Week Sixty-Eight!

Hey Family,

 

So I'm writting this today because yesterday we had an amazing Christmas conference. It was so awesome. Papá Noel (Santa Claus) showed up and had packages from home. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! I Loved them all. I got the three from you mom the one from Sharla and the one from dad. Hahaha some of the chocolate had melted and squished but it was all contained. And thank you so much for the photos I'm actually a little shocked it got her safetly but I love it I spent a good while just looking through them. My comp also says thanks for the little package. I'm so stoked to do those gingerbread houses too! Loved them. We also played some games all together differerent zones against the other and it was super funny because it was charades, but the gringos would yell out the words in english cause we didn't know how to say it in spanish, like weird words like inn keeper. Super funny we also had christmas karaoke - spanish elders singing english, and english elders singing spanish the english elders did way better, just saying. We also got to play some soccer my ultimate favorite in the mission because the elders are always to scared to touch me because I'm an Hna(girl/sister). Hahahahaha. 

 

This last week was awesome though we had another baptism, Evangelina!!!! It was a cute little baptism and she was so adorable. Her mom who was baptised a year ago came with her to her baptism. Her mom is super strong in the church and has an amazing story that maybe one day I'll tell you. But I really loved her confirmation as they talked about her being an example for her family and kids. She is such a special person she has been through so much. I wish I could explain it all but their family just needs the gospel. I also love her kids. They are so cute and they always say "hola chicas de la iglesia" ( hey girls from the church). It sounds cuter in spanish with thier little child accent too. I truly know that the Lord can help her change her life around as she keeps learning and growing in the church.

 

We also got together as a district and did some Christmas contacting in the plaza on Sunday. It was so much fun. We all just walked around asking people why they celebrate Christmas and then just testifing that we celebrate it because our Saviour was born. I love the Christmas season and how open the people are to talk about Christ because it's true, we get so caught up in buying gifts, going to parties, and worrying about the material things of Christmas that we forget to stop and just remeber exactly why we are celebrating. I love Chirstmas because it's the time we remember the birth of the Savior. A birth that was so plain and simple, yet changed the world forever. Is there room in our hearts and thoughts this year for the Savior?

 

Mom I remeber that line from the blessing everytime it's so hot here. I don't think it will get much hotter than high 40´s or 50 but we'll wait and see. The other night in the street we stopped and talked to a lady named Laura. You could tell from the scars on her body that she's had a hard life but my companion felt that we should stop and talk to her. As we talked with her and testified that she can have a new life and a new start through baptism I looked into her eyes and truly felt that she was a daughter of God and felt her potential to over come the challenges of her life.

 

I love you all so much and am so excited to hear from you next week. I warn you I don't know how my English will be.

 

Lots of love,

Hna Potrie

Week Sixty-Seven!

Hola!!!!

 

No way the ward there is the highest baptising in the mission!!!!!!!!!!!! Thats so awesome!!! I bet the work is just growing like crazy there and just like you said, keep working hard and helping all the new members. Their testimonies are there, but they just need to keep strengthening them always. It was so hot this week! One day it was 47 C with the hunidity factored in. Do you know what that feels like? Sticky and sweaty and there is no way to stop it. There was also a moment of such selfless giving. A member brought us into her house and gave us buckets of water for our feet and for our hands and face. It's somthing that I'll never forget as these memebers gave everything they could because they know what it's like not to have much. They give with so much love it really is amazing.

 

We're working with a girl named Evangelina and we really want to baptise her this week. She is 21 and has 4 kids so it's hard sometimes to get her to church because they all start crying for her. But we talked with her and she really has a pure desire to follow the example of our Savior. In her family, they really are looking for a better life and a new start and it's exactly what our Savior offers. A chance to change and become the person we've always wanted to be, or better as our Heavenly Father has wanted us to be. We also worked with a girl named Micol. She is 18 and studying at the university here. She has been coming to church for almost a year but her parents won't let her get baptised. She's hoping that when she goes home for chirstmas break she'll be able to talk and explain it better to her parents. She is such a sweet heart.

 

I was out working with a member and we were contacting someone (where you just stop them in the street and teach them/ invite them to hear more) I talked about the eternal families and then they started talking and going off about the mormons and all this stuff and I was just listening and then she stopped and I looked at her and said well we're mormons hahahahahaha her eyes got so big, I just testified of the truth that we share. It was just super funny to see her reaction I wasn't offened by anything she had said but I just wanted her to make sure she could feel the spirit as I would testify. I love teaching and testifying, it just fills my soul with fullfillment. It doesn't matter what they say to us I just love feeling the spirit work through me as I testify. It's amazing try it sometime. Just testify of a simple truth of the gospel as you teach or talk to people. They will feel it, and so will you.

 

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you all and pray for you all always.

 

Love Hna Potrie

 

 PS the ward christmas party didn't have any weird tuna only chicken and salads. But yes, mayo has become a common thing to have on the table. Weird right!

Week Sixty-Six!

It's officially December, and I can't even believe it. Time goes so fast here. So this week it was crazy all of our investigators like went into hiding. We were trying to call and pass by for them everyday and we would make appointments and then they wouldn't be there. We really believe its the other side working super hard because the mission is pushing so hard right now to baptize this month. Our goal is to have every companionship baptize, and to baptize 200 as a mission. It's so possible but for this our faith is being tried. I'm so excited to see the miracles of God roll forth as we just keep working. We saw some amazing miracles as we were walking to look for investigators on Sunday and we saw Miguel and his cousin walking to church. Miguel is blind from an accident that almost took his life. He really enjoyed church and is such a sweet spirit. I just know he will accept this gospel and that it will change his life.

 

We also saw the movie 17 miracles. It's a church movie about the pioneers and it was so awesome. It was amazing the miracles they received. In loo of that we've made a Christmas miracle list in our apt to help us count all the miracles that we receive. In the mission we see miracles every day, and I know that God is a God of miracles. I love it!!!! Even from the smallest thing to the biggest things we are so blessed.

 

I should receive the letters and packages for Christmas at the conference in a couple weeks. Thank you so much for all your love and prayers.

 

Love hna Potrie

Week Sixty-Five

Hola Familia!

 

Alright - so this week I know that there were so many things that happened but I always get to the computer and can't remember anything.

 

 The new area is pure city. We live in an apt on the 11 floor. Ya, don't even think about how high that is right. Oh and sometimes here they cut the power when they want, and that's a lot of stairs. You can also hear people in the street all night as the cars drive by, so sleeping with a fan is a must. I thought I really wouldn't like it much but it's really growing on me. We also have a more residential area and we found a family of 8 and they are all in the baptismal age. Ya super stoked to work with them. Our first lesson was with a 25 year old woman who really needed the plan of salvation. It was awesome how strong the spirit was and to have the member testify and help in the lesson. Members are great missionaries!!!!!

 

Oh and one day we were just walking in the street and I saw a lady with a young womans necklace and her husband talked with us and told us about his friend that lives in this area that wants to be baptized and has been going to church with him. I love miracles like that on the mission.

 

I love the mission and love this work I just feel so much joy helping people understand more about the Savior and his restored gospel. I used an analogy this week with a contact that I loved. This man said he doesn't really believe in God because he can't see him. So I told him to think about the wind and imagine telling someone who doesn't believe in the wind that it's real. It's that same. We can't see it, but we feel it and we see it's affects, but we can't see it. I know that God exists even though we can't see Him I feel his love and see His hand in my life everyday. I love the gospel.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

Lots of love and prayers,

 Hna Potrie

Week Sixty-Four!

Transfer News!!!!! I got a new comp and a new area! I'm in Nueva Cordoba - it's the downtown center of Cordoba Capital and I'm with Hna Bosco from Utah. She came to Argentina with me and at the exact same time. We're super stoked to work together and rock this area! That also means though that I had to say good bye to some amazing people in Ayacucho. Like the Family Luna, they are so awesome. The kids are recent converts and the mom is a reactivated member. She also makes the most delicious bread pudding in the world no joke and lemon pie (sorry mom). But I really could see how they lived the gospel in their home. They had learned that the only smart way to live this life is with the help of the Lord. I think they really understand the quote you sent mom, that they understand the why of the gospel and find it a joy to live, not a burden. They are an amazing example to me. We also said good bye to Marcelo. He went to church yesterday and he wants to give up his pride and become someone better. It was amazing to see how the gospel continues to change him as he applies the atonement in his life.

It was sad to leave Hna Suarez because she was such an amazing comp. We had a great time together and really felt like Ayacucho was ours. We got lost together, we cried together, and we laughed together. It was amazing, and I truly think I will never forget it. I loved the people there and really wish them the best. I know that this next area will be awesome and that there are really people here waiting for us to help them come unto Christ. I know that what we share is true and that really it's the small things that we do everyday that make the biggest difference in our lives. Like read the scriptures and saying our prayers everyday. It's a war everyday with Satan and if we are not prepared, we will fall. We have to be strong and keep fighting. The gosple isn't always easy, but it's always worth it. I wish you all a wonderful week and Happy Thanksgiving to all that are in the USA. 

