Wednesday, March 18, 2015 -Jeffrey R. Holland, Temple Trip, and the Work of the Lord.... Full Week and a Half!!!

To start off, I would like to thank the Relief Society in the ward that sent me some valentine's cards! They were awesome! I really appreciated them! Also to all the other cards that I got this week. I always read them! And they are always appreciated! So thank you! :)

You are going to have to forgive me.... It's been a week and a half, and lots of stuff has happened.... I don't know if I will be able to remember every little detail, but I will go over the big stuff!

To start, Elder Millward and I have set up two more baptismal dates! One with a young man we are teaching, named Bryli, and the other one is Francisco!! That is right, Francisco told us he feels like he is ready and he will try everything he can to be baptized! They are both set up for the 11th of April! The work is still pushing forward here! We also found a golden investigator, named Flora, this last week. She has read all about the restoration and already has a book of mormon and she really likes our message! She lives alone with her kids, and she really has interest in knowing if the church is true!

On Saturday there was a baptism for the other two Elders in our house, of a young girl called Genesis. It's nice to see that the whole District is having success!!! :)

Now, onto the part that I know lots want to hear.... On Thursday, bright and early, we left to San Geronimo to listen to Jeffrey R. Holland! I had to go early because I was part of the missionary choir. We did a quick practice before he showed up. I got to sit in the front row ( a little perk of being in the choir ). I liked to call it the spitzone, it's like the splash zone in SeaWorld, just better. haha Anyways, it was amazing. As he walked in we all stood up and it was silent. I was thinking "Is this real? Could this be happening?" So crazy! Remember, everyone in our entire mission was there. Thats 236 or so missionaries! It's the first time in our mission's history that all missionaries have been in the same spot! It was amazing!!! As Elder Holland sat down, the meeting began. We sang a hymn and then prayed, and after the prayer, President Nuckols announced that after the missionary choir sings, Jeffrey R. Holland would take over. So we all got up, and we got to sing in front of Jeffrey R. Holland. Wow. Just wow. I have sent a video of what we sang, but we did it a million times better in front of Elder Holland. When we finished, our President turned around in his seat and mouthed "wow." and gave us a big thumbs up. Jeffrey R. Holland also turned around with tears in his eyes and smiled at us. What a feeling. We all sat down in the spitzone to listen to Elder Holland. He got up and the first thing he said in the pulpit was, "That was the best missionary choir I have ever heard in my entire life.... and I've been doing this a long time." Those words will forever remain in my memory. What an honor and a statement. I kinda melted at that point. Then he personally asked to shake every missionaries hand, so one by one we all got up to shake his hand. He looked me in the eye when I got to him and said, "Hi Elder, what is your name?" I stated my name and told him I was from Riverton Utah and he smiled and said "It's a great honor to meet you. Welcome." Something so short, yet so sincere.... Wow... after we all shook his hand he began his talk, but he walked through us as he spoke, he wasn't at the pulpit, he was in the aisles and right in our faces. Many times he literally was at my side. He hit some amazing points. I'll write down some of the things he said but his main topics was the mission and the Book of Mormon.

