Hey mom! 

Idk where the time goes. So like when Kristyn emails me she just numbers them and I was like wow has it really almost been three months? Crazy!

 

It's been going well. It has been really good cause recently we have been having some good success for sure. We had 4 investigators at church which is pretty great. I am just super excited for whenever Awilda and Roy can get baptized. We had a lesson on temples which they loved a lot. We finally got Roy coming to church and he said he will be there every week. They have come two weeks in a row together now with all three of their kids. It's awesome.

 

Also, we almost and most likely will have another reactivation if not 2 more. Things have been great for sure. 

 

Lol it was so funny so this lady Noemi that we are teaching who I feel will get baptized for sure I guess loves how I speak my Spanish haha with the accent I have. But I thought that was a good thing because then I know I have an ok accent! 

 

Hope you enjoyed those pictures from the party and everything. So much fun. 

 

Oh so we have these two investigators that are related and so we have been trying to get them to church. So yesterday they were like alright you guys come to our church and right after we will go to yours. So we did!  It was nice and all but I just didn't feel right. Then after when we went to our church like wow such a huge spiritual difference for sure.

 

He (his companion) is an awesome guy honestly.  He is from South Jordan, Utah. Six siblings and has a little brother who is getting ready to serve a mission. He is pretty tall and is pretty good at basketball cause he played, but he is a little bit more into music and has a real good voice. So singing in the morning is alright haha cause he can and is trying to teach me. So that's interesting! 

 

Oh so in the other church we met the minister and talked to him for a second.  That was interesting. He was like so Mormons huh? He was like oh you guys are building a temple outside of my office.So funny but nice guy really. 

 

Jordan emailed me as well saying I should have to pay him to even be talking to him right now. (Gotta love the big brother giving little brother a hard time.)  

 

Also, I am super excited for conference! We have some investigators coming I believe as well which will be great for them especially. Just love hearing what they all have to say for us. 

 

I cannot believe Michael is coming home so soon and then has to go to school. I remember when he came and said goodbye to all of us like wow and I've been out about 3 months already. 

 

Yeah Christmas is coming up so soon and it'll be crazy to get to see y'all and talk! 

 

So how are the sisters in our Ward? I'm sure great. It's funny seeing all that they have to do now and allllll that they have to plan out (now that he's a missionary too). It is crazy. But rewarding and has helped me learn a lot. Kind of sad to see these two missionaries leaving that I got close to in our zone. Like going home leaving ha oh and Elder Mask got transferred! So bummed about that. He was like literally the only one! So that's a bummer. 

 

I fasted yesterday as well for all of that. Gosh fasted for about 26 hours actually cause we had to see someone ha but was not starving. Seen a lot of things in the power of fasting and in praying with others. 

 

We have been teaching about temples a lot lately and it is really making me want to go so I hope sometime soon! 

 

I'll have plenty of pictures! We are going with our zone leaders today to central city. 

 

We are staying busy. Been a slower week but it'll pick up. I love this work and the Lord. Love you so much mom and thank you for all that you do for me!! I love you!!!!

Love, 

Elder McArthur

Hey Mom! 

Oh my it was a great week this week actually. So let's see. We did have two people drop us this week actually for reasons are completely unknown especially this one Junior. Like we went over yesterday and he was home but didn't answer and then texted saying he could not receive visits from us anymore soooo idk. But! We do have an investigator progressing with a date! Super excited about that. Her name is Linka and she is the wife of Plinio who is in our Ward. He goes out with us a lot and is soooo funny. Kind of older guy. 

Also yeah wow I have plenty of pictures to send of the multi cultural night. I feel like I gained a good ten pounds cause there was sooooooo much and they just kept feeding me and feeding me non stop. Some interesting drinks that were amazing and wow and also we had lots of investigators and less actives come out so it was a great experience for all of them. So that went great. 

Then! I went on splits and taught this guy Jorge. He works with the bishop and his wife is a member. We are working hard on him. He always comes to church and everything but he just needs more time he says. He speaks Spanish and when I showed up he was surprised I was alone but I did it all in Spanish. It's really coming along well like more fluent I can tell already. But takes time takes time. 