 

Love Hna Potrie 

 

 

Week Sixty-three!

One year in Argentina!!!!!

Can you believe it? It's amazing how the time seems to go faster every week. This week we got to have a conference with Elder Ceballos of the 70 from Chile. It was a really great meeting. They helped remind us to focus on teaching the doctrine. And the quote "When true doctrine is understood it will change character faster then the study of character." Something like that. The thing is that it's true. If we can help others understand the why of the doctrine, they will want to act and change. I've been talking a lot with the people about change lately. For example with Marcelo who is struggling after his baptism and trying to help him understand that it's possible to keep going and keep changing. Or with Noelia, the girlfriend of an inactive, and helping her understand that she can change, and we do change everyday. We are never the same. The world and it's influences are always changing us. We can either let the world make of us what it will or will can join with our Heavenly Father and become what He would have us be.

We're also working with a 9 year old boy Emanuel. His parents are inactive but he is so great. He reads the Book of Mormon with the cartoon drawings to help him understand. The sweetest moment was when he asked his mother to pray in the lesson. She might not be active but she followed the simple request of her child. Childeren have an amazing power with their parents. It was cute in the last lesson, he finally learned how to pray memorized. It was so cute.

I love this gospel, and I love the difference it makes in our lives. I love my Heavenly Father and know this is His message for all of his  Children. I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay warm as it gets cold there. 

con mucho amor Hna Potrie

Week Sixty-two!

Hola, 

Where does the time go? Slow down! This week was good with a few obstacles, but nothing to bad. One day all of our appointments were falling through and we stopped and sat in front of the investigators house on this old car. We were really overwhelmed and almost at the point of tears. And we thought, what do you do now? So we prayed for help, comfort and guidance. It was a prayer of a lost child talking with her father. We finished the prayer and there coming up the road was a moto with one of our investigators. We were able to teach her and her mother and twin sister showed up soon after as well. There was no doubt that Heavenly Father had heard our prayer and was there to help and guide us. It never ceases to amaze me the help that we recieve when we ask. I loved in testimony meeting, a little boy here, Enzo, shared an experience of prayer. He was home alone with his little brother and he felt his throat begin to swell. In that moment of desperation he kneeled down and prayed asking for help. No sooner had he finsished when the tightness left and he was able to breathe calmly. The Lord truly heard his prayer and was watching over him. He loves us and watches over every single one of us.

As for new and weird food, it's been pretty normal. They eat a lot of mayo. It's like their condiment of choice here. A little gross at first, but you get used to it. The other day we ate lomos. Heart attack in a box. It's a thin piece of meat about the size to cover two hamburger buns. And then they put ham, cheese, fried egg, tomatoe, letucce and lots of mayo. Ya, nasty I could feel my heart work harder after. No Jk but it's nasty when you think about it. And they all think Americans eat bad. Hahahahaha  We have lunch appointments just about everyday because that's their big meal of the day here and then we work all day after we don't take a dinner break because that's the best time to work after the siesta. Oh and to explain better, we only give kisses on the cheek to the women. Hahaha, not the men. It's the way they greet and say good bye here. Its actually rude if you don't personally greet every person with a kiss or hand shake for the men. They aren't big on hugs here. Sometimes they do, but it's not their culture really. 

Well time to say good bye till next week, 

 

Hna Potrie 

Week Sixty-one!

Welcome Tyrnn Heather Lauren Potrie!!!!!!!!! She is so cute!!! I'm so happy to hear that she made it safely into this world and that everyone is healthy and happy. She almost looks latina with that dark curly hair. Make sure to give her lots of love from me. I can't wait to meet that precious little girl. And congrats Ash and Alisha!!!!!!!!

It has been crazy hot here. Well, not that hot I guess, but lot's of humidity, which makes it feel hotter. The season of sweating has begun in Argentina when you greet people with a kiss on the cheek but it's a little sticky from the humidity. We had a really great week though. We found a new family. It's a lady and her two daughters and we are really trying to help the mom who is suffering from depression since her mom passed away. It's amazing to see how just sitting, listening and having the spirit in the room helps bring smiles to their faces and light to their eyes. We also found a new young woman. She lives next door to the YW pres and has been going to seminary in another ward. Talk about the Lord preparing the way! We got to teach her about the plan of salvation and after we asked what she thought. She said it makes a lot of sense and helps her know more of our purpose here. We don't just come to this world to die - it makes sense that there would be something more. I just love it. The plan of Salvation is perfect and when the people hear it for the first time they always say like ya that makes sense, and ya of course there would be more! We knew about this plan before we came to earth and as missionaries we get the chance to help people recognize the plan. We truly are here in this world to learn and progress. Our body is proof that we chose to come here and follow Gods plan. Sometimes we just have to work at remembering that this life isn't the end of the plan, it's only another step to become like our Heavenly Father. 

I love this gospel and this time I have to share it with these wonderful people here in Argentina. I pray that you all have a wonderful week. 

Con muchisimo amor,

Hna Potrie 

Week Sixty!!

Hola!

This week was a little more difficult. We seemed to hit a lot of walls with our investigators and it's hard to see them change their minds and reject this message because we know it can help them. We were able to have a few really good lessons with some inactive families. I'm learning more and more how important it is to keep doing the small and simple things like read the scriptures and pray everyday. We can not afford to miss a day! The power of the scriptures and prayer is amazing I've seen it bring the spirit into a room a full of contention or soften the hardest of hearts. 

We also got caught out in a terrible hail storm. We were walking from a members house for lunch to an investigators house, like a 15 min walk I think. We left the members and there was a really ugly cloud over head then we kept walking and it started to rain and we started running to another members house but then it started hailing. Imagine running in skirts with our bags over our heads to protect us and my comp yelling "protect your eyes!" Hahahahahaha the member wasn't home so we found shelter under a carport and let the storm pass. Then 20 mins after it was sunshine and clear skies. Crazy right. Oh and they were dirt roads or mud roads after the rain. Hahahaha. Good times, good times. 

Anyways I hope all is going well and that you have a wonderful week!

Con Mucho amor (With much love) Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Nine!

Hola!

Sounds like life up north is going great with lots of chasing cows and enjoying time together. This week was great we had another baptism!!!!! Her name is Graciela. She was a reference from the elders. She was so prepared. She has a great heart and was already asking how she can help serve others in the church. It was a great experience to see the emotion as she came out of the font. 

Also I can't remember if I told you guys, but we just had transfers last week. I'm still in Ayacucho with Hna Suarez and couldn't be happier. We have a great time together and laugh a lot. We are really trying to talk more with the people in the streets. It still scares me at times but I just remember what this gospel can bring to their lives and try to picture them in white, baptism, temple and heaven. Saturday night after the baptism we left and walking back to the pension we did contacts, where you stop people and try to talk to them about the gospel and get their address to pass by. But we left with such a strong spirit of the baptism. We we're standing there writing down and address when a lady passed by and I jokingly said "ah we missed one." And my comp said "no!" And we went running down the street to catch up with them. Hahahahahaha I couldn't believe it. I had never seen my comp run before and there she went leaving me in the dust. Hahahahaha.

We had a miracle. Well I call it a miracle. We ran out of credit on the cell phone and so we haven't been able to call, but we can receive calls. We were sitting there drinking a pop and trying to figure out how to contact the Hna from the ward that was going to come with us to the lesson. When all the sudden the phone started ringing and it was the exact Hna that we needed to talk to. No han cesados los milagros! The miracles have not stopped!!!!! I believe in miracles everyday!! When was the time you recognized a miracle from your Heavenly Father in your life??? Think about it, pray about it. 

Alright fam jam I don't got much else to say. I hope all is well and that you travel safely back home. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you! 

Con Mucho Amor, 

Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Eight!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

There is so much to be  grateful for. Conference weekend was amazing!!!!!! I got to watch all        four sessions and loved every single one. There was such a strong spirit to hear the prophet declare that the age for the missionaries has changed. I was so excited to hear that. It will truly bless the work of the Lord to have more Hnas in the field. It is also so powerful to feel the power of a prophet that can receive revelation to lead the church of Jesus Christ. This is the true church with prophets, revelation and priesthood authority. We also had the amazing experience of a white conference!!! With four baptisms in between the first and second session. And the fact that miracles have not ceased, Marcelo was baptized on Saturday!!!!!!!!! It was a week of miracles to see the power of the spirit work such a change in him and that he entered the waters of baptism. The young girl Naira from the Elders area was also baptized. It was a really amazing moment as I went into the bathroom to see why she wouldn't come out in her white jumpsuit, I asked if she was nervous and she said "ya I have to make a lot of changes in my life, and want to be better but I don't know if I can." I testified to her that she can and that baptism is the first step to help her change and that she will be blessed with the holy Ghost to help guide her in the changes she has to make. It was a tender moment as she prayed and asked for help to change from her Heavenly Father. She is an amazing daughter of God and it's been such a blessing to see the gospel change her life. 