The first thing he said is that "you don't have that right to defile the name missionary!" he also later said "if you plan on going home, being the same person as when you were when you left, you can't. When you signed the paper and sent it back to President Monson, that was you signing to the fact that you won't be the same. You can't be the same. The mission is real life, don't say you want to go back to real life. THIS IS REAL LIFE." He spoke with great power and told us he wants us to realize how important the Book of Mormon is. He asked if we realized that the Book of Mormon is a sign, and that like it says in Revelations 14:6-7 is talking about Moroni coming to Joseph Smith and giving him the restored gospel in a book. That was a sign! Then he asked why we thought we put Moroni on the temples and not Jesus? It's because Moroni was the sign of the restoration of the church! He put so much emphasis on stuff I had never even thought about before, it was amazing. Then he explained how Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, but the Book of Mormon is the keystone. We need both. They work hand in hand. Jesus works, and the Book of Mormon secures. It was beautiful how he worded it. He brought up that he has read the Book of Mormon more than 100 times, and every time he does, he starts with a new clean book, marks it up with a certain principle, for example repentance, and when he finishes he gives it away to someone. That struck my President so much that as a mission we have a goal of reading the Book of Mormon in 100 days, marking a certain principle and then after finishing, giving it away to someone. It was a really neat idea, and I have already started! :) Also, he told us we are all apostles, with a lower case a. That is what we are called to be, because an apostle testifies of Christ. Then he said a joke that he was a capital a Apostle because he has keys that we don't have and he told us not to write our families saying "Mom, Dad, Jeffrey R. Holland called me as an Apostle!" because that would be bad. hahahaha! :) He is actually a really funny guy. He made lots of jokes. Maybe that is why he is one of my favorite apostles? Makes jokes, but he is still very serious. Anyways, Jeffrey R. Holland kept explaining many things, but he always tied it to his testimony, that he knew the church has to be true. It also gave me a reassurance.... I know this church is true. I can't deny it. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on the earth. That I know. I can't and I won't deny that. Ever. As Elder Holland finished his talk and we ended in prayer, he walked away, but he blew a big kiss to us and said in a loud firm voice, "Work hard." I have never felt a real love quitel like he gave us in that moment. It was a love that was directly from God that was coming through him. It's like the love I feel when I am with my family, so sincere and perfect. I will never forget it.

The last big thing was going to the temple today. Wow, it is amazing to me to see how many new things I learn every time I go. And what a big blessing to be in the House of the Lord. I wish I could go more. I'm going to spend a lot of time in the temple when I go home. I love it so much! :)

This week has been amazing. As you can tell, my faith is full, and I love the work! Man is the mission amazing. I bear testimony that this Church is true. That God loves all of us and is guiding us down the path to eternal life. I also testify without a doubt that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and the most correct book on the earth. It is a sign of God's true church on earth, and it is the way that we can have the fulness of the gospel. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. :)

I love you all and I miss you all. I am praying for you! :)

Con amor, 

Elder Weiss :)

From my (Heather) personal email from Parker: 

I will write a lot about Jeffrey R Holland in the big email. I took great notes, but let me just say, that man has such a testimony. WOW. I swear, after I heard him, I lost all my faith... because faith is something that you believe on... I don't believe anymore about the mission or anything like that... I KNOW. My faith left and it was replaced with the solid fact that I know these things are true. I've known it my whole life. I mean wow, the church is true and the mission is perfect and WOW. I am so glad he came. I already knew all of this before, but his little talk he did with us just pulled out that little chance of "maybe..." and replaced it with "It is true." Wow... I will explain more in the big email!

Mother's Note: This email chat was on Jonah's (Parker's lil' bro's) birthday and he wrote to Jonah personally and talked to him about getting the Priesthood and how special that is and wished him a Happy Birthday.   

I shared with Parker about the comment he made that Elder Holland said that was the best men's choir he's heard, and that I know he heard David Archuleta in the MTC choir before David's mission, so that means Parker sings better than David Archuleta by default. hahaha  Parker said David is a better singer though. :)

I took these pictures just for Jonah,
 its my "tight white pants song" pictures. (From Jimmy Fallon) Also, the jacket I am wearing was a built from
 scratch Jacket I made. What can I say... I love jackets... haha

I forgot to mention, Elder Millward and I got a text
 from our President this week. It definitely made me feel good!

Some friends from our Jeffrey R. Holland conference! Including Elder Haag, and old comp, and Elder Schoenfeld from my group! As well as some other awesome Elders!

Sorry, they wouldn't let us take pictures of Jeffrey R. Holland! haha

Funny Story about my phone...

These are pictures of the night where I accidentally dropped my phone in a small alleyway between our house and the neighbor's house. The alleyway is no bigger than my fingers in width........ Took us two hours to fish it out.... 

including a makeshift pole and all sorts of wacky stuff. But we did get it, and although it was nasty, it is clean and still functioning! haha

Here are some pictures of streets we walk down all the time.

