April 19, 2014 - Week 27

Sat Apr 12. Today we slept at the oeste 5 house where weused to live. I slept on the ouch. We woke up at 5:30 toplay soccer. We had our studies and then slept for the firstwhile of our pday. Then we went to burger King but I feltabsolutely disgusting after. Then we emailed, went to getice cream, and hung out at the offices. We had to go to 3Cto get tickets. Then we met with the Salas family. Theywere super cool. Two ladies. Daughter and mom with acouple kids. It had been raining all day and we didnt havecoats or umbrellas. On our way there and home, the windwas blowing like crazy, with cold rain. The rain wasblowing so hard that we had branches and leaves hit uswhen we walked.

Sat Apr 13. Today was alright. We had a good dat atchurch and fast and testimony meeting. We had a meetingwith bishop for more people to visit and our follow up forlast weeks visits. I really like the bishop. We were givenpizza for lunch. Then we had to bring the financers to theoffices later. We looked up all the peoples names in theWard directory to see who is in our area and who is in theother area. Then we read and contacted ex investigatorsfrom the area book. This was all part of our giant planningsession. Then we came home and killed TONS ofcockroaches.

Mon Abr 14. Today was a pretty good day. We hadpersonal study, then went to the offices, I helped with thebolsas, and then I went to Disco to buy a computer mousewith Elder Brown. Then I went to Carrasco with Elder Brown to do a bunch of things for the offices and theSmiths. We brought home a ton of easter packages for allof the zone. We worked in the offices until President gothome from travels with his family. He told Elder Woods and I to come over. We helped him figure out the changeshe did, then we had dinner with President and Hermana Smith, as well as Jerry and all five of their daughters. Itwas super fun and we ate some great food. Then we saidbye to Audrey, then had our companionship study. Wewent to a FHE with the Betancour family, and we taughtthe restoration. It went really well. Smooth and they gavesome great input. Then we did the biggest bolsa run that Ihave been a part of. We took two cars and they wereFULL! It took two rounds and we got home at 11:30.

Tues Abr 15. Today was a pretty crazy secretary day. Wehad to run to 3C in the morning to buy tickets. ElderGutierrez was at the offices when we got back, and he hadto go to Paysandu, so we told him to go home and pack hisbags. We stayed at the district meeting for 10 minutewsand then we took Elder Gutierrez to catch his bus toPaysandu. We made it back for the last 30 min of districtmeeting. We were stuck in the offices because thefinancers had the car. We answered like 5 calls frommissionaries and house owners who were mad that theyhadnt been paid. Elder Larson came by, and he alwaysmakes my day. Great guy. He didnt have reembolsos, so he did his own because he was an ex financer. We had alesson later with the Salas family. We were really straightup about why count they go to church. We shared a storyfrom John 6 and it was really good. They were reallyreceptive and I hope they complete their promise to go tochurch this week! Then we picked up Elder Finlay and Elder Owen and took them to their new area which isOeste 10. Then we took the APs to their house. One otherthing is Hermana Aragao, who just recently came fromBrazil, just got bit by a dog. She was at the hospital, butbecause she is so new, her name wasnt on the list that thehospital had. I got a call from Hermana Fullmer askingwhat to do. I told her I would just have to talk to the ladyto let her know that Hermana Aragao is a part of ourmission. I was joking with Hermana Fullmer and tellingher that I didnt think I could talk to her. She ended upgiving me a pep talk that made me crack up. I talked to thelady at the hospital and it was no a big deal and HermanaAragao was able to get treated!

Wed Abr 16. Today was crazy. W eran from the offices, 3C, and other places. We picked up packages, had to getplaques twice, and went to the distribution center. We hadabsolutely nothing but junk for food today. We had cereal and cookies all day until 9pm. We had chicken that amember brought us. We had a lesson about focusing ongood things in life with the Varela family. We had aninteresting story. This is the holy week and people aretraveling everywhere. I tried to find a hotel for President,with no luck for an hour. He had let me know that heneeded a hotel during the busiest week of the year here,within 3 days. I was freaking out because I could not finda hotel. I found the last room of the hotel, when I calledthe 18th hotel in Colonia. I was so relieved to find it. It allended up well.

