Welcome Home Elder Draper from Buenos Aires West!

OFFICIAL COUNTDOWN...NASA/HIGHLAND...WE HAVE A VISUAL..2/22/2014

Ok Family and Friends,

The OFFICIAL countdown is here with 7 days, 3 hrs,  44 mins,  22 sec. and I for one could not be more excited, imagine that!  For the record his itinerary is:

DELTA AIR LINES   28 FEB BUENOS AIRE BA - LOS ANGELES CA 9:30PM DP 10:30AM ARV

DL 110                        FRIDAY PISTARINI - LOS ANGELES 01 MARCH

DELTA AIRLINE        01 MAR  LOS ANGELES CA - SALT LAKE, UT  1:10PM DP 4:06PM ARV 

DL 2204                       SATURDAY  LOS ANGELES - SALT LAKE UTAH 01 MARCH

The family will greet Elder Draper by the descending escalators and ask that friends and all other parties meet him at the luggage carousel look for arrival flight 2204 LAX (Los Angeles) 4:06 PM.  All are welcome to bring your own signs/balloons ( Light Blue, White and Yellow) adhering to airport regulations which limits obvious restrictions.   

At this time we would like to extend a sincere thank you to all for your love and support for Elder Draper while he faithfully served in the Buenos Aires West Mission.  Please join us:

Sunday, March 9, 2014 @ 11:00 am

Highland 38th Ward 5853 W 10400 N 

Open House Following
  ~Draper Home~ 5707 W 10620 N Highland, Utah     

Sincerely,
Diana Draper
#1 Fan Elder Wade Draper 

I KNOW...2/10/2014

Hello Everybody, 

Still here and kicking it hard in the HEAT, and I do mean heat mixed with HUMIDITY as it has been raining and then the sun comes out and it's like a sauna. 

January ended with no baptisms, I just didn't feel like anyone was ready although my numbers were going to be short, I just didn't feel right about meeting them without strong converts however February looks to be promising beginning with a 9 year old little girl "Malena". Her father is a member and her mother comes to church with a strong testimony but again they are faced with legal and financial issues with getting a divorce with previous marriage. She decided she did not want to wait and her parents supported her decision with lots of love so that will take place on February 15th, just one day after Valentines Day, how special right, she picked that day as close as she could to the holiday!

We continue to work with Ismael and Daniela, both doing pretty good she loves the church, Ismael just needs to get his priorities in check. He says I am his brother "Gabriel's" twin as  we were both born on the same day and year 10/8/1992. We had a great lesson this week with them they are pretty cool! There is also one other baptism that is going to be scheduled just before I leave Lome Grande A Marcos Paz.

I hope the family is doing well, I gotta admit I am just now kinda getting anxious to see you all, up to now it has been just been a thought here and there but now here it is REAL LIVE! This will most likely be the last letter home as I know that they are taking forever to get home to you. I also haven't been able to get pictures to you but know that I have alot since the last ones you posted.

There are no words that can describe the experiences I have had here in Argentina while on my Mission. When I arrived here I did not know that I would feel the way I do now...I left my home 2 years ago and now I am leaving a part of my home once again. The people of Argentina have imprinted my heart forever as I have been told I have done the same here by many families, friends and converts.   I thank my Heavenly for his guidance and patience as  I have to served the people here in Argentina.  I extend a heart filled thank you to my earthly parents, family and friends for their continued support during my Mission. I have a steadfast testimony, my own, that Heavenly Father lives and answers prayer. I know that he is constant mindful especially during trials and is only a knee away. I know Jesus Christ is the son of God and that his ultimate sacrifice was a priceless gift of love. I know there is peace and refuge from the world in the Temple. I have tried to stand as a witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places here in Argentina and will continue to do this as I return home, I have worked hard to please the Lord and leave Argentina with  no regrets. Again I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to have served in the Buenos Aires Mission and know my work does not end here but will continue through life. 

Love,
Elder Wade Draper

SNAIL MAIL...1/27/2014

Our Little Morena is baptized...

Well Hello Again Family and Friends,

I bet you thought by now I had dropped off the face of the earth but alas here I am in this little white envelope.  I warned you about the SNAIL MAIL so you will appreciate that term by the time this arrives to you.  This letter is dated 12/30/2013 to give you an idea how long it floated around until you received it.

Well here she is our little 10 year old that I mentioned in my last letter.  Apologize for the resolution in the picture but that's what you get from an Argentinean camera, the moment however was priceless.  I  think she would have sprung through a barricade of fire to take the plunge, she is by far the most excited newest member of the church that I have ever baptized, although I did let my companion perform it.  She will remain a great witness for our Heavenly Father on this planet and is such an inspiration to all she is around!!  

Well as usual the weather here is blistering and the sauna in our pinch is hard to sleep by at night but hey it wont be long till I'm scraping that inevitable blanket of white off my windshield right! Kinda sounds good about now and a cold drink ahhh.. can't wait!

