Quote of the week:

"The Lord doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called"


Monday, June 25, 2012

Week 47, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina


Mom's Homemade Banana Bread 



Short tie!!!




Family,

This week we taught a lot of lessons and thought that we were going to have lots of people in church but when Sunday came, only one came. I was super grateful that Diego came because we were both really sad that nobody else came. We have two guys that are close to getting baptized but haven’t gained a testimony of church attendance. We’re going to teach them about the church and help them get to church because you can’t get baptized without going to church!

On Sunday night, we had a meeting with all the church leaders about the ward and what we can do to help in the areas that are struggling. For most of the time they talked about the youth and the problems that they’re having with seminary and mutual. Nobody goes. As they talked about everything and it made me think of our ward back home and how grateful I am that when I was in Young Men’s that I had friends that I could depend on that would go to seminary and mutual and church. I’m thankful for parents and leaders that gave me a push when I didn’t feel like going. A lot of times in life we find ourselves without desire to do something. We must surround ourselves with influences that help us choose the right. It’s really hard to paddle against the stream when were alone and we can’t expect ourselves to do such a difficult task by ourselves. We need leaders and friends that love us enough to help us in our cause. We have the promise that when we are "in holy places," Heavenly Father will help us. Same thing goes with the people that struggle to put themselves in those holy places. We must make room and help them by making it easier to choose the right. I know that God loves us and wants us to succeed. We must use our agency and do good!

So last night I made BANANA BREAD!! It turned out perrrrrrfectttt. Elder Castillo loved it too! Today I’m going try to made root beer. Ill let you know how it goes. Haha

I don’t really have anything else to say except… I love you all and I hope you’re enjoying your Summer.

Love,
Elder Hjelmstad

Shout outs:
Grandma Cassie- Easy there grandma. I told you not to go so crazy on the dance floor so that you wouldnt fall! haha I hope you're getting better.

Grandpa- Have fun in Texas and you definately should wear your San Fran. sports stuff!

Mom, Dad, and the girls- Have a great summer!

Monday, June 18, 2012

Week 46, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina



My New companion Elder C.


Add caption



HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!! Hope you have a great, relaxing day with grandpa and the family. One more birthday and I’m home! haha crazyyy. and WOOHOO COLBY GOT HIS MISSION CALL to the  BRAZIL Salvador mission! Super awesome! If he didn’t know, Salvador means Savior! I’m so excited for him!

This week was super short because my companion had to do visa stuff and we had a training conference with the president. The training was super great and learned a ton. He spoke a lot on integrity and used the scripture in D&C 58:26-28.

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

I really love this scripture because it’s basic. We have agency. We can choose to act as we want. Heavenly Father can’t take us by the hand the whole way back to heaven but we must act for ourselves. He teaches us HOW to walk and shows us where we SHOULD walk but at times we forget and follow our own ideas. I know that God loves us and wants us to succeed but we have the responsibility to show our faith and follow the path that Christ left behind. Everyday we choose whose side we’re on. I hope that all of us can have enough faith to engage ourselves in good causes and help people. When we do, we receive blessings from heaven. Blessings that make us HAPPY!

Funniest thing of the week happened yesterday morning. I woke up and we always say a companion prayer right away and it was my turn, so I said the prayer. Then got down from my top bunk and went to the bathroom and was looking for my backpack when Elder Castillo, who was still laying in bed asked me, ¨What time is it?" I looked at him like he was crazy thinking that it was 6:30 but then glanced at my watch. It said 4:05am. We both started laughing and then he said that he thought I was sleep walking. haha I got back in bed and woke up at 6:30. I still think I heard an alarm but whatever. It was funny.

Our area is doing alright but needs a lot of work. We met an AWESOME family that we’re going to see this week so I’m really excited for them. We have others that are getting close to getting baptized too. It’s fun but a lot to worry about. 

That’s so cool that Elder Breshear’s called you guys yesterday! I asked him to, but didn’t know if he would. He’s a great guy and always made others feel important. Now you have a better idea of what I’m doing down here.

And yeah Mom when you pick me up I’m with you guys the whole entire time! haha hotel and everything! Gunna be fun but don’t make me think about that yet because there’s a longgg way to go.

