FOREVER 21.....10/14/2103




HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM PRESIDENT CARTER



 

 

 

Hello Family and Friends,

 

If you are receiving this by email from my darling mother... well I have come to a point in my Mission, where I realize I just need to give all my time left here focusing on the work and the  Lord, so this is how ya’ll will be hearing from me for a few months.  Going forward I am 100% committed to finish strong with Him.! =)  With that said I want you to know that I love you all so much and I am so excited to see everyone in 5 months.

 

Well the big 21 came and went and it was just absolutely wonderful!

 

Last Monday before we went to bed, Hermana Iputcha called me and told me she had a surprise for me and asked if I could come to the house real quick so we went up and she had bought a delicious cake from Capital! (CAKE 1) It was like the best chocolate, dulce de leche, the best everything in Argentina !!!! It was sooo good!

 

 

She did not have 21 candles so she took all the candles that she had and added them up so that the sum was 21... haha I was dying! She apologized for the late call but was so excited she said “I couldn’t wait tell tomorrow, Tuesday being my actual birthday! I just love birthdays! So Monday ended GREAT!

 

 

 



I was awakened earlier Tuesday morning teralier hen the norm by a text from Santiago... wishing me a HAPPY HAPPY BIRHTDAY, so, that was super nice of him!

 

 

We had district meeting as well that day so I bought everyone facturas and juice and we had a little celebration, The Hermanas from my district got me brownies as well!  

 

 

We were invited back to Hermana Iputcha's and she makes the best pasta and chicken ever, she continued to celebrate my birthday LOL!!!   I shared rice krispy treats from my package mom sent with her and she thought it was delicious!  Simple treat, good but deliciously best ever as she stated, funny!

 

 

 

 

Afterwards full, we went and worked hard until dinner time, the Zarate’s, (my dear morning alarm clock Santigo’s)  family invited us to eat with them. They made us pizzas and the Hermana made me WHAT…a cake as well! So nice of them! (Cake 2).



The next day we were invited to a lunch by a less active member family... and the Hermana is a professional cake maker so she surprised me with yet another cake! It was equally as delicious and beautiful as well!   Needless to say this past week I just gained a bunch of weight!!!! HaHa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But the fun does not stop....here…Wednesday night I was doing my nightly calls and I got a call from the Assistant’s.  I  thought... oh what did I do now! LOL They informed, me they were having a flash, and Elder Escobar was leaving.  We were told to be in the in the offices the following morning. When we arrived to the offices I was informed that I would be training... YES a bebe  (LOL) had arrived from Mexico!!!!!!! His name is Elder Zamudio! He is 19 and he is just great! The sad thing is we only have 12 days left together because a ton of other missionaries are coming in before transfers! So there is a strong chance I will be blessed with another nino.  LOL, but we shall see! =)  So just some crazy things going down here in the good ‘ol Buenos Aires West!

Well I hope everyone has a splendid week, I love and miss you all! =)

Stay Strong,

Love,

Papa Elder Wade Draper

 

LIFE DOESN'T GET SWEETER THEN THIS...10/9/2013



I woke up to an early morning text this am that scarred me to death at first thinking, Wade you can't be texting me... DAH... and I began shaking like a leaf to get my glasses on. After realizing that he had sent this to his older sister, Misty, yesterday to text it to me bright and early today, I proceeded to burst into tears (of joy).  What a special gift.  I realized there had to be some thought put into this a few weeks back as all of the MTC Hermanna's pictured returned home on the last transfers however Elder Nielson remains in Argentina with Elder Draper until that glorious morning of March 1, 2014 when they will arrive together here at the Salt Lake International Airport, OH what a reunion that will be!!!

Thanks to each of you for your Companionship and for being such great examples to Elder Draper, you have forever left footprints on both our hearts.  As for Elder Draper, looks like he was thinking of me as much as I was of him yesterday on his 21st Birthday and I cannot wait to see him soon!  
 
Elder Draper's #1 Fan
Love,
Mom 
Sister Diana Draper

ELDER DRAPER'S 21st BDAY HOME SWEET HOME...10/9/2103

My apologies to Elder Draper and to those of you who were cut off the video.  I am not sure what occurred with the download to YouTube but here are the clips that did not get converted in the download to YouTube.  What a nice SUPRISE gift for Elder Draper to open up on next Monday-PDAY.  Thanks to all!