Then we had a Golden retraining for all of us new ones so I saw Elder Hillstead and Elder Minnich again which was great! Such great training by President, his wife and the Assistants. And they fed us like the best pizza in the world. Also, the AP's drove us back, and we got to drive right through central city so it was awesome seeing places of when we go where we want to go. That was super cool and interesting lol. There names are Elder Toilolo who is older. He played on a full ride to the university of Hawaii for football. He is about 6'5" and weighs about 260. Then Elder Terry who is a little shorter but a big guy as well. Great great missionaries. 

Anyways so we had to run from there to get to three lessons. Ended up have about 5 investigators at church but also less actives who have been coming. So happy to see Roy! That is Awilda's husband who finally came and stayed the whole time. He loved it. 

Our ward is only growing in size. It is a decent size right now but adding more slowly. And two sets of missionaries. Us and them the trio with Elder Mask in that. Great week. 

Also, I did get my package and thank you soooo much! Love all of it that's for sure. And Lizzy and Megan did great with there stuff. I love getting pictures always! And yeah it does kind of stink that we have to wait honestly cause I would rather just have it right here but I don't want it to get stolen. 

Also, our Ward is from all over. Uruguay like the bishop or Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian.  No no we are definitely good on transfers for another 6 weeks if not 12. 

Lately we have seen him (mission president) often with all of this stuff which has been great. He is an awesome guy. Funny guy too. 

Just had some allergies really. Yeah my stomach is much better here than it was there actually hah because idk. The food is different though like that is one thing is all of them have their own different types of food. 

Yeah we just randomly got invited last night actually to a members house and it's funny cause the guy reminds me of JJ lot. Like the way he looks and everything it's so funny. We do occasionally cook for ourselves yes, but the members constantly give us food. I have already filled out I think a little bit. But anyways.

Haha Ryan is going to be awesome and good thing he got a tall companion. That's super awesome. I'm excited to see how he will do. 

So looking forward to general conference. I'm sure it'll be great like always. Can't wait to hear from them but I believe it will be in Spanish but oh well. 

Elder Lundberg who is one of our zone leaders did mine (cut his hair) when I went on an exchange with him. He did a great job actually too so that was nice. 

Well things are going pretty well here and just ready for it to get all cooled down though! It has a little but not where I would like yet. Like I say I love being out here. It has been rough and gone through a bit but I push through and always start a new day. Super excited for Jake! I know I will see him for sure, and I can not wait! I'll just start speaking Spanish to him haha. Yo se que este iglesia es verdadero( I know this church is true) y también que josé Smith fue un profeta de dios( and that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God.) I am excited to hear from President Monson so soon. No where else I would want to be right now. I love y'all and I love you mom! Talk to you soon! 

Oh! Also pictures will come today as well. 

Love, Elder McArthur

                                          Multicultural night

                            This is a counselor in their bishopric and his wife.  Adam loves them!

                                              He's a happy boy.  Finally got his package!!

Hey mom!

Yea, it honestly is going so fast. Every week just goes and goes but it is just because we are busy all day every day.  Things are going pretty good just struggling getting people to church. But! We have a couple people who we should be able to give a date to soon which will be awesome. And since we have been getting a lot I think we only got about two new investigators this week. We actually just reactivated a lady this week. Her name is Blanca. We are trying now to get her focused on going to the temple and so we got her an interview set up and everything because she wants to.

 

I am doing well just trying to learn from Elder Newbold. He helps a lot and just corrects me, and I'm trying to get it down quick so he will speak it to me a lot of times, and I know Jon who is the member above us recognizes I have picked up a lot cause he doesn't speak a lot of English.  

 

The general authority was so great. He was also an Elder Anderson hah and so he and his wife shared some remarks as well as President and Sister Anderson. Really great and smart guy. He talked about a little about don't think they are perfect cause he was like I always thought general authorities were perfect until they called me as one lol. 

 

 We try our best to do all we can out here that is for sure. But yea the weather is cooling down now and feeling soooo much better cause it had been really hot!  Today some missionaries are coming down to play basketball that we don't see often. 

 

Oh! I got to see Elder Hillstead during the mission tour! I didn't even know I would so that was awesome. They are in a much more open country side area with about 2,000 people there.  

 

It's weird taking subways also like I just don't like public transportation. Idk why it just is not for me. But oh well. Who knows where I'll end up next. I would actually love to be in a place like Elder Hillstead in jersey.  

