(left back) Elders Wetzel, Guzman, Naranjo, Canaza, Sorensen, Coronel, Robinson, Lucas, Olson, Frischknecht, Hinojosa. (left front) Elders Beck, Campbell, Rodriguez, Brown.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Leaving Mendoza ~ Going HOME ~ Job Well Done!
(left back) Elders Wetzel, Guzman, Naranjo, Canaza, Sorensen, Coronel, Robinson, Lucas, Olson, Frischknecht, Hinojosa. (left front) Elders Beck, Campbell, Rodriguez, Brown.
May 2 2011
Hey mom. We had our P day reschedualed because today we had my last zone conference. It was a very surreal experience knowing it was my last. They always ask the departing missionaries to give their `last testimony`. I couldn`t believe I was up there at the pulpit. Such a rush of memories came flooding back. It`s almost like it was all a dream. I realized how much I`ve really grown and how close I`ve come to the Lord these last two years. I came here a little boy with such little knowledge of Jesus Christ and my Father in Heaven. I`ve been able to come so much closer to them through leaders, studies, and sharing my testimony with the people of Argentina. The best decision I`ve ever made in my life was to serve a mission. The best. With out a doubt in my mind. Every bit of success that I`ll ever have in life will be attributed to my mission. I wil cherish it for the rest of my life. Sunday was kind of cool. The stake president of the stake I`m serving in right now gave me a call (he doesn`t even live in our ward) and asked me to go with him to a different ward on sunday and give a presentation of the ward list clean out project that I`m doing under the direction of the area 70 presidency. I was flattered, and had to leave my companion behind with another member in our ward getting ready to go on a mission to tend to our investigator that was schedualed to come to church. I got to get to know the stake president pretty well, he`s a great guy. The presentation went well and afterwards we stayed for sacrament meeting and I got to get up and bear my testimony for the last time in an Argentine testimony meeting. It was a little weird doing it in a ward of people I didn`t know but I felt the spirit very strong. It was cool. Tomorrow we`ll be coming on to write you we just had a spare second here in the offices after conference and Hna. Lindahl was so nice enough to let me hop on for a sec. I`ll write you more tomorrow about a cool experience that also happened this week. Love ya!
Elder Campbell
Elder Campbell
April 25 2011
Hey mom. Way funny story about the new mission president and his daughter. They must have some dough to be sending their daughter up there on vacation. Thats not just a little money! Everyone is buzzing that another Avila is coming. The last mission president (his brother) had to do a lot of cleaning up on obedience here and is reknown for being super strict and sending lots of missionaries home. So everyone is nervous. The mission is running great right now though, so Pte. Avila II will be coming into a different situation. That`ll be fun to get to know the brother from argentina. I`m way stoked to get to know him. Bummer that the weather is bad! It better get warming up in the next couple weeks. The weather here right now is PERFECT. A little chilly in the mornings but daytime is like 75 degrees. I think weather wise I`ve been hooked up because in a span of 3 years I`ll have gone through 1 winter. (I missed my first winter down here in Georgia).
Our ward is still amazing. The area however is pretty difficult. Starting from nothing has been a new experience for me. Your never too old to learn new things in the mission I`ve learned. The sisters left us with not a single investigator and we`re in a very wealthy neighborhood here. It`s sad to see people so economically blessed be so ignorant. I think that they see no need for God in their lives because of their money. It`s not uncommon to see a Benz or BMW 5-6 times a day here in this area. So that makes it difficult but what gives me hope is seeing how strong the ward is. Up to this point I didn`t think a ward like this existed in Argentina. It just has humbled me into believing that it is possible for the church to be fully functional here like it is at home. We actually found a great young man this week that accepted a baptismal date in 2 weeks but didn`t show to church. So we`ll see what we can do. My last zone conference is thursday, so weird.
Our ward is still amazing. The area however is pretty difficult. Starting from nothing has been a new experience for me. Your never too old to learn new things in the mission I`ve learned. The sisters left us with not a single investigator and we`re in a very wealthy neighborhood here. It`s sad to see people so economically blessed be so ignorant. I think that they see no need for God in their lives because of their money. It`s not uncommon to see a Benz or BMW 5-6 times a day here in this area. So that makes it difficult but what gives me hope is seeing how strong the ward is. Up to this point I didn`t think a ward like this existed in Argentina. It just has humbled me into believing that it is possible for the church to be fully functional here like it is at home. We actually found a great young man this week that accepted a baptismal date in 2 weeks but didn`t show to church. So we`ll see what we can do. My last zone conference is thursday, so weird.
April 11 2011
Well sounds like you've been having a good time down in st george! I can't believe it is still snowing at home!!! What the heck?! The fall weather has been sooooo nice here. Around 75 degrees during the day and a little bit fresh in the mornings and night time. I'm praying this can hold on till the end of may but I doubt it. You have to think about these things as a missionary because I'm having to decide on everything I want to pack with me to my new area and what things I want to donate to the mission, like coats and sweaters and stuff. The funniest part is that my coats and sweaters are all hand me downs from my trainer haha. Remember how we decided not to buy one?? Good choice!
