Week 1 Cipolletti

Elder Opfar and Elder Thorum

Monday- left Rincon at 4:30 in the morning. Got to Neuquén and waited for Elder Thorum. We had pday and visited a few people.

Tuesday- District meeting.We had a few good lessons today. We walked A LOT.

Wednesday- We had a couple lessons that went well.We tried some contacting but had no success.

Thursday- We did weekly planning. We had 1 lesson but it fell through. So we just contacted and walked a lot.

Friday- We contacted today. And we were able to visit one less active family.

Saturday- We had an appointment fall through. But we were able to visit a few people. and we tried a little contacting again.

Sunday- We went to church. One appointment fell though but we had Ward Council meeting in the night that we went to.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Con amor,

Elder Opfar

1.  How is Cipo?  What is the biggest difference between there and Rincon? 

Things are going well. It was different to get used to. I think we walk more here. and I think our area here is like 3ish times bigger than my area in Rincon. We have the outer edge of the city with the coast by the river and we have a couple rich neighborhoods. it is a big change to see both those in one day.

2.  How was church?  Did you meet a lot of the ward members?  How many people are in the ward and are you assigned to one ward or many?

It was good. 3 hours. we had 37 people at church. some were visiting. There are 2 wards in Cipo and a lot of people attend ward 2.

3.  Were you fed well this week?  What was the best thing you ate?  Did you have anything new?

yeah. we only didn't have lunch 1 day cause the family was traveling but they got home. nothing new. I don't know what the best was

4.  What was the funniest thing that happened this week?

I don't know. I don't remember

5.  What kind of service are you able to do there?

no. we didn't get to do service this week

6.  Are most of the streets paved?  Is it as dusty as Rincon?

like most of the streets are paved. the only like dirt streets are out in the costas. which is part of our area.

7.  Do you walk far to get places?

we take a bus to get to the north costas. because it is a far walk to walk all the way there. We walked A LOT

8.  Did you rely on any scriptures this week to help you get through a hard or unexpected thing?

I started the Book of Mormon over because President challenged us to read it before general conference. and just in 1 Nephi I think 17. With Nephi is like praising the Lord for protecting them and Laman and Lemuel are complaining about the same things. so that helped cause it is all about our attitude.

9.  What is your favorite thing so far about Cipo?

the paved roads. and the fact we have lunch everyday

10.  How do you get along with your new companion?

we get along well. We usually talk Spanish outside the pension and during studies. but at night we talk English.

11.  What was something you learned this week in your studies?

Just in Jesus the Christ. in chapter I think 23 with it wasn't Christ´s time yet to die. and just reading about that. It was just cool to read

12.  Where do you grocery shop?  Is there a large grocery store in Cipo?  

we shop at the Anonima. most cities here in Argentina have an Anonima. 

13.  What was your biggest challenge this week?

one of the days our plans fell through so we were just contacting for hours. and walking a lot. and i was just tired and we weren't having really any success with contacting

14.  Have you seen the other missionaries in your district a lot?  How many missionaries are assigned to each of the 2 wards?  

there are 6 in our ward and 8 in the other. the other has 8 because they have another part of a little city right outside Cipo so they go to church in Cipo

We dont see them as much as we saw the others in Rincon

15.  What do you think you'll do for Pday today?  

With the 6 in your ward, do you tract the same areas or are you each responsible for your own portion of the ward?  Are there sisters or just elders?

yeah there is 1 set of hermanas. no we all have our own area. CIpo is huge. its a pretty big city. Today I think we are going to play some ping pong and soccer. I don't know

ME:  That will be fun.  Must be weird to be in a big city after being in Rincon.  

Do you have any investigators?  Is there anyone who you especially like?  What is Elder Thorum like?

TYLER:    yeah its weird. We only have 2 investigators.

I don't know yet. the members are good. I like them

He is a smart kid. he is tall like me. so that's funny having 2 tall gringos walking around Argentina

Love you!

Where in Argentina is Elder Opfar?

The Zone leaders and Hermana leaders came to Rincon to meet with Tyler's district.

Plaza Huinlcul Zone

Zone Meeting

Relaxing with his district on P-day

Saying good bye on Sunday to some special families.

Monday- Today was pday. We did some service. We helped dig a giant like 15 foot hole. Then we visited a recent convert.

Tuesday- We had dictrict meeting. We did a little work in the area of the other elders and a little work in our area.

Wednesday- We did more service. Helped dig more in the giant hole. We then worked mainly in the area of the other Elders.

