Working in snow isn't as fun as you'd think...

Well where to start this week... So I thought the weather was finally started to warm up and looking good all week. That was until we got snow this week. 2 times actually. I thought I wouldn't see snow until next year but nope I was wrong... Have I


mentioned it isn't as fun to work in snow as you would think? This time was as bad as before though. But that was exciting... Snow.

But this week was a little rougher than last week. We had a lot of appointments that ended up falling though. And the baptismal date that we had also fell. But we were able to do some service this week! we helped a couple people clean up their yards! That was really good. My comp has been wanting to do some service and we finally got to do it this week!! 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/bible-videos/parable-of-the-good-samaritan-2

One thing I have thought about this week in the Parable of the good Samaritan. This is the Bible Video of the story. It is about service. Serving those that even are our enemies. Would we do this same thing and serve someone as we see them or would we just walk by and not do anything? A lot of times there are people everyday who could use our help. Even if it is something small.

Have a great week! 

con amor

Elder Opfar

Hey mom!  This week was good. Not as good as last week. Our baptism date with Matias fell and we couldn't find him this week... 

That's good that Grandma is coming down! Y'all will have fun! Poor Jax... 

1.  When Elder Teixeira came to speak to you, how small was your group?  

it was all the missionaries in Bariloche, Esquel and San Martin. like 50 people in total. 

2.  Did you get to visit with him one on one?  

No. But I sat on the front row and it was pretty cool. He just came down and was walking in front of us. I didn't talk with him one on one

3.  What did he talk about and what did you learn? 

He talked about preach my gospel and applying it more. And he challenges us to start teaching 21 lessons every week. 

4.  What did you end up doing last week on Pday?  

We just played some basketball and soccer. Nothing super exciting. 

5.  What is the most interesting thing you learned this week?

Uhm I don't know. I have been reading in the war chapters of Alma. I should finish Alma tomorrow! 

6.  How is Matias dong?  He has been fervently prayed for in our home and his name is on the prayer roll at the temple!

his baptism date fell... and we weren't able to find him this week... we tried calling his number but a woman answered and said we had a wrong number... 

7.  What was your favorite thing that happened this week?

I don't know. we were able to do some service this week and that was really good!

8.  What are you studying right now?

I have been studying from the Book of Mormon and from Preach my Gospel. 

Cerro Campanario

Well this week was good. We had some great success! It is good to see our labors being fruitful even though it is just a little right now. We found some good new people to teach this week! And we were able to put a baptismal date with a guy we found. His name is Matias and he accepted to be baptized for the 26th of this month. WE found him walking. He was outside his house and we talked with him and had a really good lesson with him! 

Also this week we had a big conference with Elder Texeira from the Seventy. It was 1 of 2 conferences he did in the mission. He did one in Neuquen and one down here. We had all the missionaries from San Martin and Esquel here too. That was super great! It was greta to see everyone and even better to have the conferece. He talked a lot about Preach my Gospel and about the amount of lessons we teach each week. 

This week one thing i have thought about a lot was prayer. How are our prayers? are they personal or do we just repeat the same things? One thing we can do it think before we pray. Think about what we want, why we want it and what we are willing to do to recieve this thing. It is a good excercise to do before prayer. And then present it to the Lord in your prayers. 

In the Book of Mormon in Alma 37:36-37 it talks about couseling the Lord in what we do. And also in the Bible in Matthew 7:7-11 it talks about that the Lord WILL answer our prayers. And He will bless us. I really like both these scriptures. There are a lot more that talk about prayer! And i challenge yall to think about how are your prayers and change it if you need. 

con amor

Elder Opfar

1.  How was Pday last week?  Did you get to go to go to Cerro Campanario? And...did you take some awesome pictures?

yes! We went to Campanario! it was super awesome! 

2.  What did you buy this week (I saw you took some money out of your account)?  Something fun?

well nothing yet. i just took some money out. actually i did buy some lunch for my comp and one day because or lunch got cancelled. so just a little food. 

3.  What are some of your responsibilities as a trainer?  

helping the new missionary shape his whole mission. haha. 

4.  Do you set your alarm to get up or do you just wake up on your own?  

no i get up to the alarm. not yet at the point of just waking right up on my own. 

5.  Do you ever proselyte in the square or the public places of Bariloche or do you mostly knock doors?  Do you get referrals from the members?  

we dont get a lot of referrals from members... we talk to people in the street. because they are already outside and cant just look out the window and shake their finger at us. 