SEPTEMBER IN THE MISSION...10/6/2013

HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY ELDER WADE DRAPER... 10/7/2013

 HAPPY 21st BIRTHDAY

 ELDER WADE DRAPER

OCTOBER 8th

                                                                 

HHHHELLLLLOOOOOO WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!!!! =)

Well.... first off…HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON WEDNESDAY TO THE BEST MOM IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Hope you have a good one mother dearest, I love you!!!!! And honestly you don´t look a day over 30 ;)  Got any fun plans for the day?

Secondly... tomorrow I complete 21 years of life, and I wanted to thank everyone that participated in my birthday video!!!! It really meant allot to me! =),  everyone is looking great by the way! =)

 

 

Thirdly.... ITS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR, witches flying and ghosts ghouling (ruling) the month, unfortunately not so much here in Argentina,  but I will be bringing Halloween here this year! I am throwing a Halloween party for the Ward on the 18^th and I am  SOOOO PUMPED! =)

 

 

But wow what a great week I had last week!  I got to do divisions last week with Elder Stevens my Zone Leader and it was so was marvelous much fun, like so much fun beyond belief! Elder Stevens is just absolutely hilarious and we get along swimmingly! We ended up finding allot of devout people to their churches this past week as well

We took Santiago to teach with us a Jehovahs Witness who ended up  grilling poor Santi.  I just had to whip out some good ol Bama Bible skills I used there ;) and he Santiago kinda kept quiet for awhile=D 

I also learned allot from Elder Stevens in that we really need to start working with less-active members, and that will help lead us to find new investigators as well! =)

 

Conference was this past weekend... and how amazing was it???? SOOO GOOD! First can I just say everyone was killing it with tie choices this year ;) right!  But seriously the talks this year were so inspired!  I noticed a theme of “Member Missionary Work” and Repentance! 

One of the talks that stood out to me was by President Uchtdorf about less active members and also the talk by Elder Holland about depression! Elder Holland said something that I just absolutely loved, He said "If the bitter-cup does not pass, drink it and be strong.” Yes we are going to face many challenges in this life, some super hard but we need to be strong and always remember that we have God and Jesus with us. I got super emotional with the story he shared about the lady who was burned in the plane crash, but with faith she pulled through! =)

 

I also really enjoyed how President Monson talked about his wife Frances J., he just has so much love for her and rejoices on knowing that they will be together again! =)

 

I hope those of you who did not get a chance will take the opportunity to watch conference via net or however, take the time to watch it or at least read it so good!!!! 

 

 

 

 

Waiting on train to go to Conference...

 

 

 

After the Conference we went to the train station and waited for the train.   Argentina threw a concert just for my birthday ;) Nene Malo had a concert across from the station how sweet was that as well waiting at the tracks!!!! =)

 

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and again THANK YOU for all the birthday wishes!!!!! 

Like Whitney Houston says... “I will ALWAYS LOVE YOU” and cant wait to see everyone when I get home!!!!!! =)

Now time for the funny story of the week.... so I was in the super market last week and I was in the tomato sauce aisle... (yes they have an aisle dedicated to tomato sauce). I was browsing the prices of a tomato sauce that I had in my hand and to my surprise the new Gagag song came on in the market. I was so surprised I dropped the tomato sauce and it broke, tomato sauce went everywhere..... hahaha but the people did get a nice little show... hahaha =)

 

Well love you all kids I gotta run.  We are gonna hit Burger King for my birthday today with a few Elders here! I am in Ramos today and will pick up my birthday package in the office before I head back to Hulingham, I really do love my Distrct.  As you can see mom Elder Palmer got my camera back so enjoy the pics and Happy Birthday again !!

All My Love,

Elder Wade Draper =)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



JUST A SHORT NOTE...9/30/2013




 

 

Dios Nos ha llamado con un santo llamamiento para que predique la palabra a este pueblo,

y Nos ha concedido mucho éxito, en lo cual

Nuestro gozo es cabal.

 

God hath called us by a Holy calling, to Preach the word unto this people,

and hath given us much success

in the which

our joy is full. 

