HAPPY HUMP DAY!!! January 26th, 2017

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!  January 26th, 2017

Here is what mom posted on Facebook today:

Happy Hump Day Elder Loveless!!! I have waited for this day for so very long. One year ago today we took Elder Jon Loveless to the Salt Lake Airport and said goodbye to him for two years. It was my second son to serve a mission but it was not any easier to say goodbye. We have definitely missed his hilarious personality in our home. But...he is doing fabulous and has such a strong testimony of the Gospel of Christ. He loves his companion, Elder Arango, and they are doing wonderful things serving as the AP's of the mission. Check out his blog to read more about his adventures:  elderlovelessinelsalvador.blogspot.com and see the sweet tribute Emma made to him on her blog:  adventureswithemmalee.blogspot.com. I wore the tag pictured to work today and got to tell several people about my son. And now...we can start taking off sticky notes instead of adding them! Yeah!!!

Here is what Emma posted on her blog today:

ELDER LOVELESS HITS ONE YEAR!
I HAVE WAITED SO LONG TO WRITE THIS (:
But I want to start by backtracking. 
You may think that being the only girl and the youngest in your family would be terrible. Sike, it's actually a party. I wouldn't trade it for anything. My childhood was filled with endless adventures. I played with worms in the backyard, acted out Pokémon, held concerts in the basement, quoted Sponge Bob, and kicked butt in karate, all alongside my big brothers. (There were no barbies in my childhood, maybe because my brothers tore all of their heads off haha). Everyday held a new adventure, even simple things like walking to school were so much fun. I always had two people to hang out with, spill my secrets to, cry in front of, punch (Jon deserves it for breaking my nose haha). I took for granted their presence, I took for granted them sitting across from me at the dinner table, blowing bubbles in our milk, I took for granted the songs they used to sing about me, and the help they gave me with homework. 
And then in about a 3 month period, it seemed a majority of my people had left. In November Jon's girlfriend left on her mission, in December Zac got married and moved out, and in January Jon left on his mission, and I was left at home. It didn't honestly feel real at the beginning. I would still wait to see his car pull up after work, only to remember he wasn't going to come. I no longer had someone to play ping pong with downstairs. My workout buddy was gone, and I had nobody to blast music in the car with. I can tell you that I felt emptiness and nothing seemed to make me feel better.  And this past year has been really hard, I'm not going to lie. I went from 100 to 0 in .2 seconds, and it was hard. And one of the hardest parts is missing someone so bad, but knowing that you need to be happy for them, because they are doing amazing things. Depression definitely became a real thing to me this year, and being alone is honestly one of my least favorite things. 
And then we got to skype Jonny Boy on Christmas, and everything seemed to fit back together for a minute. Seeing the way he talked about the missionary work, and how happy he seemed with his companion, and seeing him smile. And in that moment everything became worth it, because my brother is out on the Lord's errand, and I wouldn't want him to be anywhere else. 
And I never thought this day would come. 1 year down, 1 more to go. And I've realized that family is seriously the coolest, and life is for loving people and getting excited for other people and supporting each other. And I want to thank the people who have loved me this past year. So many people have helped me to not feel so alone, and I couldn't be more grateful. 

"I'm happy as ever and a little sad that I'm hitting my 1 year mark this week. I feel like I just left yesterday. I feel like I'm still in my training jaja. How fast the time goes. Ahhh. It makes me sad. being the missionary is the best thing in the whole world. Thanks for all your love and support and prayers and I hope everything is good."

 "The Lord is really blessing us and I'm so grateful for all the miracles he's given to me. This truly is the work of the Lord and it's the most rewarding work there ever has been and it will keep on advancing until El Salvador comes again."

"Baha I'm always tired but like McDonald´s, I'm lovin´ it (; I love you sissy. Behave and do good on your homework!"


 "Hey lil sissy! I'm glad to hear that you're doing good! God loves us and especially you and there's no time to be sad! This life is so joyous! (:"

Elder Loveless and Elder Butler

Elder Loveless got to see an old companion Elder Butler

January 23rd, 2017 - Weekly Letter

January 23rd, 2017 - Weekly Letter

It's mango season!!!

Hey family and friends!! This week was wonderful and full of joy and more miracles! We had the entire week to work in the area and that never happens so we were super happy about that. We've been able to focus a ton in our area this week and we've seen miracles.

We were able to do interchanges with the Zone Leaders from San Vicente and we were able to find about 9 new investigators and put 4 baptismal dates. We found some really great people and not only that, but families. We really trying to focus on families and baptizing priesthood because it's really hard here to baptize men. But we're working on that.

On Thursday I went to Jucuapa in interchanges and I worked with Elder Popaca from Mexico. We were there for 2 days and that was fun. I could learn a couple things and I hope he could too.