I loved the talk from Elder Holland and I think it applies so well to all of us and to me as a missionary. I think of that scripture a lot. And say to myself when I struggle with something in the mission "Miranda, daughter of Potrie - Lovest thou me?" And within that I find the will to dig a little deeper and stand a little taller. I  love this gospel. I also loved the talk by one of the 70's who talked about is it worth cheating 5 cents in the eternities. I don't know how it was in English, but it's true. Is  it worth giving up our eternal reward for something that we can't take with us. It's powerful. 

Sounds like the pie business is going great I'm so happy for you mom. You truly deserve all the blessings in  the world the wonderful work and service you do. You are a great example of always giving to those in need and looking to serve always. I love your example in my life. 

I hope you all follow the wonderful tradition to give thanks this day before you sit down to that beautiful Turkey Franco!! Even though I might sit down to a different meal tonight I want to share what I am grateful for with all of you. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ and this chance to see  Him change the lives of others. I'm grateful for His love and mercy that saves us and allows us to return and live with our Heavenly Father as eternal families. I'm grateful for my family and for the wonderful examples they are to me of love, service and hard work. I am grateful for the love our Heavenly Father has for each and everyone of us and that He will never leave us alone in this world and that He is truly watching over us. I pray that you can all feel of his love and of my love for you this day. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 

Lots of love and hugs, Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Seven

Hola Buen Día!

Thank you so much for the photos of Ashley and Alisha. They both look great! I can't wait for this little girl to come into the world. She really is blessed to have such amazing parents. But that being said, I hope that things go well and that she comes when she is grown and healthy.

This week was a little bit harder in terms of our investigators. They each seemed to hit a wall in a different form or another. For example with Marcelo we had everything planned for his baptism on Sunday, then on Saturday, he left town and we couldn't get a hold of him till after church. He had some problems with some goals he had and so we aren't sure what will happen. We're going to talk with him tomorrow and explain the amazing power of the atonement and repentance. It was hard to hear the phone call and hear everything that happened because we care about him so much and have seen him grow and change so much we just need him to not lose hope. This gospel is all about hope and change and I pray that he can feel that.

But this week we had a really amazing lesson with a girl in the area of the elders Naira. We talked with her and her mom because she's been having a lot of behavioral problems. As we got to know her we found out how she had gone through some hard times this last year with losing some people in her life that were really important and she finally admitted that she is annoyed with God. So we talked with her and explained parts of the Plan of Salvation and testified to her that our Savior Jesus Christ  can help her. Also we had a really cool experience the other day. We were waiting outside the church for ward council, and the bishop shows up with his wife and another lady Etel. We can see she's been crying and so we take her inside and asked her what's going on. She told us that she is worried about her son who just started rehab the other week. We just listened for a long time and let her say everything she needed to and then we shared with her the hope of this gospel and that even though we pass through hard things the Lord is with us. As we finished there was a sweet peace in the room from the spirit. The next day she went with the Hnas to an activity and the Relief Society Broadcast. And then we saw her on Sunday. As we went to go get her for church we realized the house was one that we had contacted the other week. The day before her son went into rehab we had knocked her door. It was her daughter who had answered said it was a bad moment but that we could pass by on another time. Heavenly Father knew that she would face hard times and had placed us in her way more than once. He knows us, He loves us, He is our Father. Although some times we go through hard times He is always there. I love this gospel, it's such a joy to have the gospel in my life. When we live the commandments and have the Spirit with us we feel His love and are filled with happiness. It doesn't mean we'll never go through hard things but that through them will find the love and support we need.

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!! Lots of love and prayers for all.

Con muchismo amor and cariño
Hna Potrie   

Week Fifty-Six

Hola a todos (hello to all)

Micaela was baptized!!!!! It was so amazing. Every time I hear that prayer offered I feel the same powerful spirit. This is the true Church!!!!!!!! Most of her family was able to go to and feel the spirit. Some of them aren't members so maybe we'll work on helping them come unto Christ as well. We had a great week a little slower because it was a long weekend for them (I think it was to celebrate spring but not sure - they celebrate everything here) but things will be back to normal tomorrow. Oh but sad news Marcelo didn't go to church he left for a trip but we still haven't been able to talk with him. We're praying that everything is okay and that he can be baptized on Sunday. Speaking of Sunday it was a crazy day. We got ready and left early because we had a meeting with the Bishop. Then in Relief Society, we were busy trying to prep the class for gospel principles all the while trying to call investigators. The class we taught was a little unorganized but went okay. We taught about the atonement. Then we get to sacrament meeting and we walk in and they ask if one of us can lead the music and to sit on the stand because we are giving talks. Luckily they had told us a day before about the talks but still they were a little rushed in the preparation. Finally when we left I looked at my comp and how exhausting. But it's all good. 

Oh and other good news, Jose from Oncativo was baptized the other weekend I can't remember if I told you that. Super happy that he could follow through with the thing that he wanted to do. 

The good news is that in Cordoba, it's super flat so volcanos do not exist in my mission. So you can sleep well mom, I'm safe. As for if a volcano actually erupted in Argentina I have no idea. We don't watch the news. Hahahahaha but no, I haven't heard anything about it. By the way I can find peanut butter here in the supermarkets!!! So no need to worry about my peanut butter intake.

Anyways, like always I gotta run but I love you all and pray for you daily. 

Con muchisimo amor, 

Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Five!

Hola a todos! (Hello to all)

I'm so glad to hear that your birthday was great mom! I thought of you that day. We had a zone conference that day and it was really great. We learned a lot and I love Pres. Salas. He talked about all the symbolism in the Book of Mormon and how this book is written to help us know more and more about our Savior. Things with such detail that a young uneducated boy from NY couldn't have known let alone written about in such detail. It was a great week, Micaela is all ready for her baptism she had her interview yesterday and all we need is the baptismal service on Saturday. She is so cute and so smart. We are hoping to be able to talk with her mom this week to and help her mom get back on this path as well. Also our investigator Marcelo (we found him at the baptism of Ezequiel the first week) received his answer about the church. Teaching him has really been such an amazing experience in the way the Lord has guided us. Everyday when we plan for him we go to the appointment and before we even start he has a question about the exact thing we have planned to teach. And after he received his answer he had a rough day and the next lesson we had planned to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ  and could focus on the power of repentance. The Lord is truly guiding us everyday.

I also had a really cool experience of receiving an answer from Heavenly Father. I had been praying and wondering how we can help and strengthen this ward. And it was occupying my mind a lot. Then we arranged to do splits with a couple of sisters in the ward. It was scary to leave my comp and be with someone who doesn't know the lessons but it was great to see this young woman share her testimony with others. And as we walked back to the pension I was talking with Hna Suárez and My answer came we will help the ward by including them in missionary work as much as we can. And as I came to this conclusion I felt such a peace of the spirit come and knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers.

A small funny story we were walking during the siesta and it was super hot (side note it got up to 35 degrees the other day) and we were both really tired and my comp looked at me and said "Haga Tuto guagua" I looked at her with huge eyes and said what language are you speaking? hahahahaha she laughed and said oops those are words from Chilé. It's pretty much "go to sleep baby." I'm now practicing Spanish Chileano style. 

To answer your questions mom: The people are very friendly here in general I would say they are more friendly off the bat then at home. Get mail every few weeks here. Oh and the temple yes is under construction it's like 30 min from where we are. It's right beside the mission home. Hna Salas let me enter their bedroom a while ago to see the temple. They had some delays with imports but things are moving along now. It will be such a blessing to the people here to have a temple. Oh and Hna Suarez doesn't speak any English. Hahah like nothing she knows a few words but can't have a conversation. So we speak in Spanish. And yes it comes a lot more naturally now. There are still moments when she speaks really fast cause she's from Chile and that's their form of speaking and I have to ask her to repeat it. Her accent is also rubbing off on me but I'm trying to keep my Córdobes.

I gotta go but love you all and hope all is well.

Love Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Four!

Hola Familia,

 

I swear the time is going faster and faster each week. This week we had a lot of fun teaching Ezeqiels little sister, Micaela. We marked her a part in the Book of Mormon, 3rd Nephi 11 and she read it all by the next day and remembered it!!!! She was so excited to read and tell us about what she had learned. She is so sweet and I love teaching her. We also had a lot of miracles this week. We were out all day Tuesday walking to the end of the area with the sun baking us and I had blisters that started on my feet but all day we walked and walked and they didn't pop. Also it was threatening to rain in the evening and held off until we were in the pension and then it started to pour and the water raises in the streets when it pours and makes it a little complicated to walk around. It's been amazing to see how the Lord has been blessing us here.

 

We also got to see broadcast of the rededication of the temple in Buenos Aires. It was so beautiful. It made me miss the temple like crazy - it's such an amazing place. All of you who live close to the temple should go for me this week. It's something that sometimes when we have it so close we take it for granted. But it is such a blessing and power to go and feel the peace of the Lord there. Pres Eyring bore an amazing testimony and said something that I love. He said ¨I wish I had time to speak with each of you individually and ask you when have you felt the love of the Savior in your life? And then I would listen to the stories and testimonies of our Saviour Jesus Christ" It makes me reflect as a missionary of how important it is to help the people realise how Christ has helped them in their lives and that in those moments our testimonies grow deeper in the Savior. I love my Savior and really know that He has the power to help us.

