MAY TRANSFERS & "COOKS FOR KOOKS" ...5/13/2013

Hey Fam!   Here I am still in Ciudadela! Elder Wells and I are still together, I am actually really happy about that, cause Elder Wells is just the greatest
 

Well it's that time of the week again, the weekly letter from Elder Draper! yaa!!!

 

But a few sad things did happened during transfers though,  Elder Slone who lives with us left and Elder Whitlock left Ramos as well.   Slone called me last night, and I saw Whitlock today in the offices that was a great thing! We have now Elder Asay from Ogden, living with us! He is a super good guy! He has the same amount of time as me in the mission, and he is just a saint!

 

Some other cool transfer news, they made a new position for Sister Missionaries and its kind of like a Sister Zone Leader position.  Hermana Andreason  got assigned to be one, so that is super cool.   Hermana Cahoon and Hermana Fernley from the MTC are comps again and that was super cool for them as well! Hermana Leavitt from the MTC was transferred as well. 

 

Last week we changed our key indicators, I don't remember if I wrote about that last week, but yes. The Mission has changed them so that we can focus on having our investigators progressing, and to be working more with the members! Unfortunately Elder Wells and I had a little bit of a rough week with key indicator, but we got the oil changed, got some new gas in us, and this companionship is up and runn'n baby! haha

 

This weekend we are going to have a baptism!!!! We are super stoked, our darling Marina has progressed so well, and we felt that she is soo ready, so we changed her date for the 18th and she is soo pumped! Yesterday in Gospel Principles she bore her testimony and like woow I felt all my work was wrapped up into that spiritual testimony, what a gift from heavenly father!!  I am really just so happy for her!
 



I'm also learning to cook a bunch of different
Argentine things to add to my "Cooks for Kooks" recipe book! Last week I made tuco, which is like the sauce they put on noodles and stuff! It didn't turn out like tuco... but it was still good nonetheless! It kind of turned out like chili, but it was super good so I guess I could rename it to chilituco right!

 

 

SO  I AM  BECOMING A CHEF IN THE  MAKINGS

Yesterday was  great mom and I hope that all the moms had an amazing mothers day we literally wouldn't be here without you, and then some.
 

I don't have any major plans today other then going to buy some delicioso milanesa, do laundry and rest sometimes, I am not sure if it's the hype or the exercise that drains me some weeks but for sure it's getting to be nice sleeping as the heat is past us and fall is here!!!!  

 

Looks like the neighborhood behind us is all developed now and those houses are amazing. I can see with the new Outlet at the Point of the Mountain, Walmart in Cedar Hills and soon to be new high school in Lehi things have changed from the "Green Acres" I left behind.  The yard looks great though and I cant wait to see Dad's garage once built..  Also can't wait to take that Jeep for  spin!!!    

 

Well another week started and I am  excited to see where the adventures take us this week! I have to run for now and can't get any pics to you this week as the computer is not reading my camera, I mean really you should see these things , I am so convinced Fred Flintstone had better tech equipment,  so Google the tuco if you wanna see what I am eating tonight, again!  HAHA

 

I love you all, and oh mom, thanks for letting Brelynn hop on, it was so good to hear her laugh and catch up with all the Mish's etc. etc. sorry the time got away from us, but your the coolest for understanding! I love you so much always looing out for others first, but I am sorry again, there is no one like you out there and I will so make it up when I get home!!!!  

 

Well I'm outta here and LOVE YOU ALL!!!  Remember to keep it cute, or put it on mute!!!

 

Same time nest week!!

 

Love,

Chef Elder Wade Draper

BAM...CIUDADELA ZONE CONFERENCE...5/6/2013

Hola familia y amigos,

Espero que cada uno tuvo una buena semana irends!   As for me SUPRISE, I'm still here hanging out here in Argentina! LOL

 

 

 

This past week we had a really GOOD week and I do mean GEAT!  We started out with an absolutely AMAZING Zone Conference with President, Hermanan Carter and the Assistants!!!!  We talked about a lot of things and what would help us in the field.  Things like how to acknowledge the members and let them know without their support the obra misional is very difficult. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also learned some ways to work with our members to show that their confidence in us is important, so that we may be invited to reach even deeper into their families and friends continuing to spread the gospel. 

