Today, April 26th, 2016 is Elder Loveless' official 3 month mark on his mission. Only 21 more months to go.
(Honestly, it has felt like forever. We miss his sweet spirit and totally hilarious personality.)
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Monday, April 25, 2016
Hocote Season!!! Weekly Letter - April 25th, 2016
Weekly Letter – April 25th, 2016
Hocote Season!!!
Greetings from La Uniòn! This week was a good one! I don't have a whole lot to say, but I'll do my best. We worked hard and not a whole lot happened. The Lord is really trying us right now. Let's see if I can remember what we did...we walked a lot and taught a lot too. We gave a blessing to Hermana Mari because she is having a super hard time right now (this is hard to type in English…my mind is finally starting to think in Spanish). We did interchanges on Friday and I had Elder Gonzalez who only has 1 week in the field, so that was fun. Also it's hocote and mango season. Everyone has trees and so they are always giving us hocotes and mangos. Hocotes are like heaven. They're like grapes but un poquito mas grande. They have red and green ones and the reds are better. Pretty much like peaches but smaller and softer. Also we bought some watermelon from the watermelon delivery guy and it was so good!
Fabricio didn't get baptized this week so we're praying so hard for this Saturday. The hermanas had 2 baptisms! Also we met a guy about 2 weeks ago named Rene Mauricio and he's such a good guy. He's 48 and he can`t see or hear super good and he also has one daughter who passed away. He doesn't have a job either. He's had one heck of a life. He's super good, just that he can't hear super well so he talks the whole time so he doesn't have to keep asking what we said. The familia Carcomo; they are so awesome. Claudia Jr. (11) wants to get baptized now and not to wait for her parents so we're working super hard with her for that. They make me appreciate the gospel a whole lot more because they just received and treasure it with everything they are. Also hermana Mari is so awesome. She was telling us how the day that the missionaries start teaching you is a day you can't forget and a day when your life changes for ever. The Gospel changes lives!!! I invite you to share it with neighbors and friends and help the missionaries out!!
Friday I helped Elder Palmer give the district meeting on authority and power. As missionaries we have authority. We are called of God. But we need to teach with power which is the Holy Ghost. We get that power through obedience and prayer. If we don't teach with the Spirit, we're wasting the Lord's time. It's so important to always be worthy of the Holy Ghost and also to give blessings because everyone asks the missionaries to do that. They respect us so much.
Anyways, I'll let you all know when I know about skyping. Have a fantastic week and strive to always have the spirit and share the gospel! I love you all!
Salud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best and Worst of the Week: Best: Hocote season!! Worst: It's getting hotter and the work's getting harder.
Hocote Season!!!
Greetings from La Uniòn! This week was a good one! I don't have a whole lot to say, but I'll do my best. We worked hard and not a whole lot happened. The Lord is really trying us right now. Let's see if I can remember what we did...we walked a lot and taught a lot too. We gave a blessing to Hermana Mari because she is having a super hard time right now (this is hard to type in English…my mind is finally starting to think in Spanish). We did interchanges on Friday and I had Elder Gonzalez who only has 1 week in the field, so that was fun. Also it's hocote and mango season. Everyone has trees and so they are always giving us hocotes and mangos. Hocotes are like heaven. They're like grapes but un poquito mas grande. They have red and green ones and the reds are better. Pretty much like peaches but smaller and softer. Also we bought some watermelon from the watermelon delivery guy and it was so good!
Fabricio didn't get baptized this week so we're praying so hard for this Saturday. The hermanas had 2 baptisms! Also we met a guy about 2 weeks ago named Rene Mauricio and he's such a good guy. He's 48 and he can`t see or hear super good and he also has one daughter who passed away. He doesn't have a job either. He's had one heck of a life. He's super good, just that he can't hear super well so he talks the whole time so he doesn't have to keep asking what we said. The familia Carcomo; they are so awesome. Claudia Jr. (11) wants to get baptized now and not to wait for her parents so we're working super hard with her for that. They make me appreciate the gospel a whole lot more because they just received and treasure it with everything they are. Also hermana Mari is so awesome. She was telling us how the day that the missionaries start teaching you is a day you can't forget and a day when your life changes for ever. The Gospel changes lives!!! I invite you to share it with neighbors and friends and help the missionaries out!!