 

The Landscape is city and flat. All you see is city and in the very far distance on one side, a faint line of mountains. We are in part of the capital Cordoba. It's like New York, New York, we are in Cordoba capital of Cordoba. Then the city is divided into parts like Salmon Arm is divided into Canoe, downtown and so forth. These smaller parts are barrios. The name of the barrio is Ayacucho., So we're part of the city not the whole city. Cordoba capital is very big. There are 5 stakes in Cordoba Capital. So we work in a section of this gaint city. Yes, we do a whole bunch of walking. Last week we walked all the way to the tip of the area because it's a triangle shape and it look like an hour and 15min from our pension. and our pension or apt is in the middle of the area. hahaha so it's a big area. We walk or we're also learning the city bus system to help if we need to get from one end to the other quickly. Oh and Hna Suarez doesn't know English, haha I try to teach her important words like awkward and creeper. Hahahaha the basics really.

 

Anyways I hope you all have a great week!!!!!

 

Love Hna Potrie

Week Fifty-Three!

Hola Familia, 

If I had to describe this week it would be walking to the end of the earth and back. This area is huge!!! To help you find it on a map, it's Barrio Ayacucho Cordoba capital. It's the Cordoba capital of Cordoba it's the second or third largest city in Argentina. I have no idea how many people live here. The church is also very strong here in the capital. So my area is all city. I look from the top of our apartment and all you can see is city. There was about 80 people in church yesterday so it seems we have a lot of work with less actives that we can do. And a lot of incomplete families. For example we had a baptism on Wednesday, Ezekiel, a little 12 year old boy and the elders found him because his mom is on the list of inactives. His little sister Micaela went to the baptism and now she wants to be baptised to so we are helping her prepare for that. So sweet this family is, and when we talked to the mom Lorena, I really felt like the Lord sent us here for her. Oh and in the baptism the Elders told us it was all organized and it wasn't at all, so right before it started they asked me to give the talk about the Holy Ghost. Thank goodness for all the practice teaching people. We also had to teach the gospel principles class last minute. It was about the gathering of the 12 tribes. First off, I dont even know how to explain that in english let a lone spanish. All I can say is thank goodness for a latin comp. 

It also changed from winter to summer in one day I swear this whole week has been like in the 30's. Crazy huh? It's hotter here than back home and it's winter here. Bring on the heat. Things with the new comp are great. She is a convert of seven years and teaches really well. Plus together we did good this week to only get lost once because the street names and the map names were different. Anyways I hope you all have a wonderful week. 

Lots of Love Hna Potrie 

Week Fifty-Two!

Hola Familia! 

So the exciting transfer news, I'm in a new area in Cordoba Capiiiiiiiital (that's how they say capital in their crazy sing song accent). My area is called Ayacucho I have no idea where it is on a map really, but it's city! I'm with Hna Suárez she's from Chile and seems way awesome. We are also whitewashing, which means it used to be an Elders area but they took them out and we are both brand new in the area. Which is always fun and a lot of work. Our area looks huge on a map which means we'll be walking walking walking. 

Anyways to back track this week was good. We had an amazing intercambio I got to work with Hna Steward in Oncativo. It was so fun and we had a really amazing lesson with a less active. We also doubled on my bike because a memeber was going with a to a lesson on the other bike. Which was hilarious because Hna Steward and I aren't exactly small and I was on the back with my legs tucked up like I was riding a broom and we both just about died laughing. Por suerte we didn't have to go far. But sad news we were supposed to baptise José this week but on Sunday he didn't come to church so we went to look for him, and his sister answered the door and told us that he doesn't want to get baptised. But it was that she doesn't want him to get baptised. We spoke with her for a while and tried to explain everything but she needs time. So then finally Jose showed up to church for the end of sacrament meeting and we talked to him after and he told us that he still wants to be baptised but he just needs to wait a little to let his sister calm down. It was sad because I just know this baptism will continue to help him grow and change but I know that he will follow this path, just not while I'm there in Oncativo. 

It was hard to say good bye this week to the people that I have grown so much to love, but I'm also excited to go to a new area and meet more people. I hope you all have a wonderful week. I love you all so much!!! 

Love Hna Potrie 

Week Fifty-One!

Hola Fam Jam! 

Alright where to start. This week I thought the world was going to end. Okay not really but we had a crazy storm Thursday night and then in the morning as we were getting ready to leave we heard this tink tink and opened the door and it was hailing like crazy dry hail, meaning that it didn't rain first just straight to hailing and it was big like almost golf ball size. It was crazy and there were crazy birds flying through it. I have no idea how they didn't get hit and die. Anyways it just reminds me of the sings of the times thats all.

Anyways spiritual side of things, we had an amazing lesson with Rueben. His sister is a memeber and they are older but live together and have a tendency to fight like siblings do. But we were talking with Rueben and we started teaching him about prayer. We explained the difference between repeating a prayer like the Lords prayer and how we pray and just talk with our Heavenly Father. I shared with them an experience I remembered as a child. It was when I was with you mom and dad. Sharla had played a soccer game and had put her rings in her pocket and of course had lost them. So after we went back to find them the four of us. I think I was searching with Mom and Sharla with Dad. We had searched and searched with no success and it was getting dark. I remember kneeling down and praying for help to find the rings. As we finished praying we looked down beside us and there was one of the rings. And then we found the others as well. I'll never forget that moment of knowing just how much Heavenly Father listens, cares and answers. I shared this story and Rueben started to cry. I explained that Heavenly Father loves him to and wants to help him but sometimes we need to ask in a different way or need to be doing more on our part. I'm so grateful for the wonderful example of my parents that taught me to pray and to have the faith that He will answer.
 
We also had a lesson with Juan Carlos and his brother this week they both have problems with alchohol and we are working hard to help them. As we were finishing teaching a thought came to me. These men think of  themselves as alcoholics or borrachos and they are just stuck in that thought of thats who they are and they can't change no matter how much they want. But then I looked at them both and said "ustedes son hijos de Dios no son borrachos". You are sons of God, not drunks. You don't need to degrade yourselves, you are sons of God and He loves you. They both looked at me as though their minds had been open to a sweet truth. I think its something so important though, because Satan tries so much to degrade us and tell us we are nothing and to forget this simple relation we have with God. What ever weakness we have we can say the same to ourselves I am not (blank) I am a Child of God and He loves me. I have qualities from Him and He wants me to be what He knows I can be.
 
Have a Fabulous day todos. I love you all and my thoughts and prayers are with you. Please keep Jose in your prayers this week we are really working hard to prepare him for his baptism this weekend.

Love Hna Potrie

Week Fifty!

Happy Birthday Allan! I hope you have a wonderful day/Bar BQ. The work just keeps moving and moving along. I can't believe how fast time flies and that Courtney Smith is already home! Crazy. We're still working hard at teaching Jose, and he is progressing in his little testimony. We've had some discussion with the members as to whether someone can be baptized without being able to read. And clearly the answer is yes. It's not a prerequisite to follow the example of the Savior to read and write, only to have faith in Him as our Savior. And even when people can read, it doesn't mean they internalize and apply the teachings of Christ. I love these humble people because they believe with their whole heart and have a desire to change and grow. It's also been amazing to see Carlos grow in his ability to read. He read a scripture with us yesterday slowly but almost without fault. This book is working a miracle in so many ways for him. We also are teaching the niece of Carlos, Karina. She lives with her two little girls and is going to have another baby this week. We had an amazing plan of Salvation lesson with her. She told us about all the death she had seen in her life and how her heart has been so broken by it. Especially when one of the fathers of her second girl committed suicide. She explained that she doesn't want to believe the spirit world exists because she has this fear that she won't recognize them, or that she won't see them again. It was hard to really see the fear in her eyes and the hurt that she has been carrying. I explained that ya it hurts, but the separation of death isn't permanent. It's just like they went on a really long trip and even though they come back different, it's still them, and we recognize them. I just wish I could give her the testimony I have about the spirit world. Instead of fear and sadness, she could feel a hope that comes through our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

 

I hope everyone has a fantastic week. I love you all and my prayers are with you. 

 

Love hna Potrie

Week Forty-Nine!

Rain rain go away come again another day. So it's not raining but it's doing this weird thick mist thing. Kind of like the mists of darkness that it talks about in the book of mormon. It was another great week in the mish. At the beginning of last week, we did an intercambio with the Hnas in Nueva Cordoba. It was so awesome! I got to work with Hna Steward. She's from Utah and entered the MTC at the same time as me. Anyways we had some awesome lessons. We taught these two guys that live in a poor area called the villas. They both had super interesting stories about their hard lives but we just testified to them how they don't have to follow in this way of life and a how Jesus Christ can help them over come this and leave their past behind. We also got to teach a couple Manu and Marysol. He is a less active but when they started dating he taught her everything pretty much about the gospel. And then one day his dad asked the missionaries to pass by and so they started to go by like 9 months ago but then the missionaries got changed and what not and lost contact with these people. Marysol was heart broken because she just wants to get married so they can get baptized. So she started going to a pyshcologist and low and behold it was the only mormon pyshc in Cordoba. Then one night Hna Steward needed some plans of people to visit and she just grabbed random pages from the area book ( a binder that has a teaching record for everyone in the area that was taught by the missionaries in the last 2 yearsish). Anyways Marysol was one of them and now she's going to get married this weekend so she can get baptized and then they can get sealed. It just testifies how much Heavenly Father really cares about each and everyone of his children to have so many miracles happen for just one person to come unto Christ.

