.  It reminded me about when we were trying to help Ricardo quit smoking, we didn't just pray that he would quit, but what should we do to help him quit.

Something else about Paraguay that I have found funny is that there are a lot of people who are cross eyed.  I don't know why, but in the past week I have met about 8 people where I had no 'eye-dea' which eye to look at.  

Hopefully Elder Hatfield and I will be able to get some more families to church this next Sunday!  

I heard Ryan got his call to North Carolina!  That is awesome!!!!!!!!  When does he leave? 

(I don't know what these pictures are about, but will check next week)

Love, 

Elder Neifert

La Vida Loca

Living the vida loca, (living the crazy life)

Sounds like the crazy life ova at the Neifert crib.  (The Neifert's had a few late night visitors who wanted to hang out with Elder Neifert's younger brother, Aaron.  They woke everyone up, but Aaron,  by ringing the door bell... multiple times.)

I forgot how good of a sleeper Aaron is!  Hahaha -  that is a funny story.  We live right next to a party palace and so I know just how you feel about the infernal fiends of the underworld who disturb the peace of the logical and wise.  I have earplugs in my ears just about every weekend.  

 

It's all good, you know Elder Neifert and Hatfield be chillin' as well.

 

This week was a good one.  We found some great people to teach!  We should have had about 10 investigators at church, but it rained. As all Paraguayans know - if you get wet in the rain you can bet a horrible disease is on the way.  So we just had Ricardo, the valiant, who braved his way through the light sprinkles of water and made it to church.  Which is still much better than nobody! 

Ricardo and his wife are fighting super hard against their tobacco addiction and we are hoping they will be baptized soon, but we are going to have to be patient.  We got this great plan for them to quit and we bought all of the supplies: grapefruit, vitamin c, and mouthwash.  We will see how it works!

We are working hard and trying our best to get people to church,  hopefully next week more will come!

We contacted into a family who owns a burrito business. We are hoping they can hook us up as they progress and keep commitments!

I love you all and I will try a lot harder to send more pics!

Elder Neifert

Service, Super Juice, and Guarani

I will have to brain storm some ideas for a name this week.  Right now all I got is toe hammer.  (Elder Neifert's parents got a new car and asked for name ideas)

You should send me a picture, please!  That will be sweet for many things, I think.  

This week Elder Hatfield and I worked pretty hard.  We found some cool people.  Guillermo and Diana weren't home and we tried calling, so I assume they heard something about the church that was bad, or they just didn't nurture the seed that they were given.  We will try one more time.

Ricardo and his whole family came to church yesterday!  And tonight we will be going over for a FHE activity.  It is going to be awesome.  He right now hasn't smoked for three days and I call him every morning to remind him not to smoke.  If he makes it, he will be baptized this Saturday!  

I got pooped on by a bird this week.  

It is tough to believe that I have been out for a year.  I dont know how I feel about it.  It is really fun to be in lessons with Elder Hatfield.  Even though he is just learning spanish, his testimony is a super powerful force when we teach.  I am super happy to have him as a companion.  

We did a lot of service this week as well.  We helped a guy move.  He lived on the top of a store in an apartment.  We threw everthing he had off of his balcony including his fridge, his closets and his bed.  It was pretty funny.  He hired 3 horse cart guys so we loaded the horse carts with his stuff and that was that.  It took like an hour.

I have found out how much I do know and even more how much I dont know being with my new companion.  It is definitley a great opportunity to learn and see my strengths and weaknesses.  

My Guarani is getting a little better.  I think I can now understand 15% hahahaha,  it is super tough. They have 10 vowels and  5 are using the nasal cavity.  Its coming though.  People love you, even if you can only speak a few things.

Elder Hatfield and I also made superjuice.  It is a juice made of tomatoes, cucumbers, apples, oranges, limes, carrots, onions, and whatever else can be blended in the house.  It was good. 

That is about it from this week!  I am stoked about the new "toe hammer" (car),  may she treat you well!

Love,

Elder Neifert