Texas Gold

So its been a busy 2 weeks! It has felt like a lot longer than it has actually been but this is what has been going on!

So last week we went into Incarnacion on Sunday night, We stayed there with Elder Nelson who was there back in the Hernandarias days so we were able to catch up! Then comes Monday, we hit the beach, tried to play some volleyball on the super hot sand but that didn't really work out. We took some pictures and I got to hang out with Elder Herzog. That night stayed with Nelson again and we made Texas gold! We then had a wonderful Multi Zone Conference on Tuesday, Ended up staying there that night and then leaving on Wednesday late. But it was all really good.

One thing that we got to do was I was able to do Divisions with Elder Herzog! My old MTC companion. It was wonderful to see how far we have progressed since then. Having been 14 months since we had first worked together.

Then not much happened during the week, Saturday came around and we were able to teach English to Gabriela's kids again! It was a blast, we did the Alphabet and also some numbers.

This week so far!

So Sunday we had to leave quick, 12 we caught a buss to incarnacion again so that my companion could go to Iguazu Falls! So he left and I stayed with Elder Christiansen and the other Office elders in Posodas, Did a quick papers trip where I have finally received my DNI in Argentina saying that I am a temporary citizen there so getting across the border will be a lot easier! I then helped out around in the office for a bit then crossed back over into Paraguay, Waited a bit, until around 8pm when my companion got back! We then got sent to Elder Herzogs house where we made texas gold again! Even better this time haha..

Then we had a Zone meeting, There were some talks on Faith and how its a action word and not a passive word. We also played some games and ate a lot of sweets haha.

But this week has been going by super fast so far and its already Wednesday and then transfers are coming up a week exactly from now.. so we will see what happens!

MTV Cribs - Argentina Addition

Video Link

Paraguay

So this week was very interesting! We had transfers and now I'm all the way back in Paraguay! To be exact I'm actually in a small little Tranquilo town called Pilar. And in Pilar its pretty quiet, there are two small branches, one with a pair of sisters and the other with me and my companion!

My new companion is Elder Ramos, he is from Venezuela and this is his last transfer! He is the oldest of two with a younger sister who is 20, him being about 27 with his birthday coming up in 9 days!

The area that we have of Pilar is a bit horseshoe shaped having a river running through it. Its a lot of walking and hopefully we can get the bikes fixed back up so we can get to our things quickly! haha

Jumping back a few days and not having to have packed for a while I ended up packing till a weee 2 am and then off to the Terminal to do the trips and everything at 7 so a wee 4 maybe 5 hours of sleep then buses and the whole lot of traveling. AHah it was fun and when I crossed over into Paraguay i ran into Elder Herzog, my comp from the MTC! And I was going to be waiting there for a bit so we decided to go get lunch. My first lunch back in Paraguay was McDonald's! And how glorious a day it was. Got my shoes shined once again while I was in Paraguay, much like I did just a little over a year ago. It wasn't the same kid which was a bit depressing but none the less it was a funny reminder!

Church and visiting people during the week was fun, its always a rush to get to know new people and talk with them! I really enjoyed being able to get to know the new people. The branch president is actually a shoe worker so he happened to fix up my pair of shoes. I was actually just about to toss out. Then Sunday came around and was able to take up about 5 minutes of time talking for a bit. Based on the short talks that were given by the two younger speakers haha..

But that's been my week so far!

Quick Birthday Note

From: Colter Merrell <colter.merrell@myldsmail.net>
Date: July 29, 2015 at 8:51:55 AM MDT
To: angie merrell <angie_merrell@hotmail.com>
Subject: Update!

So alot has happened holy cow and at the same time we arent able to get to a computer in some time so here we go!

So, last week was pretty sweet. We had some amazing lessons but the best came on Sunday!

Saturday we went to a house with the intention of seeing if we will be visiting a couple and their daughter again. After struggling to get a message across we got to a close and Invited them to church where we received a no from the mom, an I don't know from the teenage girl, and an I'ss try from the dad. We then walked away knowing that we probably wouldn't be visiting them again.
We continued on our Saturday plan getting a few other lessons in. Sunday came, and we get to church about 5 minutes earlier but what happened blew me away. Already sitting in the chapel talking to one of the return missionaries was the father who had walked all the way from his house (about 45 minutes) to the church to get to know it. After sacrament we were not to sure what the next step would be so we explained the next class and invited him. He accepted and then again for the third hour of church. He has more of a closed personality so it was a bit difficult to see how he was taking everything but it ended good in my mind!

I would like to thank everyone for all of the birthday wishes that were sent! It means a lot that you took the time to send me a message.