 

Yea, I have pictures that I got on my desk cause Kayla also sent one which was nice. She said she will start sending me stuff now that I am in Philly lol. 

 

It's hard to believe it has been so long since nanny has been gone but I know they are here watching over me. (We were spending the last week with my mom this week 11 years ago.)

 

We have been able to have a great week this week and meet some potential investigators. Nothing real big happened this week although we did invite two people to baptism, and one lady whose name is Ramona did except, but we have no date for her. She has been very sick, but she seems to love this gospel although her husband is as hard headed and stubborn as they get. He doesn't want anything to do with the lessons although he has to sit in on them because we have to have a man with us. But oh well maybe something SOMETHING can get through to him cause he needs it. I mean he is a nice guy I guess but idk. 

 

Also just really excited for Awilda because everything is coming up soon for them so she can get baptized and hopefully Roy as well. We called them the other day, and they said they had been praying every night as a family which has been tough for them, but they really have been doing it all the time which was awesome. Just trying to help everyone grow! 

 

 

Oh also it was Elder Mask's birthday this past week and so his mom ordered us, a tonnnn of people, Philly cheesesteaks, and stuff like that. Well actually I guess it was this lady that works for his dad cause she called giving him a message from them since they couldn't talk to him. It was great. 

 

Just having good times and sharing the gospel. I'll continue to keep everyone in my prayers for sure, and it's been so great being out here except an hour for personal is not enough time at all in the mornings to do and read all I want but oh well I try to fit it all in! It's funny I just have liked reading everything and continue to read a lot and watching videos and stuff so it's going real great. 

 

Lol also hearing about Blake cause I am in his email and he is out on the USU campus and everything. He said he actually saw one of his friends so it sounds like he is doing well also. Well I hope everything is going well there and I'll keep everyone is my prayers! Love you mom!

Love, Elder McArthur

 

                      Reunited with Elder Hillstead with photo bomb by Elder Minnich!!

Elder Milligan was having nothing to do with that Alabama flag.  He is an LSU fan!!  He says he loves Elder McArthur but not that flag!!

Love you too mom! That is awesome to hear about just all the missionary work and how it blesses people and how awesome it is. This has been the quickest two months ever and it is weird that I have already been out for that long. Still just so much to learn and it is funny how being out here has changed me and how every morning I want to read and learn and gain more knowledge so that I can better teach the gospel and better help my investigators and less actives. I am just gaining a stronger testimony and I am getting really excited for general conference coming up soon and being able to here from President Monson and all his apostles and everyone else. Just seeing the change in some of these peoples lives but also how hard headed the world can be as well.

So I went on two back to back exchanges this week and one was with one of the zone leaders and the other with Elder Bair and Elder Villaba. We had a few very interesting experiences so with Bair and Villaba we went and taught these kids and their family that should be getting baptized next month. Afterwards we waited for Raul who is our ward mission leader to pick us up and go to dinner. In that time there were people out and then some other guys came and walked up to us with a huge thing of 20s and was like "yo y'all the guys to get the bags and dope from?" And we were so confused and kind of scared and them we told him what we were doing and he was just like wooooow. He said he gives us props for what we are doing cause someone died right where you three are standing and I'm not trying to scare you mom! This is just what happened and so we got to talking about why we were out and the other guy with him was Muslim so he questioned us and stuff like that but not too bad and then the other guy was like alright you got 5 minutes to convert me andddd go. So we all kind of shared some of the restoration to him and bore our testimonies and after he was like ok now I will tell you how you did. He basically said how bad we sucked and all that. Finally that was when Raul showed up and thank goodness cause I was starting to feel kind of like crap like what happened? So we got in the car and I was just kind of sitting there like dang just feeling down and Elder Villaba started talking to me and said don't even worry about it. You did exactly what you should have done. I just kind of thought about it and it was rough because that was my first encounter with something like that. He was just some drug dealer who just was trying to make us feel crappy so oh well. Anyways good stuff now!