6.  Are you still doing a lot of family history work with the ward members?

A little. not a lot. but a member we helped is doing indexing all the time now. he loves it! 

7.  How long do you have for lunch?  Do you nap after lunch or study?

like an hour. we do language study afterwards. 

8.  What are you doing for exercise currently?  Does your comp like to exercise?

lots of abs and pushups and squats. 

9.  Did your responsibilities change when you became the senior companion?

yeah. like now i am in charge of paying our rent. the money gets put on my card and i have to take it out to pay. 

10.  What was your most spiritual experience this week?  What was your hardest moment?

we had a conference with elder Texeira from the seventy. That was really good. It was great! 

i think when our appointments fall through...

11.  Is there anyone or anything you would like for us to pray for this week?

we found a new kid and he accepted a baptismal date for the 26th of September. His name is Matias

Birthday Chocolates

Well we got a lot of rain this week... I am pretty sure it rained EVERY SINGLE DAY. It is not as fun as you would think to be outside all time with the rain. Especially when you get someplace and you are soaked. But oh well. I'm loving it. 

This week went well. For the most part. A lot of people didnt acceptus and open their doors tous this week. That was rough. Especially with my companion being new. But we are just pushing along and doing what we can. 

We had inerviews with President this week. That was really great! Before, he talked with all us about Desires and faith. And how through our faith and desires we are going to start seeing the mircales. He used a metaphor of there are people who want to learn to play piano all their life but never do it. They just have the desire. There are other people who want to learn and they put in the time and practice and can play well. Then there are the people who have such a strong desire that even when they are seeing the success they keep pushing and keep learning and work twice as ahrd as the secnd type of person. And he used that to show that we can be the third type of person to put in the work and have the desires and we will baptize. WE have a goal in the mission for now that every missionary brings one soul into the waters of baptism so they can have this joy and be in the Church of Jesus Christ.  I know that is possible. And that as we all work hard that we will see the miracles and bring many souls unto Christ. 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/the-hope-of-gods-light

I don't know if I have shared this video before but it is one that I really love. The Light of God is real. We can find it in our lives. We can see the hand of God in our Lives every single day. We just have to look for it, but I know it is there. I invite you all to look for the ways God is working in your life. If needed, ask him to help show you His hand. We can all pray and our prayers are always answered. We have to call out to Him and ask before he just gives it to us. If we have any question we can ask Him. I know that is true. I have tried it. I know without any doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church. I know that because I have asked and I have received an answer to my prayers. and each and every one of y'all can do the same. 

Have a great week! 

con amor

Elder Opfar

1.  How was your week?

this week was good. but not a lot of people opened up the door to us or accepted us this week... 

2.  How is training going?

it is going pretty good! 

3.  How is the family you are teaching progressing?  We have been praying for them and you all week.

well we couldn't visit them this week. they were really busy. The father is a policeman and he doesn't have a set schedule. so it was hard to find a time that worked for him and his wife. 

4.  What are you doing to prepare for Conference?  

well I'm reading the Book of Mormon and I study the talks from last conference! I am in Alma in the BoM! I'll finish it before conference! 

5.  Do you still have Nutella left?  I'm going to send you pretzels, and just wondered if you needed more Nutella.  :)

yeah I still have a little. not a lot...

Bowling

Well this week was pretty good! Towards the beginning of the week we weren't having a lot of success or anything. Lots of people weren't home or our appointments fell through. But towards the end of the week we started with more success! We are now teaching a family and we have a good like 4 potential investigators! I'm super excited! I know the Lord is blessing us according to our faith! And that helps me strengthen my faith more and more. 

We also had zone training this week. That went super well. We all left with even more desires to go out and invite everyone to come unto Christ. That is why we are hear. To invite others to come unto Christ. That is our purpose. We help others to be prepared to make the covenants with God through baptism. And we INVITE.

I don't know if I have shared this video already but it is one that I really like. Bearing our burdens with hope. Because of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for us we can bear our burdens. It will still be hard sometimes but it is possible. Christ makes that possible. Alma 7:11-12. He suffered all the things He did, for us. So that He would know exactly how to comfort us. He loves us and wants the very best for us. and I know that is true. I have a testimony of that and I don't doubt it. I know that Christ lives.   

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/bearing-our-burdens-with-hope

Have a great week! 