Thursday- We did our weekly planning. Visited a couple investigators. Then we helped the Hermanas clean their patio. Elder Rodriguez got back from Neuquen today.

Friday- a few good lessons today. Then we did a noche de hogar for investigators and that was good.

Saturday- We had zone conference. There are some big changes in the mission. We had a few good lessons and the other Elders had a baptism. We got transfer calls today. I am currently in Cipolletti!

Sunday- Today we went to church. Then we just visited members and I got to say bye to them. One of our investigators gave me an Argentina Jersey.

I hope all is well with everyone! Have a great week!

Con Amor

Elder Opfar

1.  What was the best thing that happened this week?

Um I don't know. we did a lot of service this week.

2.  Tell me about a time this week that you felt the spirit.

We were teaching Angela and just answering the questions she had and being able to find the scriptures to answer them.

3.  I have noticed "mayonesa" in the grocery store.  I'ts next to the mayonnaise. Do they have mayonesa there?  Is it different from mayo here? 

yes, I don't think it is different. it tastes the same. 

4.  Has the work picked up any this week with the holidays over?

yeah it got better. but we were in a trio for 4 days so we worked in both areas. but we had some good work

5.  The Rincon facebook page posted pictures of a baptism.  But there were no missionaries in the photos.  Who was the baptism?  Whose area was it?

It was an investigator of the other elders

6.  What was the hardest thing that happened this week?

digging a giant hole for service

7.  Sadly, I've been reading 2 other books ("Living in the 11th Hour" and "Making it through the Middle" in addition to "Jesus the Christ", and also trying to read the BOM again, so I'm not moving very fast on any of them.  So many books!!  So little time!!  How is your study of "Jesus the Christ?"  And how is your reading of the New Testament coming?  What is something you have studied that has been meaningful to you?

I only read a little from Jesus the Christ every week. I am almost done with 2nd corinthians. 

8.  Were you able to do any service this week?

yes. we helped dig a giant hole. this hole was like 15 feet deep. we also helped the hermanas clean their patio

9.  If you were transferred, who is your new companion and what is he like?  Is he American or Latino?  

Elder Thorum. He is American. From Utah

10.  If you were transferred, what is your pension like?  Do you have a washing machine?  Have you met any members yet?

It is small. We have a washing machine but it isn't ours. it is the other elders. My comp told me there are sometimes cockroaches in the pension... no haven't met any members. left Rincon at 4:30 this morning.

feliz año nuevo!

New Year's Eve

Monday- We had pday. All of the cibers were closed because of the New Year coming up. We went to the church and played ping pong and had a water ballon fight. All of our citas ended up falling through in the night. 

Tuesday- We did our emailing. We had an appointment fall through but we ended up doing some service. We helped an Hermana move some stuff from her house to some other property she owns. We then were able to visit a recent convert. 

Wednesday- We had 1 lesson today. Then we visited a couple families. We had an end of year dinner with one of them. Today was super windy. Like 75 km per hour. At midnight there were fireworks for like 30 minutes.

Thursday- We made ourselves lunch then went to the chapel with the other missionaries. We then visited a member and his family. SO that was pretty good. 

Friday- We had district meeting today. We had a lesson and then did an activity for investigators at the chapel. 2 investigators of the other elders came.

Saturday- We did weekly planning today. And we had a couple good lessons.

Sunday- We went to church. and then for lunch we had matambre. Translates to kills hunger. That was pretty good. We had mission correlation. And now we are in a trio because Elder Rodriguez went to Neuquén for tramites for his visa. 

This week wasn´t the best week. But we have plans to do better this coming up week!

Happy New Year!

Con Amor,

Elder Opfar

1.  What did you do on New Years Eve and Day?  How do they celebrate there?  Did you have a different curfew or rules for the holiday?

We were out until 10:30 and went to bed at midnight. It was pretty good. We spent it with a family. Those were the pictures I sent. We had dinner with them. And there were fireworks at midnight. People just shoot them off.

2.  What has been your favorite part of being in Rincon?

I love the members. They are the best.

3.  How have you seen your prayers answered?  When was the last time you saw an answer to your prayers?

With Angela this week. She is starting to see blessings in her life. She is being able to do a few more things than the past.

4.  What do you love about your mission president?

He is awesome. He is so spiritual and that is great. He is just a loving man

5.  What do you love about your district?  What is your favorite thing about your zone?

we are small and pretty close. 

zone I don't know. because we only see them like once a transfer...