Friday I helped Elder Palmer give the district meeting on authority and power. As missionaries we have authority. We are called of God. But we need to teach with power which is the Holy Ghost. We get that power through obedience and prayer. If we don't teach with the Spirit, we're wasting the Lord's time. It's so important to always be worthy of the Holy Ghost and also to give blessings because everyone asks the missionaries to do that. They respect us so much.
Anyways, I'll let you all know when I know about skyping. Have a fantastic week and strive to always have the spirit and share the gospel! I love you all!
Salud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best and Worst of the Week: Best: Hocote season!! Worst: It's getting hotter and the work's getting harder.
Sunday, April 24, 2016
Mission Plaque
Mission Plaque
Finally got a picture to put on Elder Loveless' plaque
that hangs in the glass cabinet at the church house.
Monday, April 18, 2016
Zone Picture at the San Salvador Temple
Zone picture at the temple!
Elder Vallecillo is on my right 👉 (looking at the pic) and he goes home this Thursday!
I'm sure gonna miss that guy.
(Elder Loveless looks more tan then most of the natives!!!)
April 18th, 2016 - Weekly Letter
Cambio 2!!!
Hello everyone!! Greetings from El Salvador!!
This week was a good one. We worked our butts off and we saw results. The Lords tries us, but at the same time, he sends angels to walk with His missionaries. On Wednesday we had the amazing opportunity to go to San Salvador and go into the temple!!! WOW! It's absolutely gorgeous. I felt the Spirit soooo strongly in there. I went with questions and they were answered! Friday, Elder Palmer got sick at about 6 PM so we went to the house and he slept and I studied the LDM and a member brought us dinner. His name is Presidente Lenim and he's the best member that you're gonna have. He`s a convert and was Branch President for 18 years and he truly understands member missionary work. I wanna be like him after the mission. Members are ESSENTIAL to the work. Thursday we had a Family Home Evening at the church with them and Hermana Mari y Jessica. Presidente and his wife gave the topic and it was so good. Anyways, Saturday was a test of Elder Palmer`s and my diligence. Pretty much every lesson fell and every person we tried to contact wouldn`t have it…but hey, we worked hard and that's what matters. One of my favorite quotes is from President Hinckley. It says: First get on your knees and pour out your heart to the Lord then get on your feet and work! There's also an awesome quote in PME that says the best way to have success that is proven is TO WORK! We work hard and the Lord helps us out. I see countless miracles every day.
Sadly Fabricio didn't get baptized on Sunday so we've gotta work with him this week to make sure we do it this week. We also have a for sure set date with Hermana Stefanie who is the sister of Mari y Jessica. She and Jessica told us that they want to serve as missionaries and that totally made my life. Wow. Also Mari has a daughter named Ashley who is the cutest little 3 year old you'll ever see. Dang. She says my name and it's the cutest thing ever. Kids are adorable. Anyways, yesterday we gave 3 blessings and I got to voice one of them and wow, that was awesome too. We were talking about how the priesthood isn`t for us, but is for others. It's a service. Presidente Morris in the CCM told us that there will be times that it's the most unconvienient (?) time that you have to serve sometimes and yesterday was one…but it's a service and as missionaries, we're here to serve!