 

Heremana Carter shared a story about Daniel and the lions den and then had us ponder for a moment, what the image she displayed, meant to us.  As I did, at first I gotta admit (cause you know how I love art), I could see Tim Burton having a hand in the picture, it was different, but  then I felt a sudden whisper of GET SERIOUS there's a message here for you ELDER DRAPER!!!  I starred for awhile and BAM...here's what that Spirit spoke to me...The lions in the den represented the times I have felt like the Advisary is there so strong and ready to pounce anytime if I only would let him defeat my cause however, like Daniel, if I remain calm and turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer through faith and diligence victory will defeat any lions that wander onto my path.

 

Next President talked about the Atonement and how we can apply it to our lives and the lives of our investigators'.  We watched a really good video by President Packard that talked about "Christ Atonement" and he said something at the end that I want to share with everyone  reading as we all are Missionaries of God..."The message that our Missionaries bring to everyone around the world is the is the message of HOPE"....Hope what a beautiful sequel to faith and hear I think a lot of HOPE can be spread around!!!!  BAM there was the spirit back at me for the second time!!!  CONFERNECE WAS JUST SO GOOD I WALKED AWAY WITH A BIGGER STRIDE!!

 

So Elder Wells and I are just getting along swimmingly!  We had a really awesome Ward activity on Wednesday because it was a holiday here.  We ate an asado at the church and then we gave a spiritual thought about Temples to all.  We had 5 of our investigator's come to the activity and they Pasamos de maravilla con los miembros (had a blast with the members)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Marina our investigator continues to progress well she is just adorable!  After like every lesson she calls us into her tiny kitchen and sends us off with bags of goodies to take home.  She makes these amazing vanilla muffin cookies and alfajors.  She truly is a priceless gem!  Oh before I forget Mom two things skping aournd 4:00 here I guess about 1:00 there and I don't think we got our baptism pictures in the Mission video as I did those just when I arrived there after the March video still like last 2 days of March but wasn't and yet since it was March it wasn't posted in the April video sorry, buy you got the pics, or so I hear from my friends ,they are o the blog...and thanks Mom for all you do there too!  Can't wait to see you and chat have the tissue by the cam Mom but you should be getting to be a pro at this by now!LOL

 

Transfers are coming up Wednesday so it will be exciting to see what happens but AHHHH my heart so wants to stay here, I love it so so much, keep on you knees by night and fingers crossed by day!!!

 

Well I must part but I leave you with the words of one of my favorites, Florence W....."It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back...so...shake him off" and my added words get dancing or keep on keeepin' on!  Have a great week everyone and keep me ion your prayers!!   Love ya'll, same time next week let your spirit stay beautiful!!!

 

Love,

The One and Only

Elder Wade Draper

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

HELLO NEPHI>>WHITLOCK IN THE HOUSE...4/29/2103

Hello Everyone!!!!

I hope everyone had an awesome week like I did! My new comp and I are doing really well together! Elder Wells is super great, first of all because he is Asian and I can crack little Asian jokes at him every now and then... so that is super funny to do!

We made a goal this week to find new investigators, and the beginning of the week was super hard for us.  We spent like basically 2 days knocking doors and nobody was answering, I was about to the point of Knocking down doors instead of on them! To top it all off it was decently hot this past week, so you might say we were just a tad bit bummed.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights were probably 2 of the funniest nights of my mission! Elder Slone went on a division with his Zone Leaders from his Zone and one of them came to live with us for 2 days.

 
 



Elder Tyler Whitlock from Nephi, HELLO PALMERS he is a “Freakin” stud! We had some really amazing conversations and he taught me some really amazing techniques that I can use when I am standing at at a door contact, so that we can get into the house and teach the lesson! I just really admire Elder Whitlock a ton! He is a legit Missionary and super role model! We had a really good time with our late night chats!

 

 

After those few days had passed we put those techniques in play/applying what Elder Whitlock taught me, and we it worked, the doors were opening and we started getting into houses! There were maybe like 4 people who did not let us in in like 5 days so that is like crazy right, it was good to say the least!