Thur Abr 17. Today was another crazy and stressful day.We worked in the offices until lunch, doing bus tickets andupdating calendars. President then called us and told us wewere going to have a meeting at 2. We scarfed downlunch, and then we drove to get the financers, and the APsworking in their areas. We were 40 minutes late.Hopefully this wont happen when I am senior comp. Thatis my goal anyways. In our meeting with President, hedropped the cane in a really nice way. He is really good atthat. We were having a Choque de Fuerza in our area,where all the missionaries go to our Ward and work for acouple hours. Unfortunately, we were with President andwe couldnt make it. We went to 3C and bought more tickets, gota ll the bolsas, and got denied trying to send asuitcase to an Elder that went home early because of hishealth. Then we had a quick study and went to a lessonwith the Salas family. We had a decent lesson, we justshared a scripture. Then we had to take the APs and twocorto plazos home. We got home at 11:30.

Fri Abr 18. Today was less stressful.

Week 26 - April 12, 2014

Spiritual Lessons and Conference Thoughts

I have been studying my study journal a lot that I have taken to meetings and otheractivities. I have a couple things I want to mention to you all.

1.

¿Qué es lo que tú deseas? What do you desire? We talked about this in Concilio. This is found in 1st Nephi I think around chapter 11. This is when theangel asked Nephi what he desired. At this moment in time,  Nephi wanted toknow the interpretation of the dream of the tree of life, that his father Lehi had.We thought a lot more about it and broke  it down.  Another statement was fromGeneral Conference when Russell M. Nelson said ´Where is our faith?´ Is ourfaith in celebrities, teams, people, or things? The other story is when OliverCowdery wanted to take his family the scriptures to show them how great and true it all was. Oliver asked the Lord and the Lord said no. The second time, hereceived the same answer. No. The last time, the Lord said yes, because of hispersistence. As we know, these scriptures are now lost because there were takenfrom him. The point of these stories is to teach that we need to desire goodthings, but not only that, we need to try and find out what the Lords desires are.If we can find out what the Lord wants, we can make them our desires. The goalis trying to make the Lords desires and our desires the same.

2.

See it. Own it. Solve it. Do it. This is one of the things that President Smith hastaught us, that he has written in his New York Times best selling book. When wehave problems, we need to see it. Whats the problem? Own it. What can I do totake control and do my best to change it. Solve it. Find the best way to solve theproblem. Do it. Do all in your power, do be able to do what you think should bedone.

3.

Jeffrey R. Holland. Saturday morning, I believe that Jeffrey R. Holland said asentence that was more powerful than anything else during general conference. He said, ´I am more certain that this church is true more than I know that I amstanding here in front of you today.´  

4.

Obedience. I have learned a lot about obedience in the mission. I honestly havea testimony about obedience. I have seen the difference of my energy the nextday. Even if I go to say my prayers at 10:32, two minutes late, I feel way moretired the next day. As a missionary, you are constantly thinking about goodthings and trying to help others. You can literally feel the spirit leave if it does. Ilove being able to be an example of Jesus Christ at ALL TIMES in EVERYTHING that we do. Robert D. Hales said that obeying and willinglyobeying are different. I have seen that a lot. We sometimes keep rules justbecause we know we should, but not because we really want to. Its cool to thinkabout that. Elder Hales also said that you lead by example. Obedience is taughtby example. I have definitely seen all the leaders in the mission do this. Just leadby example. I have learned a lot from Elder Bulloch, one of my ZLs in Colonia.Everything he did, was almost perfect. He always smiled. Walked with purpose.Always testified. Absolute stud. I also learned a lot from the APs while beinghere in the office. They have shown their fun and goofy sides with us too. Theyare always super fun to be around, but they never get out of control or forgettheir purpose. Great examples of humility too.

5.