Let's see...miracles...the Lord looks out for us. I've seen miracles here in the mission. I love the people and the food. The people make juice out of any fruit they can get their hands on and I do not mind because the frescito is sooo good. It also rained and the rain here is crazy! It dumps like crazy and then since the day it rained it's been like 100% humidity. It's insane....hot plus humid is not a good mix...anyways also lots of people don't like gringos here...they all think we're rich and that our lives are perfect so when we share personal experiences and trials that we've had, it really shows them that we're just like them. We have trials, just different trials. The Atonement is awesome. Also the work here is really hard. People think we're just here to be friends and don't understand that there's only 1 true church. They all think that since we all worship the same God, all the churches are good. It can be frustrating, but it never was easy for Jesus to atone for the sins of all the world. I also studied a lot in the LDM this week. Wow. I love the Libro de Mormon. Read Alma 36. It's so good about the Atonement and Repentance. Also I finished my first transfer in the field! Me and Elder Palmer will quedarnos juntos (stay together) for at least this transfer and that makes me happy.
Anyways, all here is going great. I have loved every minute of the mission and the time goes so fast!!! Anyways, I hope you`re all doing good! Also I forgot last week, but I got a letter from Grandma Val! I'll do my best to reply fast! I love you all! Portuense bien!!!
Saluuuuuuud Pues!!
Elder Loveless
Best and worst of the week:
Best thing...TEMPLE TRIP!! Worst is that it's soooo hot. It's been like 100% humid every day.
Hello everyone!! Greetings from El Salvador!!
This week was a good one. We worked our butts off and we saw results. The Lords tries us, but at the same time, he sends angels to walk with His missionaries. On Wednesday we had the amazing opportunity to go to San Salvador and go into the temple!!! WOW! It's absolutely gorgeous. I felt the Spirit soooo strongly in there. I went with questions and they were answered! Friday, Elder Palmer got sick at about 6 PM so we went to the house and he slept and I studied the LDM and a member brought us dinner. His name is Presidente Lenim and he's the best member that you're gonna have. He`s a convert and was Branch President for 18 years and he truly understands member missionary work. I wanna be like him after the mission. Members are ESSENTIAL to the work. Thursday we had a Family Home Evening at the church with them and Hermana Mari y Jessica. Presidente and his wife gave the topic and it was so good. Anyways, Saturday was a test of Elder Palmer`s and my diligence. Pretty much every lesson fell and every person we tried to contact wouldn`t have it…but hey, we worked hard and that's what matters. One of my favorite quotes is from President Hinckley. It says: First get on your knees and pour out your heart to the Lord then get on your feet and work! There's also an awesome quote in PME that says the best way to have success that is proven is TO WORK! We work hard and the Lord helps us out. I see countless miracles every day.
Sadly Fabricio didn't get baptized on Sunday so we've gotta work with him this week to make sure we do it this week. We also have a for sure set date with Hermana Stefanie who is the sister of Mari y Jessica. She and Jessica told us that they want to serve as missionaries and that totally made my life. Wow. Also Mari has a daughter named Ashley who is the cutest little 3 year old you'll ever see. Dang. She says my name and it's the cutest thing ever. Kids are adorable. Anyways, yesterday we gave 3 blessings and I got to voice one of them and wow, that was awesome too. We were talking about how the priesthood isn`t for us, but is for others. It's a service. Presidente Morris in the CCM told us that there will be times that it's the most unconvienient (?) time that you have to serve sometimes and yesterday was one…but it's a service and as missionaries, we're here to serve!
Let's see...miracles...the Lord looks out for us. I've seen miracles here in the mission. I love the people and the food. The people make juice out of any fruit they can get their hands on and I do not mind because the frescito is sooo good. It also rained and the rain here is crazy! It dumps like crazy and then since the day it rained it's been like 100% humidity. It's insane....hot plus humid is not a good mix...anyways also lots of people don't like gringos here...they all think we're rich and that our lives are perfect so when we share personal experiences and trials that we've had, it really shows them that we're just like them. We have trials, just different trials. The Atonement is awesome. Also the work here is really hard. People think we're just here to be friends and don't understand that there's only 1 true church. They all think that since we all worship the same God, all the churches are good. It can be frustrating, but it never was easy for Jesus to atone for the sins of all the world. I also studied a lot in the LDM this week. Wow. I love the Libro de Mormon. Read Alma 36. It's so good about the Atonement and Repentance. Also I finished my first transfer in the field! Me and Elder Palmer will quedarnos juntos (stay together) for at least this transfer and that makes me happy.
