This week was a pretty special one. I had an experience that I wanted to share with everyone. Me and my companion have been making a lot of changes in ourselves, as well as in the work. We love each other, and we have a lot of fun. Our work has been increasingly more productive. This last week we visited an old folks home. I had the chance to visit with a lady named Milka. Let me set up the situation a little better.

We received a referral from a member of a lady who owns this home. His mom is there with a pretty serious case of Alzheimer's. We have had a hard time contacted the lady so we decided just to go this day and accompany them a little bit knowing how good I felt after our youth group visited the home in Burns. As we walked in, they all smiled at us and received us so warmly. I sat next to a few young ladies...hah, that's how I greeted them anyways. They warmly welcomed me into the circle and we got along smashingly. Milka was the lady who really opened up, the others sort of zoned out into their happy places. Milka and I chatted for an hour about her family, my family, the church, her daughter who is a member in Montevideo, her other daughter who goes everyday to bathe, feed, and talk to her, and other varying topics. One topic that, oddly enough in this country, kept coming up was, marriage. She asked me at least 15 times if I was going to get married. That is another topic. I was worried maybe that we were wasting time, but I felt so content with my company that we endured a little more. Right as we were getting ready to take off her daughter came in and we had a little conversation with her. She told us that she loves the Liahona and reads each issues that comes to her sister in Montevideo. We asked if we could visit and she said that we would never find her. That she always works and it would never work out. I was pretty heart broken, but as we left she said, " Pero eso no quiere decir que en un tiempo no serè Mormòn." "That doesn't mean that I won't be a  Mormon someday." I hate those little leads that are so hard to pick up they are almost not worth it. But, I learned a lot from the experience. The Lord blesses us when we are diligent, persistent. I love the blessings that come so flowingly from the work when it is done correctly. I love the work.

That story definitely sounded a lot better in my journal, whatever.

Everything is going great. I'm going to write Dad next week. ´Til soon.

Elder Davies

Let's see, this week has been pretty average. We truly are in one of the longest down spans in the mission. We don't have anyone with a baptismal date, no one that is progressing, but we are making edifying changes. I know it. I know things are going to turn around. The ward is just pretty comfortable. No one has a lot of desire to step outside of their happy lil' lives and share a little of the blessings they have enjoyed. It is helping me tremendously in seeing how we, as members have an obligation to share what we have. A very specific call to open our mouths, and it helps me see the necessity that the church has as well. It is immense. It is necessary. Open your mouths!! You have more power in your testimony than you think.

Things with the comp are golden. He is a super good kid. We have a good time, too so it keeps the stress from having much of an impact. The mission is such a great learning time. Progression. Understanding. Developing. I don't know how to explain it exactly. Some days, I take a look back and I don't see the results I had hoped for, the strides I have expected in the area, whatever it is...I don't see it. But, I can't deny how much I, personally, have grown in every day. Something new is understood. Another desire changes with the perspective. I love it. I love the people. I don't have more to say than that. I love you all.

Know I am doing great. That I am the same me, only better. I hope and pray all is well.

Love,

Elder Davies

Scripture: Alma 29:9

Hey everyone,

We got transfer calls this week...I'm staying here! So, there isn't anything big to report on that. I'm staying with E' Lee. I'm excited for the challenges ahead. We continue to work more with the members and are seeing a difference that is pretty impressive. We contact and are developing relationships with some people that I can't believe I almost missed the chance to get to know. There really are good people down here. They take a little while to grow on you, but once they do, you can't help but love every last one of them haha. They are good people. This ward is interesting. I have a good feeling about this coming change.

Need...dangit. I had some things I would like to have, but I can't say that they are needs. I can't remember now what they are, anyways.

It is a relief to hear all is well back home. I worry a little bit at times.  I don't know what else to say. I've been sitting here a while trying to figure it out.

Here are some pics.

Love you,

Elder Davies

Hey

It has been a great week. The mission is making a lot of changes that are sending us to another level of success. We are spending the majority of our time visiting members and verifying with them about their friends and investigators. It is making things a lot faster and more efficient. I'm really impressed with the difference. The ward is more excited. They give us more support and show a new attitude towards us. It has made everything go so fast. This month was here and gone before I could realize it.

Short time today. Not much going on.

Love you all.

Elder Davies

I'm sorry there are days I don't write much. It's just...I feel like my words get pretty redundant. The days are all filled with a new chance to grow, something new to learn, a new experience that can change a guys view on life. I appreciate each one, but sometimes the weeks come and go without a significant event. At least, maybe not one I can share in a way to help everyone understand the significance for me. Sometimes they are significant, and not to be selfish...but, just for me. I want to share it all, send my thoughts home in a cardboard box, but it's not possible. At least, I don't think it is.

This week has been a little unreal. One of our Zone Leaders got pneumonia. They are in my district, and had a baptism this week. So, my comp had to go and chill in the hospital for 3 days with the sick one while we ditched our area and worked for them. It was the longest week of my life and they drained my emergency funds making us go to Montevideo 6 times. It was stressful, but I was like...secretary to the Zone Leaders for a week.

