Week 98

well, down to 2 weeks left, cant believe that all this stuff is happening, almost heading home and what not, but i am staying focused, working hard and enjoying the mission!

 

Highlight of the week was the marriage of Justino and Natali, which was a great time, we prepared everything during the week, which took a lot of work and overcoming opposition. 

because there baby had gotten sick, they had some worries about costs, because of all the expenses for the hospital stay for their son. so we called the bishop and the ward helped a lot! we set up everything for the marriage in the town hall, and they got married friday morning, then we celebrated the wedding on saturday! we went to the temple with them before and took pics, that was Natali´s Dream, it was sweet! lots of emotion and pure Joy! then we went to the chapel for the celebration and a bunch of members and there family was there, Janfreisi had a blast organizing everything for her parents wedding, its was fun to watch! she is paityns age, so i feel like its my little sister here from the DR! small cooincidence, i saw one of my converts from san vicente there, grisliedy, who is the niece of Natali! crazy! small world!

 

we are working for Justino to be baptized soon! hopefully this coming weekend! Natali is excited to be able to enter the temple now, she has worked so hard to be worthy!

 

then today for p day we went to chilis with elder Beecher and Elder Anderson, i will send pics of that asap!

 

all good in the hood, we are hanging on til the end!

 

Love you all!

 ELDER AUGER

 

 

 

Week 97

the highlight of this week was ward conference when they finally called a bishop! we had gone about 3 months without one and so it was a long wait, but the bishop is a stud, his name is wascar, a young 27 year old husband, no kids, but super qualified by the Lord, the ward is going to see miracles!

 

for the conference i played the piano, and we had 2 special musical numbers, one by the primary which brought a lot of tears to the congregation, and then a closing hymn by the choir, nearer my God to thee, when theres love at home, Elder Auger original, super good time playing that!  because of the long awaited conferece, lots of people invited friends, we had 17 investigators in church, and 215 attendance, compared to the usual 6 investigators and 80-90 attendance, super cool day!

 

then that same night, president Corbitt and his wife came to give a devotional to the YSA of various stakes, there were about 250 young single adults, and then Elder Ferrufino and I, we went originally because i need to download the video project ive been working on to presidents laptop, but when i got there, they asked if i could play the piano and then sister Corbitt needed someone to translate, so we stayed for the whole thing and took part. it was a little wierd, being a young single adult in that meeting, all that talk about marriage and stuff, i was trying hard to stay focused ;) hahaha Just kidding, im always focused!

 

then we visited Natali and Justino who have been in the hospital with their son, Nataniel, who has been sick, but is doing better, we gave him a blessing and then the new bishop also went to visit them, super stud! they are getting married this weekend!

 

then today we played some basketball with hermano curry, who has got to be my all time best friend here in maquiteria, he reminds me of Trevor Schenck, that same kind of loving spirit who likes to party, serve others, and is a spiritual giant! also took some pics in the faro a colon, pretty good time!

 

3 more weeks, i cant believe it! time to F2TF and ETTE! 

 

Love you all, hope it was a good week, CTR always!

 

ELDER AUGER

 

the last zone meeting of this transfer, im staying here to finish the mish tho!

visiting Natali and Justino in the Hospital, Janfriesy is the only one missing in the pic, they are such an awesome family! Justino is preparing to be baptized, he hasnt agreed to a specific date, but he is progressing tons! Natali is about to be able to go to the temple again, she is super excited!

 

pics in the Faro a Colon!

a pic with the old first counselor in the ward, hermano Liberato, who is also making my suit for when i come home! he plays the guitar, and super well, i said that if he ever comes by utah, we will have to Jam! hahaha

 

more pics, tried to work on my dominican modeling career, but i dont think it will go too far ;)

Week 96

It was a great week man! feel spoiled rotten for being able to visit La Llave with Elder Beard and Elder Ramos, for having Janfreisy get Baptized, and for being able to talk with the fam! 

 

first, friday we got permission to do an intercambio, but first we had a meeting with all the guys from my group talking with president about finishing the mish! then we practiced the song that i wrote for the end of the mission, you know there will be some tears when we sing that! Then I went with E. Beecher, and it was his birthday, we celebrated at night! but before that we went to La Llave and said good bye to members and old friends there! they had a sweet activity set up for us, where we answered questions that they had for us about finishing the mission, then questions to see how dominicanized we were, about the culture and language, super fun and funny!

