Home Sweet Home - Week 103

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The End is Here - Week 102

My dear family members and friends, I struggled thinking of what I would title this letter seeing as it will be the last report that I will give of my mission.  I have thought about how I have been out here changing and growing and learning to help others, and while I have been doing that, In my mind nothing has changed at home.  It will be interesting to see you all again, to see how you have grown, and progressed these last 2 years.  I look forward to that, and I am nervous about it as well.

I would like to thank those that have followed, have prayed for me, and have written me over this course of time.  I thank all those that were my examples to help me to come on a mission and be changed by this beautiful time.  I really am struggling as I think of what to say now.  Here in the cyber as I write a popular song came over called Let Her Go.  It talks about how you only know that you love something when you let it go and say goodbye.  I really don't think that I have noticed the things I left behind because I have been so focused on others and helping them to come back to our loving Heavenly Father, and Savior Jesus Christ.  I can only think of all the challenges the Lord has given me, all the miracles He has helped me see, and the hearts that He has changed in front of my eyes.  I can say that as I say goodbye to Argentina that I truly love the people and I can feel it in my heart.  I can't really describe the love that I have for those that I have fought side by side with, so that they can come closer to Christ.  I have loved to go with others to conquer all things, addictions, trials, loneliness, etc.  It is a miracle that I can feel this love.  I know that this love is Godly and is pure.  It beats anything.  I am so blessed that the Lord sent me here, I will eternally be grateful for all that I have experienced and learned here, and all the preparation that the Lord has given me to prepare for the rest of my life.

My companions were all divinely inspired, the people in my zone, my mission presidents.  They have all helped me go to the Lord, to be shaped into who we need to become.  I think at this time, was I a consecrated missionary, did I give myself my desires and myself to the Lord?  I can honestly say, that although I am not perfect that I did give all to the Lord, and I gave Him my best.  I know that He has been able to perform miracles through me, because I was willing and the biggest miracle is that He has helped me to trust and love Him.

I want to end this email with my testimony:
I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called and inspired by God.  I know that the Book of Mormon is true, it is divine and teaches us to be who we need to be.  I know that we are led by Prophets and Apostles today, that they are men of God, and that this church is the Lords Kingdom here on Earth.  Most of all I know that I am a child of God, that He hears my prayers and is real!  I know that He loves me and wants the best for me, even though at times it is hard to go through the trials He gives.  I know that Christ is my Personal Savior, He thought of me in the garden and on the cross.  He suffered for me, and for all my sins, mistakes, sorrows, and all that I would ever go through.  I know that He is there, that He carries me when I feel alone, and that He will never forsake me.  I know these things to be true.  I have witnessed miracles, but that is not why I know.  I know because I have felt it in every part of myself, my soul and body.  I testify that these things are true and until we meet again, in a few days, I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Elder Daniel B. George

Time to Practice Today! - Week 100 -101 July 11-18 2016

Well I finally met our new President from chile, Presidente Correa.  We had interviews last Tuesday and it was wonderful.  He is a wonderful man, and he says YA a lot, because it is something that they use in Chile.  Its fun!  Very different from Presidente Alliaud and he basically told me, we keep serving with it all until the end.  2 weeks left, it goes by too fast but at the same time it is perfect.  

Now we went on a river trip very similar to Donut Falls in Utah, or the Narrows in Zions National Park.  It was awesome, except it is very cold here and every one of us fell into the water!!  Poor missionaries.  I almost made it all the way without getting wet but I took a wrong step and CHAO!  Haha, well other than that I am doing very well.  

Presidente and Sister Correa

                                                  

     Pedro Francisco Correa Cardenas, 56, and Hilda Amandina Aravena de Correa, five children, Santiago Chile Quilicura Stake: Argentina Córdoba Mission, succeeding President Ruben V. Alliaud and Sister Fabiana Alliaud. Brother Correa is a former stake president, stake presidency counselor, bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor and missionary in the Chile Osorno Mission. Finance manager, Corporation of the Presiding Bishop. Born in Santiago, Chile, to Pedro Guillermo Correa González and Rosa del Carmen Cárdenas de Correa.

     Sister Correa serves as a seminary teacher and is a former ward Young Women president, ward Relief Society president and stake seminary supervisor. Born in Santiago, Chile, to Arnaldo Esteban Aravena Hermosilla and Hilda Elena Monroy de Aravena.

 La caminata!

This was our trip to the dam and waterfalls!

It was awesome!

Cuki is our ward mission leader but he has become 
one of my best friends here in the mission.