Service. Elder Dieter F Uchtdorf said that there are UNLIMITED opportunitiesto serve. Isnt that crazy to think about? The natural man always wants to seekpride. The greatest leaders I have seen and met in the mission and in life, dothings selflessly. They dont worry about pride or the glory. They do it becauseits the right thing to do. Our savior was chosen to come to this world, and toldthe Father that the glory be thine. Another cool quote from President Uchtdorfwas ´will web e able tos ay we rolled up our sleeves and worked with all ourheart might mind and strength?´ There are UNLIMITED opportunities to serve, so there are NO EXCUSES. I think about boot camp in football off season. Weonly had three answers when coaches said something to us. Yes sir, no sir, or no excuse sir. I have tried to apply that with President Smith too. I try and alwaysdo the best that I can and do it fastest I can, with absolutely no excuses. Putothers interests before your own. I have had the chance to really practice that onthe mission. We have to really listen and think about what the people we serveneed. Last quote from President Uchtdorf is, ´Being a disciple of Christi s aneffort for once and for all.´

Other great quotes from General Conference:

•

Are you the same person wherever you are, whenever it may be?´- President Thomas S. Monson

•

NEEDED is the courage of men like Daniel, Nephi, Joseph Smith, and Abinidi (I forget how to spell that name in English). –President Thomas S. Monson

•

The apostles didnt quit after Jesus died; they worked hard becuase of theirtestimonies, and then they changed the world.  - Dieter F Uchtdorf

•

There are no endings, just everlasting beginnings. – Dieter F Uchtdorf

•

No great how your message is, you will still need consistant and persistantfollow up. – M Russell Ballard

•

I am a competitor and I will do my best, but I want my competitors to dotheir best too!

•

Bearing a load is an essential part of the plan of happiness. – David ABednar

•

Perhaps you may forget the kind words you say today, but the recipient maycherish those words for a lifetime. – President Thomas S. Monson

•

Of all the titles our Heavenly Father could use, he chose the name Father. –Boyd K. Packer

•

Always be ready to receive that gente tug from the Spirit. – L. Tom Perry

•

Obedience is a choice. – L. Tom Perry

•

Christs reign over death solved the human predicament. Now there are onlypersonal predicaments. – D. Todd Christofferson

Weekly Journaling:

Sat Abr 5. Today we woke up at 4:30 to go pick up the Elder who came down from Rivera. I got a phone call at 11:30 from Elder Arbon the night before letting me know we needed to go. We got there at 5, and waited for his bus until 6. Then we went top lay soccer. It was almost all the gringos with all the latinos, plus 2 gringos. It was sprinkling rain so it felt great. We worked as a team and once again beat the latinos, who are just skilled single man teams. Then we printed emails, got home to get clean, then we went to the offices and worked until conference started. I LOVED general conference! We watched it as North American missionaries in the offices. I took a bunch of notes and it was amazing how much I was able to learn and pick up. We wrote our families in between sessions. Then we confirmed the Elders flight home, and studied conference notes while Elder Woods did baptismal records.

Sun Abr 6. Today we woke up and took  the Elder to the airport. We came back to the offices and then we watched priesthood session of conference. I loved priesthood conference and felt like I got the answer to the question that I came into conference with. After that, we ate lunch and then reviewed precious talks. Then we watched the Sunday morning session. Then we snacked and chatted until the 2nd session. After the 2nd session, we talked with the members from the stake. I went back into the offices and found myself an email from my brother asking if I would fill out his Eagle scout recommendation. I almost cried when I read what he wrote to me. I told Elder Brown what happened and then a couple moments later, he turned around with tears in his eyes. He said he was thinking about his brother, who had given him his mentor pin when he got his Eagle. We both shared  a special Little moment, tears, and a hug. After I finished the recommendation, We had our weekly planning. We did that until it was time to go home.

Mon Apr 7. Today was pretty good and almost normal. We had our personal studies, then we picked up the APs, and drove to Presidents house. We had a meeting with President. The meeting was a lot of feedback from the last change and how we can do better next change. Hermana Smith set out things for us to make paninis. They were amazing sándwiches. We finished the meeting at 2 and then worked in the offices. We finished the meetings at 2 and then we worked in the offices. We had to do a lot of the bolsa prep because the Hatchs were learning and not super fast. We got the car washed, finished the bolsa prep, and headed to 3 cruces. We had to buy some tickets for special changes that President is doing tomorrow, and we happily enjoyed Milkshake Monday.