Anyways I was just going to tell you about a cool experience I had with President a little while ago. About two weeks ago he and Elders Leal and Sorensen (the office assistants right now) starting working on the transfers. As we had a little interview he opened up his big board that shows all of his missionaries organized by zone next to their companions. He said, ''You've done it all for me Elder Campbell. Now tell me where you want to finish your mission.'' It was a really special moment for me... I don't think I can really explain the feelings that we felt together as he told me silently through tears that he remembered his mission president sitting in his chair telling him the same thing. He didn't need to tell me but I knew that it was the greatest honor I could ever recieve from him. I was so greatful, and honestly honored. I decided to go to an area that has been struggling in a suburb of Mendoza named Villa Nueva. The area in the mission is known as UNIMEV. I'll be going with a young missionary that has about 6 months, whose name is Elder Roche. He's a great kid, and I wanted him to be my companion because I know that he has a lot of energy and will be able to push me. As well he's right at the point to being able to be a great leader in the mission. President and I see him as a future assistant and so I'll be able to take him under my wing a little bit and let him learn from me as well. It's going to be great. Another big reason for going there is that I've been assigned to use a new program the area 70 president Elder Arnold is developing to help Mendoza qualify for a new temple. The program hasn't been released yet and is still be tweaked and perfected as he's given direction to the mission presidents here to assign 1 or 2 Elders to be the pilot trials for it. I'll have to explain it in more detail next week but I'm excited that President has asked me to do it. Last week I actually got to sit in with President on a phone conference with the area 70's about the program and I got to talk to them personally, and get direction from them. It was incredible, what an opportunity for me right?! Anways, that'll be me the next few weeks as I'm running to the finish line. I wanted lots of responsibility to assure myself that I'd finish as a soldier of Christ. I'll finish sprinting across that finish line, rest assured. Love you momma!
Elder Campbell
Anyways I was just going to tell you about a cool experience I had with President a little while ago. About two weeks ago he and Elders Leal and Sorensen (the office assistants right now) starting working on the transfers. As we had a little interview he opened up his big board that shows all of his missionaries organized by zone next to their companions. He said, ''You've done it all for me Elder Campbell. Now tell me where you want to finish your mission.'' It was a really special moment for me... I don't think I can really explain the feelings that we felt together as he told me silently through tears that he remembered his mission president sitting in his chair telling him the same thing. He didn't need to tell me but I knew that it was the greatest honor I could ever recieve from him. I was so greatful, and honestly honored. I decided to go to an area that has been struggling in a suburb of Mendoza named Villa Nueva. The area in the mission is known as UNIMEV. I'll be going with a young missionary that has about 6 months, whose name is Elder Roche. He's a great kid, and I wanted him to be my companion because I know that he has a lot of energy and will be able to push me. As well he's right at the point to being able to be a great leader in the mission. President and I see him as a future assistant and so I'll be able to take him under my wing a little bit and let him learn from me as well. It's going to be great. Another big reason for going there is that I've been assigned to use a new program the area 70 president Elder Arnold is developing to help Mendoza qualify for a new temple. The program hasn't been released yet and is still be tweaked and perfected as he's given direction to the mission presidents here to assign 1 or 2 Elders to be the pilot trials for it. I'll have to explain it in more detail next week but I'm excited that President has asked me to do it. Last week I actually got to sit in with President on a phone conference with the area 70's about the program and I got to talk to them personally, and get direction from them. It was incredible, what an opportunity for me right?! Anways, that'll be me the next few weeks as I'm running to the finish line. I wanted lots of responsibility to assure myself that I'd finish as a soldier of Christ. I'll finish sprinting across that finish line, rest assured. Love you momma!
Elder Campbell
April 18 2011
Hey ma! Cool that Ben finally got baptised. I hope he can make it too, he has the best opportunity now that he has the right to the spirit. He just needs the members to rally around him and help him integrate and stay clean. You`ll have to tell me what Lee said back to Dad. I got teary eyed reading that line. I`m crying just thinking about it. I`m really happy you`ve been reading about Joseph. Maybe you can now put an emphasis on seeing how he reacted to the curve balls that were thrown at him. There are distinct moments in his life where he could have easily thrown in the towel after having been completely obedient and then getting sold as a slave, or being obedient and not sleeping with Potifers wife, then being thown in jail. Imagine how that`d be for us? Look at everything lately mom, you are obedient, go to the temple, pay your tithing, keep the commandments. Yet still have been placed in a few hard situations. How are you going to react? What can you imagine Joseph did and felt and thought, even though he was just royally screwed after his obedience? He could have denied God, or quit but he didn`t. He stayed worthy, he believed, he saw what the Lord was teaching him. And he ended up being the 2nd most powerful man in Egypt. Those blessings are ours to get. We just have to be like Joseph. Easier said than done... haha. But his story inspires me a lot. I like to think about how he was, outside of what is in the scripture itself. What an amazing guy he had to be to just be the best at whatever situation he was given, and how faithful he was even though it appeared he was being punished for his obedience.