So we had a lesson last night with Awhilda and Roy who are getting so close! Her papers will be done in two weeks and she said right after they are married as well that she is getting baptized and that there is no backing out. It is funny because they put a scripture from 2 Nephi outside there door. So she is great and finally we found out what is going on with Roy. Last night was such an inspired lesson. We took the Lopez family with us and they are soo great and funny. Just a young couple with no kids yet who have both served missions and he is our 1st counselor I believe. So we got to the end and he hadn't said a whole lot and she asked something about what we read and also why he hasn't come to church and everything and he ended up opening up so much and basically said he is afraid. Because he is feeling it will be such a change but a good change for his family especially for his 3 little kids who love us and so she shared a great story about her conversion and it went so well. So we are focusing hard on him and Awhilda is helping the best she can as well so look forward to seeing pictures of their baptism. That was probably the best thing this week for sure.

Also about Carmen who is the one you asked about. She is going through a little rough time with some sickness and she thinks that maybe she has cancer but we are seeing her soon and other than that which did get her down cause she called us the other day crying but she said she is still doing well and wants to see us soon.

Lots of good lessons and we have been doing better. We got 18 this week. Slowly and slowly learning more Spanish and understanding more.  Like we saw a lady the other day who I haven't seen since the work week and she could tell I have picked up a lot for sure. Just pray every day and I never realized how important it is. So many great things and we had 4 more new investigators this week. Only 3 investigators at churcthe.   I don't know why but everyone just had something come up so we are trying to get them there as best we can. Also we almost have one reactivation which is great.

Yea, we get fed very well as you can see cause all of that was just for us.

I'll get my package this week because we have the mission tour this week where a general authority comes out and go all around so I'll get it Friday!

Haven't got Kayla's yet but hopefully soon and yes I got yours thank you! Yea I like getting those (letters) for sure.

And shoes are holding up just fine. Everyone has Ecco's like all of them ha and they do really well. Also, I could possibly not even use a bike the whole time I am here because there are not very many areas that use them. It's mostly cars or for city walking, subway and busses.

Also it's funny to just think about how time is passing at home for like you or the girls, Kristyn and my friends because here it flies by. I know that everyone misses someone when they are gone that long and I miss y'all but it's funny how I have realized how short it really is and how next thing you know I'll be home and it's like I had never left. I mean two months have passed and I'm going into the third. As long as I get to write and hear from y'all once a week I can live with that.

I've had my rough days cause Elder Newbold can be a little tougher because he gets pretty stressed but he is working with it and I am trying to help him with it. But he is a great trainer that's for sure and I am still loving it. Also, he is the example of a hard hard worker for sure. I know there is a reason I was put with him and I think it is to benefit me and make me work hard and study more because I know that is something I needed and I am gaining and something I need to hasten the work.

Tell everyone at home I love them and do miss them but it's not that long. 

I'll be thinking of things for Christmas cause it is coming up again! I have thought about dish rags already and maybe another watch something like that. I'll keep thinking and I'll keep everyone in my prayers and thank you for everything mom! Love you very much and I will talk to you soon!

                                                  It's so hot here.

                                            At least I'm cooking for myself!!

Adam's district as of September 2, 2014, Adam, his companion Elder Newbold, Elder Mask, Elder Bair, and Elder Villaba from Ecuador.



Hey mom sorry bout yesterday! So our pday got switched because they felt like since it was Labor Day yesterday that we should be out so just for this week they switched it today. Anyways sounds like everything is going pretty well! Yeah it is hard to believe that I have been out for as long as I have honestly like basically two months like wow it has gone fast. 

Spanish is great and so actually the other night we were with an investigator, and I bore my testimony, and I was just in it and feeling the spirit and after Elder Newbold was like dude that was fluent like I am for sure not fluent yet, but it is coming along slowly everyday because every one here speaks it and all my leaders so it is nice. 

And so yeah every day have personal study, companion study and language study and sometimes lunch after then we head out to our appointments for the day. So like last week we taught 15 lessons which was awesome and only 4 investigators this time at church but more less active members that we got to come too because we are working a lot on reactivating members so that means they have to come at least 2 times for two months in a row. 

Elder Newbold said that he has packages sent to the mission home because they would probably get stolen here. It is a little sketchy honestly like we will be talking to people and they always say be careful because just bad stuff goes down here, but I never feel real threatened unless it is at night but Elder Newbold is a bigger guy and so it isn't too bad. 

Yea, Christmas I hear here is like super great. I am so ready for the cold though because it has been real hot and humid lately so it's time for some cold but anyways. 