Hello All,

No time for a long email this week just a short note...but we did not feel our investigator was quite ready to be baptized this past Saturday so we will continue to work with him.  General Conference is watched at the Stake center when Missionaries reach there 60% and if not they do not attend I am going to have to work like extra crazy  it's slow right now, but don't fret I will get there.  I'm really not mad just so frustrated this internet café is so slow today and I have not yet written President.  My package is here in the office so I hope to get in next week just in time for my Birthday as you had planned mom! 
I should get my camera on Monday as well to!!!

Ok registration opens October 15th and deadline is December first right?  Work on that for me and then we can email about it over the next two weeks.  Tell Dad thanks on checking on the car for me I sure hope we can find it I think its within the budget and has good reviews, at least before I left it did.

Next transfer I believe is October 23, a Weds so that is all I know for now but I truly love my District here.  My Ward is having a combined Halloween and Birthday activity so that should be fun and I hope to have some pictures to send to you by then!!

I have not heard from Breylynn since she left but she could be just getting out of the MTC there I don't know, would you have Briley add you to the emails list and then you can just forward her emails that would be best.  I am sure she is doing fine, cannot imagine it any other way she was pretty excited.

Well my time here is so short today and I'm sorry but I have to go.  Hope all of you enjoy General Conference and HAPPY PRE BIRTHDAY MOM know it's not tell October 9th but what the hey right!!!


Love,
Elder Wade Draper

HAPPY 15th BIRTHDAY LITTLE SIS...9/23/2013

Hey Everyone,

First Off :  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY TO THE BEST SISTER IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNDSEY! WOW 15 YEARS OLD! IF YOU WERE HERE IN ARGENTINA THEY WOULD THROW YOU A HUGE PARTY! ;) QUINCE IS LIKE THE SWEET 16 HERE...

HAVE A GOOD ONE SIS! LOVE YOU! =D

 

Second.... the song “What A Feeling” from Flashdance is playing in the Cyber...,God is good! =) The small blessings I get in cyber time haha.

 

But wow what a week I had as being the new LD and all! The weather was absolutely wonderful this past week, until Friday and Saturday when it rained yet again, drenching everything and everyone!

 

This week was one of the harder weeks for us, as we just could not find anyone to approach about the Gospel!!!! Like really it was a GHOST town! So the week was a tad bit difficult and nothing exciting really happened.  Friday night it was raining beyond belief and I just wanted the day to end.  We had been walking the whole day in that rain and I was exhausted, but I decided to push myself a little more and search for one more door to clap at. I saw this house with lots of pretty flowers painted on it and hoped that they wound be open to our cause, so we clapped and this guy opened the door and he let us in.  He introduced himself as Facundo. As we visited we began to find out that he is Catholic, but like super Catholic, he teaches classes and everything.  He also is juntado (living with his girlfriend) so we didn’t approach the baptismal invite just yet however we talked about baptism and it’s purpose. He told us that his faith was kind of dwindling and that he felt we were really sent from God to knock at his door that day. He agreed to read and pray and search for answers, and that if he received answers, he would continue with the lesson and eventually get baptized in the Church.   We are super pumped to continue to teach him. It was a nice blessing from the Lord, after a long day of infinity walking through mud and mud and mud.

 

Sunday brought happiness as Carlos got the Priesthood and it was so super awesome! He was so excited and emotional at the same time but, it was just a wonderful experience! I know that he is just going to be a super firm member in the Church and will go forth with his testimony!

Well we are hoping to have the baptism of Luciano this week! Keep him in your prayers, that he doesn´t drink, he had a big problem awhile back, but now he has been good for weeks. I told him that I know that Satan be after him this week with everything he has and he would have to stay buried in his scriptures and prayer this week! So prayers there, for him as well, and keep your fingers crossed! =), never hurts right!!

I know the time is short but I have to spend more time with Mission President on email these days! Hope everything is going well back home! I love and miss ya´ll, especially as I hear that fall is rolling in there, my favorite time of year right  and behind it Halloween !!!

 

Stay classy kids!

Love,

Elder Wade Draper

PS( A SHOUT OUT TO MY BAW SISTER PASTORES  WHO ARRIVED SAFELY AT SLC INTERNATIONAL LAST SATURDAY,  I HERE IT WAS THE REUNION OF THE YEAR, CAN'T WAIT TO CATCH UP WITH YOU ALL.   KEEP IT REAL ON THE NET, SEE YOU IN 4!)

