Rhett - Esperando en Rama 3!

Whats up Familia,

So this week was a little interesting. A lot has happened haha. On Monday night at about 10:30 at night, me and some other Elders took a 5 hour road trip to Asuncion. We had to go up there to fill out some paper work so that we can stay in Paraguay and extend our visas. Since our visas our extended now, I think that means that I will be staying in Paraguay for most of my mission, which I'm not complaining about, because I love Paraguay. Asuncion was a super cool experience though. We had the opportunity to go to the temple up there and everything was in Spanish. I thought I would never be able to go to the temple during my mission, so that was an awesome experience and super fun with some of the other Elders. We also got to stay in kind of a hotel that the church has across the street from the temple, which was super nice. Not gonna lie, but it was really nice getting to sleep in a nice and comfortable bed haha. 

Something else that happened this week, transfers are happening this week, and my companion Elder Coelle finished his mission. Dang I'm gonna miss that guy.. Elder Coelle was truly the homie, but I know he's gonna to big things back in Ecuador! I also found out this week that I will be staying in my area for another transfer...Lettsss Goooooo...I'm super pumped about that. There is a lot of work here in Rama 3 and I feel very blessed to be here for another 6 weeks. My companion still isn't here right now because he is coming from Argentina. Right now I'm staying with one of our zone leaders, Elder Smuin, whose companion also finished his mission. My new companion should be here on Wednesday. His name is Elder Madrid from Guatemala.

So this week has been pretty busy and I really only got to work in my area for 2 days. Yesterday Elder Smuin and I were working in my area and we had a sweet experience. We taught some of our investigators pretty far from our pension and were starting to walk back towards our apartment cause it was pretty late. We decided to walk back a different way than normal for some reason, and while we were walking I saw this house will the door open. I told Elder Smuin that we should contact it, so we did. A lady came out and told us to come in. When we came in we realized that there were like five other woman in there with their kids. We started talking to them and they explained to us that they were all sisters or cousins and that usually they were not all together, but it just so happened to be that they were all meeting together that night to pray and talk for one of their cousins that is super sick and has suffered a lot lately this past year. They told us about how it was really sad and they just wanted whatever happened to their cousin to be the will of the Lord. We starting explaining to them the Plan of Salvation and how we believe that God really does have a plan for each and every one of us. Man it was a great experience. There are so many experiences every week here on the mission that just help me know that I am here in this area for a reason. I know that I was sent here to Paraguay for a reason and that there are so many people here that need this gospel in their lives. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to share it. I know we are God's children and that he loves us. 

Sorry this is so long... But it was a good week! I hope all is well. Love you guys! Elder Reilly

Trent - Got transferred and now im a trainer

Hola Everyone!

This week was a little crazy. I got transferred out of San Martin down to the wayyy South in Esquel. And now I'm a TRAINER. I have no idea how I'm gonna train haha because I'm still new, but it's gonna be an awesome opportunity to trust in the Spirit and the Lord and follow His guidance. Like Nephi I will go and do what God has commanded me right now and I know he'll bless me with a way to have success. I'm scared and excited.

Yesterday was really crazy because I was in terminals and buses literally the whole day. I had to say good bye to San Martin and my zone leaders who were some of the best buddies I've ever made. It was hard, but I gotta just forget myself and keep working in the work of the Lord. I dont have much time, but I love you and miss you all and I'll keep you updated on all of the people that we're gonna baptize here in Esquel! I know the Lord sent me here as a reason and I'm a trainer for a reason. I'm gonna have to listen to the Spirit and trust in His guidance with everything I do because I'm still a newbie out here! Till next week!

Trent - Snow in San Martin!

Hola everyone!

This week was great. We were in an appointment with this investigator family and all of the sudden the rain turned to snow and it started snowing a ton. The whole city of San Martin turned white it was awesome. It's so funny here...when it snows there's just an ongowing city snowball fight. You dont even have to know the people, and they just start throwing snowballls at you. It's a full on free for all, not even grandmas are safe. I'm serious...the people take pride in it too. And we're outside all day haha so we always have to be on guard. So that was kind of entertaining for 45 minutes until it became frustrating haha. 

Anyway, the missionary work is going great too. Man it's always a struggle to get these people coming to church on a consistent basis but we are working so hard to get them there. One thing that I have learned is that this is the Lord's work and we have to do it in His way. I have been trying to incorporate the Spirit into everything that I do. I am always listening to the Spirit and always acting on the promptings right away and something good always happens. It's awesome. It's such a special feeling to know that the Lord is on your left and your right, guiding and directing you. I love it! I have developed such a love for my Savior! I want to serve him every second of every day for two years and then never stop. I want to seek his guidance and follow it for the rest of my life! I love the mission! It's so great to be able to share this love and happiness that is filling me with everyone! Love and miss you all! Till next week!

Rhett - 06/05/2017

Hey Familia y Amigos,

I don't have much time, so I'm gonna keep it short this week but this week was a great one. Elder Coelle and I were able to follow up with a lot of our investigators and we are starting to see the fruits of our labors. We also were able to find some new investigators that are so prepared for the Gospel in their lives!

