Week 51, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina

Elder Hjelmstad with his new Companion Elder Haderlie

The circus came to town... (From Vegas?)

ALMOST HALF WAY!

To be honest I don’t really feel like I’m half way. I feel like I’m never going home! haha I don’t know how to describe it but it hasn’t really hit me that I’m going back to America some day. This past year has FLOWN by. My life has never gone by so fast. I’ve never learned so much without a textbook and finals that make me super nervous. I’m excited for the second half of my mission because I have a specific purpose now. Before I was really worried about learning Spanish and adjusting myself to the missionary lifestyle but now I don’t have to worry about those things. I get to focus on helping people change their lives! I get to show them how much God loves them and wants them to be a part of His church. I love being a missionary and am SUPER excited to work with my new companion, Elder Haderlie.

Elder Haderlie is from Orem, Utah and has 3 sisters like me! He plays baseball and basketball ands really easy to get along with. He has a super strong desire to baptize and help people. He has a great work ethic despite that he just received a "Dear John" a few weeks ago. haha. One thing that’s weird is that he’s a LOT like Dee. haha weird. Dee and I have always said that it would be super fun to be companions and now I have his clone! haha It’s way fun.

This week we set some goals for the transfer and went to work! We met some way cool people and have never been guided to so many people. We felt the spirit a ton this week and had some really great lessons. I really watched my testimony grow. I know that when you want something and you are willing to work for it with a good attitude, Heavenly Father will bless you! I saw it happen and know that each one of you can have the same experience! We knocked a door on Friday night because an appointment had failed and a guy answered the door and started speaking in broken English. We presented ourselves and then asked if we could go in. He invited us in and told us that he went to Las Vegas a while ago and is going again in a few months to work. We saw some pictures and he said that he had talked with missionaries before. His son was really interested and they started talking about how a lot of the Mormons they meet are super nice. We were happy to explain WHY! I know that God loves us and has blessed us with the knowledge of his plan so that we can be HAPPY here with our families and learn how to achieve ETERNAL happiness. I’m so grateful!

I love you so much!!

Elder Hjelmstad 

Sadly nobody came to church but we have some ideas so that they can come and have a good experience in church! I love church!

Shout Outs:

Heiners- Have fun in Maui!

Jen- have fun in your last week of childhood. hah

Jade- You’re not alone! Love you!

Grandpa- how’s the tan coming?

Grandma- 1st place! Great job!

Mom & Dad-  You’re getting old. One more and you’re empty nesters!

Week 50, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina

Transfers!!!!!

This is a card that the Mission Presidents wife made me for my Birthday!!!!

HOLA FAMILIA!! 

I’m glad you had a great time on vacation! I loved the pics and your emails! Thanks for writing! This week was rough...But it’s going to get better! My comp got transferred to Parana and my new comp is Elder Haderlie. He seems like a hard worker and I’m really excited to be his companion.

This week in church we had three investigators! Diego, is a members boyfriend, Susanna is a great lady that needs to get married, and Alfredo is a funny guy with gold teeth that cant read. We did a LOT of walking this week but were going to start being more effective. I’m really excited for the changes in the Zone!

Elder Castillo told a really sweet story that I loved. It goes like this.... “There is an Indian tribe that has the tradition that turns boys into men. When they are 12 years old Their Dad takes them out into the forest, they cut down a tree, and then the Dad blindfolds his son and tells him that he must sit on the log throughout the night without talking the blindfold off and that when he comes to get him in the morning he will take off the blindfold. The son tried being brave and throughout the night he heard animals go by him, trees swaying and branches breaking. He got through almost the whole entire night and then got scared and frantically took of the blindfold and found his Dad sitting on the other side of the log. The Dad never left him. Little to the knowledge of the boy was that he was there to watch over him the whole night." I loved this story because we all have trials even though we cant see God, we know that he is helping us in our time of need. He loves us so much that He will NEVER abandon us. He makes us strong! I’m so grateful for a Father in Heaven that loves me so much that He allows me to be tested so I can learn. Ether 12:27. Were so lucky.

Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

So this week we knocked on a door and the guy opened the window and yelled at us saying that he doesn’t talk to tall blonde guys. haha oh and I finally bought some more pants. :) I CANNOT believe that Dee has less that 6 months left. INSANE. I miss that guy. So I have a new obsession. I want to learn Portuguese REALLY BAD. I don’t know why.

Anyways, I don’t have any more time but I love you all so so much! THANK YOU!!

Elder Hjelmstad

Week 49 Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina

ELDER HJELMSTAD TURNS 20!!!!!!!!!!!

 I made the cake that you sent me. It turned out PERFECTTTT! My companion thinks I’m a good cook. ha I just told him that I am the son of my momma!

My pull up Bar...

On the morning of my Birthday I woke up at normal time, 6:30 and right away opened the presents. I love them all! Thank you so much everybody!!!! 

BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!!

This week was good! We had some great lessons and I’m excited for some of the people that we’re teaching! We’re starting to teach a young couple that has a 5 year old. They’re way great and nice and I’m excited for them to progress. We did splits this week and it was fun getting to know other Elders and listen to them talk about their families and why they’re serving a mission. Every missionary has their own style of doing things and it’s fun to work with them and see their testimonies in action. I know each one of us has a special testimony because were all special children or God! We are all given different talents so that we can work together! We must acknowledge the strengths in everybody and support them or help them in the things in which they struggle! We seek for good in all things.

13^th Article Of Faith

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things.  If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

 -Joseph Smith

This week some funny stuff happened:

First, a lady took down our names and wanted to know our "boss" because she thought we somehow found out where she lived but we were just knocking doors.