6.  Did you make any "New Year's Resolutions?" 

no. just really continue reading in Spanish everyday 

7.  What was your biggest challenge this week?

We didn't have a super good week. A lot of our investigators and less actives were out of town for the holiday. But we should have a better week this week

8.  Anything fun or funny happen this week?  

New Years eve dinner was fun. It was just fun being with the family

9.  When was the last time you were able to use a scripture mastery scripture to answer a question?

Saturday. One Hermana asked us where in the bible it talks about baptisms for the dead. because she had a friend ask her about it. So we were able to answer her question for her

Love ya

Week of Navidad!!

Elder Opfar and Virginia making Torta Fritas.

Making pancakes and torta fritas at the church.

Monday- P-day and we made pizza and donuts. We visited members and gave them the donuts.

Tuesday- We had district meeting. We did A LOT of contacting today and gave out all of our He is the Gift cards! Had a couple good lessons

Wednesday- We had a couple appointment but they fell through. Tried a little contacting. We got to Skype today and that was GREAT! at midnight there were fireworks for Christmas. Everyone just shoots them off.  

Thursday- Today was Christmas. We made torta fritas in the morning. Then went to the church and had lunch with the other missionaries. We then just relaxed. Then at night we visited a family and made more torta fritas with them.

Friday- we made our own lunch today. Had chicken and vegetables and it was delicious. We planned week. And we had a few good lessons

Saturday-Had some good lessons with recent converts and with a few investigators today.

Sunday- Church. Our water was shut off during midday today. And today was really hot. We did a lot of walking today. Had a few lessons but others fell through.

I hope everyone had a great Christmas! And have a great New Year!

ConAmor,

Elder Opfar

1.  What were your top 5 moments this week?

top 5 wow.   1- talking with you guys Christmas Eve. 2- the lunch we had the 26th of December. and I don't know

2.  What was your most spiritual moment?

oh I don't know. When I was reading in the bible this week the spirit bore strong testimony to me that Jesus is our Savior

3.  Has your bedtime/wake up time switched yet or are you still 11:30-7:30?

it is 11 and 7. because it is summer and the sun is out later. it switches at conference. so in April it will go back to 10:30 and 6:30

4.  Were you able to share of all your Él es la Dádiva cards?

yes! we gave them all out before Christmas

5.  Do you have bunk beds?  If so, do you sleep on the bottom or top bunk?  

no we have 2 twin beds

6.  How late does P-day go?  What do you do at the end of it?  

it ends at 6:00 pm. after that we go out and work

7.  If the people there eat a large lunch and small dinners, what do they do in the evening?  Do the husbands come home from work in the afternoon for lunch and siesta and then go back?  How late do they generally work?

It depends on what job they  have on when they work and how late.  

8.  What are you studying in companion study right now?  Does it change often?  How do you choose what to study?

We have been reading in preach my gospel. We can really study whatever we need for the day. We are finishing PMG before the new year.

9.  Did you learn any Christmas songs in Spanish?

Nope. I know some of the hymns for Christmas pretty well though

10.  What was the funniest thing that happened this week?

I have no idea

11.  What was the best thing that happened this week?

Talking with you guys

12.  What was the best food you ate this week?  

On Friday our lunch fell through so me and Elder Diaz bought some chicken and vegetables and cooking it all and it was super delicious

From Andrea:

We had an amazing visit with Tyler on Christmas Eve.  He looks so good and so happy. We loved watching him interact with the Arpones family and with Elder Diaz.  They were having an asado (BBQ) and Tyler happily ate an empanada while we talked.  We talked for just under an hour and a half, and before he hung up he bore his testimony in Spanish and we had a family prayer.  It was wonderful and even though I miss him terribly, the time is going so quickly and he is so happy.  

You can listen to him bear his testimony in Spanish HERE.

Porque No?

He entitled this one:  Tacos

My first Oreos of the double stack. It was vanilla and raspberry. Pretty delicious.

This week was pretty good! The title of this email is porque no because this week when plans fell through and we were contacted we would go to the houses and Elder Diaz would say porque no. basically why not? so we would clap at the house. 

Monday was pday and was pretty good. We made tacos for lunch and they were delicious. We had some good lessons that night.

Tuesday we had district meeting. We were able to visit some investigators and had some good lessons with them.

Wednesday we had mission correlation meeting. Then after we had some lessons and did a little contacting. 