Elder Hope and I at the Temple once again!

Monday, March 9, 2015 "Maybe the best week of my Mission."

M.O.M, D.A.D, Y.O.U. A.R.E. A.W.E.S.O.M.E.

Hey everyone! Hope everyone is doing well! 

The subject line, although true in every aspect, has a deeper meaning to it. Although, lets not forget that my mom and dad and the rest of my family are super awesome. Haha... But its an abbreviation for something:

"Month On Month, Day After Day, Years Of Undeniable And Remarkable Energy, And Wonderful Experiences. Solely On Missions. Exceptional."

Okay, so it wasn't that cool... but you get the point. :)

This week may be the best week of my mission. I am not sure, but it was amazing. I am going to skip some regular stuff, such as a couple of appointments and other little things throughout the week. 

Wednesday morning Elder Millward and I got to go to a wedding!!!!!!!!! It was for Yeni and Nicolas!!!!!! Yes! They finally got married! It was remarkable! I took a video and got tons of photos! Those are soon to come. But it went beautifully! 

Friday night we were preparing Yoel, Yeni and Nicolas for their baptism the next day. Also, I've had some sort of thing in my throat since Barahona. Like a whole year. I didn't know what it was, so I went to a member's dentist office to see if she could help me. Well, let's just say I had a little surgery.... She went way into my throat to get this thing out. She said it was some sort of build up that is common and happens to everyone, just because I haven't been to a dentist in a while to get it out. She got it out in like 5 minutes and all is well. It was just annoying because I could feel it in my throat, but it never hurt. Well now it is gone! :)

Saturday was the most beautiful day ever. 6 o'clock hit quickly, and everyone showed up for the baptism. It was a white night, there were so many people dressed in white to baptize. We had a member that was going to baptize Yoel, Elder Millward was going to baptize Nicolas, I was going to baptize Yeni, and another member was going to baptize a little girl that was going to be a ward baptism. So we had tons of people in white! Funny thing though, I couldn't find my white pants, so I had to steal some from the church's lost and found, and man were they tight around the waist. I couldn't do them up! hahah So ya, anyways, after a long long wait, Yeni and Nicolas were finally baptized on Saturday! My first full family in the mission to be baptized! And, Yoel, who will be going on a mission in a couple of years was also baptized!!! What a true blessing. I have never felt so happy in my life. Doctrine And Covenants isn't kidding when it says how great show be your joy if you bring one soul unto me. Yeni and Nicolas have been so patient as well. They really understood the baptism, and it was very hard not to cry as I looked at them afterwards and said, "guys, its done. You made it." They will be strong members forever, as well as Yoel, and I can't help but look at them now and see them in the future, heading to the temple, to be sealed together for time and all eternity. A whole generation will follow them. :) I am happy happy happy. :)  Now, throughout the whole week, I have been telling people that it is my time to leave. Six months here, I started taking pictures with everyone and saying goodbye. Well, when we got back home, we waited for the transfer calls. We got them and the news is.... ME QUEDO. Or in English, I am staying!!!!! I couldn't believe it! I will be staying here to work another transfer with Elder Millward! The President wrote us saying we are doing such a good job, he couldn't separate us! haha So that is that! It's going to be a couple awkward days saying hello again to people that thought I was leaving, but I am more than happy to stay and continue working! Looks like the Lord has other plans for me! So I will be staying until about the 18th of April here. WOW! We'll be working hard, and I can't wait! So that is the news, I stay! :) I am still District Leader, and I am still loving it here! Only funny thing is I have a bunch of pictures of people... because I thought I was leaving, and now, I am not! Oh well, more pictures for me! :)

I know this church is true. It brings a happiness out of this world to be preaching the gospel and seeing children of God enter into the waters of Baptism. I love this work, and the people I am teaching I love even more. I know that this church is the true church of Christ here on the earth. We had a crazy man preach to us as we were on the street, telling us we are evil and making people fall away from God, and I still stand with even a stronger testimony that this Church is the true church. As I testified to him, I testify now that God loves all of His children, and for that reason, He sent Jesus Christ to suffer for us, like in John 3:16, and that because of that sufferage, Jesus is our Savior and the head of this beautiful and perfect church. Of this I testify in our Savior's name, Jesus Christ, amen. 