Elder Opfar

1.  How is the training going??  Do you like it?  How is your companion?  Still excited to be there?

it is good! i like it! I am learning a lot haha. he is doing good. he is adjusting well. Still super excited! 

2.  It should be spring soon!! Is the weather warming up a bit?  It looks like it is still raining a lot...are your boots still leaking?  I hate to think of you walking around with wet feet.

the weather has been fairly decent. there was like a day or 2 this week when i went out in just a sweater and not my coat. I have been wearing my normal shoes. they are holding up. my feet usually don't get wet in them unless I walk through big puddles. 

3.  I keep forgetting to ask you about the birthday balloons.  Were they fun to read??

yeah! some of the ink like rubbed off though so I couldn't read a couple balloons. but yeah they were good! 

4.  When it starts to turn to summer, do the days get a lot longer?  Do people stay up late or get up early?

yeah the sun is out longer. and here in our mission we get to wake up at 7 am and go to bed at 11pm. get to be outside until max of 10 pm. because there is more light and everything

5.  How was church attendance this week?  Are the people sharing with their friends and inviting them to church?  Are you teaching anyone seriously right now?

so we dropped in attendance. we only had 42. for the past like 4 or 5 week we have been above 50. like 55ish. but this week we dropped. 

6.  What are your pday plans today?

uhm well it is raining. I think we might go to central a little and then just play some basketball or soccer

7.  Did you eat anything different this week?  Anything super good or super bad?

no. we ate a lot of meat this week. like I think everyday we had something with meat. it is usually a good mix of meat and chicken but this week was more meat. 

these are some pictures from last week. we ended up going bowling and yeah

Training in Bariloche

Tyler's new companion, Elder Aguilera.

At transfers, Tyler got to see Elder Gallegos and the elder he is training.

Well this week was pretty good. I was with the Zone leaders until Wednesday. I left to go to Neuquén on Wednesday afternoon. It is a long 6 hour bus ride but we finally got up there. But no it was really good. It is great up in Neuquén on Thursday. We met all the new missionaries and we went out and did some contacts with them. President talk with us for a little and we met out comps. There were only 12 people that came down this Transfer. and there were all Elders. 8 Latinos and 4 Gringos. and my comp is Elder Aguilera! He is from Chile! Yes another comp from Chile! 2 in a row! But he is really great! He has a lot of desires to go out and work! He just wants to serve the Lord! It is super awesome to have this new excitement here motivating me to do my best every single day. I think we will have a great transfer! 

We were able to visit some members this week and we helped them a little more. We tried to visit some other people but they weren't home when we went to visit them or they were busy... 

But this week one thing i thought about is with Christ and the Young Rich Ruler. I cant remember exactly where it is at right now. But read it! 

And think to yourself, is there something in my life that is holding me back from following the Lord more everyday? Each of us sometimes have the things in our lives that keep us from having a better relationship with our Savior. Think about it, what is holding you back? And change it! Do what you need to do and change what is holding you back. Follow the Savior. He loves each and every one of us and he wants the very best for us! 

Have a great week! 

con amor

Elder Opfar

1.  Did a lot of your zone and district change?  Who stayed and who left?

no not a lot changed... only a couple people left. a couple people went home and a few came in. like a total of 5 changes. not a lot at all. 

2.  How is the new comp?  What is his name, where is he from, what is he like?  

hes good. Elder Aguilera. He is from Chile. but like 2 hours from Concepcion. He has a lot of desires to just go out and work. It is great. He is super excited for the mission. 

3.  How do you like training?

I like it. It is fun 

4.  Are you glad you stayed in Bariloche?

yeah. I like it here. I love the members 

5.  What was the best part of the week?

um I don't know. it was good. it was cool to get to go up and see people who are training. like Elder Gallegos was also training! 

6.  PICTURES, dude.  Of your birthday.  I want to hear all about your birthday...did you get all of my packages?  4?  The BOX??  Was is good??

yeah sorry I couldn't send pictures last week. yes all 4 packages. pretty great. the cheese sauce from the box is a little weird... but I was glad to get some Nutella. It is super expensive here. 

For my birthday. well my comp was sick. but for lunch a member made me some cake. and also a member made me some cupcakes that night. super good! 

Happy 20th Birthday, Elder Opfar!!

He got all 4 of the packages we sent!!

Cake and cupcakes...