Our baptisms are coming along with one of our old investigator’s Marina, she is doing great! She came to church with us yesterday and loved it!  When you look at her you just think wow,  she resembles the perfect Member of the church, she is just a darling woman! On the other hand our other fecha Cathy... well we are having some problems there.  She wants to get baptized but she isn’t coming to church, and her nephew is trying to convince her to wait a year so he can baptize her, super lame but we are working through it!

Well sorry for the short one but it has been a busy day with the Mission President email and catching him up on this past week.  I have located a SKPYE for us Mom so we can get that time figured out next email.  Tell all I love them and miss them and I am glad Grams got her Bday card, now she owes me a letter back.  Thanks for the incoming box sounds like some yummy things on the way can’t wait to find out what’s in it! 

I gotta run now all so keep it real tell next week I love You all so much keep praying for your Elder and all the Missionaries around the world!  As you know, same time next week!

Love yall so much!  I said it once and I’ll say it many times more, “ The book is Blue and the Church is true!

 Love, Your Ever Amazing Missionary 

Elder Wade Draper

Adiós mi querido compañero y amigo Elder Caceres...4/22/2013

Ohla Ohla Ohla,

Well, let me start by saying I know I am a lame bum for not writing a long email last week but, hey forgive me!  I will be kind of doing a catch up of what went down last week and what went down this week so keep on track! HAHA

Well things have been going really good as of late, still getting to know the area and getting to know all the members and what not, which is super fun and funny at the same time!  Last week being the last for me and Elder Caceres had just a great week together. We found some wonderful people to teach! First we met a man who knows about the Church and the Elders but hasn´t been to church in 40 years! So obviously we are teaching him right now and he has a baptismal date for the 11th of May, SWEET huh? We continue working with Cathy and Axel our Mother and Son with the disabilities and they are progressing very nicely!

 

 

We were invited and went to their home on Friday night for a little farewell with Elder Caceres, it was a way fun super blast.  We ate a bunch of sweets and took fun pictures with crazy hats and just laughed a lot!!

GOTTA LOVE THOSE EYES

 

Things are great here but the only little thing we´ve been having trouble with is finding new investigators who will progress! We have no problem FINDING  new people, but they are either SUPER CRAZY or don´t have much DESIRE to progress. We have been praying for some miracles and you do the same back home all who are reading, but we for sure will be having be having some baptisms in the month of May!
 

So as I said. Elder Caceres is home now after some way good milkshakes and fries our last night together, they were his favorite things I made!! He was super content to be returning home as we know our friendship will not end here!!



  

 .. sooooo now I have a new companion, and it is none other the wonderful Elder Wells from California! He is a great kid he has 16 months in the mission!  He is also part Asian... woot woo ya´ll you know I love the Asians!!! HAHA I am his Senior Companion.

  

This past Saturday and Sunday were easily two of the hardest days for me since I have been on my Mission, I got really ill I mean on the floor dying sick!  I spent Saturday night literally sleeping in the bathroom on the floor beside the porcelain alter because I was soooo sick all night!  Sunday I just wanted to die, but I manned up went to Church, and finished the day. Today I’m recovering but just drained... haha, because we had some Elders come spend the night at our apartment and although lights out on time the voices continued. 

 

Our apartment is like a Safe House, gottcha’ mom, not really, it’s a pit stop/spend the night spot for Elders who are going to do visa stuff or renew identity and stuff like that. One of my good buddies, Elder Hougaard from Timp, came to spend the night and we were up till like 3 talking, it was sooo much fun and I am PAYING for it today.

We have been taking our laundry to the matt as shortly after we got here the ones in the building broke down.  I swear they didn’t look like they had been used since the 1900’s anyways so it came as no surprise to us but hey’, clean clothes that feel clean, I ain’t complaining, and also blessings from heaven, elevators, as you can tell from last photo, were not exactly on “Ground Zero”  (no offense to anyone intended).

I have not and cannot email Romina as we are not allowed to contact anyone of the opposite sex that are within our Mission Boundaries even if they are married etc, but I did get permission for to attend her baptism when she sets a date.  I will be contacted two weeks before it occurs so I can make arrangements to be there! I am not sure when that will be though but OH GLORY DAYS when it happens!

I know you’re stressed about Skype on Mother’s Day but I have no new news there yet mom, I will continue to work on it and will have good news by next Monday PROMISE, don’t worry!