Anyways, all here is going great. I have loved every minute of the mission and the time goes so fast!!! Anyways, I hope you`re all doing good! Also I forgot last week, but I got a letter from Grandma Val! I'll do my best to reply fast! I love you all! Portuense bien!!!
Saluuuuuuud Pues!!
Elder Loveless
Best and worst of the week:
Best thing...TEMPLE TRIP!! Worst is that it's soooo hot. It's been like 100% humid every day.
Monday, April 11, 2016
April 11th, 2016 - Weekly Letter
Hello Peeps!!
Hello all from La Uniòn! This week was fantastic. I also realized that my letters are probably a little boring so I will try to spice things up a bit. This week Elder Palmer and I worked our butts off. Our goal is to get 40 lessons in one week and to keep going up after that and this week we almost got it but not quite! I have been doing tons of contacting. At first it was so scary, but now it's pretty easy. I try to bear my testimony in every lesson because (1) it brings the spirit and (2) it's something that the people cannot argue with because they like to do that sometimes because they're all so Catholic or Evangelico. But that's been good. We sweat a lot...it's kinda gross haha, but I'm bronzeando my piel con todo. (Sun tanned on all my skin)
We had a baptism on Saturday for Hermana Jessica who is the sister of Hermana Mari that I baptized. That was wonderful. This Sunday I am going to baptize Hermano Fabricio who is the nephew of Hermana Lourdes who was baptized like 2 weeks ago. He wants me to do it so that's exciting! I will try to keep you all more up-to-date with our investigators. The family Carcomo is so strong, but still waiting for the divorce and they need money to travel to San Salvador to start the paperwork. Other than that, nobody else is super positive. We're working on finding tons of new investigators. Other than that, we ate tons, we sweated tons, prested a little service and baptized! Today for p-day we went to the beach and played soccer and kickball and that was so fun. It was nice and fresco there. I got so sunburned haha.
In my district it's us, the hermanas who are loca con todo (the sisters who are totally crazy), the Zone Leaders and then Elders Hernandez and Goodman in San Miguel which is about 1 hour away. I love my district. The hermanas are so crazy but Elder Goodman is hilarious and Elder Hernandez is awesome. He's a Chapin which is what they call people from Guatemala. The ZL's are in a trio and it's Elder Mejia from Honduras who is probably the funniest guy on the planet, Elder Barrios who is Chapin and he finishes the mission in June and then Elder Vallecillo from Costa Rica who is the best missionary you'll find. He has been a trainer, DL, ZL and an assistant and he leaves next week which is sad cause he's so cool. I love the mission. It's usually about 110 degrees everyday but that's okay. Also we usually have our lessons outside because it's cooler and there's rarely men home. We like to play human frogger which can be super intense...I'll tell more about that later haha. The people here...so nice. They are so humble and giving, but they think we're just here to talk about the word of God so that can be frustrating...also in the middle of lessons women will just start breastfeeding and that is the worst ever...no personal space or shame here haha. We also had a super great Zone Conference Friday and I learned so much and that I need to include the Lord more because this is His work, not mine. Anyways. I am doing great and the work is moving on here in La Uniòn. Talk to you all next week! I love you all! Behave and make good choices!
Saluuuuud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best thing that happened this week was the baptism of Hermana Jessica. Worst was probably...I hurt my leg pretty dang bad playing soccer but I'm fine now.