 

then we took pics, and they gave us a certificate of appreciation for having served in there ward! super cool, then i played the piano and the youth sang a song! we ate empanadas at the end. super good to see Librada and Chandel, Melibeth, Oriana, David and Christopher and others! 

 

Janfreisy got baptized as well. her family is progressing so nicely, we are working on helping Natali and Justino get married at the end of this month! we had Luckson baptize her, he had to do it like 5 times though! hahaha he is a recent convert and that was the first time for him to be able to excercise the aaronic Priesthood! awesome!

 

then we got to talk with the fam, best time ever, cant wait to see you all in 29 days, i did some souvenir shopping in the conde today, getting trunky now! hahaha working hard though!

 

anyways, all is well here in Maquiteria, i hope you all had a great mothers day! 

 

I know this Church is True, Thought of the Week is to not forget the Army of Heleman, and how they followed the great example of their mothers in faith and obedience, I love you mom, thanks for your strong testimony! 

 

have a great week!

ELDER AUGER

 

Librada and her Brother who ended up getting baptized after we left!

Also Christopher and David, and there friend Deivi who got baptized after we left! such a great activity

 when they gave us the certificate for serving in La Llave, check out my name, thats basically how the dominicans pronounce it! hahahaha

 Elderes Ramos Beard and Auger!

tons of people went to the activity! as Elder Beard said it felt like a homecoming! hahaha cant wait to see everyone again!

baptism of Janfreisy

Week 95

well, Brayan was baptized and confirmed this week! so awesome, he has made such a turn around in his life! he took out all his piercings, cut his hair down, and is progressing nicely, we are preparing him to recieve the priesthood now!

 

Janfreisy and her family are awesome, she will be baptized this friday! 

 

we invited her parents to get married, Natali, the mom shared us her personal testimony after we invited them to be married the 27th... "i have been praying that the Lord will help me and my husband get married as soon as possible, because i want to be worthy to take the sacrament again, and enter the temple. I cant believe the same day, you guys come over and invite us to be married this month!" she is now waiting the go ahead from Justino, they just need to make plans and notify their family, but they are progressing amazingly as a familiy! I love it!

 

today for p day we played football, and president played all time QB so awesome! i got pretty sun burnt, but it was worth it!

 

i realized that i will never have a week 4 in a transfer in the mission again! only 5 weeks til i get home and get to be with all the fam again! cant wait!

 

So sorry for the Loss of the loved ones in the Ward. the families of Jenelle Adams and Andrea Gardner will be in my prayers! know that I know that the Plan of Salvation is real, its real because the Book of Mormon is the biggest modern day proof that God lives. He spoke with Joseph Smith and gave him the power to translate it. when pain and fear come, I remember the Book of Mormon. I testify that it is true. the Gospel is true, God lives, He loves us, and his plan for us is perfect. I know that These beloved sisters of the Pioneer Ward are only waiting a few years so that they can be with their families for ALL of eternity. The temple and its powers are True. I know it. I love you all and Hope that the Atonement can comfort you in these moments of trial and sadness. God hears your prayers and knows your sorrows. 

 

I love this Gospel. I love my family. I thank God everyday for these two things. They bring Eternal Happiness. 

 

I send my love and concern, I hope to meet with both these amazing families soon, thanks for your great faith and testimony!

 

ELDER AUGER

 

here are the pics from the baptism of Brayan! 

here are the pics from football. super good time! one of the missionaries that we played with was Elder Millburn from morgan Utah, He played with tyler Kelsey, stud muffin! he made a couple diving catches and on turf, one handed a couple times. MVP!

 

he is the one with me planning out our passing tree!

Week 94

these past two weeks have been great in the work here in maquiteria. angelo was baptized and confirmed this week. he was super excited and has been prepared to take this step for a while, he just needed to make the decision!

 

also, brayan accepted the date for this coming weekend, he is preparing himself nicely, as well as janfreisi, she accepted the date for the 13th, her parents and little siblings all went to church this week, super awesome!

 

we had zone conference this week and we talked about an interesting topic, which i think has to do a lot with what is going on back home...