I hope that everyone rung in the New Year loudly!!!  As for us we got to be out until 10:00 pm, Woo Whoo right!  We were awoke shortly after that by the bursting of fire rockets and all the celebration that comes with New Year's eve here, they really know how to do it up right here, Party in the USA is a second compared to how we do it here in Argentina, Christmas through the New Year!!    

Any new news about school, probably not but I sure have my fingers crossed on BYU.  A special shout out and  thanks to Elder Nielson's mom for the apartment shopping. It sounds great and right close there, like across the street close, and only a year old with 4 bedroom 2 baths that's insane, living room dinning area granite and stainless steel, YOU ROCK Sister Nielson!!!!  

So I guess I should tell you a little bit about the area I am in now, Marcos Paz, Lome Grand A.  I am located right next to Alots de Merlo my first area. Is is heavily seeded with folks that live together, because they don't have alot here.  It is usually a very long time before they can get divorced as that in itself is held at a very steep ransom price and the days usually turn into calendar years before they can afford it or get a court date set.  It really puts a damper on them moving forth into the baptismal waters although many carry such a strong love for the gospel here and long to have eternal families, breaks alot of Missionary hearts here battling this cancer, me for one!  The Ward here is equally as frustrating because there is no unity and alot of back talking about each other.  Not everyone does this but alot do, and it is just so different then the other areas I have served in.  

We have been teaching a new lady named Laura, however because of some of her past life style and choices and current living conditions she would have to move from her current residence to be able to be baptized and I am not confident she has the means to do that so it is a very difficult situation.  That is the case with many souls here who have a desire but not the means to move on to progress.  Life here certainly does not afford the opportunities that America does and I am kindly reminded daily of how grateful I am  to have the freedoms I do there at home!

Dad could you keep a look out for a job for me here in the next few weeks, and yes Mom for sure check onto that post that Joy shared with you at the Post Office, that would be great if it fits the school schedule, guess we will see here shortly!  Oh and once we find out if I did get into BYU contact Elsie she can help you with all that enrollment stuff!

Well the lead in this pencil is getting lower by the minute reminding me it is probably time to close for now.
Know that I love and miss you all and with the days passing this quickly I will be coming down that escalator the next time you look up!

Take care all and mark your calendars something great is around the corner, ME!! :)  LOL

Love,
Elder Wade Draper 


  

   

JANUARY TRANSFERS ELDER DRAPER STAYS IN MARCOS PAZ..1/17/.2014

KEEPING AHEAD OF THE DAYS...IMPOSSIBLE...1/13/2014

Elder Draper's Letter


Hey All,

The weather here continues to be very hot making some days long and sleeping difficult so I think I just might dive right into that snow outside SLC International when I get home.  Never thought I would actually appreciate it funny how we take small things for granite right!

So we had our baptism last Saturday for our little Morena all of 10 with a heart full of excitement to be baptized.  She literally skipped into the waters of baptism, unlike anything I have ever seen and it was a priceless moment for all those who attended.  She is the granddaughter of a recent convert and although she is young she is very smart and will be a great example to those around her always!  I let Elder Reyna perform the baptism as he was equally as excited!

Transfers will be this week so I am not expecting any major change there but we will see, seems I travel quiet well here in Argentina according to my reflections in my journal, however I would not have changed one area for the world.  If there’s one thing I have come to know while on my Mission it is that no matter where you are in this life there is always opportunities to reach out to others who are in need.  It may be spiritually, physically or even a shoulder to lean on, but those souls are out there amongst us every day, everywhere, if you just look closely beyond the surface into the heart and sometimes that can be a challenge when they don’t even realize they themselves are lost.  The Breppe family continue to be so kind to us and I love visiting them as their home is filled with a peacefulness of the spirit and there is always love and laughter found there!   

I am waiting to hear all the news about Elder Palmer’s homecoming, I know how close you and his family have become over the last two years of our Mission.  I am anxious to meet them as well and I know that anyone’s lives that you enter Mom are truly blessed by your presence you just have that knack!

Thanks for sending the last of my request on a short note I really needed them.  You should finding out what the family wants to bring back and let me know ASAP as I just can’t seem to keep ahead of the days left here!  I look once on the calendar there they are and then look again and they are gone it is crazy!  If we miss something though we can always pick it up when we come back for Romina’s wedding in August.  She made me promise when I left Merlo I would return and I am grateful that Dad has planned that reunion for us, thanks Dad!

Well not a lot more to say at this time just working like crazy to finish strong here and bring all those unto Christ that I can with the time I have remaining.  I know there is much more to do here but I am confident with the new Missionaries arriving each transfer that the work is being left in good hands.  It is amazing to watch them as they are introduced into their new areas and  join their new Companions,  it takes me back to those days here when I first arrived, what along way I have come and yet still have to go as the work does not end here!   

Know that I love you all dearly and hold you close in my prayers daily!  Lyn’s and Wyatt stay true to who you are and the things you stand for as you continue to head into that gray “Zone” of finding yourselves in the “TEENS”, well Lyn’s you been there awhile I guess and are doing a great job just keep it up!  Wyatt I will see you shortly after your 13^th birthday so guess I will be there soon after.

