La Semana Cuatro en la Mision

Hey Everyone!

This has been a better week for me. I was pretty sick for a few days, but I think I'm finally feeling better. Having your health makes everything a whole lot easier! The weather here has been different almost every day, some days we can go out with a light jacket, and others I have to put on everything that I have just to stay warm. It was nice to have a few days when the sun came out!

I learned a lot of great things this week. We had a zone conference with President Lovell and the main theme was integrity. I really think I came away with a different perspective on what it means. In one sentence, I would say it just means being true to you. Thinking about that concept has helped me this last week when I have felt sad or missed home. I know that this is where I have wanted to be for a while now, and I’m not going to let little things get me down. 

I learn a lot when we are teaching, that may not make sense, but it’s true! We have been visiting a less active member ever since I arrived in Bariloche and it can be hard to get through to him. He loves to talk, and it can be difficult to even share a scripture with him because he won’t be quiet. Last night he talked to us a lot about how he won't go to church because the men don’t know how to lead. I felt that we needed to be bold with him, and wasn’t quite sure where it came from when I told him "that if he feels the leadership needs to change, he needs to come to church so he can be part of that change." 

I don't know if that will work, but I really walked out of there knowing that we can make a difference in everything we do, not just with church leadership, but in every aspect of our lives. I hope I can make a difference with that brother before I leave by opening my mouth a few more times like I did last night. 

As we teach the restoration here my testimony of it grows, as well as the love Heavenly Father has for us. The other day we retaught a lesson to a lady in our area because she still had a lot of questions. While we said that the fact Heavenly Father has restored Christ´s church means he loves us, I realized more than ever that that is true. It means a lot to me to know that once again God has reached out to his children, and in all seriousness that is why I am here, to tell people that once again there is hope. It feels good to be doing that. 

This week we started to teach a lady that came to us to ask for the lessons. She really wants the change that she has seen in her son, who has been a member for a few years now. Her faith impressed me, and makes me want to REALLY follow the principles of the Gospel, because she wants to learn them so badly. 

I am trying to improve myself everyday and have been working on following the mission rules. Not just because they are the rules, but also because I love the Lord! Please pray for me that I can do what the Lord wants me to do. Sometimes I feel like we do so many different things like planning, preparing, whatever it may be, that I'm not sure I am doing all that needs to be done. 

I love everyone and hope to hear from you all!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Not a Lot of Time

Thanks for all the notes and pictures! I have less time to write today, but I hope all is well back home. Congratulations to Chris and Kaylee on their wedding!

I believe I have left the stage where everything is exciting just because it's new, and now it can be difficult to be in the field. I've been praying a lot to not only do what the Lord wants me to do, but to WANT to do what the Lord wants me to do. This is all for Him.

My Spanish is improving and I have learned words I never thought I would! This week I had a missionary exchange with an Elder from Colorado and it felt amazing to speak English with him.

The cafe we are in is closing in a few minutes for a holiday here. Please continue to write and pray for me.

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Serving the People

Hey everyone! Thank you for the notes, they mean a lot to me!

It's really cold here in Bariloche, and while it's fun some days, I'd like to pop into Phoenix so I could thaw out for a few minutes! Today there is some snow on the ground which I am definitely not used to and it rains some days of the week, but members tell me that's not normal. (My companion says its because Bariloche is excited to have me!)

We did a lot of work this week, I'll share a few of the experiences we had with lessons. Thursday we went to visit a guy that lives quite a ways from our pension, and he came out the back way from his house composed, but as soon as he got to us he started crying and saying how he really wants to stop drinking, because his family doesn't love him for it. The spirit was really strong, and me and Elder Candia just kept testifying of the enabling power of the Atonement. 

It's real, and it's important. I think this was the first time I realized the importance of what I'm doing here, because I knew I was doing what Christ would have done if he could be with this man. I don't care if I have baptisms or conversions here. Obviously I'm going to try my hardest, but if I only help people the way we could help that hermano that night, I'll be happy!