 

we talked about the pre earth life. the opposition that there was there, so much that 1/3 of our spiritual brothers and sisters decided to reject our heavenly fathers plan, even being in his presence! but the amazing part is how all of us that have, and will recieve a body here on earth will recieve the oportunity to progress. then there is the question, and what about those who came to the earth with different circumstances? president Corbitt talked about his personal experience, how he was born in a part of the world to a family that didnt have the gospel. but now he is a mission president! its interesting how we as members take part in the salvation of our brothers and sisters, i think thats why the prophet Joseph Smith said that preaching the gospel is the most important thing we can do! 

 

Gods plan is perfect. He does love us. i quoted the words of my dads song "welcome home" 

 

"we are brothers and sisters far away from home, 

father sent us down here and now we are on our own,

He sent us down to see, just how good we could be,

though we struggle and we fall, we will make it home after all."

 

the spirit was there.

 

i love you all, know that the book of mormon is the rock of my testimony, when doubt and fear arise, i turn to the book of mormon, and it fortifies all the knowledge of the gospel and plan of salvation. God Lives, Jesus is the Christ, Families can be together forever!

 

ELDER AUGER

 

angelo and his baptism. 

p day basketball in valiente, went to say goodbye to the people there!

Week 93

this week was awesome, but got to be brief, the internet turned on late...

 

wilfer got baptized, he is the oldest of 5 and is 11 years old! his mom is a single mother and right now isnt super interested in the church, but he loves going and finally was able to be baptized!

 

Angelo is going to be baptized this coming saturday, he went to the baptism and got to see what its like, he is excited! we have a FHE with him tonight!

 

brayan is awesome, he is probably one of the toughest looking guys i have ever taught, he had earings and a lip ring, but this week we taught him the law of chastidy and about how our bodies are temples, and invited him to not use those piercings anymore. the day we heard from his neighbor, that he had taken them out! he went to church without them in! he really is trying to follow Jesus Christ! 

 

then lastly the family mendez is awesome, natali is the less active that we contacted, her husband and kids went this week. in a lesson we had with them, some of their friends were there and we were teaching the restoration, and her friend liset asked how she could know which of all the churches is true? and before we could respond, natali stood up and bore her testimony, she said she had the same question and so she prayed. shortly after, elder diego and I knocked on her door! she said that she knew that God hears us and she invited liset to pray! it was awesome! her family should be baptized next month, she will have to get married, but they are progressing super nicely!

 

then today was a good p day, we played soccer in the rain, and then wrestled a little in the mud puddles! super great time!

 

thats all for now, im loving the work, but lovin how close i am to seeing you all soon!

 

CTR and dont be afraid to open your mouth and share the gospel!

 

ELDER AUGER

the baptism of wilfer

and a pic with angelo! 

Week 92

well, the highlight of the week was the ward party for the semana santa (what they celebrate instead of easter) its fun to participate in some of the traditions, like sweet beans, the suspition that you cant eat meat on friday, and other traditions, more catholic based. 

 

friday we had the ward party and had 6 investigators come, including david, and angelo, angelo has a baptismal date for the end of the month! for the party we played some sports, had church videos and movies in the chapel, and tons of great food! the highlight had to be the gringo missionary activity, an easter egg hunt! hahaha thanks mom for all the sweets, i had to share them with all the little kids in the two wards that go to our building. they had a pool as well, but they loved the easter egg hunt! so thanks for that!

 

transfers have been good, Elder ferrufino is awesome, loves to work, cook, and go by the book! a class missionary! we made valiadas, the same thing we made for christmas when we lived together a few months ago! the work is going well!

 

we talked in church yesterday, elder ferrufino talked about the ressurection of Jesus Christ, and i talked about the missionary work. all the members said we gave some stellar talks, so thats always good to hear! we also did a special musical number! i know that my reedemer lives! a quartet composed of me and 3 other members, the keyboard in the chapel can record so i recorded the song and then was able to sing! fun stuff!

 

today we `played soccer in the parque del este, it was a blast, but now i am super burnt! hahaha worth it though!

 

all is going well, staying focused, and working hard for these last 8 weeks! crazy! hahaha

 

love you all, and i hope you have a great week! happy late easter! :)

 

ELDER AUGER

tennis stadium in our area, we played right outside it for p day 2 weeks ago! :)