Thursday we only had a couple lessons and then we went to the church for the end of year dinner with the ward. We had to leave early before we got food though because we had to get back to the pension. We started our weekly planning

Friday we helped a member fix his sink faucet so that was good. We had a pretty good day. We contacted a little and some success and we also visited a few recent converts.

Saturday we visited some recent converts and investigators and did some contacting. We have a goal to give out all of our He is the Gift cards before Christmas. 

Sunday we had church which was good. then we finished weekly planning: We had a couple appointments that fell through. but we did some more contacting. We also had mission correlation again because we have a new mission leader in the ward. 

I hope yall have a great Christmas! Especially as we remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Con amor 

Elder Opfar

1.  Did your mission have a Christmas party, or did you just do things in your zone?  Did you know that President Lovell's mom passed away a couple of weeks ago?

I think every zone did it. I'm not sure. We did it with interviews with president. Yeah I knew his mom passed away.

2.  How do Argentinians celebrate Christmas?  Do they put up trees?  Do they hang stockings?  Does Santa Claus come?  Do they exchange gifts?  Do they regard it more as a Santa holiday or a Jesus' birth holiday?

they have trees. but not everyone does. they are just small ones. I think Santa comes. Papa Noel. I honestly don't know. from sharing the he is the gift video to people a lot of people/kids when we ask what is Christmas they say gifts, family, food. and then we share the video and talk about how it is about our Savior's birth. It's awesome sharing the video.

3.  Are there any special foods associated with Christmas?

I have no idea. 

4.  Did you have a Christmas party with your Rincon church group?  What about a special church program?  What was it like?

yeah we had an end of year dinner. but we had to leave early to get back to the pension. So we didn't see the whole thing. Basically the meat cooking.

5.  What was the best thing that happened this week?

We gave Angela a blessing of comfort and that was really great. She asked us for a blessing of health so we are going on Tuesday for that.

6.  What was the hardest thing you did this week?

The mission. It is hard when you are tired/exhausted and your plans fall through and you aren't having much success contacting. 

7.  Were you able to serve anyone this week?

we helped a family fix their faucet.. 

8.  Have you been able to watch the First Presidency Christmas devotional?  Do you want me to send you those talks?

no I haven't watched it. I have read some of the talks online. Cause we have time to go to the ciber on Wednesdays to go to like lds.org and other church sites.

$9 is 9 Alfajores

Monday. today was pday but Elder Diaz was feeling sick so we didn´t get much done at all. He slept all day. I just washed clothes and rested.

Tuesday. We had district meeting. We had a few pretty good lessons today. I tried some fruit today called Pelon. I don't think it has a translation in English. It was pretty delicious though.

Wednesday. Today we had mission correlation. We had a few appointments but they fell through. We went and did some serrvice for an investigator of the Hermanas. We helped paint some things for a store they are opening. 

Thursday. We had a few lessons today with investigators and recents converts. We left for Cutral Co at 9 pm and got there are midnight.

Friday. Today we were in Cutral Co for interviews with President. We also did like a White Elephant exchange with the zone. We spent the day visiting members from when Elder Diaz served there. Left for Rincon at 10 pm and got back at 1 am.

Saturday. We went to the hospital for Elder Diaz. He has been having sinus problems. We had a few lesons today but had lots of appointments fall through.

Sunday. We had church in the morning. In the afternoon we had some success. We visited some people and had good lessons. 

I hope you all have a good week! Especially with Christmas soon and with this time that we especially remember our Savior Jesus Christ.

Con Amor,

Elder Opfar

1.  Are there any fast food restaurants in Rincon?  How about Cutral Co?  If yes, what?

no. I havent seen any. I heard there is a mcdonalds in Neuquen and Bariloche.

2.  I've heard that different regions in Argentina have different favorite alfajores...what is the "favorite" there?  What is your favorite kind?  There is an Argentine bakery in Irving.  I wonder if it's good.

Oh i dont know. I think it depends on the person you ask. My favorite brand is aguila. they are great. I dont have a favorite kind. i want to go to the argentine bakery. Facturas y alfajores 

3.  I've also read that people put pictures of saints on their doors.  Do they do that there?  Do they have statues in their yards?

I have seen a few houses with picture of the pope on their door. besides that not really that i have seen.

4.  How are things going with the dog that hates you?  Do most people have dogs?  Do they keep them in their yards?  Are the ones that roam around pets or strays?