Well this week was pretty good. Except my comp was sick again a little more so we weren't able to do a lot. But it was my birthday and that was pretty great. The members are great and made me a cake and some cupcakes! they were super good! And on Saturday night we received the transfer calls. My comp left. which means that I will be staying here for another transfer. I will have 6 months here in Bariloche! And my new comp... Well I don't know who it is. I am going to train! I'll be going up to Nuequèn on Wednesday night to get my comp on Thursday! I'll be getting a brand new missionary! I'm super excited for this opportunity that I will have! 

Well this week not a lot happened. But I am going to share something I thought about this week. 

http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/lift-the-power-of-service 

watch this video. 

I thought a lot about service. This video is about service and serving others. I started thinking about our perfect example Jesus Christ. He always served others. He always turnined outward and helped others. That is the character of Christ. Turning outward and helping others around him. 

In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 2:17 we learn that when we are serving others we are serving God. 

and in Matthew 25:40 Christ is talking about serving other and doing things for other people. For helping the Poor and Needy. For doing the things that He would do. He is our example and we need to follow him. Through service we can be super happy and help others become happy. 

This next week think of a way you can serve someone and do it! 

con amor

Elder Opfar

3.  How are your lessons going?  Anyone progressing?

we found an old investigator that has some intrest and some good potential. so we will see how that goes. 

4.  What is the best thing about Bariloche?

i love the view. it is aweosme. and all the members are super awesome! 

5.  What is the hardest thing about Bariloche?

walking a lot. with hills

6.  What are you looking forward to this week?

I get to train! 

7.  What was your best experience this week?

uhm i dont know. my birthday was pretty good

8.  What made you smile?

Well i got all four of the packages. thank you! so great! also for my birthday we ate some cake and cupcakes

ONE YEAR MARK

Elder Maluenda got some churros for Tyler to celebrate his one year mark!

Well I don't have a lot of time to write this week. But we had a good week. We have been focusing on helping the members! 

I cant believe I have been out for 1 whole year. I have learned so much. I learned a lot about really just trusting more in the Lord in Everything. Not only having faith in Him but also having faith in His timing. He knows better than me. And He will always help me and each and every person according to our needs and our faith. 

I know that i am on the Lords errand right now and in His work. I don't have any doubt about that. I know this church is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that along with the Bible we can come to know our Savior more because of studying those 2 books. WE can come to know our Savior and our Heavenly Father Personally. They know us personally and they want the absolute best for us. I know that there is power in prayers. Our prayers are always answered according to our faith and if we ask with sincerity. WE can all gain a testimony of the Church because of prayer. That is our communication with God. He is waiting for us to reach out and ask Him. I Love what I am doing and I wouldn't change any of it for anything. 

Have a great week! I love you all

con amor

Elder Opfar

1.  Do you have any plans for your birthday?

well the member we eat with I think is going to make me a cake and also we are going to visit a different member for some cake. 

2.  What is the hardest thing you have done on your mission so far?

oh I don't even know. the mission is just hard. but probably when people don't accept our message especially because I know it can bring them so much peace and happiness

3.  When did you feel the Spirit the strongest this week?

one of the days I was studying. I had a super good week of studying

4.  What strengthens you when you feel down?

I usually sing a hymn in my head and just keep going on

5.  Who is the most inspirational person you have met on your mission?  Why?

Presidente Casariego because to actually hear that all that happened and to hear it from him is pretty awesome. He is such an awesome guy. 

but I don't know. I have met a lot of members who I love. 

6.  What is your favorite chapter or part of Preach my Gospel?

I like chapter 5 about the BoM. and also chapter 6 about the attributes of Christ

7.  What is your current favorite scripture, and why?

I really like Alma 26:12. that we shouldn't boast in our own strength. but that we can do all things with the Lord

8.  What do you usually eat for breakfast?

Oatmeal, Banana, apple, hard boiled egg and a mate cocido. sometimes with the oatmeal. or sometimes with the mate cocido. 

9.  What time do you leave your pension each day?

10:30

10.  Do you and your companion share groceries?

no. We buy our own stuff each week. But yeah we sometimes share

11.  What is the best thing you have eaten this week?

lunch yesterday was really good. It was homemade pasta and it was super good. and desert we had like a chocolate mousse with strawberries and blueberries. 

12.  In your next written letter, try to answer the following questions (they might take a while to think about):

a.  Top 10 moments of the first half of my mission.

b.  Top 10 ways that I have changed or grown spiritually in the first half of my mission.

ok ill do that