SO as always STAY CALSSY KIDS!


Love,

Elder Wade Draper

DECEMBER IN THE MISSION...1/6/2014

THE FIELD IS WHITE...1/6/2104

TIEMPO DE COSECHA

Mi lección de esta semana a la primaria fue acerca del bautismo y compartí esta lección de la enseña, disfrutar porque se aplica a todos:

 

El Señor ha dicho que "el campo es blanco ya para la siega" para contemplar el campo es blanco ya para la siega; y, el que thrusteth su hoz con su fuerza, la misma exaltada en la tienda que no perece, pero trae la salvación para su alma; (D & C 4:4). Su cosecha es gente humilde que han estado buscando respuestas a sus preguntas sobre la vida y la muerte y que están dispuestos a escuchar el Evangelio de Jesucristo. Misioneros trabajan duro para que puedan encontrar y enseñar como muchas de estas personas como sea posible.

Cada año, hay al menos una cosecha. En algunas partes del mundo, es tiempo de cosecha ahora. Los vegetales verdes, frutas jugosas y granos sanos, que han ido creciendo durante meses en buena tierra y la luz del sol, son maduros y listos para la cosecha. Los agricultores y jardineros trabajan duro para que todo se puede recolectar y no se pierde nada.

El Presidente Gordon B. Hinckley ha pedido a toda la iglesia miembros para ayudar con la obra misional. Él dijo: "Ojalá yo pudiera despertar en el corazón de cada hombre, mujer, niño y niña... el consumir gran deseo de compartir el Evangelio con los demás. Si tienes que vivir mejor, intenta hacer sus vidas más ejemplar [ser mejores ejemplos para los demás] porque sabes que las enseñas no creerá si no copia lo que dices por la bondad de sus vidas."

Cuando intenta vivir una vida mejor y guardar los mandamientos, suceden muchas cosas. Muestra su disposición a obedecer el Consejo del Profeta. También demuestras que amas padre celestial y Jesucristo. El Salvador enseñó, "el que tiene mis mandamientos y los guarda es el que Me ama; y el que Me ama será amado por mi padre, y yo le amaré y me revelará a él.(John 14:21). Te preparas para ir al templo y servir en una misión cuando mantienes los mandamientos. Usted es ejemplar, un maravilloso ejemplo a otros que ver y que quieren aprender acerca de la iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos.

 

Durante la época de cosecha, como el campesino que ha trabajado en los campo los misioneros sirviendo a una misión de tiempo completo puede ver los frutos de su labor. Como usted han trabajado arduamente para elegir el derecho. ¿Cuál es tu cosecha? Sus amigos y familiares han notado su buen ejemplo y quieren venir a la iglesia con usted. El obispo está feliz porque usted califica para una recomendación, si eres un miembro bautizado de la iglesia, para ir a la dedicación de un templo. Y padre celestial se complace porque has demostrado tu amor por guardar sus mandamientos. Como continúa a guardar los mandamientos, se continúan muchas cosechas.

 

Tienen una gran semana todos.

 

Amor,

El élder Wade Draper

HARVEST TIME

 
My lesson this week to the Primary was on Baptism and so I shared this lesson from the Ensign, enjoy for it applies to all:

The Lord has said that “the field is white already to harvest”  For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;(D&C 4:4). His harvest is humble people who have been searching for answers to their questions about life and death and who are ready to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Missionaries work hard so that they can find and teach as many of these people as possible.

Every year, there is at least one harvest time. In some parts of the world, it is harvest time now. Green vegetables, juicy fruits, and healthy grains, which have been growing for months in good soil and sunlight, are ripe and ready for harvesting. Farmers and gardeners work hard so that everything can be gathered and nothing is lost.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has asked all Church members to help with missionary work. He said, “I wish I could awaken in the heart of every man, woman, boy, and girl … the great consuming desire to share the gospel with others. If you do that you live better, you try to make your lives more exemplary [be better examples for others] because you know that those you teach will not believe unless you back up what you say by the goodness of your lives.”

When you try to live a better life and keep the commandments, a number of things happen. You show your willingness to obey the prophet’s counsel. You also show that you love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Savior taught, "He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”(John 14:21). You prepare to go to the temple and to serve a mission when you keep the commandments. You are exemplary, a wonderful example to others who watch you and who want to learn about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

During Harvest time, like the farmer who has worked in the field Missionaries serving a full-time mission can see the fruits of their labor. They like you  have worked hard to choose the right. What is your harvest? Your friends and family members have noticed your good example and want to come to church with you. Your bishop is happy because you qualify for a recommend, if you are a baptized member of the Church, to go to a temple dedication. And Heavenly Father is pleased because you have shown your love by keeping His commandments. As you continue to keep the commandments, you shall continue to have many harvests.

Have a great week all.