Everytime we go up the street Mitre that dog barks and kind of runs towards us. yeah most people have dogs. depends. some people have them chained up or behind their fences. but there are a lot that are just in the streets. i dont know if they are strays or pets.

5.  I saw a picture of you on the Rincon site the other day...I giggled because you were with the elders and they are all Latino.  Elders Diaz, Gomez, and Rodriguez?  Do people comment about your fair skin and red hair?

Well Rodriguez is from canada. his parents are from Guatemala. No. People sometimes stare at me because of my red hair though.

6.  Did you get the cash I sent you?  Don't spend the whole $9 in one place.  :)

no i havent gotten it. $9 is 9 alfajores!

7.  What was the best thing that happened this week?

Pero got a job! HE the one that lives with the women and thye both cant get baptized until he moves out. well he got a job which is now one step closer to him moving out!

8.  What was the hardest or most difficult thing that you did this week?

ill think about this one

9.  Did you try any new food?  What was the best thing you ate?

no. nothing new. it was all really good. i dont know the best. i love the food here.

10. Did you get the recipes I sent?  Are any of them useful?  

yes i got them. i havent tried any of them. i dont know if i will. depends on if i have the ingredients.

11. Did you think about what your most useful Spanish word you learned this week was?

albedrio? something like that. It is agency. 

12. Did you meet anyone new this week?

yeah a few people. we contacted a little. and have some potential investigators next week. 

i love you

Summer in Argentina...hot

It's always fun when you find pictures on Facebook of your boy, especially when he didn't send any!  :)

The Elders of Rincon de los Sauces.

Elder Rodriguez, Elder Diaz, Elder Opfar, Elder Gomez

Plaza Huinlcul Zone

Rincon Sunday Primary class

Monday- Today was p-day and I bought myself an early Christmas Present. A River jersey. We had a couple good lessons today. The new Elder came in a 1 in the morning. 

Tuesday. Today we walked a lot and it was hot. We had some good lessons with investigators and recent converts.

Wednesday. We had a little success contacting today. And had some good lessons.

Thursday. Today was super HOT. Not fun walking everywhere. We did weekly planning today. And we had a couple appointments fall through. But had a great lesson with a less active and his family.

Friday. We had district meetings today. And had a few good lessons with investigators.

Saturday. We had some lessons today and tried contacting. Set up a few lessons for next week.

Sunday. We went to chrch in the morning. Had 55 people come. And there were a few families missing. We had a good lesson with an investigator. And also a good one with a less active! 

This week was pretty good! I love the "He is the Gift" video! it is great to share with people especially with Christmas soon!

Con Amor

Elder Opfar

1.  Do you have any plans for p-day?  What are you going to do?

We were going to have an asado with one of our part member family sons. He isn't a member but he has to work today so we are doing it later this week. I have no idea what we are doing today

2.  What was the most useful Spanish word you learned this week and why?  

I have no idea. I'll think about this one

3.  How is your reading of Jesus the Christ coming?  What has been your favorite chapter so far, and why?  What did you learn in scripture study this week?

Pretty good. I didn't read a whole lot this week. I like the chapter about the sermon on the mount and the parables. They are both really good. I started the New testament this week so I have been reading that a little more. almost done with Matthew.

4.  Did you meet anyone new this week?  Tell me about them...

a few people. one guy we were contacting and said we could come back so we did twice now but he hasn't been home. 

5.  What was your favorite meal this week?

I don't know. I like all the food. It is all really delicious 

6.  What is the new elder like who replaced Elder Mena?  It will be fun to get to know two new missionaries this transfer.

Elder Gomez. He is also from Mexico but from Northern Mexico by California. He is great. I like him! I think he will be a good district leader. 

and yes Hermana Parris is the new Hermana

7.  Do members ever go out on exchanges with you, or do you teach people in member's homes?

We have had a few members come and teach with us. This week we had 9 lessons with a member present. so that was awesome

8.  Were you able to serve anyone this week?  If so, how?

no we didn't have any opportunities for service this week.

9.  What is the best thing that happened this week?

One of our investigators wants to pay tithing. She is the one who can't walk and so her ex lives with her and helps her and with their son. They cant get baptized until he moves out. But he first needs a job. But she is ready to be baptized. Just a matter of time

10.  Are your clothes comfortable for the summer and heat?  Does it cool down at night?  Can you open a window to let a breeze in, or will it get too dirty?   

It is pretty hot. Especially with walking. Night it cools down a little bit. We have a fan we bring into the room. I think a lot of dirt would get in if we opened a window.

I love you mom.