Love you all! :) You are all amazing! Just to let you know, I will be getting on next week on Wednesday due to the fact that we are going to the temple next Wednesday, so it switched our P-Day, but it will be great because that is Jonah's birthday!!!! :) Happy early birthday Jonah! I will tell you next week as well! :) Love you all!

Con amor,

Elder Weiss :)

Marriage of Nicholas and Yeni!!

Baptism of Yeni, Nicholas and Yoel

Mother's Note:  I had to ask how he lost his white pants. This was his reply:

No I know where my pants are mom! I sent them to go get re-tailored because they are too big around the waist for me now and the guy couldn't get them finished before the baptism. But it's okay, I am getting them tomorrow. I remembered where they are because he just called me to say that he finished them haha so I found them! I forgot I gave them to him. haha

I also asked Parker if he drew those doodles-(Pic. Below). Parker wrote:

I wish I drew those pictures! No, that is Elder Alvarez, that is his talent! But I am trying to learn and do stuff like that. But they are sweet! haha :)

I knew my Sister Alysha and her husband Ryan were going to send an email about their big announcement and told Parker to tell me when he "hears" any news so I know he knows...he wrote:

I hear that Alysha is pregnant!!!! WOW!

We're all excited for them!  We didn't get to chat much longer because he came online late due to power outages.

This Book of Mormon is in a language called Tagalog! I have no idea how it got in our church, but it was cool, so there is a couple pictures. (Filipino language). 

 The scripture is my favorite scripture, Mosiah 4:9. 

"A dog and I!"  (I told Parker it look's like Aunt Tracie's deceased dog Lenny and Parker said this dog's name is Lucie--pretty close.

"My throat surgery!!"
(I asked Parker about this because this was the 1st we had ever heard of any throat problems but he didn't answer me.)

Monday, March 2, 2015- Hay Mi Madre

Hey everyone! Sometimes, I wish I could write in Spanish. It would be so much easier for me. haha Well, just wanted to start off by saying thank you so much for all the support and love I have been getting! I've gotten a couple of letters and such and they have been  great and I definitely feel your love so thank you!!! And I love you all back! :)

This week has been a roller coaster. Ups and downs! I think I'll start with what happened with Francisco. Francisco as you know is getting really close to his baptismal date, and since we last had talked he had still been keeping all the commandments, and so on Tuesday we talked about if he has a true desire to follow Christ and be baptized. He said, "Well, I know I need to do it, and I feel ready. I accept to be baptized on the 7th." Let me just tell you how much love and happiness I felt in that very moment. It was indescribable. We left that appointment and I turned to Elder Millward and said "This is what the mission is all about, right there." It was a very happy moment for us, but as this being a weekend of Independence Day here in the DR, which was on Friday, we decided to set up the next appointment for Friday, to help him to stay away from temptations such as drinking and stuff. Here, Independence Day is called Carnival... it's basically a big party day. Lots of drunk people and crazy stuff. haha So on Friday we showed up to his house to see how everything was going, and Francisco let us know that he fell into temptation and had drank some beer. It was a really sad moment for us, especially knowing that his baptismal interview was the next day. We made the decision that he needs more time to prepare. But we let him know that it was just a step back and that it isn't the end. I'm sure with time he'll be able to do it. It's not my time that things happen, it's on the Lord's time.

As for Yeni and Nicolas, there were some problems in their paperwork (there really wasn't.. this country just wants more money) when we went to their marriage this week, so they set up another appointment for this week. So, now that all the paperwork is in order, they'll be getting baptized on Saturday! They have already passed their interviews, and they seem beyond excited, and us as missionaries are too! :)

We also have been teaching Yoel, and he is now ready for baptism. He'll also be getting baptized this Saturday, and he has passed his interview. For a 12 year old, he is really smart and he is already such good friends with almost all of the ward, so we are expecting to have an amazing Saturday. Baptizing a whole family and another child of God. :)

Funny side note, we saw a monk today. Dressed in the robes and everything, except he was in flip flops... and he was buying Burger King. It was really funny. I wanted a picture, but I respect him, so I didn't take one.

