Pictures from Elder Davies' birthday:

Pretty slim week on the computer. I guess everyone took a break the same week haha. Mom, you have got to coordinate that a little better. I got one from Jeff. Tell him the made me pretty content to hear his experience. He has grown up. I didn't believe he typed half the things he said but...then I remembered that he is 14 now...I can't believe it, but I guess I have to. I miss everyone. I have thought about you all individually this week for some reason and where you must be at, what you must be doing, I am proud to be a Davies. A member of such a special family. I realized last night as I talked to the President over the phone how short a mission is. When he told me that with the time I had in the mission he expected more from me...I had a little reality check. I'm not being bad. I promise. I am being a good boy ;) I just was lacking a little bit in...obligating my comp to do his part. I guess it isn't so much an obligation, but what President said helped me understand. He said that my comp voluntarily came. He voluntarily filled out his papers and left his house and agreed to follow these rules. It isn't obligation to remind him haha. So, we are going to get better and enjoy the time...better. I have learned to enjoy it more when I am accomplishing something. 

I'm going to work on the video the rest of my time, I hope it gets through.

Mom, I hope you didn't send the last package yet...I need jelly belly jelly beans. the nasty flavors and the good ones. Also...it would be cool if you sent me like...20 dollar bills. that is 20 dollars in the form of 1 dollar bills. everyone asks me if I have gringo money. If you sent it...don't even worry about it. 

love you.

elder davies.  

Memorial Weekend

Thank you for the update, mom. Sounds like everything is going great. Everything is...trying to workout ok here, here. We are working a lot in many ways that I have never had to do yet. We visit less actives, members, anything we can get our hands on with the hope that a baptism will come out of somewhere. It definitely isn't a neighborhood for the traditional missionary work. We have had to be creative, I don't want to use the word but maybe we come across as a little...desperate to the members. JK. It's not to that extreme but we are working hard in a different way. I am tired because I didn't fully appreciate the warnings from others as they told me that an oro doesn't do much...I appreciate it now. He is an excellent Elder. But it seems that I have forgotten how long it took me to develop the desire that I have now, and all the times I had to trip and get lifted up by someone else. I guess your whole life is kinda like that, huh...you learn something, and the things you passed to overcome it only stick so long, and then you see someone doing the same and you look down on them for how they handle it instead of lifting them up a little bit. Maybe that is just me. Maybe I'm just horrible haha. I love him though. He has grown on me. Here are a couple of pics. Love you guys.

Elder Davies

Tell Erik Happy Birthday for me. And that I love him. I'm working on the letter. Yes, the little package you sent got here. Thank you. I'll be sending your letter in the box tomorrow. I hope everyone is doing great. The work here is pretty killer and even worse because my oro, greenie, whatever is testing all his limits and I don't know what to do because the other Argentino in the house has more time in the mish than I and is a really different example....I don't know how to say it nice...he's a distraction. It has gotten hard. We can't see the blessings without doing our part and at this point...we aren't doing it. I am trying...probably not as well as I should but I am trying. 

The conference with the leaders was outstanding. I am learning a lot about myself and more about the works of God in the earth. I get to see people receive obvious signs and elect to ignore them and it hurts. I fall in love with the people and when they fall it brings me down, but as the scriptures say if we aren't complying with God he can't bless us. I hope my comp learns. I hope I learn a little more. I always try to look inward to see what is wrong first and doing that makes it much easier to realize the trials from the lessons...every trial is a lesson. Life is short. Time doesn't really take a break for anyone. Enjoy every second you have but make sure the enjoyment is real. The time is flying for me. It isn't really fair for all those I hear from that have passed through and say it seems like forever because it feels like yesterday for me. I love you guys and I am working my hardest to become the best I can for you all. I promise I'll come home the same...only better ;) I love you all.

Elder Davies

Alright,

This has been an interesting couple of weeks.  Me and my comp baptized a guy of about 30. My comp did the honor and he did it swimmingly. I've got a pic to send in a sec. Thank you, mom.  I don't know really what you can send me, they sell everything I need here. Thank you.

More than anything I just need to get gloves, some sweaters and other small stuff like a hat, new backpack, sunglasses, skater shoes, a motorcycle. you know?  hahaha

Just keep fighting on. We are. The house isn't the best influence but our district leader and I have become pretty good friends and he has taken a pretty good stand. We are gonna get a little better it is just that our comps are both Argentinos and...yeah. They are just a little distracted all the time. I got invited to the leadership conference again this Thursday so are comps are going to be working together all day...we'll see. I just hope they try to stay out of jail haha. jk. They are good guys.