Alrighty… I love you all! Have a great birthday Mom!!!

Elder Hjelmstad

Monday, June 11, 2012

Week 45, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina


HOLA FAMILIA!

I loved all your emails and pictures that you sent me! Congrats Jenee! You guys looked great and the cut out of my pic was hilarious! haha I loved it! I wish I had cut outs of you guys! haha oh yeah...one thing. STOP GROWING JADEN! Jenee...you’ve changed too but Jaden’s winning the race. I liked having little sisters! haha

So, I don’t really even remember this week. haha But it went good! I love the new area and ward. They’re all really nice and they love the missionaries. :) We don’t have many people to teach though, so we planned to do some activities and stuff to find more people to teach. We’re teaching a teenager named Benjamin that’s great. We had a family home evening with his brother that’s a member and we played a game at the end that was so funny. We were all dying laughing. haha He came to church too so it was great! I want to baptize more! ahhhh! We have a bunch of appointments set up for this week so pray for us!

My new companion is from Peru. He’s way cool and loves soccer and ping pong, so we get along really good! He only has 3 months left of his mission so we think that he will finish here. He’s been here for 4 months, so he already so he knows the area and the people. He’s really good with people and teaches good too, so were hoping and planning on working hard and baptizing! 

Elder Breshears, an Elder that finished this past week was going around the country with his parents during the week and on Saturday we ate lunch together. On Sunday they came to Sacrament meeting and after sacrament meeting was over, Elder Breshears was talking to a bunch of people and his parents were in the corner meeting a ton of people but had no clue what they were saying, so I served as a translator. haha It was way fun. They’re super nice and Sister Breshears said she’s going to call you mom, so be ready. They get back to the states on Wednesday. It was way fun but got me thinking about you guys and stuff. I’m not homesick! I promise.

I don’t really have anything else to say except that it’s getting cold here! I’ve been wearing gloves and a scarf every day! haha so enjoy your summer!

LOVE YOU ALL!
Elder Hjelmstad

Elder Hjelmstad shows up at his Sisters graduation...


So months ago Jenee said that all she
wanted for graduation was a "cut out" of Josh...


This is when Jenee first see's Josh in the stands....

The family including Elder Hjelmstad


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Week 44, Villa Diego, Rosario, Argentina


My District: Hermana R., Hermana F.,
Elder G., Elder A., and Elder S.


The W. Family Family

Branch President, his wife and child

The L. Family

The L. Family


Hey Family!!

This week was pretty great! We found some great people and I’m really excited for them and their progress. Our other investigators kinda tripped up and haven’t come to church in a while which is a bummer. My favorite part of the week was last Monday when we walked in on an inactive family reading the scriptures! We joined them and read aloud, taking turns. I just sat there thinking about all the times that we did that and how there is such a strength in family scripture study and prayer. No wonder it’s a commandment! It helps us! As we pray and read together as a family we find that we all have the same goal, to return back to Heavenly Fathers presence as an Eternal Family. The commandments and counsels help us focus on this goal. I’m so grateful for all those times! Oh and that family came to church on Sunday! It was great!

So...Transfers came and gone once again and I’m leaving my musty, old pinch! Actually were both leaving and two new elders are coming. haha I’m going to another area within Rosario called Las Delicias. My new comp is Elder C. from Peru but doesn’t live anywhere close to where Jon is serving. haha already asked. I’m super excited to get to know another area and more people! WOOHOO! I’ve loved Villa Diego and the families here. Miguel wasn’t too affected that we’re leaving but said an amazing prayer that really touched me. I’m going to miss these people but the Lord knows that I’m needed somewhere else!

Today for Pday we went to lunch at a buffet place and met Elder Breshears and Elder Hunsakers FAMILIES!!! They came to Argentina to pick them up because they just finished their missions yesterday. So crazy!!! The families were totally lost with all the Spanish and I just kept thinking of you guys the whole time. It’s going to be a blast! haha But there’s still work to be done! haha Over a year left! Crazy!

Have fun with the family and JENEE, CONGRATS! You’re growing up and I don’t like it. haha slow down. Have a great summer while I’m freezing here in Rosario. haha

LOVE,
Elder Hjelmstad