We are also working with a less active member and his daughter. Our recent lesson went quiet when the daughter, she´s about 18, said that she thought God and Christ were a lie. It was very powerful in the room and we simply said that we know they exist. I really believe out of everything one can say about Christ, the most important thing is that He lives. He conquered the grave and is somewhere right now with a body of flesh and bones. I love that. 

I've definitely received many "tender mercies" this week. Little things that keep me going when I'm tired or on edge. Two days ago we were walking in the rain and it was cold. I thought about feeling warm and right then, the sun came out for a few minutes. It was awesome, and although it wasn't a miracle, it helped me when I needed it. 

The spirit is also becoming a good friend to me. Different times throughout the day I get these encouraging thoughts, and I don't know where else they could come from other than the Spirit. Things like "this time is short" or "someone needs to hear from you today." I know I'm doing what I need to do, and I'm grateful for all of the support! Please send me some messages about what´s going on with everyone!

Some funny things here: there are stray dogs everywhere that want to attack! All you have to do is bend down and they run away, because they are so accustomed to people bending down to pick up a rock to throw at them.

It's also true that they feed you a lot here. The hermanas always ask if you want more, and you can't say no! It's kind of nice because I just stuff myself at lunch and then don´t have to worry about dinner. 

My companion loves to sing ALL the time, and it cracks me up. He's crazy but I'm glad I have someone to balance out my seriousness.

I love everyone! Have a great week. Les amo mucho a ustedes y espero que todos vayan bien!

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

First Assignment - Bariloche

Hola amada famila!

It feels so great to write to you all. I've been missing you, especially these last few days in my first area. I love everyone and hope you are all doing well. 

We arrived in Neuquén late Tuesday, and spent a few days in the mission home, before going to our areas. We received our trainers in the Neuquén chapel right before leaving. My president and his wife and extremely nice, all of the members told us that before we met them, they were right! My trainer is Elder Candia from Concepcion Chile. He speaks really fast. It´s difficult at times, but overall I love it because it teaches me a lot!

We live in a town called San Carlos de Bariloche, about 6 hours south of Neuquén in the province of Rio Negro. The town sits at the base of the Andes Mountains. It's beautiful here and the Andes are huge and full of snow right now, but with the beauty comes very cold weather. During my first two days there was non stop rain. Mom and Dad the jacket and boots we bought have worked wonders for me!

I'm not all too sure how to describe what it looks like here. The houses are very small, and all very close together. The roads are all dirt which is kind of cool to see, and there are stray dogs everywhere! (To make them go away you just bend down because they think you are going to pick up a rock to throw at them.) 

I love teaching the people here. In Buenos Aires, before coming to Neuquén, I was tired and hungry, but as soon as I talked with an Argentinian my mood changed. Everyone here just lifts my spirits, I think it's because I am here for them! That happens every day. Yesterday we were walking, and were invited into a man's house we met the day before. I bore my testimony to him that God is our loving father, and he wants us to achieve our deepest desires granted that they our pure. The look he had after I spoke to him made me forget about all the worries I have, because in that moment, I knew I was doing what I have been called to do. 

I am learning to have more faith in Jesus Christ here because without it, and without him, I can't do this. Sunday was a little scary for me, it was a testimony meeting and I really wanted to get up there but didn't know if I could. I felt the Spirit really strong tell me that if I want to have more faith in Jesus Christ I need to take actions to show what faith I do have. So I got up there and just said that "I am here because I want to be here, and I want to share the blessings that I have received in my life." If I want to finish a large task like this mission, it starts by accomplishing little things like bearing my testimony when I´m nervous. 

I'm getting used to being a missionary more and more every day. The MTC is not of much help when you compare it to actually being in the mission field!

I love everyone very much. Congratulations to Chris and Kaylee on their wedding. Good luck to Megan this year in school. Hey Cam and Connor and hola Amanda! 

Mom and Dad I love you like crazy! Please pray for me that I can just work and think of nothing else. 

Elder Kauffman aka Jack

Mission Home Photos