Love,
Elder Wade Draper

 

 

 

 

NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS...12/30/13

Hey everyone looking good there on the net!  Mom how was your Christmas morning, I know how much you love it and the tree was beautiful this year as always, surprised to see it was still in blue and white as promised till I got home.  Hi Dad what in the world the white beard and hat singing Feliz Navida ok then, did you hear anything from BYU yet what about my car LOL!

Wyatt, man are you getting tall, next to Lyns you are catching up to her fast!  Lyns Caleb still hanging out there, a lot?  How’s Mom and Dad dealing with that? LOL

Hey Misty can’t wait to catch up when I get back and keep that Jet Blue employment rolling so maybe we can roll a little on school breaks would love to go back to Alabama with Elder Crowthier and Southern fried chicken!  Gage you have gotten BIG and Slade aren’t you going to say anything, come on now! 

Grams and Grandma how are ya!  Thanks for being so supportive and Grams you owe me a letter where is it get hopping on that ok!

SOOO... Mom pull up a chair I have a New Years Resolution I have been pondering over and I have decided it really is something I want to do.  SO as my Mission is winding down I have been thinking about all that has transpired here.  Looking through my journal I have noted that on several occasions I have wanted to share things/experiences with you and tried to hold onto those thoughts until Pday, Mondays and then in the haste forgotten to share them with you on that day.  I really enjoyed the letters we shared in the beginning like the MTC days and on into Alabama as we both new they would arrive timely unlike here so we, you and I have resorted to the net which is a great tool but not as personal.  Ok so what I am telling you is that I want to finish my Mission here STRONG and focus 100% on each and every day, as I will never again have this experience as a Missionary at this stage in my life again, maybe a Senior Mission which will bring it's own experiences.  I have decided to capture parts of everyday in ongoing letter kinda, and then mail them to you weekly.  I know that the mail is definitely snail mail and this might seem awkward but I don't have my Journal at hand when I hop on the PC and miss sometimes sending those small thoughts that were HUGE to me at the time, on to you in my haste and time on Pdays.  I know it might be a little difficult for you in the beginning but I know you well enough that I will have your blessings and you will only rejoice a the mailbox and then stuff them into your scriptures where a lot of your priceless possessions are buried!  Ok glad that went over well and your ok with it Mom thanks!  Tell everyone that is how I am going to roll here in Argentina from here on out and the address here is on the front right hand side of my blog under letter address and that letters take about 2 weeks to and from Argentina, they can also use Dearelder.com!

How do I feel about the time that is drawing near and would I do it all over again?  Yes in a heartbeat!  I have found my own testimony and has grown immensely.  I know that Jesus lives and that Heavenly Father is always near if we just open our hearts in prayer to him. I know that he has a plan and that through life's experiences we draw closer to him and he is waiting for us to return to him and join family waiting for us! I know in the Temple you will find peace.

In many ways I have already begun to start missing my converts/families that have become such a huge part of my life!   I will miss the music in the streets by non professionals, the little children full of laughter and pranking, the food, yep I said food, a lot has changed there!  I will even somewhat miss the dirt roads I have walked many a mile accompanied by 1,000 of dogs and the loud trains but not necessarily some of the smells.  I cannot wait to return to Romina's temple marriage in August and to follow my special convert Elder Santiago as he begins his own journey on his Mission just three days after I depart.  He feels somewhat like a son to me or at least that is what I hope having a son feels like and I know that he will be a great Missionary!  

Well time is about up here Comp waiting on his turn so know that I love you all and while I will miss Argentina I do miss my family there as well and cannot wait to see you all can't even imagine what that will feel like!  Take care and know that a letter is in the mail and I WILL BE EXPECTING A REPLY! LOL  I love you all see you in 8 weeks!

Love You Mom and Dad and all !!!....and he was gone! 

SO with all that was said I will be posting Elder Draper's letters as they arrive and hope that each of you will take the opportunity to drop him a line as remember the time is near!

Elder Draper will arrive home March 1, 2014 4:06 pm SLC International and will speak in Sacrament on March 9th 11:00 am at the Mountain Ridge Chapel, 5475 W 10400 N, Highland Utah 84003.  Updates and reminders will be posted with each new letter posting on this blog.

P-DAY NAVIDENO....12/24/2013

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 

AND 

A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR
WITH ALL MY LOVE

 ELDER WADE DRAPER BAW

 

CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE...HAPPINESS AND CHEER...SANTAS BAKERY..12/16/2013

Well Hello Hello,

Elder Draper here with a shout out from Ramos, where I am  rehearsing Christmas Carols for the one and only Buenos Aires West Christmas program! 

Wow I can hardly believe we are in that time of year again... CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!, but first lets talk a little bit about how my week went!

Well still trying our best to gain some confidence with the members! There is a family here that I really get along with well, named the Family Breppe! The husband just recently got baptised in August and they are really great! They have 4 kids, 3 sons and a daughter and I get along really well with both the sons Nico and Seba, so I am super excited to get to know the family more! I told the Hermana that I love to cook and so she told me she is going to take me up on that offer!