Hermana Sandra and Luis came to church yesterday and Hermana Sandra will be getting baptized this Friday the 27th at 6 PM. She is so excited. We're still working with Luis, but he's progressing very well. We also have Hermana Marisol who is the wife and mom of a less active family. She's doing alright. Having struggles, but she's doing good. We're hoping to be able to baptize 3 more in February. I also gave my first talk in my whole mission yesterday (in church) and I feel like it went well.

I'm happy as ever and a little sad that I'm hitting my 1 year mark this week. I feel like I just left yesterday. I feel like I'm still in my training jaja. How fast the time goes. Ahhh. It makes me sad. Being a missionary is the best thing in the whole world. Thanks for all your love and support and prayers and I hope everything is good dondequiera que estén (wherever you may be). This truly is the work of the Lord and it will continue onward until He comes again. Keep working and give 100% in your callings. We can't be passive, Sunday members. We need to be active members that give all to the Lord 7 days a week, because we love Him. Anyways, I love you all and hope all is good! Until next week!

Con Mucho Amor Hacia Ustedes, Elder Loveless

Best and Worst of the Week:
Best-1 entire week in the area.
Worst-I don't think there was one haha.

Letters and/or Packages:
None

Fotos!!!

Baptism Cake

Garobitos!

Bautismo de Hermanas Ana y Allison!

January 16th, 2017 - Weekly Letter

January 16th, 2017 - Weekly Letter

A veces no dormimos, pero eso está bien jeje
(Sometimes we don't sleep, but that's fine lol)

Oi familia y amigos! This week was a good one. We were super dang busy. We're still alive and working hard so that's a good sign!

This week we prepared the Multi-Zona conferences. We had one on Tuesday in Apopa, another on Wednesday in Ilopango and the last one on Friday in San Miguel. They all went really well. We put the goal as a mission to baptize 200 people consistently every month or to get more. We talked about having a consecrated P-Day, how to utilize PME better and how we can use our time better in the aspect of Contacts, New Investigators and Baptismal Dates. We found out some really interesting things and were able to see how we're working and where we need help at.  This week, the latest that we slept in until was 5:30. Normally it was about 4:30-5. Nobody should be awake at that time...but we did it and everything all went really well. Also they announced our new mission president. His name is Presidente Durán from Tegucigalpa, Honduras! How exciting!

Thursday, we did the Baptismal Interviews of Ana and Allison and they both passed!!! So we basically had very few hours to plan a baptismal service for Saturday, but that's why we have Ward Mission Leaders! (; So that was the highlight of the week. Saturday at 5 PM, Hermana Ana and her Hija Allison were baptized. Elder Arango baptized Hna Ana and I baptized Hna Allison. They were so happy. That bought a cake that we all ate together and some little garobitos. It was such a spiritual baptism. They're such great converts. Sunday we confirmed them and put goals and plans as a ward of how we're gonna reactivate the less actives and how many we're gonna baptize and help receive saving ordinances this year. This ward is so good. Also Hermana Ana just planned her first FHE and is inviting other members and less actives. She is so good!

On Sunday, Hermana Marisol came to church with her daughters. Her daughters and husband are less actives and she's not a member. But they came out of their own will and really enjoyed the church meetings. We are gonna try to put a baptismal date for February. We also had a super powerful lesson yesterday night with Angelito who is a member who is waiting to go on is mission to Tijuana, Mexico in May.  The Lord is really blessing us and I'm so grateful for all the miracles he's given to me. This truly is the work of the Lord and it's the most rewarding work there ever has been and it will keep on advancing until El Salvador (The Savior) comes again. I love you all and testify to you as a missionary called by God, that these things are true. He Lives and He loves each and every one of us. He's aware of our circumstances and has a plan for all of us. I love studying the scriptures because I come to know Him even more. I love this work and my Savior, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

¡Tengan todos una muy buena semana y cuídense mucho!!
(Have a great week and take care of yourself!!)

Con Amor, Elder Loveless

Best and Worst of the Past Week:
Best- 2 baptisms!!
Worst- I didn't sleep.

Letters and/or Packages:
None

January 9th, 2017 - Letter from Elder Arango

We got a sweet e-mail from Elder Loveless' companion Angel Moroni Arango Ramirez.  (And yes, his given name is Angel Moroni!!!)  (They are serving as AP's right now together!)

Hi.
i`m sorry, my English is so BAD.

solo quiero escribirle para expresarle lo especial que es su hijo.
(I just want to write to tell you how special your child is.)
I`m Elder Arango, I`m from Guatemala city,

we have 2 Months together and they have been the best two months in my mission.
his very humble, and hes an example for me. he likes to be very diligent,

This week we have seen miracles, our investigators are very especial and they have a very receptive spirit, we are praying and fasting for them to be baptized in the month of january.

i`m very grateful to my hevenly Father to have to met your son, and shared the gospel together.
i love your son, and we are already planning the vacation that we will have after the mission. jejeje....