Tues Apr 8. Today is Calebs birthday! We woke up and went to Presidents hosue. We had two Brazilians come in today from the MTC. We got them from the airport with President, then took them to the mission home for a while. We left and took the 2 oros to 3C to stay and do divisions with some of the missionaries in our zone. We went out and got Elder Nuñez from Cerro, took him to his house in Oeste 10, let him pack, and drove to district meeting. We were only there for a Little bit, then we took the Brazilians to 3C so they could go to their areas. We worked in the offices until 5:30, and then we took Eklder Nuñez to 3C. He had to leave at 7:30 because we barely missed his bus, because of the traffic. We then stayed until 7:45 until Elder Gutierrez got there, then we all waited 30 more minutes until Elder Owen arrived. Then we took them to the Oeste 10 house so they can work there this week. Then we came home. Elder Woods started to cut my hair, then the Peruvian, Elder Sipan took over, with just scissors. The APs called us so we could go find them. I asked Elder Woods to go with Elder Santos da Silva but he wanted to sleep until I was done. He told me that the APs could wait. I wasnt too happy about that. Then I got out of the chair after Elder Sipan said he was done. I looked in the mirror and I almost wanted to cry at the first sight of the mohawk that I had. Literally a mohawk. I just decided to wash my hair, and then we went to pick up the APs. They had us stop at McDonalds because they were hungry, and we got to bed around 11:45.

Wed Apr 9. I woke up today and immediately cut my own hair so I would look alright. It does look better now. We had our personal study, and I restarted the BoM with a new scripture marking strategy. After the study, we went to take the APs to their area. Then we prepped things for our errands. First, we went to Asunción to pick up packages. Then we went to the aduana (customs) and got treated very poorly by this older lady. Then we went to get plaques and order some for ourselves. Then we went to pick up all the BoM orders at the distribution center. We literally filled Hermana Smiths car. Oh yeah, I have been driving Hermana Smiths car all day, because their family is coming in and they need the van. We finally ate lunch at 3:30, our first food for the day. Then we worked in the offices until 7:40 when we went to a birthday dinner for Elder Santos da Silva. We played a cool math game and ate tortas and cake. Then we took the APs back and got to bed at 11:30.

Thurs Apr 10. Today was pretty good. We had our preparación, we were about to start our studies, then the financers called us. We ended up going up to Carrasco to drop off mail and get more offices supplies. We worked in the offices until lunch. We went to a members house. He was older, super nice, and lunch wasnt bad. We worked in the offices until 5, I worked on hotels, flights, and reserving other things for the fieles and oros. Then we bought tickets and bolsas from 3C. Then we contacted some less active members and visited the familia Varela. We learned more about them and more why they dont go to church. Then we went to Cerro to get the APs, but they then told us they were in Flores, so we went home. I was in a great mood today!

Fri Apr 11. Today was pretty good! We studied, then we had BIZCOCHO VIERNES. Its a great start to the day. Bizcochos are awesome too. Yall are missing out in the states. I Then we worked in the offices. I am super ahead of the game with all my jobs. I work pretty hard and diligently now. I am already done with things I should start next week. We had milanesas from a member at lunch. Then we worked in the offices until 4, then we went to get plaques. Again, we went and got shut down because they hadnt done them. We come so often that they dont make us a priority, even if they say they will be done.  

Week 25 - April 5, 2014

Sat Mar 29. Today we woke up and played futbol. We printed emails and then had studies. We had breakfast then took naps. We had an asado with Claudio that was pretty good. We had Arroz con leche for dessert. We wrote emails, then ended pday early to go work. I did some stuff for Hermana Smith and then reserved hotels for president.

Sun Mar 30. Today was a new day of changes. We went to the 18th Ward for the first time. I really liked the bishop and how we start with sacrament meeting. We had lunch with the barrio 5 elders. We hung out until Elder Woods finally finished packing. Then we had our weekly planning. We worked in the offices until 9. Then we moved houses to barrio 18 with Elder Sipan from Peru and Elder Santos da Silva from Brazil.