 

We are going to have a baptism this Saturday, 10 year-old girl Morena, she is the grand daughter of a recent convert. She is super smart and super excited for her baptism and has just made a ton of progression!

 

Also right now we are working with a family from Paraguay, and they are equally as great... they just need to gain a testimony.  The dad used to go to the Church, but now he doesn´t seem to interested and always leaves or finds something to do during the lessons, so we are gonna try and focus in on that with him and find his need. We are also working with a young couple, Ismael and Daniella, they are living together. They want to get married so they can get baptized... but the government here is so difficult and when they went to the government place to get a date they told them they have to go in April to get a date for May... so we are looking for a lawyer to help us pull some strings, so we can get them married and baptized.  Right now they are the investigators that are progressing very nicely and have a strong desire. Ismael´s mother is an active member.

 

Not sure if all has heard by now but there was a rather larger tornado here in Marcos Paz so the clean up is on tap for me this Pday as soon as I am finished but hey were all OK right, however it is very very hot hear like nauseating HOT!

 

My feet continue to heal nicely and I am thankful for answered prayers and vinegar! LOL 

 

Well Christmas time is right around the corner and our kitchen has turned into Santa's bakery! One of the Elders that lives with me, Elder Cardozo from Misiones Argentina, and I have just been baking up a storm for the members and getting things ready.  We are planning on doing some Christmas Family home evenings these next couple of days and delivering our goodies, I think that will help me gain some confidence with the members! =D

 

I was asked to give a talk yesterday in Church, my theme was Endure to the End.  It really  was such a wonderful experience to study up on the topic. I learned allot in the study and how it applies to Missions ! There were 3 things that I rung home on Enduring to the end.

 

1. Do good works (boy scout day)

2. Serve Others

3. And follow the example of the Savior

 

It really was a complete blessing to learn more about these things and how we can really endure to the end and endure well.

 

I will not be emailing next week because I will be skyping my family YEA so I hope all of your reading  has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

 

LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!

BE GOOD, STAY ON SANTAS NICE LIST! =)

LOVE YA´LL!

 

Love,

Elder Wade Draper

MERRY CHRISTMAS ELDER DRAPER...12/15/2013

DECEMBER 2013 TRANSFERS...12/4/2013

I LEFT MY HEART IN HURLINGHAM... 12/9/2013

Wow is all I can say today, this has probably been the hardest week I have had in my Mission. Not not like Mission work wise but transferring this time was really hard, I love my families here in Hurlingham and feel their love for me as well.

On Monday and Tuesday, not sure what was going to occur but feeling something, I was saying goodbye to people just in case that transfer was intended for Elder Draper. Monday, the Hermana Iputcha made me lunch and then Tuesday we had a snack with Santi and his family.... literally those 2 days were just an absolute blur... but then the thumper came, we got the transfer calls..

My district was the last district and my area was the first to and there it was... "Elder Hernandez stays... Elder Draper leaving..." I felt just sick to my stomach with a void like never before.

When I returned to Hermana Iputcha who was cooking dinner for us, I walked into her house with just the saddest face... I could literally feel my emotions painted on my face and as hard as I tried I could not create a new canvas. One look at me and she knew, and began saying "No... No puedo creerlo" tranlastion "I don´t believe it" so we sat in her kitchen eating milanesa and mashed potatoes crying.

I called a bunch of people letting them know I was leaving and you could feel the tears being shed on both ends of the phone. The hardest came as I dialed Santi as he didn´t believe me, I had to pass the phone to the Hermana Iputcha because he literally did not believe me. I am not sure if he did not believe me or did not want to believe me and in that moment I did not want to believe what I had been told just hors earlier.  He came to our house and he just cried and hugged me for a good 20 minutes.... it felt quite tragic however we stayed up talking for a good hour and thirty minutes and then alas we had to part.  Elder Smith, one of my dearest friends who was in my District and just finished his Mission last week called me to make sure that I was ok, knowing how close Santi and I have become. I know he will be a fine Missionary and I am thankful I could be a part of preparing him for this wonderful calling!  

So yet another transfer has come and gone and my feet are now planted in Loma Grande and I need to get a grip and focus although I am yet soooo sad.  Speaking of feet ,the fungus is healing after days of warm vinegar soaks and topical cream  I purchased as instructed by the doc here so don't worry Mom it's healing and is not as painful to walk on as a few weeks back.

 

On the bright side Loma Grande is is super close to my first area Altos de Merlo 2, so maybe just maybe I will see Romina one day! Now I just have to gain the confidence of the people here because they just loved the Missionary that I replaced... I mean the kid was here for 9 months I am sure it was super difficult for them as well however I have had a warm welcome and the people here are nice! 

 

I met a couple families already that are super nice and my Companion, Elder Reyna  is a really good kid from Peru! He is 19 years old and has 10 months in the mission!  I am super excited to continue to work with him in this new area as I know there is a lot to be done here before I return home so we shall see what the week brings! Hope everyone there has a good week! 

 

Stay classy and stay sweet kids!