"STAND FAST IN THE WORK WHICH I HAVE CALLED YOU" ...D&C 9:14... 9/17/2013

Hello Everyone,

 

Well nothing really new to update this week.  We did have transfers this past Wednsday and as you can see I stayed here in Hurlingham with my Companion... Elder Escobar... the awkwardly awesome Chileano... haha he is really great just a tad bit awkward... ok who am I kidding super awkward but maybe  I am equally as awkward to him, could be a cultural thing we got going here but, I would not trade his Companionship for the world. so, for those of you reading take awkward in the sense of different style maybe, I don’t know, but we are working on his social skills =) another lovely trait that Elder Draper has worked on as well.

As transfers approached we were invited to attend the meeting which was just a gift from God, because I was super bummed that I might not able to send the MTC/District Hermanas off, as they just completed their Mission!!! Yes Leavitt, Cahoon, Fernley, and Andreason, they are all home now and if they are reading this... I love and miss ya’ll dearly! Don’t do anything I would do! ;) LOL
 

The transfer meeting was great, Hermana Cahoon sang and killed it obviously! Hermana Leavitt rocked out on the piano, so they went out with a bang.  I also got a little drum roll myself... get ready for this... I was made the new District Leader for my area here!!!! YAAAA!  I am super excited for this opportunity that the Lord has blessed me with to help out my fellow Missionaries and pondered the scripture D&C 9:14 when I returned to the apartment that eve! When the meeting ended I literally had to be pried from the building... cause I wanted to say goodbye to everyone leaving.  I had many lasting friendships leaving this time, especially the greatest Hermanas in this Mission, and with that I got my goodbye handshakes…and yes, I am waiting for my 6 month hugs! 

My little district is just so great! It includes the Hermanas in Hurlingham, Hermana Herrera and the new Hermana Reid (looks just like Adele), and in Loma Hermosa Elder Smith (probably one of the funniest people in the mission) and his Companion Elder Banegas. I am anxious to  begin working and supporting them over the next few weeks! =)

 

Well the weather this past week has been absolutely odd to say the least!  First off, it was soooo hot Monday and Tuesday then Wednesday through today it has been decently cold, windy and rainy... mehhhh perfect Missionary weather right? WRONG  HAHA
 

We had a long week, kind of difficult with the rain and what not but, we are hoping to have one more baptism to finish the month.  I have spoke of him previously, he is an elderly carpenter named Luciano and he has worked very hard to reach this time! Keeps you fingers crossed for him and prayers are a must!!

 

I have also heard there are no more visa problems so the visa waiters are just going to start pouring in, at least that is the word on the street as of this transfer, again fingers crossed and Grandmas prayers that one rolls my way, right?

 

Well, like I said nothing really to report on vestigators this week but I am sure the new calling will bring a whole new level of service and the gospel to my purpose here and I hope that I will glorify his name as I strive to fulfill all that is his will. Hopefully some adventure finds me this upcoming week! =)

 

Stay classy kids!

Love yall
TTYL!

Love,

Elder Wade Draper
LD Hurlingham B (HOLLER)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAINDROPS AND TEARDROPS...POURING...THE SPIRIT PACKS A PUNCH 9/9/2013

Hello My Family and Friends,

 

Well another week gone by here in the greatest zone of Hurlingham and wow, this past week has probably been one of my favorites here in the Mission! Every week seems like my favorite over the past few, but this time, in this Zone, on my Mission ,has just been unbelievable.

First off I had the opportunity to go on a Division with one of my Zone Leaders Elder Dallin Stevens from Arizona, he only has one month more in the Mission than I, and he was also my Zone Leader when I was in Catan! It was probably one of the funner Divisions I have done! He taught me allot of things, for example how to get quality references from members and I have put that to good use or as they say here, “Putting allot of that into play”. We also shared allot of good laughs together, he has a super great sense of humor. One of the major reasons for doing the Division was so that he could do the baptismal interview for our Carlos!

 

We invited President Gallegos, who is in the Stake Presidency, to come to the interview with us (LOVE HIM), the interview went absolutely wonderful! President Gallegos was super excited. Elder Stevens told me that he has done allot of interviews, and Carlos's was probably of the best interviews he has participated in,  So... HOLLER! =)  The Division was great, and following we ordered pizza and chatted having a grand old time! 