This week Carlos learned how to tie a tie and was there in church to receive the Priesthood! It was so amazing to hear the blessing that he received. He is also an awesome missionary. He's been helping us teach his friend, José. Tonight we are going to go by and try and teach them how to read. It's been a really amazing experience with José. Hna Frias found him when I was in NC and I wasn't too happy to hear they were teaching him because of some things that had happened. But I started praying and as we started teaching him I started looking into his eyes and I felt my feelings change into a love and caring that only comes from our Heavenly Father.

Last thing, I heard this really cool parable from our mission president. About how God asks his servant to go out and push this giant rock. And the servant goes and starts pushing and pushing until they have no more strength to push and they stop and realize the rock still hasn't moved and they become frustrated and he goes to God and says I've been pushing and pushing but I can't move this rock. How can I do this? Then God says to him I didn't ask you to move the rock I asked you to push the rock, but look at how strong you've become. Love it right. It helped me a lot. Because as long as I'm doing everything that I should be and working as hard as I can, I know that the Lord is strengthening my for His purposes, not mine. Sometimes I think we just forget that we've been called to push sometimes, and not to move the rock.

Oh and just to let you know the package and letters lately have gotten to Cordoba they are just in Capilla del Monte - the area I was supposed to get transferred to. There was a little confusion in the office. So I know they're here, just not in Oncativo. Pero está bien. But it's all good. Thanks so much for the photos. I have the cutest niece and nephew in the world! Also, little Alma is so cute and definately has Sarah's eyes.

Lots of Love,

 Hna Potrie

Week Forty-Eight

Hola todos!!! Cómo andan?

 

Another week has just blown by I don't know where the time went. It might have something to do with this crazy wind going on. Anyways I'll try to give you some of the highlights.

 

 Carlos came to church this week!!!!!! He just melts my heart really. He's just like a little child in this grown up body. He came in his white shirt we gave him but with out the tie. We gotta teach him how to tie it. Ooopps!

 

We met this new lady named Graciela, and the second time we passed by she had told her friend Teresa about us. So we had a lesson with the two of them. We started by singing a hymn abide with me and they both ended in tears. I love the power of music. Then we explained the plan of salvation because Teresa´s husband died five years ago. She told us how for the first time since his death, she felt a peace. Wow right?! What a blessing to share the glorious plan that our Heavenly Father has for us. We testified that it was the spirit that they were feeling.

 

We almost crashed on the bikes into each other because of a lack of communication about where to turn, opps my bad. We're being more careful. 

 

This week, we also found a lot of  inactive members that I've been trying to find for months. It's truly sad to see how they totally forget how they felt when they started in the church. But I have a lot of love for them and try to help them understand that what they feel is missing in their lives is the gospel or that their lives are good but they can be so much better with the help of the Savior. In life, we're going to go through hard times but we can do it with the help of the Lord or we can try miserably on our own.

 

I think that's about it. We are working hard and I really feel like the more I try to just lose myself in the work the more I am on the track to becoming who my Heavenly Father knows I can be.

 

Lots of Love and prayers,

 

 Hna Potrie

Week Forty-Seven

So I'm still here in Oncativo for the time being. President Salas is still trying to figure things out. Right now it doesn't matter so much if I stay or go to a different area, but I would just like to know so I can unpack. Living out of suitcases isn't my favorite. But anyways, this week was good we have been still teaching Carlos the lessons after baptism. He is so great. We passed by the window before we knocked and saw him reading the Book of Mormon. It really was just a tender moment from the Lord to see him putting forth such an effort in the things the Lord wants. The sad part though was that Sunday came and he didn't make it to church. So we went by and apparently something happened he got hit or fell and hurt his head. We don't know exactly because we heard two different stories. So it was more of a he didn't go because of what happened not because he doesn't want to. So we're going to go by again tonight and talk to him and try to figure out what happened. We are still teaching Manuel and we had a lesson with the Branch President and we realized that he has a few doubts still and that he might not be doing things for the right incentive, so we're going to get the Elders to help us out and keep praying and working with him. The greatest thing that has helped with him is getting him to pray about things while we are there to help him recognize the spirit and that these things are true. It's been amazing in lessons how sometimes the Lord blesses me to remember situations or things that I have learned that can help these people.

We also had interview with President Salas. It was kind of a wake up call for me that I've become to comfortable with where I'm at and that the Lord wants me to keep growing spiritually. How I've been serving with my strength and might but I've been with holding my heart and mind. I haven't given Him those things completely. And I read this amazing talk the Fourth Missionary that really opened my mind and although it's for missionaries I think it can apply in general as well. "Your greatest work: your most important creation is and ever will be you. What kind of person will you become?... When everything else is removed and there you stand alone who will you be? Envision and plan for your greatest work." And it talks about how everyday we can either make choices to help shape us to who we will become or we can be shaped by world and the result of the world will just be another average person." The realization of your amazing and true potential happens only in the hands of the Lord. But you and only you can place yourselves in those masterful, loving hands." We must give our will to His to become who he wants up to become. As a missionary it requires forgetting ourselves and giving our selves to the Lord.  Then, and only then do we start to become the missionaries He called us to be. I pray that I can give him everything my heart and mind and through that I know I will find the true joy and peace that comes from this work.

To answer some of your questions. Food is expensive in thoughts of pesos for example 1L of milk is like 6 pesos. Fruits and veggies aren't to bad it's a lot cheaper if you go to the little veggie stores then the super market. I hope you enjoy the cherries and apricots I haven't seen those here. As far as service we try to plan something every week. We usually clean the church for the members and then we just try to serve when we see people who need a hand. And no I haven't gotten the package. I should have gotten it last week when we had interviews but all of my letters and packages were in the wrong zone because they organized it according to how transfers were supposed to be so I'll have to wait till the end of the month probably and pray that nothing gets lost along the way. But don't worry I'm sure it's here I just haven't received it.

Con Mucho Amor,
 Hna Potrie

Week Forty-Six!

Carlos Mendez is officially the latest member of the Oncativo Branch!!! We had his baptism Sunday after church and it was amazing. It truly is such a blessing to be a small part of this work. He truly is such an amazing child of God. He has a big heart and really just wants to follow the Savior.

As far as transfers go those photos that the member tagged me in about Capilla Del Monte might just be a sweet dream, we're still waiting for the final news.  Let me tell you whats been going on. So Saturday night, we receive the transfer call that I'll be going to Capilla del Monte a beautiful area with lots of mountains. So Sunday night I go to say good bye to the members and the family Sarmiento tells me how it's their favorite little town really touristy and hippie and shows me pictures and everything. Then comes Monday morning and we get a call before our alarm goes off from President Salas. He tells us that the companion that was supposed come and be with Hna Frias in Oncativo has decided to go home. And that he doesn't know what will happen with transfers and to just hold tight today. So that's what we've been doing. I have no idea if I'll be changing areas or not it's all kind of up in the area but by next week I'll be able to write and tell you how it all panned out.

Anyways to answer a few of your questions mom they do grow fruit here. There are lots of oranges and mandarines.You can also buy apples, bananas, pears, grapes, strawberries. They actually have little veggie shops called verdulerias and that's where people buy their produce. They have the same sort of thing for meat and bread just little shops throughout town. They also have bigger super markets but not nearly as common and sometimes more expensive.

We also had the chance to do lots of service the past week. I helped chop down another tree in skirt - who knew that chopping wood would become a common thing in the mission. We also had an amazing lesson in the house of a member with 2 less actives and 2 recent converts. We used a visual example of three cups and three knifes to help teach the importance of Going to church reading the scriptures and praying. The spirit was so strong in the lesson. It's so true that these three things are essential in our lives. Without one we lose balance. But with the three together we can face the challenges of life no matter what they are with faith and hope. We also sang a song in church on Sunday it's from the youtube video of Love One Another. It reminded me how much I miss having music and singing.

Anyways, I love you all and hope you have a wonderful day.

Con Mucho amor Hna Potrie   

Week Forty-Five!

Hey fam jam,

So I sit down to write and it always seems that I have to scratch my brain for what to say. Our investigator Carlos is getting ready for his baptism this coming weekend. It's been so long that I can hardly believe it's real. He is so awesome though and really I can see the gospel blessing his life everyday. Yesterday we taught him about  tithing and he's totally willing to pay. Poor guy though hasn't had much schooling, so he doesn't know how to calculate 10%. We're trying to come up with a way to help him. But whats more important is his willing heart to do it. We've also been working with a lot of older men with all sorts of addictions. We're really contemplating starting an addiction recovery program. It's just amazing how much satan uses the things of the world as false moments of satisfaction, but really they leave these people worse off every time. The things of the Lord bring a peace and joy that's eternal and Satan can't manufacture that. 