 

Love,

Elder Wade Draper =)

BREAKFAST ANYONE...12/2/2013

APOLOGIES FOR THIS LATE ENTRY THIS IS LAST WEEKS EMAIL FROM ELDER DRAPER

Well Howdy Ya´ll,

Hope everyone enjoyed Thanksgiving mine was just so Argentine! haha.  Thanksgiving consisted of a weekly planning session, and a dozen of empanadas! I never was one for allot of Thanksgiving food... but I enjoyed it.





It has been quite the week.  Monday night we did a family home evening with Santi´s family! They wanted to try an American Breakfast, and so I let them have it! I made french toast, hashbrowns, and scrambled eggs! They don´t have syrup here so... we used Dulce de Leche! They absolutely loved it and so did I it was a nice change!  

 

Tuesday morning my companion got a phone call from the offices saying that he had to go to Rosario, a different provincia! (which is like a state) to do paper work for his visa so that was just a fun little surprise, but I will get to that story a little bit later.

 

I had the wonderful opportunity to do divisions in my district on Tuesday. I went to Loma Hermosa with Elder Banegas, who is quite the character. He is a very... closed person, and doesn´t like to talk... and always looks angry but I did the unthinkable and cracked him! We had a great time! We talked allot about patience because it is something he has trouble with and the division went really well.

 

Thursday rolls around and we had lunch with one of my absolutely favorite Hermanas in the ward, the Hermana Guzzón.  She had an ant infestation on her roof, so I offered to spray to kill them.  I went up to the window sprayed the spray... and they were flying ants!!!!! They flew after us chasing us around the house! The Hermana was dying of laughter! haha it was quite the experience.

 

That night my comp was whisked away to Rosario, and I was put on a division in my area with Elder Ticino, my old comp from Ciudadela, and although we didn´t see eye to eye back in the day the Division went really well! It was allot of fun being with him again, we both apologized for being bad companions, so that was great to get that all settled although honestly I was past it before I had even left there!

 

Our investigators are doing really  well! Ignacio our baptism for the 14th moved down the street from his house so Saturday morning we went and helped them move! Thank the Lord it was DOWN the street because they had a ton of stuff!!!! He was super grateful for the help that we gave him and his grand-daughter who works at McDonalds gave us free meal coupons! JACKPOT! ;)

 

But wow... This week we have transfers! I really hope that I stay here... Also everyone in the ward does too! ;) But just in case yesterday I shared my testimony and had the ward in tears ;) It´s what I do ) make others cry and try and hide emotions at the same time.

 

But I hope everyone has an outstanding week! AS all always Stay cool and classy kids!

 

LOVE YA´LL!

 

Love,

Elder Wade Draper! =)

ELDER SOARES OF 70...PRESIDENT GONZALEZ...ELDER HOLLAND AND WIFE...INSPIRATIONAL WEEK...11/25/2103

Hello Everyone,

Yet another a crazy week  here in Argentina, like literally sooo crazy,  so many good things happened!

Last monday for Pday we had an Asado for our District Activity, everything turned out really well!  Each Companionship had an assignment and everything was absolutely delicious! The Hermana Iputcha let us use the parilla in her house to cook in so that was just so nice of her! Elder Smith, who just loves to cook did the cooking and he is really like a pro Asado maker! So we did some "good eatin´"as you would say in Alabama.

 

 

The week continued and we had interviews with President,  I just absolutely love President Carter with all of my heart, he is one of the most funny and inspired men that I know! My interview went really well.  We talked  about how my District is doing and things that are going to happen in the future, I asked him if I could end my mission in Hurlingham,  so pray for me that I do! After our interviews I got to do divisions with Elder Fernandez my Zone Leader! He is from Chile and he is just is funny as well as so many others here have been or maybe I m just that jolly who knows? He is like a really good Missionary and he really knows how to keep people happy and connect with people so well, almost better than I do ;) (a funny side story he was looking through my pictures and came across a picture of Brelynn and he thinks she is the most beautiful girl in the world haha and obviously she is just stunning but he was just in awe! haha)

 

My love for the Ward still grows... and there love for me grows as well.  The family Hornos bought me Toms which was just sooo nice of them right? So I go around in our little apartment in Toms which are just so comfortable on PDays and before and after my long days trekking!

 

In other exciting news, we had a special conference with Elder Holland and it was absolutely amazing! The 3 Buenos Aires Missions got together! We heard from Elder Soares of the 70 and his wife, then from President Gonzalez our area President, and then from Sister Holland and Elder Holland! It was probably one of the best reunions of my life! Like seriously wow! Sister Holland gave an amazing talk, she is just an absolutel doll! She had a translator, and she used her hands allot when she talked and she was just sooo great! She talked about how we as Missionaries have a glow about us, and that we have the light of Christ and that we always need to be worthy to have that light and help it shine so that the people can see the light. She was followed by her spouse Elder Holland who also gave an amazing talk! He talked about how we as Missionaries are basically the symbol of the Church and that we are preaching "HIS" Gospel the entire day was so inspiring!!!