I love you all. Stay safe. Keep working hard and give all you have to what you know is right and...that's all He asks.

Elder Davies

This week has been a huge learning week. Just like the entire change. My comp, Elder Avalos from Chile, is a great missionary. When he came, he had baptized for 8 weeks straight without missing. We had planned to continue that when he showed up. We missed one week but followed up with 4 straight. Then we missed the last 2.

The potentials for those two days are so ready...one just felt pressured by a member. He had to quit smoking and he did it!! But this member was pretty forward and he opted out until he decided. This means it's probably a lack of something more. I know he is going to make it. He is 20 and after all he has been through it is the blessing that could make his life more of an opportunity than a suffering.

After him, we had a gentleman, hah, Ramon who is ready. He is 50-60 yrs old, I'm not sure, and has opened up in a way that I have never seen before. He loves us! He couldn't come to church the planned week of his baptism because there was basically a small tropical storm and he is super sick already so...we had to put it off but someday. Unfortunately, I won't get to see it because we got transfers today...

I'm going to a new area...TRAINING! That means we are white-washing an area. Two are leaving and two are replacing them...those two replacing them are me and my greenie. And...the area I am going to is one of the hardest. Nice. But, just as Carlos in these last few days, helping him see life as a blessing more than a trial, has helped me see trials as opportunities.

I'm praying for you, Mom and Dad. God won't give you anything you can't do.

Love you,

Elder Davies

Oh, my new area is Las Piedras, it's a little north of Montevideo. Basically connected.

Happy Easter!

What a week...haha. I wish I could say mine had been more eventful. I
love reading about everyone. Keeps me a little sane even though I
guess the worlds measure of sane doesn't necessarily match up with the
Lord's. I am getting lost in this lifestyle and I can't say I would
change it. I feel more alive. More excited and more motivated than
ever before. And none of it seems to be for my benefit...but it is
absolutely, without a doubt, completely for my benefit. I am growing,
but more importantly I am seeing others grow and change. I love this
work. I love this life. I love the blessings of the gospel especially
as a missionary. I love you guys. Stay strong. Keep living to your
greatest potential. Give your heart to your calling, mom. What would
Jesus do? ;)  I know it will all work out. Keep the hope and faith and it will all work out for the best.

Chau
Elder Davies

Dallen's Birthday

Hey all,

Elder Davies turns 20 on Monday, April 18.   I am going to send him a birthday email tonite to be waiting for him on Monday.   If you send me a birthday wish, I will forward it on to him or if you have an extra minute, it doesn't have to be long, send him a quick birthday wish yourself so that he can feel special and remembered.  Send an email to urumontemission@gmail.com  and the mission office will print it out , put it in an envelope, and deliver it to him quicker than 3 weeks regular mail...usually within a day or two.

Thanks for helping to support Dallen even if only in your prayers...he does feel it!

Elaine

It is amazing to see the progress in peoples lives. Mateo is a super good kid. His mom is inactive and he is fulfilling his calling and more without her hah. I love him.

I can't wait to take part in these occurrences again (family reunion). It sounds like it was an experience that was very special for everyone. Make sure they know I love them.

I have been super blessed over here. I don't know who is praying over there, but it is making my life a lot easier over here. We are seeing miracles...even with the mass I am seeing in the lives in others, I am seeing more in my own life. The gospel is fascinating. The more I learn the more I grow and understand and the easier it is to see my purpose. Study it. Love it. Live it.

Thank you for the money...I will use it wisely. I think.

About the tie. Yeah, I got it. I love it. I wear it with my suit in all my interviews. The name on the package rang a bell but unfortunately in my excitement when I received the tie, I threw away the package and the address. If you could get that to me I would love to send them a letter or something. Who are they??

Gotta go...but I love you guys.

Elder Davies

What a great week. Great notifications from the fam, great spirit in General Conference, and 2 baptisms planned every week of April. I am being blessed more than I can express. I don't want to admit that maybe I have worked with a little more zeal because I wanted to give myself a good birthday gift but...stuff happens. ;) I have come across some great people in the last few weeks who have blessed me in more ways that I can wish to have blessed them.

I was a little down during the conference, it was very family based. I'm not with mine, but as I thought back on you, I was more excited than ever with the thoughts of all the blessings and love in my own family. I have been extremely touched in the last few weeks about the importance of the family in the church. IT IS EVERYTHING. I know now, without any doubt that if everything is being done in the home that should be done to strengthen, guide, cultivate love and security in the family, life will be a complete blessing and the suffering will be but a blink in time.

I love the gospel. I love you all. I pray for you always and send my wishes and blessings.

Elder Davies.