Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Week Seventy-Seven

Hola,
 
So this week I learned that an old dog can learn new tricks. We got a new ward mission leader and he helped me understand that there is a better way to do some things. So as much as it's hard to change, I'm learning that an old missionary can change her ways. It's about helping the people come to their own conclusions about the gospel and that really, it makes the most sense to just live the gospel and recieve the blessings - but it has to come from them. We teach and they want to change. We worked with the Elders and I saw how it worked and it just clicked and I thought why didn't someone teach me this before. Bahhhhhh but I'm grateful for this time that I have to apply it and see the difference we can make here in Nueva Cordoba. It goes hand in hand with last week I was asking and looking for help of how to do the work in a different way and then this week the answer came. I love prayer and that God answers and blesses us. It's amazing. 
 
This week we worked more at getting to know the members so they can help us more in the work. We're really trying to start off on the right foot with the new bishop and help this ward. I love this time that I have to learn and grow in the gospel and as a person. It's really incredible how the Lord can help us over come the things that challenge us and how we can truly change. 
 
I hope you all have a wonderful week and remember Heavenly Father is always only a prayer away.
 
 
Love Hna Potrie

Week Seventy-Six

Hey,
 
Well this week we've had the amazing adventure of backpacking through Argentina. Okay, not really but I feel like all my camping skills have come in handy this week. Sunday morning we woke up and there was no power and as far as I know we still don't have power, which means we get our daily exercise going up and down 11 flights of stairs. Hahahahahah right. When we came back in the afternoon on Sunday to do studies we also didn't have water. Hahahaha so not light no water. Luckily we had some water in the fridge that was stored. And the miracle is it's been a lot cooler the last few days, so we we're okay. It just cracks me up. Who know all my camping skills of brushing your teeth with a little water and how to making popcorn over a gas flame would come in handy.
 
This week we got to work with another missionary, Hna Willson in our area. It was way good to have her help with our investigators. We found a couple of really great new investigators and are trying to help them receive a testimony from our Heavenly Father that the things we teach are true and about the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon - this week I was reading in Alma in the war chapters, and I know you might think 'weirdo, why would you like that?' Here's why. They used strategies and plans to protect their liberty and families. And I thought well maybe I need to just think of a different strategies to help our investigators keep their commitments, like come to church. Or how someone the other day pointed out that Nephi, when the first few plans didn't work to get the plates, he didn't give up, he just changed his strategy until he got it. And I imagine if it didn't work he would have tried again until He completed the will of the Lord. Sometimes it won't work out the first time but that doesn't mean we give up it means we try again with more prayer, and more faith. I know He will help us complete the tasks we have.
 
I love you all so much. If there's one thing I've learned it's just how much I love and appreciate all of you. You all mean so much to me and I know that the Lord is watching over you.
 
 
Con Amor Siempre, (with love always)
 
        Hna Potrie
 
 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Week Seventy-Five

Familia!!!!
 
Alright, so today we recieved transfers and it's official - my last 6 weeks of the mission I will be here in Nueva Cordoba finishing training Hna Rios. I'm excited to just give it everything I have till the end. It's surreal because right now we're working with people to be baptised in March and then the work I do will be a lot of planting seeds so that others can see the end result. I can't believe how the time goes. Oh well, this week we're going to find families. We're looking for the families that the Lord has prepared here. Natalia is doing great. She is so sweet and wants to change her life. Her little girl Uma is so cute. I just eat her to pieces everytime we are there. We really just need to help her come to church. The ward had some exciting news here. They got a new bishop. So it'll be interesting to work with a new bishop. I'm excited and know it'll will bring great changes.
 
This week we went out and did visiting teaching. It was so great to go and work with the Hna Maria. She is such a great example she is really trying to help her family. I talked with her as we walked about the importance of her example and if she wants her family to be eternal and her children to change she needs to be the best example she can. She is amazing. I respect her for everything that she has changed and overcome in her life.
 
With Roxanna, we are still doing all that we can to help her. I think I've learned alot about how blessed we are and how often we take advantage of the basic things. I know that the Lord will bless her and take care of her if she will keep turning to Him and put Him first in her life.
 
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Love you all so much and thank you for everything!
 
Love Hna Potrie
 

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Week Seventy-Four!

Hola!

The time is really just flying by. I can't  believe it. This week we were running all over the place trying to help Roxana and her family find a new place to live. We still couldn't get them to church but this week hopefully. We found a place really close to the church and I hope she accepts it, but we're still waiting to see. We also found a new lady, Natalia. She has twins and a baby girl and a single mom. We taught her and she has such a desire to be baptized. We've also been working a lot with the members and trying to all get on the same page in how can we help them. Or really how we can help each other achieve the work of God.

As a mission we are focusing on the families and so I started studying the Book of Mormon, looking for scriptures to help the family. I love one in 1 Nephi 8: 36-37 It talks about Lehi teaching his children and desiring to help them. We are sharing it with the members and asking them to pray for a family that they can invite to listen to this message. We'll see how it goes.

There was also a crazy hail storm again with hail the size of eggs almost and they weren't round so they were a little dangerous but don't worry we were in the apartment when it happened.

I hope everything is going well with all of you. I think of you and pray for you always.


Love Hna Potrie