 

BUT IN OTHER BIG NEWS! MY QUERIDO SANTI GOT HIS MISSION CALL!!!!!!!

He is going to BRAZIL!!!!!!!!! I dont remember which Mission it is called but it is between Bolivia and Peru! I do know that it is like all jungle haha, he is just so excited,  and I am beyond excited for him!!!!

 

But that was basically my week in a nutshell!  I hope everyone is doing good and that life is fun!

I love yall so much and please kids stay classy! =)  Have a Happy Turkey day nothing going on here but the gospel no plans as of today so we shall see?!?!?

 

LOVE YALL!

 

Love,

Elder Wade Draper =)

ELDER ZARATE HEADING TO BRAZIL...11/18/13

Hi All,

Not alot of time left today to write just finished a lengthy email with Mission President so I will have to send my long email next week so I will repent now!  First off, thanks Mom for getting those scriptures out so soon, he will really appreciate them! 

Riley is going to Texas March 19th.  Try and get with Bishop to see if I can give my  Homecoming talk like on March 9th I am assuming she will give her Farewell the following Sunday March 16th since that Wednesday she will leave for the MTC.  I am so very excited for her that will make Brelynn equally as happy, who by the way is doing very well there in Australia.

Santiago opened up his Mission Call on Sunday and he is going to Brazil.  We were all shouting, laughing and crying.  I am on cloud nine for him and I truly have felt the fruits of my labor here!

We celebrated with Carni Asada,  again it's just so good,  and ...

                                 
                                      Elder Smith  did some fancy work with his knife LOL!


Well I gotta run good to hear all is going well!  Congratulate Dad on his promotion and  Mejor de las suertes (Best Of Luck) to Wyatt in basketball and with his baseball tryouts, man he stays busy!!!  As for Lyn's tell her it's weird to think she is old enough to have that first boyfriend thing going on, she has grown up a lot since I've been gone. Give Grams a squeeze for me and tell Binkz it wont be long that this elGato will be home!

Love You All Much,
Until next week...
Love,
Elder Wade Draper

THINGS LOOKING UP AGAIN...SANTI'S MISSION CALL...HOLLAND VISIT...11/11/2013

Hello Hello Family and Friends,

Wow what an amazing week, I had this past week. Like really, we worked soooo hard!! I have been getting back to the apartment late every night just so satisfied with my days work but very tired as well because of the work we are doing! We plan, then I do my nightly calls to my District, then I literally fall into bed!...ahhh the Mission life, how I will miss it!

Lately I have really been praying to find people who are going to progress, and who are willing to let the Gospel change their lives as you all know it has been a struggle these past few weeks.  It just so happens that this past week, we found so many people who are willing to change their lives.

First off a we encountered a young woman with 2 kids who recently seperated from her boyfriend, and that was followed by a young man who recently stopped drug use and has a 10 month year-old son, there were many others this week as well, but I wanted to specificly talk about 2 families that we found this past week.

First the family of Ivan, Ivan was a contact I made in the train station last Sunday.  We were a little short on contacts to finish our goals and we were waiting for the train and I saw this kid who is taller than me, so I thought I am gonna contact that kid. I did and he gave me his direction and we passed by in during the week. Apparently the Sister Missionaries had been teaching his family a year before, and one of them was none other than the fabulous Hermana Pasquale... Ivan is his name and he is a super great.  He really has a desire to be in the path of God and wants to know if the Church is true. I am really excited to watch him progress.

We also found a family yesterday, Ignacio and Nelly.  They are 2 grandparents who raised 3 of their grandchildren, and one of their granddaughters is the girlfriend of a member. The first thing that Ignacio asked us is how he could join the Church and feel the same peace that we have. Super great guy with allot of faith, he owns a dry cleaning place in Capital, and offered to dry clean our clothes for free, so that is just super awesome.

But this past week there were allot of difficulties in the ward.  First off Santi´s mom is in the hospital, she is allot better now, but it was pretty bad last week, she has  really bad anemia.  Also Carlos, my convert, well his brother passed away, but he is doing allot better this today.

This week my bestest friend, Santigo, should receive his Mission Call!! If you recall he was my mini Missionary awhile back and he is on fire!!!!  I am so excited this week to hear of his news, he is absolutely without a doubt going to be a Pillar of a Missionary!!!!  Mom would you mind sending a bible and the triple scriptures in Spanish embossed with Elder Santiago O. Zarate.  I would like to give them to him before he leaves on his Mission, that could be my Christmas present if you'd like!
 

Well I am looking forward to seeing  many more miracles this next week, and I am so pumped because.... this weekend we have a conference with ELDER HOLLAND... SO PUMPED!!!

Have a good week everyone!

LOVE YA´LL
Love,
Yours Truly,
Elder Draper

ROUGH WEEK STRONG TESTIMONY...MATT. 11:28-30...11/4/2013

Hello Family and Friends,

 

Hope that everyone had a splendid week! Mine was... long... very very long, haha but I got through it!