And how about those two crazy friends of mine a “SHOUT OUT" TO CHELS and ABREA, you two are so funny but thanks for the hello!  What a great feeling to know I have such great support back home!  Also CONGRATS and BEST WISHES to my friend “ELDER KURTIS TAUFA” heading out on his Mission to Oakland California this Wend says, I know you will be as good “In the Field as you were On the Field  LPHS Football!   

OH and…. TODAY I COMPLETE 14 MONTHS!!!!!!!!  WHAAATTTT???? So 10 more months to kill it here in Argentina and I’m gonna hit it as hard as I can times getting away from me!  Really the past 14 months has grown my testimony immensely and I know without a doubt the Church is true.

Well all, it’s that time again, I gotta’ run.  I can never say enough I love you all so much sending that love out to all!  Remember stay sweet, stay beautiful, and do you love your favorite Elder?

 

Until Next Week,

The One and Only

Elder Wade Draper

 

 

 

 

'ULTIMA CENA...4/15/2013

Hola familia y amigos,

 

Espero que esto te encuentres bien y feliz!  Life has been good here in Cidudela this past week but let me warn you upfront Mom, this emails gonna’ be on the short side today so take a deep breath now deal with it! LOL

We are counting sadly counting down the days though, when my Companion will be leaving.  Saturday will arrive too soon and though he is somewhat excited to return to Brazil he has stated he will miss his Mission and YES his last Companion  here ME!!  I still don’t know what that will mean for me.  The” Assistants” and I have become GREAT FRIENDS but they know very little and couldn’t say if they did as to what will become for me YIKES!  I continue to share the pinch for now with 2 other Elders from the Haedo Mish.

I also  Continue to be finding my way around and I guess maybe for awhile I might be “flying by the seat of my pants” too bad it’s not a first class trip!!

 

As you can see, we had our “Last Supper” Pizza with my Companion, as the rest of the week will just be crazy until he leaves and we didn’t want him slipping out on us without that famous Olive Argentina Pizza!

 

As for a box I guess it has been awhile but I am really good but would never turn down “Smores” Pop Tarts, Hershey Cookie and Cream candy bars and some Peppered Beef Jerkey. 

 

Mom seriously this is not the Hilton and no we don’t have microwaves but we are thankful for water on a good day, hot or cold.  The only thing close to the Hilton I guess, would be the view from one side of the apartment, not going to send you the other side of the ??? not sure you would call it a view!

 

Yep I got Grams card mailed to her, it should be there any day she better get crackn’ on writing back!  Traci was on the net last week it was good to hear from Alabama, I just love her she keeps me smiling with her “Child this and Child that”!!  Love you Traci if your reading!   

Chef Draper was “In The House” throwing down some delicious ham and cheese empanadas. 

I’ve come along ways with those little puppies they were good, and I mean REALLY good!  Made it out of the ??? just in time to snag the last one. 

 I amazed how fast good things are gone here I swear if it smells good, it comes with a pair of legs too, cause it just disappears and were not talkin' chix LOL! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t know what to tell you about the Mother’s Day Skype thing yet Mom, don’t have a place located just yet but I will work on it, you know I will try hard!

Ok, so it’s Brey’s Bday could you ????, don’t include the details cause she will be reading!!! Sorry Brey it’s a surprise!  Also can you text Sandy and get her and the girls’ emails.  McCall is at the MTC going to Lyon France, that is where Caroline Carter went recently, and Ally is going to Bulgaria in June!  

So you had the Sister Missionaries over for dinner sounds like the shrimp Alfredo was a hit with that yummy garlic cheese bread dada makes!  The one being from Huntsville Alabama and only out 2 weeks from the MTC that brings back a few memories!!!  

Well I am running low on time so sorry for the short one but hey I love you and that is endless so gotta run mom love you and all so very much!! Keep it real Mom…same time nest week k?

Love Your,

Elder Wade Draper

AMAZING CONFERENCE...4/8/2013

EL FUERTE

Hey Family and Friends,

 

I hope everyone had an outstanding Conference weekend, I did!!! The President made a little rule that if we wanted to attend all the sessions of Conference we had to have 60% of our key indicators done to attend, so Elder Caceres and I worked our butts off to get that 60% and thank goodness we got it done!!!