I can't believe it's been 10 months in the mish. Not that I'm counting, it's just crazy how fast the time is going. And next week will been transfers so like always, email will be a guessing game. I have no idea what will happen. I've given up guessing because it seems my will isn't the Lords will, so I just pray to accept his will no matter what it is. 

Make sure to tell the Gwilliams congrats on their mission call what kind of a mission is it? And tell Austin congrats as well. That's crazy, Paris France but Mandarin speaking. Way cool. It's awesome to hear about all these other missionaries getting ready to enter the field. It's such a great experience they are about to start. It's hard but every single day is worth it to help others find the joy of the gospel. 

I'm a little jealous of the hot weather. It's been cold here but nothing a good pair of tights and a few sweaters can't handle. Oh and Happy Independence day of Argentine today. All of the internet places are closed so we have to write from the members computer and we're in the house of the family Daniele. 

Well I should get going but I love you guys and pray for you all daily. Enjoy the sunshine!!! 

Love Hna Potrie 

Week Forty-Four

Oh Canada my home and native land..... how I missed you the other day.

I hope you all had a fabulous time or for those Americans that they enjoy the fourth of July. Really it is one of my favorite holidays in the US. Pero bueno. This week was really great. We went by to teach Carlos and we ended up teaching his brother Ungenio and his cousin Adriana. It was a crazy full house and they all had lots of questions. We really love them. The other day we went by and right before the lesson we had been talking about how we don't have lunch but that we would worry about it after and then durring the lesson they asked if they could make pizza for us?! So we ate pizza and watched the restoration video. They are really so great. It's amazing to see the changes the gospel is making in their lives.

We also found this new younger guy named Walter. We were bummed because he said he would come to church and then didn't. But then he called and said he wanted to meet with us later in the day. So we met with him and had an amazing lesson about the plan of salvation because his brother died 4 years ago and he still feels a lot of pain from this. We finished the lesson and he was just in awe and told us we had opened his mind. This gospel is amazing!!!!

In other news, we're going to get bici's bikes!!! I'm super stoked because we'll be able to be more on time for things. Also we went to the zoo today as a zone. Super interesting but fun. There was this crazy ape like planet of the apes style - I may have ran away scared for my life. As far as the weather goes it's actually been hotter lately but they say it's back to cold this week. Bummer I know.

Anyways I'm loving the work and can't believe how the time is flying by. We see miracles every day and it just testifies to me over and over again that there is a God. I love my Heavenly Father and am so glad to give Him this time of my life. I love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week. My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Con mucho amor y cariño Hna Potrie

Week Forty-Three

Hola

So this week we've been working with a man named Carlos. He's super sweet. We teach him and it's like teaching a little kid. He has problems focusing so we try to use objects and photos like a little kid. Plus, he came to church and really liked it. He even participated in the lesson about the sabbath day. We're also teaching a guy our age, Ramiro. He's been to church two weeks in a row! He's really trying to change his life around completely. He talked to us about his life, and really it never ceases to surprise me how open these people are with us so quickly. Anyways, I just feel so much that the gospel can really help him make this change that he wants. We have plans to baptize him the 14 of July and are working to prepare him for that.

I've been reading Jesus the Christ and I just love that book. I read it for like 5-10 min before bed and it teaches me so much. Like how He over came the temptations of satan. Our Lord is amazing. Also, a talk I love is the atonement and the value of one soul by M Russell Ballard. He talks about the atonement and how if we understand the atonement more we have more love for each individual. It's so true. Read it, I love it!

We also had zone conference which I'll be honest - a little dissapointed in the lack of letters. I know I'm more than the half way point, but that doesn't mean I stopped cherishing hand written letters of care!!!! Love you guys.

Gotta run hope you all have a great week. My prayers are with you.

Love Hna Potrie

Week Forty-Two

 H
Thanks so much for the pictures. Looks like everyone had a busy week with playing and wedding things. My camera is still broken so sadly I can´t send any photos this week. But I´m shoppping around for a new one so there will be photos on the way.

This week I felt a little like nephi when he´s in  the wilderness and his bow breaks. I had two choices mummur and complain like his brothers or to put my faith in Heavenly Father and move forward. I´ll admit I had a few laman and lemuel moments but I feel the Lord is with me. Plus I literally feel like we´ve been camping in the wilderness. Because we don´t have light/power in the apartment. hahahaha ya well thats about half true. We have light in the kitchen but no where else. What happend was we had two space heaters plugged in and then I decided to dry my hair. bad idea blew the fuse and then when we flipped the switch which was weird sent sparks and then we only had light/power in the kitchen. But good news they are coming today to fix it and luckily it hasn´t been to cold and our heater has been working. Truly a blessing.

 Also we found out that Danitza and Fred moved to a different town which is out of our area. And after trying to call them all week we finally got a hold of them and found out that they will be here during the week but in the other town on the weekends opening a colthing store with their family. So I really hope we can keep teaching them and cordinate with the other missionaries to help them continue to progress. I was a little sad to hear they moved but it´s been a week of leanring and growing. We also had an interesting experience with finding a inactive member and her non member daughter. I´ve tried passing by this house a lot with Hna Waters, Hna Adair and finally with Hna Frias. And from the outside it looks like it´s a totally abandoned house. But we would ask the members and everytime they would say no they live there just keep trying. So we knocked once and without any response decided to go knock the door of a contact in front. We crossed the street and knocked and then we hear the other door open on the other side of the street. So I run back across the street and introduce myself but am totally mind blank because I can´t remember the name of the person we´re looking for. So I just ask if a member lives there. And she says ya my mom do you want to come in. And of course I want to go in but This whole time Hna Frias is still across the street trying to talk with the other people that answered the other door. It was crazy  but finally the hna came over to the door and we entered the house. Another funny story we were in Nueva Cordoba with the other Hnas doing some shopping for warm clothes and helping them in their area. Anyways we have all our bags with us and we get to their apartment building and they live on 11 floor. so of course we go to the elevator. Get in and read the sign 6 people which is fine we are six hnas no big deal. So we start going up and then it just stops in the middle. 6 hnas stuck in the elevator super crowded and it started to get really warm. So we pushed the alarm button and said a prayer. And then they finally came and saved us after like 15 min felt like an hour. and we all had to jump between this gap of the door and the floor little awkward in skirts but we got out alive. We then opted to run up the stairs.

Anyways I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week. Keep the faith.

Lots of love and prayers, Hna Potrie

Week Forty-One

Hola,

 

Alright so I feel like a million things happened this week because we've been working our tails off. Literally, we're running from appointment to appointment just to help these wonderful people in Oncativo. The great news is that Danitza and her brother Fred came to church this week. I feel a baptism coming and I'm so excited! I'm so hungry to bring souls unto Christ. Not sure what week exactly, but it'll happen I have no doubt, only FAITH!!!! 

 

So other crazy things this week we ate at a chinese food place which is nothing like back home. It was very Argentine with fresh bread on the table and pasta. Very interesting but they also had ice cream. May or may not have gotten my money worth in ice cream. Hahahaha. Don't worry mom, all my clothes still fit. Speaking of, I bought a couple sweaters because it's freezing here. Seriously like -5 in the night. Which I know is nothing but when your little heater in the apartment shuts off sporadically, it is. And it's very humid. For example the salt won't shake out - it's like a paste. So we stole a few of the space heaters from the church to keep us warm at night which helps a lot. I imagine it looked weird to see to young girls walking down the street with space heaters though. Hahaha. It's always interesting to when we knock a door and they say "aw poor girls why are you outside? It's cold." And we explain that it doesn't matter because our message is very important and ask to come in and share something and then they say no because it's cold and we would let in the cold. Bahahahaha ya super nice. We just laugh and walk away because what they say doesn't make sense. It doesn't matter though, I love the mission, I love my Savior, and know that we are not alone in those streets. We've been working hard and laughing and having fun.  

 

Hna Frias is awesome and I'm so happy to be working aful (a lot). Oh and a funny story to make you all smile is that we stopped by the house of this inactive, Ann Laura, and we ended up doing service. Cleaning her yard and cutting wood. Now maybe you don't see why this would be funny, but let me paint a picture. My comp sweeping the pavement, and me in a black skirt, purple shirt, grandma missionary shoes, sweating like crazy chopping this wood with a dull axe. Ya, wish I had a camera that worked for that one. It felt good to do some real physical work but I felt it the next day as I rolled out of bed.