 

First off, we did the mutual 2 weeks ago, I don´t remember if I wrote about that but it was a successful mutual and we played volleyball afterwards and poor Elder Draper, going in for the kill  ripped my pants... soo embarrassing!

 

Well I wanted to talk a little bit more about last Monday because I didn´t really have a chance to do so in my last email! Well we had transfers and a big group of my favorite Missionaries went home!

 



Elder Wilson my first Zone Leader here in Argentina...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MY PAPI... Elder Delgado

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...and the fabulous Hermana Pasquale who became one of my dearest friends in the Mission

  

... there were also many many more. It is just so surreal to see people finish their Missions. It felt like "Wow I was with you when you completed a year or like wow you were my companion or we lived together forever ago"! I dread my day as it will come to soon as well....BUT it has to come someday right?

 

This this past week, was a struggler.. but I learned allot!  My new comp Elder Hernandez is super great, he is like a nerd... but I love it and his desires... he has so many qualities of a leader and and I know that he will be a leader in this Mission someday. My week was super difficult because, my District was not doing so good with our key indicators so I was super stressed about that, and we are not doing so hot with our baptismal fechas, but we are doing our best! To top off all the stress, Berta the storm hit Buenos Aires Thursday and lasted till about Friday-Saturday morningish. We were literally walking in water up to our knees as the streets were flooded! I wish I would of had my camera to snap some pics, it was something you actually see in pictures! UGH

 

 

 

 

Another crazy

thing that

happened this

week was...

HALLOWEEN!!

We enjoyed lunch

with Hermanna

G  eating

rabbit stew...

yes rabbit stew,

it is probably like

 my favorite meat

here,  super healthy

for you as well!

 

 

     

With everything that has going on, a tsunami of exhaustion hit me, and I have just thought to myself... I am so tired... I have 20 months in the Mission... and I am just phyiscally exhausted... so I have been kinda of bummed, not gonna lie, however I had one of the most spiritual experiences yesterday in testimony meeting. I was just tired.. dead tired the whole weekend and we went to Church only to see no investigators were there. During Sacrament I began praying just to feel good, just to remove the emptiness that I felt and take away the tiredness.  I was filled with something that I had never felt before as I felt His overwhelming love fill my soul so strong that it moved me to get up and share my Testimony about how my week had been going and what I just experienced at that moment. It was a miracle from our Heavenly Father to feel his love at just the time I needed it! I had many members after thank me for sharing my Testimony, because it was an answer to their prayers as well.

 

I just want to leave ya´ll with my Testimony that I know know know God and Jesus live and that they love us, and will always love us no matter what. Read Matt. 11:28-30 we can always rest in Christ =)

I still have so much to do in my time here... I have no time to be tired! =)

 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO DEARLY! 

 

Stay Classy Kids!!!!!

 

Love,

Elder Wade Draper! 

 

       PS (We also had some pretty dang good Carni Asda this past week by Chef's Draper and Hernandez

 

 

 

AWHOLE LOT OF CRAZINESS THS TRANSFER...10/28/2013

Hey Family and Friends,

Just so you know this email will be brief as I have very limited time today as transfers literally just ended what a ride!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope everyone had a good week this past week, mine was absolutely crazy. I mean really nuts!!!!

I started off the week going on divisions with Elder Smith an Elder in my district who served in Hurlingham before! He only has 1 transfer left before he leaves for home so he showed me some spots in the area that I had never been to before.  We  also visited a few members so that he could say goodbye to them. He is an absolute hoot! Elder Smith is from LA and is an aspiring film director and the kids just breathes art, I love it! We had a really cool experience when we went to visit a less active member and her family, the husband is not a member! It was a great visit and they just absolutely love the Missionaries!  Elder Smith has an amazing relationship with this family from his time serving here. so it was a very comfortable home to visit.  It sounded as though they are going through a super hard time! however.  Elder Smith  had a nice long talk with them all about repentance and  forgiveness and that  it is time to forgive, forget and repent!  Everyone was just bawling,  it was a super charged good lesson! So my divisions with Elder Smith were just absolutely wonderful, he is easily one of the funniest people that I know, and I am so happy and blessed that he is in my District. 

 

Well I got my training done with Elder Zamudio, I taught him basically everything that I know in the book. He was transferred because of all the refuerzos, aka newbies, got here this past week!  A total of 54 but the first wave there were 38 of them!!!!! So we had to babysit one of them over the weekend it was allot of fun but super stressful because of how little our apartment is, and the poor kid didn´t speak a lick of Spanish!  

 

I have a new companion, Elder Hernandez from Maine! So new transfer, new comp, new adventures!

 

Oops,  I literally just ran out of time... sorry this email is so short will do a better update next week! We only had an hour to write today and as you know I had to divide with Mission President and check in on my District so boo hoo ! booooo

 

Like Icona Pop said... I LOVE IT!

 

Stay Sweet Kids I will catch you up next week and Lyns' what about your new crush wanna here all about that one!! LOL  

  

Love,

Elder Wade Draper