Anyways, the new area is amazing. This ward is just...... unreal. It`s almost like I`m back home. We filled the chapel.... probably at least 110 people. It`s a gorgeous new building. The members are great, and are so happy to have elders back. Apart from that the area was left in a disaster as they had no teaching pool, or anyone they were working with. So it`s almost like we`re starting from scratch. Hopefully we can get it going strong before I get out of here. We`ve got a lot of work ahead of us. It would have been great to come into an area that was super ready to baptise a ton but then again my mission has never been like that. President has done that to me for some reason. I guess he must trust me a lot. I`m trying to think about home the least possible. I`m doing good, except for the fact that our area lies directly in line with the airport. So every plane that comes into mendoza flies directly over our apartment!!!!!! I can almost touch the wheels..... not cool for a missionary that is trying not to think about home haha. Funny right? Anyways, I was going to tell you that I bought myself some souveneers and have got everything I wanted to bring home.
Anyways. Love ya mom. Let me know. Talk to ya next week! I haven`t taken any pictures this week but I`ll see what I can do for next week!!!!
Anyways, the new area is amazing. This ward is just...... unreal. It`s almost like I`m back home. We filled the chapel.... probably at least 110 people. It`s a gorgeous new building. The members are great, and are so happy to have elders back. Apart from that the area was left in a disaster as they had no teaching pool, or anyone they were working with. So it`s almost like we`re starting from scratch. Hopefully we can get it going strong before I get out of here. We`ve got a lot of work ahead of us. It would have been great to come into an area that was super ready to baptise a ton but then again my mission has never been like that. President has done that to me for some reason. I guess he must trust me a lot. I`m trying to think about home the least possible. I`m doing good, except for the fact that our area lies directly in line with the airport. So every plane that comes into mendoza flies directly over our apartment!!!!!! I can almost touch the wheels..... not cool for a missionary that is trying not to think about home haha. Funny right? Anyways, I was going to tell you that I bought myself some souveneers and have got everything I wanted to bring home.
Anyways. Love ya mom. Let me know. Talk to ya next week! I haven`t taken any pictures this week but I`ll see what I can do for next week!!!!
It's getting real
OHHHHHHHHHHHH MAN.......... IT´S GETTING REAL MOM...........
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT DATE 30MARCH11
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
CAMPBELL/CARSON TYL 159651-R
MISSIONARY TRAVEL
ARGENTINA MENDOZA
SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE
____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______
LANARGENTINA 24MAY BUENOS AIRE BA MIAMI FL 1030P 700A
4M 4520 TUESDAY BUENOS AIRES E MIAMI INTL 25MAY
Q ECONOMY
NON SMOKING MEAL NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 9:30 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 767-300/300ER
SEAT 34L NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 25MAY MIAMI FL DALLAS TX 950A 1205P
AA 1625 WEDNESDAY MIAMI INTL DALLAS FORT
Q ECONOMY
NON SMOKING FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 3:15 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 757
SEAT 27A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 25MAY DALLAS TX SALT LAKE C UT 255P 440P
AA 2527 WEDNESDAY DALLAS FORT SALT LAKE CITY
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL 1
NON SMOKING FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 2:45 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING (DOUGLAS) MD-80 ALL SERIES
SEAT 30F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
RESERVATION NUMBER(S) AA/DSYSWW
CAMPBELL/CARSON TYLER 159651-R
CHURCH TRAVEL CWT DATE 30MARCH11
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84150
CAMPBELL/CARSON TYL 159651-R
MISSIONARY TRAVEL
ARGENTINA MENDOZA
SERVICE DATE FROM TO DEPART ARRIVE
____________________ _____ ______________ ______________ _______ ______
LANARGENTINA 24MAY BUENOS AIRE BA MIAMI FL 1030P 700A
4M 4520 TUESDAY BUENOS AIRES E MIAMI INTL 25MAY
Q ECONOMY
NON SMOKING MEAL NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 9:30 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 767-300/300ER
SEAT 34L NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 25MAY MIAMI FL DALLAS TX 950A 1205P
AA 1625 WEDNESDAY MIAMI INTL DALLAS FORT
Q ECONOMY
NON SMOKING FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 3:15 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING 757
SEAT 27A NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
AMERICAN AIRLINES 25MAY DALLAS TX SALT LAKE C UT 255P 440P
AA 2527 WEDNESDAY DALLAS FORT SALT LAKE CITY
Q ECONOMY TERMINAL 1
NON SMOKING FOOD FOR PURCHASE NON STOP
RESERVATION CONFIRMED 2:45 DURATION
AIRCRAFT: BOEING (DOUGLAS) MD-80 ALL SERIES
SEAT 30F NO SMOKING CONFIRMED
RESERVATION NUMBER(S) AA/DSYSWW
CAMPBELL/CARSON TYLER 159651-R
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