Elder Jordan Beary: An apostolic update

Last week was the first week of the new transfer. An elder in our district is training now so we spent a few days together before his new comp got here.

Wednesday we were waiting in a park for a joven from the ward to come do some visits with us. As we were waiting there was a super old man walking across the street, he got to the curb and scaled it like a champion, but there was another little step to conqure and he didn´t quite make it. As he was falling backwards and slammed his head pretty badly on the ground I was running over to help him. We decided to help him all the way to his house, there was a kid on his bike who new where he lived. after about 5 minutes and 2 blocks, we ran into a guy who was looking for him and he guided us to his house. Then afterwards we went to a less active families house and had a super good lesson with them. They finally opened up and told us why they don´t go to church.

Sunday was the Primary Program. Thats my favorite sunday of the year. It was super awesome this year becuase we had 3 families come to church that we are working super hard with.

This week

Skipping all the boring stuff and getting right to it:

Friday, we all borded a bus at 3:00pm to go to Salta. The whole entire mission had a conference with the mission president and his wife . Oh yeah, and with ELDER COOK. Saturday we woke up and put on our cleanest shirt, suit, and shoes with the nicest ties we own. Headed over to the chapel and met up with the old friends, set up a bunch of chairs, and took a mission pic. Then stayed put for about 10 minutes for Elder and Sister Cook, Elder and Sister Texiera, and Elder and Sister Suarez to roll up in their mini vans. They got their just as we were finishing ¨Families Can Be Togeher Forever¨ and starting ¨I Am a Child of God¨ They stepped out and just waited and watched as we finished the verse. There was absolutely no doubt that the Spirit was present during that moment and the following two hours. We got into the chapel and had the opportunity to shake their hands, but knowing me, I gave them a good ol Elder Beary bear hug. (I was the only hugger out of the 209 missionaries.. oops)

Elder Cook talked about how we can be better branch builders of the church. full of advice and council. Be warm, loving, gracious, smile more, express love, let them know you are a mesanger. Then he remined us that we shouldnt judge those who are trying to follow Christ. It doesn´t matter your age, gender, sexual orientation, size, color, ect. and that the blessings of the restored gospel are available to all of the people that want them. The part that stuck out the most to all of us that were ther and that hit us the haredest was at the end. He talked about having spiritual experiences and that we all can have them. with all the seriousness and humbleness of his heart he testified saying ¨I´ve heard the voice of the Lord, I have seen his face!¨ There was a dry eye in the chaple as you could feel the spirt so strongly. and there was no way you could doubt what he had just said.

It was such a good meeting and opportunity to hear a special witness of the Lord here in my mission. It was like a Salta, Argentina version of General Conference.

Sunday Elder Texiera and his wife, along with President and Hermana Chaparro came to our Stake Conference and that was also powerful and uplifting. Elder Texiera gave the metaphor of the bird who gives his feathers in exchange for food. but after so many times, he no longer has feathers to fly and he cant get anymore food. then he tied it in with our agency and falling for sin.

Camila (invesitgator (Part Member family)) came to church again and is preparing for baptism this saturday, our only fear is that the bishop wont approve it because she comes from a family really inactive, but they are doing really good and coming to church. PRAY FOR THEM.

Hope all is good back in the 801 or where ever it is that you are right now. Shout out to Ivan for tying the knot on Saturday!

elder wood from my district in the mtc