!!Ando Volando!! I had someone tell me I looked like a movie star, and another tell me that I was just another Uruguayo for my accent. I felt big. Then I woke up ;) Nah, it was an interesting week. I feel like I got to see another side of the Mission. I got to get a little bit of a wake up check and realize that we aren't super human. Everyone tells us their super missionary stories of when, extreme danger fell all around them and they walked away shaking their ties with a little swag, as the building collapsed behind. I started to believe we were indestructible. But, I realized it's not true. I haven't seen it. I've seen miracles, I see them everyday in the lives of many people. I do interviews now, so I see it even more often. I love this gospel. This church. The Savior. Life. The future I see building around me. It is on my mind. Bu, it is NOT a distraction. I just love you guys and can't wait to see you all, but all in it's due time. I love hearing all that everyone is doing. I try to imagine myself there. Seeing it. I send my best wishes as always to all. And my love. I wanted to send a special shout out to Blake. I am so stoked for him. I am ecstatic. I love him. He is doing the right thing. I have a letter on the way that says so. That's as good as scripture ;). Love,

Elder Davies

P.S. Tell Donald that I better see him in church when I get home. I would love to see that. 

Sounds like a lot of fun.

I just have some pics. We have been working hard with this family and it is finally paying off. We had stake conference this week, another leadership conference on Thursday, my 6th...still not a leader. ;) But, I definitely agree with the Pres, I've got a lot of work to do. I don't have a lot to say either. Just passing through the weeks, putting in my best effort in every little thing I can. We are still struggling in this area at finding people. Not a lot is happening.

I waxed my chest this morning....nobody else would but an Elder from Argentina bought the stuff. I couldn't let it go to waste. It hurt. It still does. Don't do it. Well, that was my 4th of July celebration. I made invitations and was going to buy meat for a barbeque that my house was putting on for the zone but the Pres wouldn't let us. So now...I am going to buy stuff and sing patriotic songs alone. Or maybe I'll be rebellious and go watch Uruguay play their first game of "La Copa America" which the US never qualifies for. I think I'll do that. I wanna celebrate somehow, I just wanted to cook some meat for the guys...I'm hurt haha.

I love you all. Talk to you later.

Here are some pics:

We were bored and our DL had balloons for his birthday.
by the way he went to...north fremont high school.

Baptism 1, 2 and the reactivated family as well as the food pics are with the fam we have been working with. the Suarez's.

The others are just of us screwing around..... I know.

Thanks Mom,

Let's see, this week has been pretty long. It is getting harder with Elder Mirabal. He is a great missionary, I just feel like I didn't try to push him as I maybe should have. I was more worried about him staying in the mission then helping him be the best he could be so, he lost a lot of the respect for the work. That sounds like we haven't done anything, we have. The ward loves us because we have helped them in many many ways...but, i don't feel exceptionally stellar about the work we are doing. I don't know, obviously there is something I need to learn. I'm still looking for it. It's all going great though. We still have baptisms planned and people progressing. I am starting to love this more and more. Uruguay, the people, and the miracles of the gospel. I have met a ton of people that have changed my life and I am sure that you and Dad are going to love. I just need to straighten myself out again.

Thanks. I'm looking and waiting for it all ;) Your letter should get there soon. Has it arrived?

Tell Lindy hi, and I'm not sure if she wrote me last or if I wrote her. I can't remember but I'll start another one just in case.

I don't know if you are there or if you have any questions...let me know.

Elder Davies

New news,

Tomorrow is change day, but with the new training program the President gave us, I already knew nothing would be changing. I'm going to be staying with E' Mirabal for another change. I'm excited. To end this change, we found and placed various baptismal dates with people whom I really see progressing. The ward loves us finally haha. I'm done sucking up. We have had a great time together and have finally found the way to focus at the same time and still enjoy every second. He is a great guy, just really hung up on his home. I know how he feels.

I know things are going to start getting so much better. It is interesting now in church...I feel like we are the nursery haha. The families all come into Sacrament Meeting and we usually search for less active members or investigators to sit by but seeing as we have gotten shafted the last few weeks by everyone who promised to come, we sit alone. But, not for long. Within the first 5 minutes our bench is filled with all the kids in the ward. It is nice. I enjoy every second of it. I don't have a lot to inform about the work since we haven't had an extreme amount for a while but in these next few weeks we'll all see a change. At least that is what we are praying for. We have reactivated a few families...the ward seems to have grown but I think it has a lot to do with a combined effort of everyone.

We had a conference with Elder Foster of the Seventy, this Friday. He helped me understand a lot. He didn't speak much spanish, and that is what he taught in, but somehow we always understand. He showed us some clips about how big everything is...the universe, galaxies and space and how in spite of all of it, our Heavenly Father knows every. single. one of us. By name.

That is my testimony today. He knows before we ask, what we need. He is just very patient. He is thoughtfully patient because he knows what will make us who he wants us to be. It is such a comfort to not only KNOW what he asks of us, but to be able to do it, every day and feel his presence. He loves us and if we can be satisfied with his trials in this life, he gives us exactly what is right and what we need. I know that. He has done it for me every day of the last 10 months. I have begged him to give me what I wanted, and he has always given what I needed. I love you, mom. dad. Keep smiling. I am 43% of the way done. ;) I didn't do the math. A guy who is going home soon did it for me haha.

Elder Davies

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.