 

Another thing that I have not really mentioned is my love for our dueña Hermana Iputcha! She is easily one of the funniest people I have ever met! She invites us to eat dinner with her family, like every night, BONUS, and she always has the funniest stories. She was converted to the Church by her husband and one year after she went on a Mission! Her mission stories are just absolutely hilarious. She works in politics and she is planning for me to meet the President of Argentina before  I leave, how cool is that to meet President Chritina in person.

Our week went super smooth although the weather is really heating up here and the humidity is back up, I mean really up, it will be the DEATH of me but hey, my skin will look unreal, my pores have been begging for this weather for a few months now! Friday night the Santa Rosa hit, which is a huge storm that was supposed to happen last week, but Mother Nature had other plans for us. It was absolutely beautiful I sat in the window for a good hour at like 1am in the morning, just watching the lightning and listening to the rain! I awoke tired but headed off to clean the baptismal font early, to say the least it was very gross but a chore that needed to be done nonetheless.

 

Ok if you are following me it’s Saturday and we are off to the baptism with suits and stuff in hand, just in case it started pouring again, and just my luck it did during our journey to the church.  Needless to say our suits got a little wet but not drenched, and thank heavens for those little heaters at the Church, a luxury to us in times like these!  So there we were, the font filled, chairs in place and the hymns ready and my great friend Santiago all sharp in his suit and tie I bought him ready to baptize Carlos.  Hermana Andreason and I sang a the number, “Nearer My God To The”, following Hermana Lasataria (Bishops wife) gave an amazing talk about Baptism.  I could see the nervousness and excitement in Santiago’s eyes and it what took place was just amazing to see, Carlos baptized in that moment.  President Gallegos closed with a really powerful testimony to add to the wonderfulness of the Baptism.

                                                       

 

In the meantime there was a family at the church setting up for a 1 year old Birthday party which is a huge celebration here so while we waited for everyone to arrive for the Baptism we helped set up chairs etc. for this occasion.  Hermano Benavides (the father of the child) speaks English and actually studied at BYU so we have some great Utah talks sometimes and a lot of Utah laughs!

Sunday rolled in earlier then Saturday it seemed, and Carlos was confirmed and received the Holy Ghost and if that wasn’t special enough Santiago received the Melchizedek Priesthood, and was ordained an Elder. He asked me to participate in the ordination and I was thrilled to be asked to be a part of it. I felt a strong spirit during his ordination and after we just hugged and cried...but it felt so great folks probably thought what the heck, we couldn’t stop either! The Spirit packed a punch this time!!  HAHA

 

So that was basically my week a pretty good one if I do say so myself! Transfers this week, aaahhh I wonder what will happen always a cliff hanger!!

Well kids you remember how it goes…Stay Cute, Stay Classy not Sassy! Same time next week and Wyatt good job on the flood relief and those 100 sand bag you filled, Alpine applauds you!  Sis you get that boot off and toss the crutches as soon as you can!   I am so sorry that your injuries came to you with your 2^nd call back to the LPHS Volleyball tryouts, I know you were sensational but there’s always next year hun! Expect to hear your bouncing back  like crazy next week love ya!

 

Take Care All,

The Incredible,

Elder Wade Draper

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSIONARY..KNIGHT..AND DRAGON....9/2/2013

Well Hello Wonderful People,

I hope that everyone is had an absolutely marvelous week, because I did! I know I say that allot, but really, I had a great week! 

First off, we had an amazing Zone Meeting last Tuesday, where we learned a bunch from our Zone Leaders, Elder Stevens and Elder LeSueur! The Zone percentage wise is not doing very well, but during the meeting President Carter walked in and everyone was just kind of like… oh no what did we do! HA HA Instead he gave us like a really good pep-talk about how we are not living up to our potential, which is true, when there is so much potential in this Zone because our Zone Caseros, has the reputation for being "Cheto" (rich) with those seeking the gospel. Every  companionship made a list of things they are going to change so that they can achieve their goals for the month of September, and our list was just loaded! We are doing exactly that, making changes! That very day we went out and we got a fecha with one of our investigators named Beba! She is super Catholic, and is just adorable! She is like the neighborhood nanny/nurse/cook/just plain helper in general. She also has a pet owl, how cool is that! She said if she feels the "calling" she will be baptized, and we promised her that if she really puts in the effort and does the things she needs to she will feel the call! 
 