So how amazing was Conference right?  Even though I watched it in Spanish, and scrambled to take notes,  I would encourage everyone, Brothers' and Sisters' to read the Priesthood session talks because they were absolutely amazing, especially the talk by President Uchtdorf!  It really strengthened my testimony about the Priesthood! 

The talk that I loved the most was by President Monson on Sunday morning. He talked about obedience and how if we are obedient to the Lord’s commandments he will bless us with the knowledge that we want to receive!  I just absolutely love President Monson, nobody laughs at his jokes here... humor is not a part of the culture I guess, I was the only one laughing in the Sacrament hall.... and you know my laugh...... hahaha what can I say!  If anyone reading didn’t get the chance to hear or watch Confernece, really I encourage you to do so.  Following Conference we had lunch with a member both days.

My Comp continues to be all that I could ask for and we had a really adventurous experience this week.  As you can tell by the picture Fuerte is ???  While we were trekking the power in our area went out and we had an appointment in El Fuerte,  there was no light whatsoever, so it was felt like we were filming a movie traveling through El Fuerte with our little light.  I wasn’t scared at all though, knew the Lord was right there keeping those batteries working in the little flashlight you packed mom! I would have to say just the opposite, super exciting navigating the stairs and everything!  So yes Mom you did catch that the stair comment, didn’t catch it myself tell the email had gone but we are fine there in El Fuertre even though it is dangerous and I mean dangerous, I love the adventure as usual! There are actually a TON of members who live there and we are teaching as many!!!

We also have a new investigator who is absolutely amazing! She was a reference from her neighbor who is a member. Her husband passed away 2 months ago and she has trouble walking and she also has a son with a little learning disability. We taught her an amazing lesson last week that just applied to her situation and the spirit was so strong in the room.  We also talked about how through the Gospel of Jesus Christ she can return to see her husband again. She also told us that when she prays about the things we teach, she feels something different and she likes it, so we are definitely going to keep reaching out to her!!!

 

The weather here is turning cooler but I’m keeping warm and my shoes are fine at this time.  I will try and get these suits to a dry cleaner now that I am nearer to town, yes they could use it!

Wow sounds like you had a busy week with Gram’s surprise 80^th Bday Party, I am glad the church ladies all came I am sure she enjoyed it! Send me the photos in the mail I am sorry they are not coming through the net today!  Aunt Brenda flew in from Texas how awesome was that!!!

So Mom, lunch with Elder Piili’s mom great how did that come about!  I can just see the two of you laughing and having a great time.  I am sure that she is as much fun as he was in Alabama when we served together, absolutely the BEST COMP!!!

And hey Pops, how are ya?  Like I mentioned, I just loved Conference and the Priesthood session, Uchtdorf’s talk etc. etc.  This new area is good, Iam learning it because my Comp leaves in 2 weeks and the President told me I would be Training at that time, so I got a lot to do to get ready for that!  Hope everything is going well for ‘ya back home, I hear the weather is nice!  Keep it real Pops!

 
So now.... I have to give a HUGE shout out.....CONGRATS TO BRELYNN BROMLEY ON YOUR MISSION CALL TO NEW ZEALAND!  I am so proud and excited for her and she is going to be an outstanding, fabulous, amazing Missionary!!!!!!!!
 
Well I hope everyone has a great week as I did this past one! I gotta run ‘cause, yes I have a few emails out there waiting for me YEA!!!  I love Pdays however I continue to miss ya´ll so much!!!

Remember kids... do you?

 

Love Your,

Elder Wade Draper

LOOK OUT CIUDADELA ELDER DRAPERS' IN THE HOUSE...3/27/2013

 



Hola, Hola, Hola,

Long time no talk right? HA  Well alot has happened since we last talked... like.. I got transferred, yep, super shock to me as well since I only had 2 transfers in Virrey del Pino!



 

MARCH 2013 TRANSFERS



I found out Tuesday night that I was getting transferred, and I was super bummed, because I only got to say goodbye to like 2 people, the Juarez family who came come to our apartment to say goodbye, and I called Alina and told her she was super sad.  She talked like the whole Remis ride on the phone, but ya, yet another slam dunk packing experience. 