We went on a river trip very similar to Donut Falls in Utah, or the Narrows in Zions National Park.  It was awesome, except it is very cold here and every one of us fell into the water!!

Serving is the greatest gift and Sealed for Time and all Eternity - Week 98 and 99 -June 27th - July 4th

 Today the 28 is the last week of my beloved President Alliaud.  I can not describe how grateful I am to him for all that he has done to serve, and love me.  Really mission presidents are called by revelation and we are called where we will touch peoples lives and be touched by those around us.  I know that I was called here so that Presidente Alliaud could help me to grow my testimony and trust more fully in my Savior and Father in Heaven.  I see him as another father and wish him the best in his return to ¨normal life¨ I have loved being a soldier under his charge and under the charge of the Lord, and here I go starting my last month to do all I can.  I love you all, and wish you the best!!  Elder George

I see him as another father and wish him
the best in his return to ¨normal life¨

21 months ago... just turned 18

Elder Toledo and I were able to attend the temple with Jorgelina and José 

It was a great day for us as we got to come full circle...We were the 2 elders
that taught and baptized them and were the witnesses in the sealing!! 
What a beautiful thing for me here!!

Hahahahahahahaha, guess who caught the bouquet,
or whatever that flower thing is called!!! 

On our little trip to La Calera to receive the package!

We ate lunch with this fam and there is the hermana Montenegro
with the package safely delivered!!

Our zone here Sierras!!

USA and Fútbol! Fathers, always there even when we dont see - Week 96 &97 - June 13 and 20th

SO with the conference with President on Monday it was their saying goodbye conference, and he had a slide show that said that he wants us to plan for our lives, missions, exercises, diets, everything.  He wants us to be teachable and accept changes of leaders like a new president in the mission.  It was really powerful and at the end the entire mission knelt in prayer while President Alliaud offered the last prayer.  It was so powerful that I dont want to quote it, but the love that I felt and the tears in the room were many.  I am so grateful to have such a wonderful President that has changed my life and my vision.  Thanks President Alliaud for following the Lord.  Also he taught us how to make a good Mate, and told us the story of how he and Hermana Alliaud met and got engaged.  We were all dying, President has a presence and an ability to make others laugh and feel comfortable.  Such a fun conference.

President Alliaud playing soccer for one last time.

Last selfie with President and Sister Alliaud

Elder Mangum is on his way home to Texas and here I am
with my new companion, Elder Parada, de Colombia.

I'm 20!

Our chiken with fries, Birthday celebration

We reached 110 baptism this month as a mission!!!

 Conference with President on Monday
it was their saying goodbye conference

I am so grateful to have such a wonderful President
that has changed my life and my vision.

Thanks President Alliaud for following the Lord.

We are more than our mistakes or imperfections - Week 95

We had another awesome baptism this week, de Leo Ojeda!  He is a ten year old and Cuki´s cousin!  ES UN CAPO EL CHICO ESE!!
Also I want to remind you that you are all royalty.  We are all royalty.  We are more than what we think, and of course are much more than our mistakes or imperfections.  Never forget that Christs love is perfect, not us;)

This is Leo with his family and everyone, his mom,
brother, aunt and his brothers girlfriend  

Elders  Hunt, George, Leo, his cousin Cuki, Mangum and Kelly.

Here are some pics of the mountains and the area where I work

As well with a little Gaucho!!

I want you all to remember that if you want to fill holes
in the bottom of your shoes, just forget it!  Hahah, it doesnt work;)

Gringos on the Court - Week 94

I wanted to tell you a little about the baptism of Mica and Mili.  There we were, with our clothes ready, font filled, everything and the baptism was at 6...6 came around and no sign of them.  There invited friends showed up but still no Mica and Mili, we started calling and looking and luckily they messaged us and said, we had a problem but now are on our way; however, Milagros the younger didn’t want to be baptized.  We went with faith, the two of us got dressed in our white clothes and it turns out that she wanted to, but was just a little nervous.  So in the end both were baptized in a beautiful service with great cookies afterward, and were confirmed on the weekend.  So happy and proud of them.  I love being a missionary.

The Baptsim of Mica and Milli

Family and friends

Beautiful service! So proud of them!!!

Selfie with Elders Kelly and  Mangum

The 25th was Independence Day here in Argentina and they all eat Locro, We also played a few sport activities and so we got our gringo missionary team and played soccer against Latinos.  Believe it or not, we won a few games, but they mostly took us down, until we brought out the basketball and said, our turn!!  Gringo Team for life, and let’s just say that it was good to play our native game and that we took the championship in our white shirts and ties.