Hello all from La Uniòn! This week was fantastic. I also realized that my letters are probably a little boring so I will try to spice things up a bit. This week Elder Palmer and I worked our butts off. Our goal is to get 40 lessons in one week and to keep going up after that and this week we almost got it but not quite! I have been doing tons of contacting. At first it was so scary, but now it's pretty easy. I try to bear my testimony in every lesson because (1) it brings the spirit and (2) it's something that the people cannot argue with because they like to do that sometimes because they're all so Catholic or Evangelico. But that's been good. We sweat a lot...it's kinda gross haha, but I'm bronzeando my piel con todo. (Sun tanned on all my skin)
We had a baptism on Saturday for Hermana Jessica who is the sister of Hermana Mari that I baptized. That was wonderful. This Sunday I am going to baptize Hermano Fabricio who is the nephew of Hermana Lourdes who was baptized like 2 weeks ago. He wants me to do it so that's exciting! I will try to keep you all more up-to-date with our investigators. The family Carcomo is so strong, but still waiting for the divorce and they need money to travel to San Salvador to start the paperwork. Other than that, nobody else is super positive. We're working on finding tons of new investigators. Other than that, we ate tons, we sweated tons, prested a little service and baptized! Today for p-day we went to the beach and played soccer and kickball and that was so fun. It was nice and fresco there. I got so sunburned haha.
In my district it's us, the hermanas who are loca con todo (the sisters who are totally crazy), the Zone Leaders and then Elders Hernandez and Goodman in San Miguel which is about 1 hour away. I love my district. The hermanas are so crazy but Elder Goodman is hilarious and Elder Hernandez is awesome. He's a Chapin which is what they call people from Guatemala. The ZL's are in a trio and it's Elder Mejia from Honduras who is probably the funniest guy on the planet, Elder Barrios who is Chapin and he finishes the mission in June and then Elder Vallecillo from Costa Rica who is the best missionary you'll find. He has been a trainer, DL, ZL and an assistant and he leaves next week which is sad cause he's so cool. I love the mission. It's usually about 110 degrees everyday but that's okay. Also we usually have our lessons outside because it's cooler and there's rarely men home. We like to play human frogger which can be super intense...I'll tell more about that later haha. The people here...so nice. They are so humble and giving, but they think we're just here to talk about the word of God so that can be frustrating...also in the middle of lessons women will just start breastfeeding and that is the worst ever...no personal space or shame here haha. We also had a super great Zone Conference Friday and I learned so much and that I need to include the Lord more because this is His work, not mine. Anyways. I am doing great and the work is moving on here in La Uniòn. Talk to you all next week! I love you all! Behave and make good choices!
Saluuuuud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best thing that happened this week was the baptism of Hermana Jessica. Worst was probably...I hurt my leg pretty dang bad playing soccer but I'm fine now.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Elder Beteta
"Elder Beteta (Potato) from the CCM (MTC).
He was hilarious and he looks like Obama!!!"
Elder Loveless and Elder Palmer
"Me and my companion Elder Palmer and then Elder Westra from my CCM district y su compa."
April 4th, 2016 - Weekly Letter - Conference
April 4, 2016 – Conference – Weekly Letter
This week was...interesting but good haha. I don't really know where to start. The work is good here. It's slowing down a little bit, but we're working hard here in The Oven of La Uniòn. We play soccer every P-day so that's always so fun. Tuesday was a normal day. We worked dang hard. Wednesday we went to San Miguel for a District meeting then I came back with Elder Goodman to work in our area. We got our stomachs stuffed by Hermana Bartola then we went off to work. That was kind of tough because I had to lead the area, but it went well.
Super creepy story though...my companion told me a story of how there is a guy who chills in the cemetery and he's gay and likes to take his clothes off...I didn't believe him...until Wednesday…wow what a day...we were walking through the cemetery and I saw something move and I looked at a tree and there he was...taking his pants off and staring at us 2 gringos...I looked at Elder Goodman and told him to walk back the way we came but very, very, very quickly...then later that day we were standing by the cemetery and we saw him again! He was rubbing his butt...leaning up against a tree and was making kiss faces and puckering and making smoochy noises...wow I felt so violated so we took off again laughing...I now have a legitimate fear of cemeteries and I get chills thinking about them...wow that was wild...then Thursday was pretty normal and Friday too.