Hey I have a question for you.
what did you do that made it so that elder loveless has a huge heart?

With Love Elder Arango
Misión El Salvador, San
Salvador Éste

January 9th, 2017 - Two Pics

Taking pictures with our amigo penguino (;

I won a freeee cookieee for buying a 

cookieee que chevere pues (how cool).

January 9th, 2017 - Weekly Letter

January 9th, 2017 - Weekly Letter

Las Bendiciones del Ayuno (Blessings of the Fast)

Hey friends and family. How are you all?!  This week was a crazy one, but very good and we definitely saw the Lord's hand this week in the work.

This week we had the Leadership Conference on Friday so basically the whole week we spent preparing for that. We talked about a lot of awesome things. The area presidency and Presidente Vásquez are changing p-days so that we can be more consecrated and it's a great idea. We'll see a lot of blessings from that. We also talked about The Restoration and how we need to use Preach My Gospel more.

Saturday we did a fast with our investigators Ana and Alison so that they could get their answer to when they need to be baptized.

Sunday was stake conference and Ana and Alison came and also Melanie, her mom Sandra and her brother Luis. They're so good. They all loved everything that was said at the conference. Yesterday night we took those 5 and us 2 to Presidente's house and had a Family Home Evening in his house. It was amazing. He talked about every single need of every single investigator without knowing their needs. It really was a huge blessing due to our fast. I love Presidente and Hermana Vásquez with all my heart. I'll miss them so much when they leave in July.

This week it touches us to give a multi-zona training tomorrow in Apopa with 3 zonas, Wednesday in Ilopango with 3 zonas and in San Miguel on Friday with 4 zonas. We've been a little busy with planning those trainings, but it'll all be good. I'm excited. We're really working with the District Leaders and giving them more responsibilities so that'll be good.

Anyways, everything is great and I haven't crashed the truck yet so that's good. Elder Arango is also a great companion and I love him.

I love you all!

Que Dios les bendiga! (God bless you!)

-Con mucho amor, Elder Loveless

Best and Worst of the Past Week:
Best- FHE with Presidente and his Fam!
Worst- We didn't have too much time to work in the area.

Letters and/or Packages:
A letter thingy from the YW from the stake.

January 2nd, 2017 - Weekly Letter

January 2nd, 2017 - Weekly Letter

Feliz año nuevo!!!

Oiiiiiiiii! Happy 2017 everyone!! This week was crazy, but good at the same time.

Monday we had to get everything ready for changes so we took our p-day planning all of that. It's pretty much crazy since we are only 2 assistants now and we have to work the changes for the whole mission... Tuesday the newbies got here so we went and picked up the Nissan Navara (The truck) then went to Subway and to President's house to get everything ready. That was at about 10 AM. We did our presentation and everything and got home about 7:30. That day was long, but it's always so good to see the newbies that are super excited to work.

Wednesday were the changes. Elder Arango is staying here with me 1 more change so I'm super excited for that. We went to the stake center in Ilopango at 8 and had the trainers meeting where the newbies got their trainers. Elder Dunkle (My old companion) is training and also my 2nd son Elder Butler is still in La Unión and is training an Elder from Spain. I'm a Grandpa!!! We left there about 11 and left for the bus terminal to work the changes. Thankfully everything went well and all the missionaries are in their areas.

The rest of the week we had time to work in the area. We had an awesome experience with Hna Ana and Alison. She's the one who got attacked in Soyapango and came here to live with her member dad. She had to leave her job when she came here so she's been looking like crazy for a job. We've been promising her that if she's obedient to the commandments, reads the Book of Mormon, prays, and goes to church, she'll find a job. So yesterday she didn't go to church and we were worried and went to her house with a member, Angel. She said the prayer and started crying and she asked forgiveness for not going to church and she expressed her fears and worries and it was so spiritual. So after the lesson I felt inspired to ask her simply how she was. She said a mix of good and bad because she loves the Gospel and feels good, but she needs a job or they were gonna take her daughter to live with the gma and Hna Ana didn't want that. We made her the same promise that if she's obedient, she'll receive the blessings. At night she called us and said she's gotten the job and that Alison would be staying. We were all so happy. She's so awesome. We're hoping to baptize them both on the 21st of January.

Other that that, everything is great. I love the mission and Presidente and Hermana Vàsquez and my companion and my investigators. Also this month I hit 1 year. How weird!!! How fast goes the time. We're also having our leadership counsel this Friday and the Multi-Zonas here in about 2 weeks so that'll be super fun. So just know that all here is fantastic! I love you all and wish you all a happy new year with all of your new goals and fun things. ¡Viva El Salvador!

Love, Elder Loveless

Best and Worst of the Previous Week:
Best-We had an awesome lesson with Hna Ana!
Worst-Nobody went to church.

Letters and/or Packages:
-1 package from the fam