I made a Banana Bread with some members that have been helping us out big time in the missionary work this week. We almost always left with members this week, so I wanted to do something to thank them. Pictures to come. 

On Sunday I had a beautiful opportunity to pass the sacrament. We were trying to show the younger kids that we should have reverence for Sunday, so the Elders were asked to pass the sacrament. Wow, it has been a while. I love the priesthood that I hold to be worthy to do sacred ordinances and help others renew sacred covenants. Wow the priesthood is amazing. Only the true church of God has it. Not even some of the wealthiest people in the world can do what we can with the priesthood we hold. The Lord entrusts us men with a big power, but with power comes responsibility. 

This week I have really been focused on the attribute of Christ: Listening. I'm really trying to listen to everyone and to all of the opinions before putting in my own. I've noticed it helps things have a better end result if I don't jump right to my own conclusions, but actually listen to figure out what others need, and not just what I want. It has helped tons and I am so thankful that we have these guidelines that Jesus himself taught us, so that we can become more like Him.

Transfer calls are coming up this Saturday, and I feel like my time here in Buenos Aires is coming to a close... I have been here for six months! Wow, can you believe it? It has been such a beautiful time. Who knows what will happen, but with all faith in the Lord, I know what happens is what needs to be done. 

I love you all. I am proud of you all for the decisions that you are making to keep following Christ. Now here is a question for all of you: What are you willing to do to make your faith in Christ grow this week? :) I am grateful for the love and support I receive and I am praying and hoping that all of you are receiving the blessings that the Lord has for you.

Con amor,

Elder Weiss :) 

Mother's note: I've been keeping Parker updated on my own scripture reading and this was his reply to my mentioning how I read that we wouldn't have known about the prophets Zenos, Zenock and Neum if we didn't have the BOM and how many other books we have lost. Here's his reply...

I think it is so crazy what you learned by reading the Book of Mormon... why? that's what I learned this week too! So weird how that worked out. We were talking as a house on the fact that the bible is so changed we need the Book of Mormon, but we wanted to have proof so we could show investigators. There is one that I remember as of right now, it is in Numbers 21... I forget the verse... but Moses quotes from a book the "Wars and Battles of the Lord." From that scripture we know that before there was a book about that. But now it is lost. So it is crazy. That would have been a way cool book to read! Also, in a vision that Paul has is incorrect in the bible. In one verse it says the people with him didn't hear a voice, but saw a figure. But Paul himself later on testifies that the people with him heard the voice but didn't see anything. It contradicts. It just proves the bible has been changed. Also, Paul in 1 Corinthians writes about another letter that he sent to them before talking about staying away from fornication. 1 and 2 Corinthians are the letters Paul wrote, so if there was another letter before 1 Corinthians, that means there should be another book called Corinthians. Anyways, just goes to show how bad we need the Book of Mormon. just like Nephi says in I think Chapter 10 (not sure) he says that many precious things have been taking out of the Bible. So you know..... another witness of it. :)

Mother's note: Parker recorded his choir number that he'll be singing in for when Elder Holland comes to visit and sent it to us. If you want to listen and see Parker sing (no solo he said) then click on the link below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7r7-YXdSncUeUd4aHdDeXNJQlE/view?usp=sharing

"Special photos just for you Mom. I found my dream car mom!!!!!...

"LOOK IT IS SO CLOSE!  haha :)"

"Banana Bread I made."

"The healthiest Mac and Cheese ever."

I'm not sure if these are new pictures or if we showed them before.
If so,...here they are again.

I love how Parker got the girl to do the "smolder" look too.

"This was one of the members
 I made the banana bread for! Her name is Nayrobi!"