I did get a very happy birthday! the next day we had a party with the district. (it was a party for one of the last p days the hermana Retana was having, but secretly in the back of my mind it was my b day party haha) And so we made hamburgers. french fries and also we made some awesome no bake cookie cake!! It was delicious! haha. It was a bit runny, we didnt boil for long enough so we ended up just eating it with a fork like oatmeal haha. But eaither way it was awesome!!

Later that day we got Elder Ah Quin and his companion E Campopiano and we went and played frisbee and threw the football around. We ended up playing some kids in soccer (and winning) and then after teaching them rugby, then playing some ultimate frisbee and some american football! It was a blast and I woke up sore the next day. I miss that feeling.

Thank you so much again. Sorry its short.  I forgot my notes of the week! I may have a update next week that's a bit more extensive! But thanks  alot!

Elder Merrell

July 13th Update

Week review! haha so this week has been crazy on all levels.

 So first thing that happened we were given some Liahona magazines so we could meet some of the members and know where their houses are. We had the wonderfull opportunity to meet a the Alvez family (totally forgot to get a picture with them!) The mom is a lawyer and the dad is a police officer, they have a daughter who knows English, and then two other little girls and a son. We had a wonderfull opportunity to have a family night with them in where we could share a bit about ammon and then we finished the night with some pizza. We are hoping to get them back to church.

 
We also had a family night activity thing with the familia Blanco, And we got to talk about HLJ (CTR) and it was tons of fun and afterwards we gave them all rings! (this we did take a picture of)

 

We got a chance to well..witness Argentina rain.. And its a bit texas like where it just shows up and its around for a bit then just dissapears with out a trace.. so yah. But i did get a chance to see some marble sized hail and some flooded streets!

 

So on the 12th (that just passed) Marks my year from home mark, so I have the count down now and no longer the count up haha. 

 

We were invited to a Seminary lunch thing, or well it started at 8 in the morning and went untill 3 that afternoon. we went and taught some hand sign versions of the 10 commandments.

 

And thats what has been going on!

So Long Elder Piriz

(Dad note here,  Interesting to see Colter's English skills in rapid decline :))


So this last week was very interesting to be with my companion. Having it be his last week here in the mission field, I was gifted with the opportunity to be able to witness touch and heart felt goodbyes and last touching messages in which he and the people we visited.

It started with many families but our intention every time was to just pass by and take/give them a picture.

But every time upon visiting we felt compelled to share a small scripture or a small message, but in the end it came to the point in which we were having 40 minute goodbye lessons. I have felt a lot of heart and love in these last few days with Elder Piriz. He has a huge heart and it was a very touching experience for me to be able to go and see it.

We took lots of pictures (which i would put here, if i had my camera with me) And  those pictures will come in the week to come.

My new companion is going to be Elder Gallini, he is from my original MTC group and it will be nice to catch up and see how he is going. We will be staying in the same area. And at this time I have been given the privilege of being the District Leader of a large large district. It will be interesting to be working with all of them and trying to plan for everyone.

(anything else, kind of ran out of stuff to say?)

Experiences

Some Experiences that I have had!

We were walking away from a lunch that we just had with members, chicken and spaghetti mmm... When we walked past a park, in the park there were two people in chairs, and one sitting up against a tree. There was also a father and his daughter on the swings, but we didnt end up talking to them. We did how ever get waved over, in the very south american fassion of palm down with the fingers doing wave over motion. Upon walking over to them, we realized they were umongst the ciesta drinkers..haha They had their box of wine and were eagerly drinking and pouring. The two in the chairs upon our arrive got up and walked off. We approached to the solo and pretty soon learned he wasn't interested. We also learned that they were smart enough to know that there have been changes in the bible and its not the same as they had when it was first written. So we managed to wrap the
BOM into our discussion and gave one to the girl that was there. And luckly, she had not been drinking!

We had an awesome opportunity to have Elder Balcaza (one of my ex companions) and his companion Elder Peterson over for divisions! I went with Elder Peterson and we had a fun conversation. We came across a kid who was having some drug problems and after a bit of talking we tried to get the bag, of drugs, from him by extending my hand, palm up, as for him to put the bag in my hand. After a good 30 seconds of thinking it over, I received a very nice fist bump..it was hard not to laugh. In the end we got the bag from him and he is now working on getting off of his stuff.

We also had a chance to do divisions with the Assistence, Elder Edenfield and Elder Winston, Me and Elder endenfield went and got lost for a bit, but ended up managing to get to where we needed to be..then got lost a second time, and found out way back..a second time...no big deal..We had a amazing lesson and then the second had to be cut short, so we shared a bit about the brother of Jared and the stones that he offered up to the Lord for him to touch. After talking a bit, the Sister we were sharing with gave her view on the story. Saying along the lines of the following.

We are the rocks, we must be clean, pure, with out blemish, transperent. We then must be ready and humble, waiting for the opportuninty for when God chooses to touch us and when he does we need to be ready to share our light that we are given. :D

Elder Merrell