Merry Christmas 2013

 The thing about Wednesday is that I should be getting on when it is about one a clock for you I hope there is internet so be able to do it if not I will have to call you or something and do it another day. The problem is there are not a whole lot of options of places to go so if there is no internet I am kind of done for. We were going to do it from the church, but that is not looking good because there hasn't been web access for a week now.

 Also, I have learned why the bishopric in each word dreads tithing settlement now. I am still scrambling to get stuff done and the internet situation is not making it easier.

 I was reading President Packard's talk from last conference and really enjoyed the experience he once had with a seventy that if there are any kinds of problem in a branch or ward the leaders should get them to read the scriptures. President Packard responeded"what scriptures?" and the seventy responded anywhere in the scriptures if the members are reading the problems that are in the ward will fix themselves because they are constantly receiving personal revelation from God who is the only being that will always know what we need. I have seen that happen for me as a missionary the help and direction I receive for the scriptures is incredible and always can be applied to me personally if I am trying to identify the1. Doctrine, 2. The principle, 3. and the Application. Looking for those things is what helps me to not get bored or tired and to always continue growing spiritually it is something I learned from when Elder Bednar spoke in the MTC. As I study, I have also noticed that during the day I don't get down on myself or discouraged if things don't go as planned or when I make mistakes. Because I know that I have already learned an eternal truth that day that I will carry with me through the eternities and that is the kind of success I need in this life to let the Spirit have a bigger impact on me and allow me to be of use to others and most importantly to the Lord.

This week had a lot of different challenges.. don't worry I wrote them in my journal so we will talk about it in the future haha. I have been feeling really grateful lately for the huge blessing that being a missionary has been for me, but aso I have noticed a whole lot of things I could be doing better too, which is good if I didn't have things to mejorar I would definately get bored and depressed. I love you a whole bunch and will see you on wednesday! Love Elder Bell

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12/16/2013

Dec 16 at 3:41 PM

I had to take out some money to help my comp buy glasses so that his headaches would stop so that is what happened there. He payed me back already so it is all good and we are working hard.  

 

We don't have water problems that often, but it happens haha showering in the rain is better anyways. I am really in need of a haircut right now...

 

Tell grandma and grandpa thanks for the money I bought new tennis shoes with it.  

 

We are four Elders in a branch the newest of us is from Peru and acts a whole lot like Elder Huanca it is weird to see how elder Huanca probably was when he started the mission.  But this missionary is tiny and always constantly asking me questions which really makes things interesting. This place is the biggest pit of temptation there is for some missonaries it really surprises me sometimes... maybe that is how it is in all the missions I don't know.

 

So I am excited for Christmas. I plan on making more cookies this Sunday for the branch members. Lots of cookies like a gift for Christmas.. It still feels weird pulling a sister missionary move like that but whatever. Well I was going to send pics this week, but I took the wrong computer. sounds like you are all having fun I hope everything keeps going well at Home I love you tons! Elder Bell

Yeah that is awesome that you sent me those videos haha he still wrestles different than I ever did, but it sure looks like he is tearing it up so that is cool. Ahhh so my companion is really starting to come alive as a result of his buddy leaving I think . He talks to me now and everything and is really putting forth effort to work this last week was a whole lot better.

 I am really trying to work on my personal prayers I find that something that is often missing is trying to ask questions that actually matter to me to be able to spill out the desires of my heart before God I have recognized that  all of the prayers of great significance in my life I have really asked questions after expressing gratitude, but not just a question and then keep going but actually trying to describe what I feel and the Spirit often guides me in that. Love you dad tell britt I am gonna train for a month when I get back and then it is on! ;) have a good week!

12/09/2013

Well this week was a little boring my companion has had headaches so we haven't left the house  since tuesday. Except for the fact that we went and played soccer for six hours today so I really don't understand his headaches. I guess we are going to the capital to buy him glasses on wednesday I think and supposedly that will help him.

 

I gave the packages to the other three elders in our apartment and they were really excited and told me to thank you very much. The two new missionaries  in our branch are Elder Tirado from chiwawua, Mexico and Elder Castro who started here in this area and he is from Lima, Peru.

 

 I have been using my card more latley mostly for stuff like a soccer ball, dominos... and I will be buying new work out shoes because the others are dying ha :) could you do me a favor and let me know how much money there is in my account?

 

 I made the the chocolate cookies form the cake mix and after eating some took the rest to some families in our branch... I felt so much like a sister missionary haha they always do stuff like that..but they do seem to have a lot of success so we will see if it worked for me. If not I will just have to make more cookies.

 

So, wrestling has been going for at least two week now and I am pretty sure there was a tournament last weekend and they have dueled probably twice... tell dad and brittan they deserve a boche ( dad should get that I don't know if it is dominican) if not it means to chew them out. and I want to know what is going on at least a little bit please :)

 

 If you could send me the skype information of the skype I am using and not you guys I will be ready I should be skyping from the chapel, however I still don't know when.

 

 Wow mom so I have a little gift for the bell grandparents, but I don't know what would be good forthe allens ...is there any kind of things they collect or that they like that a could buy them?I would buy a nut cracker, but I don't think they know what those are here ha. something

 

 I am really enjoying right now is the last three chapters of moroni and moroni 7:48 that states that only a true disciple of Jesus Christ  is given the pure love of christ from God. so we see that charity is something we earn and there are many aspects to it. a few verses before 48 and article of faith #13 really describe what charity is. By the way excuse me about Lehi's vision it definately was the holy ghost I went back and reviewed it and looked at some other things it is definately the Holy Ghost.

 

Something interesting this week is we hadn't had water to shower for four days so last night I got to shower in the rain at about two a clock in the morining when I woke up... it was acutally really nice

 

Thank you so much for the packages I have recived five form you and one from grandma and grandpa Bell thank you so much for the pictures by the way. I was wondering if you every do send another package or letter and remember ths I will be extremly grateful because this has been in my head for a while. I want the picture of the Christmas before I left with all of the bell familhy together at the party the funny faced one and the normal one if you could do that I would be really excited.  Love you mom say high to the fam. Love,Elder Bell

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12/02/2013

 I am excited to spend Christmas here in Los Llanos there are some really awesome members here.

This week I focued a lot in D&C 11 it is a great chapter I really love verse 18 I am grateful for the Scripture references you send it is always nice to be able to have new scriptures to pass over and see how they help me be more converted.

 I am starting to gain weight now ha got to get excercising hopefully it will be easier now that I have kind of gotten rid of the allergy I had.

 I am glad then the Allen Grandparents are doing well makes me smile.

Something that I want to do very badly is go to the temple because it has been thirteen months without even seeing it now. I just have bad luck with temple rotations I left right before they went and returned right after this zone had made a trip.

 This week II ate two chicken claws and a very hot pepper called ahitipi it is a little tiny red thing and whatever it touches doesn't stop burning for a while , suprisingly I liked it.

 I love you bunches have a good week! Love Elder Bell