I always love going to transfer meetings and seeing everyone, it's like a big reunion.  I got to see all my old friends from back in the day like Elder Wilson, Hermana Pasquale, Elder Young, and others.

When the transfer video started and it came to Virrey, Elder Bustamante got a Mini Missionary (which is like a kid who lives in the mission and wants to live the mission life for a little bit) so looks like he's getting out of English 101 again! HAHA I was wondering what the heck, is there a new area that hasn't even been on the radar cause I wasn't seeing anything of that awesome Elder Draper popping up, did he go home or what?  Nope there, at the tail end, Boop, I appeared, and the Elders' went nuts. I have a lot of support here these days, especially at transfers what a great place to take it all in whatever it is that is coming! Well there I was heading to Ciudadela with Elder Caceres, what really, that Brazilian Comp I have waited for, what a BONUS however he leaves April 20th because Brazil has a law that if you are gone for over 2 years you are no longer considered a citizen. YIKES Elder Caceres is a short little round Brazilian, and he is way cool, lots of fun to be with, I love being his companion.  He loves Gaga, so ya it was meant to be! It will be sad to see him part though really soon on April 20th so I have 3 weeks to learn the area! However if things go how I want then I will become a Trainer at that point.   

As I mentioned, the downside of transfers is packing, because I have so much stuff, don't know where it came from (wink) but it's all here now! LOL  We also got new banking cards so that was exciting, mine was getting worn, not that I shop a lot the machines here are like shredders and like to chomp on the cards!





It was a bummer on at first realizing leaving Virrey as that meant I would miss my baptisms and the much anticipated Talent Show.  Alina told me "It's  only going to be a show because the Talent is leaving, our little Pop Star is needed in another part of Buenos Aires, but the show must go on" she was praying whoever took my place could carry a note! LOL

 

 

So here I am "In The House" in Ciudadela, our apartment is super nice, like one of the best in the mission! We have an amazing view of the city of Ramos Mejia and its like a New York pent house compared to where I have lived in the past, well that is if you call a washing machine in the building living the high life, it is to me! LOL Everything we need i.e. shopping is pretty to here. 







There are four us of and we live with 2 other Elders, Elder Slone from Florida and Elder Bracken from Arizona they are super great Missionaries as well! I chose the floor as to the bunk bed which I will move to as it gets colder, but I love the view for now I haven't seen this much city action since I got here, I almost forgot what electricity in building looks like at night! HA We have to take a bus into our area, very ghetto and at first I was super intimidated by it as it is said to be one of the most dangerous places in the Mission/World but hey if that's not a challenge I'm down for that!  There is a giant like apartment complex thing, I don't know how to explain it, its like something from a post-apocolyptic movie, we call it El Fuerte just across from our apartment. 

 


On Thursday I got to go on a division because Elder Caceres went on the tour for the Pastores in Capital, so I went with Elder Hall to his area because his Mini Missionary didn't arrive to the transfer meeting, it was just easily one of the best days, Elder Hall is absolutely hilarious, we have like the same exact sense of humor, yet we are both just absorbed in the work here!

I MENTIONED NOT RETURNING GOR MY BAPTSIMS HERE'S WHY
I HAS 2 SWEET SISTERS WAITING FOR ME IN CIUDADELA 

I was fortunate to baptize an elderly lady named Lydia  as the man who was suppose to baptize Lydia bailed at the last minute... soooo I was there to save the day, or that's what I was told!  I ended up baptizing Lydia! She is super nice and she loved her baptism as I love rejoicing in her joy as a new member. 


 

 

I also baptized Roxana the same day,  Each member and the experiences I have with them are priceless!!!  I am super excited to work in this new area, and see what adventures await me!!!!

 

 

 




Well tell Grams her card will be sent on Weds as everything here is closed until Thurday since last Thursday for semana santa.  Also mom. Riley is going on a Mish too, so send details as they unfold and see what's up with Brelynn's call think it will be there this week call SIster Bromley she didn't show up on email today so I am sure she is a wreck waiting on pins and needles this week! 

que el futuro de la roca (Gonna ROCK THE FUTURE)~~~

LOVE YALL!  SAME TIME NEXT WEEK
 
Love,
Elder Wade Draper