 

Anyways you should all know that I love you, pray for you, and think about you. I hope that you are all doing well. I gave a talk yesterday about recieving revelation through the Book of Mormon. I talked about how the book is like a new car so if it's not working, we needed to adjust how we're trying to drive. Which is so true. I learned a lot from writing it. It all depends in the effort we put in. If we do it with purpose or just read the pages no más. Are we trying to create an environment where the spirit can guide and teach? Or do we have the latest song on the radio stuck in our heads? It's interesting no? Well I hope you are all reading with a purpose. That book is amazing. Read it and feel the love Heavenly Father has for you and learn about our dear Savior.... I love you all in case you forgot. Keep your heads and up and remember to smile - it's a great cure for many things.

 

Love Hna Potrie

Week Forty!

 Hola!!

Alright so the big transfer news you've all been waiting for - Hna Potrie is staying in Oncativo and the twist, Hna Adair left for the city because they're putting four Hnas in one apartment and area. So my new comp is one that you've heard of before: Hna Frias from Salta Argentina!!!!! It was a crazy transfer call as I was almost 100% certain that I would be leaving, but nope just got a new comp. Which isn't a surprise but crazy that it's Hna Frias again. But I love her and she is just what this area needs, someone packed with animo (someone who is just super excited about the work) and she lays some thick smack down some times which is good. Not in an angry way, but like a help people realise they need to change way. It's awesome. Plus it's going to help my Spanish like crazy because she is latina. I love me some latins!

So we are so excited because we got Danitza in the church!!!! She's going to be baptized I just know it. We're going to teach her tonight and it will be awesome. I just want to help her progress. It was sad to see Hna Adair leave because I realized how much this transfer has brought us together.

I'm glad you had a great time with Sharla going to the temple and being tourists. It sounds quite heavenly. We might have to do a repeat sort of trip when I'm home!!!!! But we're not going to think about that because there is still lots of time. But holy smokes this week will be 9 months in the mission!!! Where did the time go seriously? Oh and my camera is having problems it says 'error zoom' and won't open. I asked at a photo shop here and they said they would have to send it away to try and fix it so I'll try that first and if that doesn't work, I guess I'll have to buy a new one.

Oh and the time in Bell Ville was really bitter sweet. So amazing to see everyone but hard to say good bye. I told them you really feel like family to me and I pray for them always just like all of you at home that I love so much. It's something I'm learning on the mission. To just love people and totally open my heart to them. It's hard, and sometimes means you have to deal with the pain of leaving, but it makes life so much richer and helps these people feel why this message is important for me and them. I love the Argentine people it really hurts when we try to explain over and over how this gospel can help them and you can feel the spirit is there and see it hit them and then they change subjects and move on.

I've also decided that the mission makes us feel like old ladies. From wearing knee highs to having our bodies just be so tired and sore from walking and running to appointments. It's crazy. But I love it.

Anyways, I hope all is well. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

Con Amor Hija, Hermana, Amiga suyo, M Potrie

Week Thirty-Nine

Hola!

Well it's been another week and I can't believe it how fast the time seems to go. Next week is transfers and I have no idea what is going to happen. I kinda feel like I'll be leaving and getting a change but I would be totally fine with what ever the Lord has in mind. Things are going good with Danitza. We are still working on getting her to church. She couldn't this week because she had a family thing but she said she would plan on it for next week. Just so you know a little bit more about her she is 16, and lives with her aunts and uncles here. Her parents live in Bolivia and so that's hard on her. She is new to the town, so were really hoping for some help from the young women to help her feel comfortable and welcome here. So we're keeping our fingers crossed and praying a lot for her.

Today is another crazy p day as I'm actually writting from Bell Ville my old area! The Hnas called us last week because they wanted to do an exchange for a couple days to help the new missionary kind of take the ropes before the end of transfer. So I'm gonna be here for a couple days teaching and visiting some of those converts that I love so much with Hna Mendieta!

The truth about the locro food is that I don't mind the taste but the texture really gets me. Something that is really good though is they make squash mashed potatos. Really yummy. And no we hardly ever ride in cars, usually by foot or by bus around here.

Well I don't really have much else exciting to say but I love you guys and hope all is well. Lots of love and prayers!

Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Eight

Hola!!!

Thanks so much like always for the new photos!!! It looks like everyone is doing great and that the service for grandpa was really nice. I'm excited that the new fire pit is up and functioning. I remember mowing that area with the thought of how nice this will be someday for a fire pit. Hahaha I like it.

This week was another crazy week and looking back I can't believe how long ago some of those days feel. So my comp was sick Tuesday which meant we were in the pension. She received a blessing and my testimony has never been so strong of the Power of the Priesthood. It's so real, I can't describe everything, but I've never felt the love and help from our Heavenly Father like that. It was an experience I don't think I'll ever forget. In having no where else to turn and hearing a member who hadn't given a blessing in English for a few years put his hands on her head and give her a blessing in such perfect English. And then to ask him about it after and find out that he didn't even know what some of those words were that came to his mind to say but he knew that he should say them. Amazing is all I have to say.

We also had a zone training meeting with Pres Salas. It was so good - he talked about how we need to be more effective teachers and missionaries. I learned a lot. Then we got to work with the Hnas in Nueva Cordoba and we had an awesome lesson with a new convert as she realized that she can keep repenting and that we renew our baptismal covenants every week with the sacrament. Then Thursday morning I was supposed to do some visa paper stuff in Cordoba which was kinda of a mess and we got driven around by this office Elder that drives like a crazy Argentine. But we made it around safely.

We've started teaching this girl called Danitza. She is way awesome. She shared experiences of how the holy ghost helped her before in her life so we talked about how she can have that always and she really wants to receive the gift of the holy ghost.

As far as the food department, I forgot to tell everyone else about the crazy locro that they eat. It's like a chili. Really good flavor, but they put cow stomach as the form of meat. So it tastes good, but the texture is interesting. We also found these really good little cheese cream puff things called chipas. Really yummy! My new favorite snack I think so.

That's awesome to hear about Naomi and the new baby. Oh and Congrats Ashley and Alisha!!! I'm so excited to be an aunt all over again. I hope you're feeling good Alisha and that the baby is growing healthy.

Well I think that's about all for this week. Take care!

Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Seven

Hola!

It was so great to call home yesterday. It sounds like the celebration of life will be a really nice way to remember grandpa. So the weird thing is I don't have much else to say, but I guess I can write for all those that weren't in the phone call. So the past week we went to do an intercambio with the Hnas in Neuva Cordoba and it was lots of fun. I went out with a new missionary Hna Richman and we survied. It was a miracle that I could understand the people enough to teach and lead a lesson with someone else who didn't know as much spanish. We taught a couple lessons together and she was great and shared her testimony a lot. Which, as a missionary, is the greatest tool we have. We also had interviews with the mission pres and I got to spend some time with Hna Salas, the presidents wife. It was great talking with her and hearing about how her mission blessed her life so much. We've also been seeing some great miracles, like finding an inactive member who has kids that aren't baptised. She is just so depressed and we are helping her remember the joy she felt from the gospel before. Also, way cool that we had stopped to drink some water and I was like 'I want to contact and share my testimony with someone'. And my comp asks where are we going and the door of the house were infront of opens and I say here. So I got to talk with this lady. In my mind, I was like 'Heavenly Father, I want to share this message' and bam right there. Loved it! I'm learning a lot about how to just be happy where I am. I love the mission and it's crazy that even on those long hard days I still find my self smiling and happy because I know my purpose deep down and I love every little miracle moment that God blesses me with. I love you all and hope all is well.


Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Six

Dear family and friends,

 

Well as for this week, it's been different because my comp has been sick which means lots of time in the pension apartment. But the amazing news is I've been able to read more from Jesus the Christ. It's an amazing book. I've been learning different things from it. Also I had the chance to go out and work with one of the members in the area. She was amazing. A little nervous at first, but then once she started testifying with me it was awesome. Plus, after when we got back to the pension she prepared chicken and potatoes for us to eat the next day. Such a blessing this week. I've found that the Lord is ever closer to me as I turn to Him for everything. I've needed a lot of direction this week and I've found the windows from heaven truly have been opened. I love this work and the opportunity to give everything I have to the Lord. Yes, at times that means it can be hard and challenging but I would give everything and more for my Savior.

 

I can't wait to talk with you all next week and I hope that my english is alright.  Love you all and pray for you always.

 

Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Five

Hola Familia!

I'm officially writing from the coldest place on earth. It's ridiculous. So last week it was super hot walking around in shirts and skirts and sweating and then two days later freezing cold. Okay so it's not 0 degrees or anything but it's really cold and the first night we didn't know how to work the heater in the house so I slept with my thermals, pjs, tshirt, sweater, 2 blankets and barely warm. It's something about these little brick houses they don't keep out the heat in the summer or the cold in the winter. But the good news is the heater is working and my winter jacket is coming in handy. I have no idea what I'm going to do when it's actually winter. It's only like 10 C here which isn't that cold, but the big difference is like the 80-90% humidity that just chills to the bone. So mom I might be using some extra money from the account to buy some sweaters, scarves and mitts. Well The first week with Hna Adair was really great we seem to be bonding over the challenges of the area. We've talked about this area a lot and even though we seem at a loss of what to do we both feel like there is someone here that needs us.