The day after we had interviews with President and Hermana Carter, I always love interviews with President.  I had a question for President that I have never been really able to answer on my Mission, the question was "Why do bad things happen to good people, like why do people who do good things have to die, or suffer” and stuff like that"? President gave me an answer that I absolutely loved, he said "I don´t know, I really don´t know Elder, why people die who are doing everything they should be doing, I don´t know why good people suffer, but I do know that God is just, and that if we endure with faith that maybe not in this life but definitely in the life after, we will receive our reward.", I was just like wow! We also talked about my future in the Mission, and let’s just say the future is bright.  Gaga "Put on your shades because I´ll be dancing in the flames". Yes I will be dancing  joy with this transfer! 

In other exciting news, we upped the date for Carlos, and he is getting baptized this Saturday! He is so ready, and I thought he should not have to wait for another week to get baptized because he is just overly ready! We did the pre-interview with him, and with every answer he gave us, he was just bearing testimony like crazy! So we are super excited for that!  

We had a tragedy this past weekend as well. The Grandma of one of our investigators, who was an inactive member, passed away, and it just made me realize how surreal death is because we saw her like the day before.  It felt so odd to hear that she passed ! We  talked with her husband for the first time the day after, and this was one of my moments in my Mission where my patience was truly tested. He was not in a good state of mind, and he went off about the United States, saying that one day, we would get what was coming to us and we would all suffer.  I just kept repeating in my mind “You are a Missionary, you are a Missionary! I was reminded by the spirit although a Patriot ,my Missionary presence was most important not my pride!  But I could understand that he was not ok at that moment so that made it a little easier not to be angry.

Santi got the Melchezidek Priesthood this past week and is sending his papers next week! I am super stoked and excited for him!!!!  He will bring a whole new level to “The Men In Black”.

But this is the story of the week… TO FUNNY! So on Saturday we did a Tormenta Blanca (white storm), in Villa Tessei the Zone Leaders area, to invite less-actives to their ward conference.  I did a little division with Elder Stevens and this is what happened. The first house we went to, the window was open and there was a scarlet drape covering the window, so we clapped. The drape flung open and out popped a half dressed woman..YIKES, maybe in her early 40’s and she was like "Oh boys I was just changing”!  She proceeded to say, “Wow you are a lot more attractive than the others that used to pass by", and I just was like oh no... HAHA , then she ran outside to talk to us, and she was just a hot mess the poor thing, flirting up a storm and came on super strong! She told us how she only like rubios (blondes) and that she only wanted blondes to talk to her and she didn´t want visits from any other race, I guess you could say. We invited her to the Conference and then as we were walking away she flung open the window and yelled "Rubios can you come get me in the truck next week”?  I just about died of laughter we don’t even have a truck! HAHA Definitely an experience... we call older women that like the Missionaries here “dragons” so I am glad I left Utah a "KNIGHT"! HAHA
 
Basically that has been my week in a nutshell! Iv have been a little bit ill this past week, the weather has been absolutely wonderful, starting to get allot warmer, and with spring come the allergies! Yay runny noses!
 
We have that Baptism this weekend, SUPER EXCITED beyond all belief!  I am going to let Elder Escobar due the baptism, as it will be his first, and I would like to be a part of that for him as transfers may change our Companionship, so you can see why I am so pumped not only the baptism but the first for my comp as well!  GOLDEN!!

As always, I hope everyone of you, family, friends and wonderful people have a great week! 
Love ya´ll while keeping it real here in Argentina!  STNW so until then STAY CLASSY!!!

 
Love,
Elder Wade Draper
 

 

AUGUST IN THE MISSION 2013

18 MONTHS AND GOING STRONG...8/26/2013

Hola familiars and amigos…

Another week gone, and I officially completed 18 months in the mission and still going strong!! I don´t think it will hit me really until the Hermanas from my MTC District leave at the beginning of Sept., that this crazy journey is leading full circle back to Amercia and home, I must admit it saddens me although I rejoice in seeing my family, I feel apart of them will be left behind here!