We worked hard and I ate chicken liver on Thursday at Pollo Campestre and that was a little weird...Also Zac! We saw a dog on a roof! It was so weird hahaha. I also have a cough so that is not fun. Friday we had entrevistas con Presidente y Hermana Vasquez in San Miguel and that was awesome. They gave us tons of candy and stuff and it was good to talk to them about what's been happening. I got a letter from Sister Killian and I got the package from the family!! Thanks for the candy! It was a poquito melted so it's "chilling" in the fridge haha (; Saturday I had the awesome opportunity to hang off the side of a moving bus. Oh man I've just been waiting to do that. So that was fun. We saw some more pigs in the road...also we're gonna make pizza with a family tonight because I told them I know how so we'll see how that goes haha, and conference, oh my it was soo good. We watched in English and I loved every second of every talk. I left my notes at the house but I loved Elder Christofferson's talk about being a father and then I loved all of priesthood session especially the talk about how the best leader is the best follower of Jesus Christ. I caught 2 themes: Family and if you're down, do everything to get back up. Focusing on strengthening the members. Wow, such a powerful conference. I want more!! It's sad we have to wait 6 more months, but I learned a lot. Anyways, that's all. We will be working hard this week. Also there's a bebida here called Chocolatina and its pretty much perfection. It's way better than chocolate milk.
Happy anniversary mom and dad and good luck tomorrow Emma! I love you all and have the best week!!
Saluuuuud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best was General Conference! Worst is that I still have a cough!
This week was...interesting but good haha. I don't really know where to start. The work is good here. It's slowing down a little bit, but we're working hard here in The Oven of La Uniòn. We play soccer every P-day so that's always so fun. Tuesday was a normal day. We worked dang hard. Wednesday we went to San Miguel for a District meeting then I came back with Elder Goodman to work in our area. We got our stomachs stuffed by Hermana Bartola then we went off to work. That was kind of tough because I had to lead the area, but it went well.
Super creepy story though...my companion told me a story of how there is a guy who chills in the cemetery and he's gay and likes to take his clothes off...I didn't believe him...until Wednesday…wow what a day...we were walking through the cemetery and I saw something move and I looked at a tree and there he was...taking his pants off and staring at us 2 gringos...I looked at Elder Goodman and told him to walk back the way we came but very, very, very quickly...then later that day we were standing by the cemetery and we saw him again! He was rubbing his butt...leaning up against a tree and was making kiss faces and puckering and making smoochy noises...wow I felt so violated so we took off again laughing...I now have a legitimate fear of cemeteries and I get chills thinking about them...wow that was wild...then Thursday was pretty normal and Friday too.
We worked hard and I ate chicken liver on Thursday at Pollo Campestre and that was a little weird...Also Zac! We saw a dog on a roof! It was so weird hahaha. I also have a cough so that is not fun. Friday we had entrevistas con Presidente y Hermana Vasquez in San Miguel and that was awesome. They gave us tons of candy and stuff and it was good to talk to them about what's been happening. I got a letter from Sister Killian and I got the package from the family!! Thanks for the candy! It was a poquito melted so it's "chilling" in the fridge haha (; Saturday I had the awesome opportunity to hang off the side of a moving bus. Oh man I've just been waiting to do that. So that was fun. We saw some more pigs in the road...also we're gonna make pizza with a family tonight because I told them I know how so we'll see how that goes haha, and conference, oh my it was soo good. We watched in English and I loved every second of every talk. I left my notes at the house but I loved Elder Christofferson's talk about being a father and then I loved all of priesthood session especially the talk about how the best leader is the best follower of Jesus Christ. I caught 2 themes: Family and if you're down, do everything to get back up. Focusing on strengthening the members. Wow, such a powerful conference. I want more!! It's sad we have to wait 6 more months, but I learned a lot. Anyways, that's all. We will be working hard this week. Also there's a bebida here called Chocolatina and its pretty much perfection. It's way better than chocolate milk.
Happy anniversary mom and dad and good luck tomorrow Emma! I love you all and have the best week!!
Saluuuuud Pues!
Elder Loveless
Best was General Conference! Worst is that I still have a cough!
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