I love this work and I'm learning to love talking to the people. It doesn't scare me when I think of the love Heavenly Father has for them.

Well I love you all and hope everything is going great. Keep your heads up and know that God is blessing you everyday. Consider the lillies of the field. Love that song - and so true.

Bueno ciao,

Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Four

Thank you so much for the photos! It really was a week full of excitement for you guys. So happy that you could all go to the temple together. It's such an amazing place and I miss it so much.

Well the news about transfers, I'm still here in Oncativo and my new companion, who is actually an old companion Hna Adair that I was with in the MTC. She's the blonde one from Arizona. Which  means we have the exact same time in the mish, but hopefully her spanish is really good and together we can understand and teach these wonderful people. Last week was an adventure as we went to a different area to work with different Hermanas so that Hna Waters could visit her old areas. I got to work with Hna Fairbanks from Arizona and it was good. She has the same time in the mission as well and we actually survived together. It was great to meet new people in different areas and share the gospel. We also had fast in our area to help us find new people and so we had two sets of Elders and the Hnas from Nueva Cordoba so we did splits and went to work. And we realized just how deep the joy is of the mission. Even though the hard moments out number the good, the good moments out weigh the hard times. It's just this deep fulfilling joy that even if you don't baptize these people, you can see a difference the teachings of this gospel makes in their lives. I don't know if it's just because we listen to people and their lives, or if it's because we're missionaries, but people seem to bear their souls to us about their lives. And I just feel so much love for these people that are suffering from these problems and I want to help them so badly find Christ and feel of His peace. Like this one man we talked to on the street that just started crying because he had lost his wife a few years ago and what a blessing to offer peace and comfort to these people. To tell them that this world isn't the end it's just a step to something far greater.

This week we're going to go out hard and find the people that we are here to find. It's an act of faith everyday and I know I'm here for a reason. I can't really think of anything else too exciting happening. It's just missionary work as usual. I love you all so much and haven't forgotten about you I just have a huge stack of letters that need to find the post office. Take care, and know that my thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Love Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Three

Hola!!!!

Alright I can't believe another week has gone by the time is just flying. This is the last week of this transfer which means I'll be getting a new comp! Because this is her last transfer in the mission, which is always hard for both companions because we end up thinking about home a lot, but we're trying our hardest to fight it. Not that we don't like thinking about you guys, there's just a difference in thinking about you and how you give me strength to make it through those hard days and missing you so much I just want to be with you. It's a big difference.

So anyways, today and tomorrow we are traveling to different areas in the mission that Hna Waters worked in so she can say good bye to her converts. Which means right now, I'm actually in a different little city called Alma Fuerte which litteraly translates to 'strong soul' which sounds funny, but I kinda like it. Anyways then tomorrow we'll be working with some other Hnas in a different area Villa Independencia. So should be lots of fun getting to know people and working in different areas. Oh, and next week with transfers. I'm not sure what time I'll be emailing or if I'll be able to, but I hope so.

So this week was a week of growing and stretching. We've both been learning a lot at how to be better missionaries. We both read this amazing talk about the testifying and challenging missionary. What it talks about is how we need to testify so the spirit can touch their hearts then when we know the spirit is there invite them to follow the Savior and be baptized. Which I know sounds kinda crazy but really we're doing the Lords work and He knows who is prepared and who He wants in His church, therefore we just have to be bold and invite. It's a really interesting way to contact and teach, but I love it because we focus more on testifying to have the spirit touch the hearts so we can invite. Plus, we walk away knowing that the spirit was there with us. From this I shared a spiritual thought the other day at lunch with the family Abata Daga with the scriptures in Mosiah 18:9 or 10 about the baptismal covenant and how we are to be witnesses of Christ at all times. Then we went around and each person shared a one line testimony one truth they knew. Like I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and He personally suffered for my sins. So you go around the table and the spirit starts to fill the room as pure testimony in born and then I read 2 Nephi 33:1 about how the spirit carries the message unto the hearts. And how they can share short testimonies with the people they know to allow the spirit to touch their hearts. So likewise, I invite all of you to do this. During the week, pray for a chance to share a simple truth about the gospel with someone else. And give the Spirit an opportunity to touch their hearts. Because often the doctrine can be deep and mind boggling at first, but the spirit is pure and will touch their spirit.

I love this gospel. I love this opportunity to help the people in Oncativo. I know I'm in this town to find the 1. There is power in testimony no matter what language you speak, and when you testify, the spirit is there and it is a language that is understood by all. I love you all thank you so much for your prayers and love. I hope you have a wonderful time at the temple it is the house of God where we can feel His love and peace.

Con mucho amor,

Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-Two

Felic Pascua! (Happy Easter)

I hope you all had your wonderful fill of ham, turkey and easter eggs and that you took some time to remember why we celebrate this wonderful time of year. It's all about the Savior and what a blessing to have a Savior that lived, suffered, died and was resurrected for us. It was interesting to talk with the people and ask them why they celebrate the Pascua which most of them remembered the Savior but had no idea what it meant for them. So we had the wonderful chance to explain that because of the atonement we will all be resurrected and can be clean from our sins so we can return to our Heavenly Father forever. It's amazing! Just think about that - we can be together as families in the presence of God because of the Savior and his infinite love and atonement. It was such a blessing to share that with people. We even found a few people who said they didn't believe in God, but as we would talk it often turned out that they believed in God, they just didn't realize it. Of course there is a God that created us we didn't just come from nothing of course there is someone from whom we receive all miracles who gives us life everyday. And the greatest thing is looking someone in the eye and saying with out a doubt that I know my Savior lives and because He lives, we will too.

As far as Easter traditions they do here, they basically just spend time with the family and all the catholics have a tradition where they don't eat meat but fish is okay so they eat this weird canned fish with a cream sauce smells terrible and so happy the members don't follow that catholic tradition. We did eat with the members Sunday and it was a churipan - basically a sausage bbq. It was really good actually.

We've been working with Santiago, he's a new member and all of his family isn't members so we're working on helping him teach his family. It's great to see how excited he is to help and be a missionary. We've really taken a step back this week and are focusing more in working with the members and strengthening the branch. We're hoping to see a different sort of success as we all work together.

Well I hope everything is going good. My thoughts and prayers are always with you guys.

Lots of love!

Hna Potrie

Week Thirty-One

Hola,

CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!!!!! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I. It was a busy week with trying to invite people to conference and not knowing exactly how it was going to work because here in the little branch, they don't have a satellite to get the feed so the members all just watch it in their house if they have internet. Which is hard to invite investigators to. And on Saturday, we went to another little town like 45min away to watch it there in the chapel because they had a projector. Okay I'm doing a horrible job at explaining this. Rewind, Saturday we watched both session in Rio Segundo, which is like 40 min away and we thought we would have one investigator but she wouldn't answer her phone, and we couldn't find her in her house. Super bummed about that. Anyways, then Sunday morning we made plans to bring Micaela and her mom to the branch presidents house have lunch before at 12 and then watch the first session at 1, which was the plan till we turned up to Micaela's house and she told us that she didn't know because she was waiting for the father of her son to come pick him up. So we waited until 1 and yet he didn't show so we left and got to the presidents house late (I know, I missed my favorite Pres Uchtdorf) and we ate the lunch and watched. So after this we rushed off to the bus terminal to get to Cordoba because the presidents wife wasn't sure if we could watch the second session with her. So went to Cordoba for the second session in our stake center where they had a special room in english for the missionaries. So the sad news we had 0 investigators in conference but I really loved the talks and learned so much. I loved all the talk about how this gospel strengthens families. These men really are called to help guide and direct us in this world of craziness.

Alright, so other things of this week. Sadly it looks like we will not be teaching Juan anymore. We went by Wednesday and he wouldn't even open his gate he just said he didn't want us to come by anymore. We tried to explain and testify again but he just isn't ready right now. This is always something that is really hard in the mission. We grow to have so much love for these people and to see them change their minds is sad. I want so badly to bless him with the gospel of Jesus Christ but I have no idea what else we could have said. No matter what, it's always their choice and we have to respect that, but I don't like leaving them unless I feel like I did everything I could to help them. It's been a week of hard work but we truly feel like the Lord is preparing us and teaching us. He has sent us to Oncativo and we are here for a purpose.

The members here do feed us but it's rare to eat with them in their home. They just give us the food to go. Which kind of defeats the purpose of us wanting to talk with them get to know them and gain their trust and references. But they are still great. We are trying to work more with them every week, because they are the key to success. Yes, the members are the key to successful missionary work. When the missionaries come by you should expect them to share something spiritual and ask you for references. Prepare for this. Invite friends to eat in your house with them. Be involved. You know way more people then they do in that area help them out. They are called to teach and the members are to help find.

Well like usual I gotta run. Thank you for all your love and prayers and birthday wishes. Oh I totally forgot to tell about my birthday. I was in Cordoba to do some paper work for my visa so we had bbq chicken pizza and then the familia Sarmiento in Oncativo surprised me with cake and a bag of candy. Super great family love them.

Gotta run lots of love,
hna Potrie