This week my testimony has strengthened a lot in the aspect of prayer. I have been able to see that Heavenly Father is always listening and can answer our prayers if we have faith in Him. It's incredible to think about how much the Lord really loves His children (us) and is so willing to help us if we ask. We were able to see some miracles this week with finding new investigators and helping them progress, and it all started with a prayer. I don't know why I haven't been doing this in the past, but this week I just decided to pray a lot more specifically. Literally, specific blessings that we wanted or things to happen. My companion and I prayed this week that we could find a familly that was praying for us. Literally the next day, I told Elder Coello that we should go visit a contact that we had contacted a week before. On the way to the house, when we were pretty close, I saw another house with the door open, and told Elder Coello we needed to contact that house. A lady came out named Mari. She told us we could come in and after meeting her, she told us that she was going through a really hard time and that she and her husband are split up right now. She told us that the day before she had reached a low point and was just feeling really down and made a commitment that she wanted to find God again in her life. Literally the next day we came to her door and she couldn't believe it. This just lets me know how the Lord really is listening and through him we can be a part of miracles. I love this work and am so grateful for the opportunity I've been given to bring the gospel to the people in Paraguay. I know Heavenly Father is listening and really can answer our prayers. Love you guys!

Elder Reilly

Zona Pora

Rhett - The Grind

What's up family and friends,

I hope you all had a great week. It's always great getting to hear from you guys. This week was a good one. Elder Coello and I have just been working and working and finding new people to help and serve every day. One thing that's been kinda hard here in Paraguay is finding people when they are home. The people here are always working during the week. Moms, dads, kids, everyone is out of the house trying to work to make money for their families. We meet so many people every week, have great lessons with them, but then come back another day and they are not home because they had to leave to work again. Haha it's a bit difficult at times but we have continued to find more people to teach and a few are really progressing.

These past weeks we have been teaching a family of three. The dad Euhenio, the mom Dominga, and their daughter Sophia. We found them one day just walking down a street one day contacting their house. We told the mom that we had a message really important for her and her family that can bless and change her life. She let us in and we starting talking to her and her daughter.They told us that they were Catholic but don't really go to church much. After talking with them for a while, I came to find out that they didn't really know much at all about Jesus Christ and who He actually was. We were able to explain to them who Jesus Christ actually was and what He did for us. That through him, we can overcome the pains are burdens of sin and one day return to live with our Father in Heaven. Man it was a great experience and to really testify and bring Christ into their lives. We have continued to teach them and they have accepted to be baptized next month! We just have to help them come to church!

We have also been teaching a kid named Santiago. He is 13 years old and is always outside playing soccer near his house. We have been teaching him about Jesus. I just want to testify that I know Christ lives! He died for me and for all of you because He loves us and wants us to have the peace that we seek in this life and in the life to come. I know that through Him we can live with God again! Love you all! 

Elder Reilly

Haha this family had cups from IHOP!

Pictures of my area here in Barrio Obrero!

Trent - 5 Months

Hola Everyone!

Love and miss you all! This week was awesome. We have baptisimal dates with 2 investigators, Camila and Edmundo. Camila is ready for baptism. She knows what we have shared with her is true and she is reading the Book of Mormon every day. She wants to be baptized, but her mom will not let her and she's only 16. Her mom does not like our Church...classic. We finally got her to let us have a lesson in her house so that she could listen to what her daughter is learning. I was really scared at first because this woman is straight cold and intimidating haha. She straight up told me that she'll never let her daughter get baptized even if she gets a spiritual confirmation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Haha so I had that in mind while entering into her house to teach her. Elder Sanchez and I were feeling really nervous because we just wanted to have a great lesson so the Mom's heart could be softened. We said a prayer before and we just felt this peace that everything was going to be ok. And it was. We had an awesome lesson with Camila and her parents. The Spirit was there. There was just this peace in the house and I know Camila's mom felt it. It was awesome. We invited Camila's parents to read the Book of Mormon as a family and we promised them that the same peace would always be in their home if they did it. They accepted! The mom still doesnt want Camila to be baptized, YET, but the Spirit changes. El Espíritu cambia! And that's the experience for the week. The Spirit changes the hearts of people. I know it because it's changed mine! I love you and miss you all. Hasta la proxima semana!

Elder Reilly

Trent - Almost 5 Months out here

Hola Everyone!

Love you and miss you all. I don't have very much time to write, but just know that I had another great week. We are helping two of our investigators prepare for their baptisms. Camila and Edmundo. Camila is completely ready. She is reading the Book of Mormon and she told us she knows it's true and that she wants to get baptized. We are working with her parents so that they let her get baptized. She has such a sweet testimony and she was truly prepared by the Lord! Edmundo also has problems with his family. They don't want him to get baptized. He knows it's true. We are passnig by his house frequently to read the Book of Mormon with him and strengthen him. I love this work. I love seeing the Spirit change people. We all have light and when we do good things like go to church, read the scriptures, or serve people, our light grows. I've felt it and I've seen it out here. My light is shining and I just feel full of joy and love for everyone! Keep shining your light everyone! Love you and miss you all! Till next week!