Mon Mar 31. This morning started out roughhh. We had to go to the offices early. Elder Woods computer wouldnt turn on. We went to get Carrasco to get more gas in the car because the APs returned it to us with no gas. Then we worked until lunch. We called lunch 2 hours before to confirm, and we got a confirmation. We came by to eat, but no one answered the door. All the lights were off, and the door was locked with a combination lock. So we went back to the offices and ordered Chef Gusteau. We worked for a while, then we got a call from the family asking where we were. Apparently they were home the whole time but they didnt answer the door or the phone. We then got a call from President saying he was bringing a missionary to us that had a hernea that needed to be home within 48 hours. We set a flight up for him and then we did the bolsa run. HOME AT 10:30 BOOM!

Tues Apr 1. Today was pretty crazy. We did our studies in the offices while waiting for the Flores ZLs to come get their bolsa. They didnt show up, so we called them and ended up taking their bolsa to them. Then we ran to get biscochos for breakfast. We took the Cerro bolsa to Cerro, and I saw and talked to Elder Baggett and Elder Sanderson! We had lunch with the zone. We then worked in the offices until 4, then we took the Elder with a hernea to the airport. HWe worked in the offices until 7, then we studied and visited the Betancour family. We taught about prophets and general conference. It was so nice to work in the field again.

Wed. Abr 2. Today was pretty good. We had normal studies, worked for a bit in the offices, then we went to Carrasco to drop off a couple things. We had someone bring us luncgh of milanesas. We worked in the offices until 5. Then w eran to get plaques for the Binghams, but we had no luck. They still hadnt done the plaques after 2 weeks. We left to work at 7 and then finally got into a less active member home at 8. We found out the Gomez familys work keeps them from going to church. The daughter sered her mission as the same mission as Tyler Opfar will serve! After that, we came home, killed a bunch of cockroaches, and then went to sleep.

Thur Abr 3. Today was alright. We had our personal study, then we went to Carrasco to drop off mail. We worked in the offices until lunch, then we went to look for our lunch. After our milanesas, we kept working until a lesson at 3. Our lesson was alright but we taught a less active member that has no desire to go back to church. We bought colonias weekly tickets, then we went back to the offices and tried to get an Elder home to Paraguay by a bus through Brasil. We will have to get permission from area 70 first. Then we had language study, and then headed to a lesson with the Varelas. They talked super fast but they were super nice. The hermana offered to do our laundry too! Vamo arriba!

Fri Abr 4. Today was pretty good but we had to work a lot on the go. We dropped the car off to get serviced in the morning and then we walked a couple kilometers to our bus that we had to take back. The bus was about an hour long and it was really full. A bunch of nasty sweaty people. We worked in the offices for most of the day, had our companionship study, were about to walk out the door, then we got a phone call from President saying we had to get an Elder to Montevideo from Rivera and get him a plane for ASAP. We got that all done after a while.

Week 24 - March 29, 2014

Sat Mar 22. Today was a wonderful day! We had soccer w the APs in the morning. I had all my studies in Spanish after that! Its pretty cool that I can study in spanish now and get something out of it. Then we went to play soccer with the officinistas from the other mission. We had 3 teams of 4 and we won almost all of our games. Our team, made up of our missions office elders, did really well, considering none of us play soccer. After that, we went to buy office ties. Then we had lunch with Mary. I weighed 166 lbs. We emailed and hung out at the office until Ursulas baptism. Ursulas baptism went great. Joaquin, a friend of hers that is 17 baptized her. Ursula gave the most sincere testimony ever. I loved how the full room sang I know that my Redeemer lives. It was super powerful with some wet eyes. Then we did changes until 9:30 and then had a snack with the Binghams. I also found out Tyler Opfar will be serving in Argentina and speaking Spanish!!!!!!!!!!!