You can send it (his package the girls and I are sending) soon cause we have a mission tour and interviews coming up so I will probably get it then. 

We only cover one ward, but it is actually pretty big which is nice just lots of less actives. 

Tell them all (all being who asked about him on Sunday) I said hello! 

Um tell Jake (best friend from Georgia who will be going to Philadelphia next month for his mission, had a wreck that he seriously should not have survived but walked away with only a concussion and bruises)  I said to be careful and he can't be letting that happen! Gotta see the kid! That is crazy well I hope he is all good! 

Everyone we tell who doesn't know we know Spanish they are always surprised at how much we know in just the short amount of time like always and they love it. It's a good conversations starter.

I am in Blake's big email well smaller but anyways and I saw pictures of him, Luke, Sam and Ryan! So jealous.  Yea, I hope Courtney is enjoying it and doing well up there!  

Oh gosh Ryan lol. Something always seems to go wrong with the Whites like hopefully Ryan doesn't miss his flight or something like that lol.  Poor guy (Colton White) that has to be so painful for sure. I'll keep him in my prayers. Hmm well tell him (Colton, I told Adam that he is taking his and Ryan's place in the harassing of Lizzy and everyone at home) I say hello! I hope everything is going alright with him. Poor Kayla is like all alone now but at least she will be staying busy cause I know that Kristyn is. 

I can't believe everyone is getting out in the field like that is super awesome and I know they will all have lots of success for sure. I always pray for them. 

Well this week was good as well and saw a lot of people and also we have a similar situation (like Sam M. talked about in his talk last Sunday) with a guy who as soon as he can get permission will be baptized. He is on probation for 7 more years and so his wife is a member but he just has to get permission. His name is Antonio, and we taught him yesterday, and it was a great lesson. He has such a desire to be baptized and change his life, and he already has. We asked him what was a blessing he has seen in his life, and it was that God gave him a second chance and saved his life. He has a HUGE scar on his leg of where he got shot and everything and so he feels so grateful to be alive and everything and have a loving wife because she is great. Nicest lady. Lots of people here are actually very nice but you always have some who are hard headed and just don't wanna listen to a word you say like we have this one guy right now who is I believe the husband of this lady Ramona that we are teaching and he is just as hard headed as it gets but she is so sweet, an older lady, and so we were closing with a prayer and asked who would she like to offer it and she pointed at him but he refused to so she just did it. It was so funny though because he was like huh me?? Anyways lots of great members here and strong members as well. 

Also, the stake president speaks Spanish cause he served in Ecuador so he gave a talk in our ward this Sunday in Spanish which was cool. Super great stake president for sure. Oh and about pictures so we are going up to the church today and I will be sending some there for sure cause I have some good ones of food and just us and stuff. 

Also, we gave two blessing this week which normally doesn't happen too often, but they both asked for it so those went real well. I am learning a ton every day and studying very hard so I can be the best that I can to bring more people into the church. I have already learned a lot and Elder Newbold is a great trainer. He can just get a little over stressed sometimes, and we talked about it so he told me just to tell him when I see he is and to be like dude it's all good just relax lol, but he is great. 

Well let me know also if there is anything to pray for. 

Also, one last thing that is super cool is the craziest change I have seen so far is with one of our investigators Carmen. She was actually suicidal before because she lost her daughter to an OD and also a son a couple years back and then we met her and starting teaching her and the other day she called and said how grateful she is for us and she feels such a peace in her life and is so much happier now having a knowledge of all these things. She should definitely be ready soon for a baptism. 

Well let me know if there is anything I can pray for or anything and I love you mom! So happy I was able to come out. I have had a couple hard days I will admit but I just pray for strength that I can get through and I have every day. I love all the people here and the work and reading the Book of Mormon more and more and preach my gospel and everything just helps me grow so much more and I want to study it and enjoy it. 

Well I will send pictures and keep you updated on everything and I love you very much! And so glad that nanny and papa joined the church. Love you again and talk to you Monday! 

Love, Elder McArthur

                                                   Hermano Sainz

                                                 Mexico City at night

                                                 The streets of Philadelphia

                                              The city in the distance.  Going in 2 weeks.

                                                    Elder Newbold (his trainer)

                                                So delicious food from a sweet family.

                                                          The sweet family.