Second, we were walking by an old truck on the way home and it snagged my pants. It took a good chunk out. Chao pants. haha

Third, and then yesterday we were walking past some houses when a dog that seemed nice, growled and almost bit me.  So, instinctively I pulled my little Peruvian Companion in front of me and got behind him, but when I put him in front of me I tripped (yes, I’m still clumsy) and almost fell on my face. Oh and a group of teenagers were passing by on the other side of the road and got a good show. We started busting up laughing and so did the teenagers. Good times... haha

My birthday went great, except that nobody that were teaching came to church. Big bummer but they’ll come next week. In the morning I woke up at normal time, 6:30 and right away opened the presents. I love them all! Thank you so much everybody!!!! Church was really great and nobody knew it was my birthday, so it was nice. After church we went to lunch at a members house and the family had bought a PIG and on Saturday they took it to a bread store because it was the only place that had an oven big enough to fit it. It was really good! My first time eating pig like that! At night we taught a part member family and they fed us hot dogs. Only condiment... mayo, of course. Then at night I made the cake that you sent me. It turned out PERFECTTTT! My comp thinks I’m a good cook. ha I just told him that I am the son of my momma!

MUCHAS GRACIAS POR TODO LOS REGALITOS Y POR HACER MI CUMPLEAÑOS MUY ESPECIAL.

LOS AMO,

Elder Hjelmstad!

Shout Outs:

Heiners- GRACIAS for the watch and the card! 

Grandma Cassie, Grandpa Gordon and Aunt Melanie- GRACIAS for the way sweet tie and clothes and card and the ROOTbeer candies!!!!!

Addison- That card was hilarious! GRACIAS! Have fun in Venice!

Grandma Mary- GRACIAS for the little things and the nice tie!

Grandpa- GRACIAS for the tie and card! I remember when you gave me my birthday card 

when I turned 8. Feel like that was yesterday. Crazyyy

J&A- weird candy, but great! GRACIAS!

Foley's-  Thanks you so much for your generous gift. I will put it to good use!!! :)

FAMILY- GRACIAS for making my bday special even when Im on the other side of the world. I love you! 

1.  Did you get the last package??? Nopeeeeee

2.  What did you do for your birthday? Did anyone know? Did anyone make it special?

we went to church, ate pig for lunch, and then had hot dogs with a part member family at night. Then I made the cake. turned out PERFEEECCTT

3.  Did you have a special dessert for your birthday?

The cake that you sent me! haha

4.  What kind of traditions do they do for birthdays in Argentina?

nothing. they dont have money so they do somehting small. Usually food and one or two presents

5.  I'm reading Elder Rory Jones mission blog! Didn't he room with you guys for awhile? It's super fun to read about others serving in your mission. 

hahah hey he's my good buddy! Yeah we lived together for 2 transfers! Way great guy and super nice. Hes Elder Hulls comp in the offices

6.  What are you doing for Pday?

Going to a buffet wooooohoooo!

7. What was your high this week?

Our golden family accepted the baptismal date!

8.  What was your low?

Nobody came to church.

9.  How many investigators came to church? ( I've been praying!!!)

none. but keep praying!

10.  What was your favorite birthday gift this year?

I dont have a fav! I loved the laker stuff, the sweets, and the little games!

11.  How many weeks until transfers?

next week! pdays on tuesday and we find out what happensssss

12.  How often do you meet with the Mission pres? 

once a month we have a meeting with him and the stake pres

13.  Take lots of pictures of your zone etc. Do we get pictures this week?

yesssss

Week 48, Las Delicias, Rosario, Argentina

Hola!!!!

Hey family! This week we had a good, but not so good time. It’s a little tough right now but that’s how we learn right? I’m so thankful that my mission hasn’t been easy because I’ve learned A TON. I knew it was going to be hard. From patience to perseverance, the mission has really helped me learn. I’ve been humbled, and pushed to my limits at times. I know that in the trials we have, there is no better source to find comfort than in the scriptures and prayer. "When it’s too hard to stand. kneel." I know Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to learn. He will always help us. We must learn how to embrace our trials and master them. We must endure! We have to! We can’t let the "other guy" beat us. We must always be obedient and engaged in a good cause. In those hard moments the Lord continues to bless us but we must look for it. "Not every day is good, but there is good in every day." We must keep our head up and our attitude positive! Just in the past few hours I’ve received a ton of tender mercies from one thing to another. Thank you so much for your support, love, and prayers. I know with assurance, that the clouds always clear up and things, "come to pass," and not to stay. We must be obedient ALWAYS. President Monson has said, "You can’t be right when doing the wrong, and you can’t be wrong when doing to right." I love this..."And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."

I made the root beer and it turned out AMAZING!!! haha that was a high point of the week. I was talking with Sister Giuliani, my mission President’s wife and she said that she misses root beer a ton so I think I’m going to make her some when I go to the mission home on Thursday. Today I’m going to try to make my favorite cookies. :) I’ll never forget when Lexi sent me frozen cookie dough in the MTC. hahaha that was awesome.

Oh so we’ve been working out a lot lately! Running the stairs in the apartment and I bought a Pull-up bar for 15 dollars, or 70 pesos. I think my bodies changed but I’ll let you guys judge that in a year. ha

So I don’t have anything else.... I LOVE YOU ALL!

ELDER HJELMSTAD

Shout outs...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Auntie Penny!!!!

Grandpa- I got your card! thanks so much! Loved the pics!

Family- Have fun with the Foleys

Jax & Andrew- Sweet house! Can’t wait to get up there with you! Gunna be sweeeet!