Sun Mar 23. Today was insane. We had our last day in church before moving areas. It went well. I was able to confirm Ursula as a member of the church and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a great experience that I know I wont ever forget. We worked on changes until we had a lesson at 6 wth Valkyria. She was awesome and we talked about sharing the gospel. She is 29, single, with a daughter. It seemed like she was our age though. She was super cool! She also told us that we are the first missionaries to visit her almost since her baptism, 9 years ago. After the lesson, we worked on changes until 2:00 am. YES in the morning. We went to sleep on the couches in the offices.

Mon Mar 24. At 6:30, SALTÈ de la cama! We got dressed, and went back to work on changes. I did that until 10, then I started working on the numbers. Numbers went very smooth and easy. I think it is because I am working to progress and better the excel sheets. We ordered pizza for lunch. I finished off changes and then at 4 we had to go pick up E Brewer. He had to go home because he is sick. After that, I worked with Elder Lamb. Since he is leaving to Cerro, we visited a bunch of families to take pictures. After that, E Woods and I went to 3 Cruces to buy tickets for the changes. I bought agencia central tickets while E Woods bought the Turil tickets. We knocked them all out in an hour. We finally got in bed just after 12.

Tues Mar 25. Today was ORO DAY. We got the new missionaries coming from the MTC. We got ready and went straight to the mission home. We bought office ties to weaar on the change days so that was super fun. We helped set up some things at the mission home, then we headed to the airport. My job at the airport was to take pictures of all the oros and get their contact information if we ever need to contact their parents. At 9:30, we got back to the mission home and took more pictures, and ate breakfast. We had eggs with Yiogurt and biscochos. We had to go back to 3C to make sure everyone was there and set. We worked in the offices until 8 and then we had mutual. We played vball. Then we dropped E lamb off at his house in Cerro, then we got back to 3C to help the ZLs. We got to bed around 11:30.

Wed. Mar 26. Today we got ready, dropped passports off at the mission home. Then we went to get E Brown from 3C. We stayed there for a while to help all the missionaries there. Then we took E Brown to Carrasco to meet to meet his comp. We went and dropped E Browns suitcases off at the offices and worked until 12. We went to lunch in carrasco, and then helped the oros get ready to go to 3C to get on their buses. After that, I worked on concilio for two hours. Then we bought colonia tickets. We came back to the offices, did the bolsa prep, and the bolsa run. We picked up E Teloma and E Almaral at 3C, we got home at 11:30.

Thur Mar 27. Today was pretty lame. We packed in the morning to go to our new house in 18 but we didnt get to go yet. I worked on organizing things for concilio until we went to buy tickets. After that, we worked in the offices all day. I did the updates from changes on a bunch off things, and then I worked on the planes for the missionaries going home this change.

Fri Mar 28. Today I got up, got ready, and went to concilio. Concilio is a meeting with all the zone leaders, sister training leaders, the APs, and some district leaders. We had breakfast, then a meeting about desires, the Lords desires, and working with members. We had meetings until lunch and dinner. After dinner, we just all talked for a while. Really, I absolutely loved concilio. All of the studs in the mission were there. Almost all of them are halfway done or more with their mission. I felt like a little kid here. President came up to me afterwards and thanked me for all my input and told me that I fit right in with all the rest of them. I loved getting to know all the people that I hear about all the time, and talk to over the phone all the time. It was super cool to be able to be there. I learned a lot too! I was happy to be able to go with Elder Brown too. After that, we got all the bolsas, and then went home. We fell asleep around 12 again. 

Dear Brother and Sister Cordy ,

Your son,  Elder Cordy , has been called to work in the Uruguay Montevideo West Mission Office.

Your son's call to serve in the mission office is an indication of his effectiveness as a missionary and his ability to take on new responsibilities.  Elder Cordy will have a variety of responsibilities in the office, including recording statistical information and assisting in other areas in the office.

Along with his duties as an office missionary he will continue to be responsible for finding and teaching, and being an effective missionary.  You can be proud of your missionary's strength and leadership.  These new responsibilities will help prepare him for future service in the church.

We love and appreciate your son and appreciate your sacrifice in sharing him with us.  Our desire is that all of our missionaries find joy in the Lord's service.

May the Lord continue to bless you.


President Thomas A. Smith
Uruguay Montevideo West Mission