 

I have to start this email off by saying how proud I am of my best friend in the entire world, Sister Brelynn Bromley for serving a Mission! She leaves this week for New Zealand and she is just going to kill it out there, and look super classy at the same time. I know that she is just going to have the most amazing experience ever out there and change so many lives, she did mine, and she is just the BEST!!!  To know her is to her love her as she is the definition of just that LOVE as expressed in her expressions and acts! 

Oh mom, so we have a dog now that’s great and he is cute but no thanks no extra College roommate for me, I have at least one and don’t need the added responsibility, but he is cute.  How is Binkz doing with that, I imagine it can get interesting but remember if all doesn’t work out between the two, Binkz was there first, but it sounds like a few more weeks and the transition will be all god, Best of Luck there!

Just realized Lyndsey's Bday is on the 23rd of Sept. so I will try and get a card off to her, how does she like being a Freshman?  She looks awesome, grew up while I have been gone she should wear a shirt to Stake dances though that says “BACK OFF I’M ONLY 14 TILL SEPT 23 THEN REMAIN YOUR DISTANCE!  LOL

So this week was pretty darn good! First off Carlos our investigator is doing absolutely wonderful! He is progressing so well, everything that we leave him with, he reads, like right after our lesson, and then prays about it and really focuses on his feelings and what the spirit tells him... can I just say GOLDEN!

We are also teaching Luciana and Graciela, they are mother and daughter, and Luciana is the girlfriend of one of the Hornos boys. The husband/father passed away recently, and they both lack allot of faith, so we are going to work with them especially about FAITH, that they can have more faith.  Our past lesson was one of the most difficult ever for me filled with so much negativisms, probably the hardest one I have participated in, but that’s ok, because they are super nice and willing to listen, so there is hope and hope is faith right! =)

 

 

Also “Bill” Zarate, my dear friend here in Hurlingham turned 18 this past week! We went to his birthday party and that was super fun! I bought him a tie, and he absolutely loved it, it just happened to be the colors of San Lorenzo his favorite futbol team. The birthday celebration did not stop there! I cooked for his family Milanesa napolitana and noodles, they just absolutely loved devoured it in like 20 minutes they were so very so grateful! 

 

 

 

So my little Companero lacks a wee bit of confidence in his teaching skills but he is trying like heck to gain more of it., so we have been doing a ton of practices to help him boost it when he teaches. I have seen some progression but we still need to tweek it a bit, as we a have a little room for improvement, but I just love how he never gives up and is so willing to keep at it with little discouragement.  He is such a great example to me and I love being able to help him grow as my time here is winding down, his is actually taking form.  He reminds me so much of my first few months and it keeps me humble to be in his presence! 

Another wonderful part of my week was that we helped one of our investigators, Luciano to stop drinking wine, he has been sober for like 6 days now!!!! So everyone throw in an extra few words to your prayers that he keeps it up not an easy ask for some of these folks here in Argentina as it is so heavily embedded into the culture!!!! 

 

But yesterday was just wonderful, we had lunch with the familia Hornos and we ate some really good pork and beef, and finished it off with a cup of herbal tea and facturas! Yes herbal is the key mom so pick yourself up off the floor and get on with this email!

Their oldest daughter Agustina is soooo smooth with her pink hair and all, she is a wonderful person and pretty smart. After our lesson and over those herb, don’t want you falling twice mom don’t need that Med Alert necklace do ya? LOL.  We had an amazing conversation about the arts; dance, painting, film, fashion, everything, probably one of the most intellectual conversations that I have had here in Argentina she in very talented in many areas it will fun to see where her future leads her both with the gospel and in life in general!

 

Well, looking forward to another wonderful, amazing, fantastic week here in Hurlingham, happiness seems to be around every corner here for me and I feel very loved an connected to the people here in this areas, couldn’t have prayed for a more perfect place to be a this time. Hope everyone else has an absolutely is as happy as I am and will have an amazing week,  Words of advice foe this week however stay in school have been introduces to many here recently that have not and life is hard without knowledge!

LOVE YA´LL and as always Stay??? Classy right!

A la misma hora todos, la proxima semana (Same time nest week all!) 

 

Amor,

anciano feliz (Elder Happy)
Elder Wade Draper
 

PS: (We have been told that you will receive all our travel plans before we do so be looking for that anytime.  I should also get my camera pack tomorrow as it is Zone Conference)