DERQUIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello everyone, I hope you all had an awesome week! I hear it is super hot out there in the US, so I'm sorry about that!! We've had a couple rough days lately as far as the weather goes haha...really cold, rain, and it hailed yesterday the size of golf balls...I mean I'm not an expert on weather in Buenos Aires but that's something I didn't know was possible haha, but we are all good here! 

This past week we had the baptism of Gonzalo and Prisila. They are kids of a part member family that Elder Avalos was working with in his area and they were baptized yesterday! They are great and we are working with the parents so they can get married and start their way to being an Eternal Family!! Also, we have been working with a couple that just got their papers done to get married, so he will be able to be baptized soon. They also have 2 young kids!! A couple of other families that we have been working with have been a little hard to find and we aren't able to see them too often but they are great and we aren't going to give up on them! 

We have a new focus in our mission on families. Well that's always a focus, but really the family is the most important thing. We are here on Earth so that we can be tested and together as a family live eternally.  That is Heavenly Father's purpose for all of His children, and should be our purpose as well!! As we align our purposes with Heavenly Father's, that is when we will see miracles and truly find happiness!

Well, I was thinking a lot about the weird fact that I still don't understand that I am over my year mark in the mission.  I was thinking about this past year and all that has happened and I was really pondering about the person I am now, and was a year ago. The first thing that came to my mind was that I probably can't guard me from a year ago...No, I'm just kidding! haha! But really, I thought a lot about how much I've changed, which is something that I have felt a lot, but even more now that I look back on the past year. This past year has been the hardest year of my life, but the most rewarding and best for my life. That is a saying that I always remember, that "these 2 years will be the best 2 years for your life." I remember thinking a lot before my mission about how I would change, because my dad always told me that it would change my life forever. I figured that I would change a lot, but I had no idea how or in what way. Now, being a year into it and truly understanding what that meant, and why my mission has meant so much to me, I can only thank my Savior for the person He has made me become. I have no doubt in my mind that what is hard for me and the challenges that I have faced have been exactly for that! There are much more words to describe that I don't have, but I am just incredibly grateful for the whole process.

We are asked to take upon ourselves the cross of Christ and be His disciples and walk with Him. In our journey of trying to become true disciples of Christ, of course we are going to be faced with obstacles and sometimes we will even fall...but like the High Point Young Women camp quote; it's about how we get up and keep going ;) 

I think every week my parents have told me that, its not about your falls, but what you do to improve and keep going. This past year sometimes that's all I have been able to do, just keep going. But I know that my Savior loves me, is aware of me, and that I will have all I need to be the person that He needs me to be! 

I have also had an amazing privilegio of meeting many people who have changed my life forever, and who have contributed a lot to making this so special.

But above all, I have grown to truly love my Savior, and know what it means to follow Him. That is something that I know I will cherish my whole life and will always bring me a lot of peace and hope!  I know that He lives, and that through Him I can live with my family forever. Through His atonement that I have grown to understand a lot better, we can all become who we truly need to be. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is for everyone, but it is up to us to utilize it and show our love and faith.

I love you all and hope you all have an amazing week! Thanks for everything you all do for me. I feel like the most loved missionary in the world!!!!

Elder Yeoman

Baptism of Gonzalo and Prisila

All you can eat  pizza with the Zone on Pday. I won 2nd
place! You don't want to know how many pieces I ate!

A Year Already???

Hello Everyone! Hope everyone had a nice hot summer week! My week was pretty cold, but it's really not as cold as everyone told me it would be.. I guess because I am used to humidity! 

So this past week was a difficult one, and I am now companions here in Derqui with Elder Avalos, my trainer. It's been pretty fun being with him again because I can actually understand everything he is saying, and now I know better that he is the man. Haha!

So, I wanted to start off with a story from the week..It's the number one play on the sportscenter top 10 haha! Since there are just two of us in Derqui now, we are working in 2 areas and just running around all over the place. Elder Avalos was teaching this family and we went to go get them to come to church with us Sunday. When we got there, the dad came out and said they didn't have clean pants to go to church. They were all covered in mud. He said that they really wanted to go but couldn't for that reason. So, Elder Avalos said "Elder Yeoman, I've got an idea!" We went to a nearby house of another less active member and asked them for 2 pairs of pants to give to the investigators so they could come to church..We got them and then ran back to their house to give them to them. At this point I was pumped, and Elder Avalos was the man for having that idea. We got to the house and they weren't answering the door, so we left to get to sacrament on time. Then out of the corner of my eye, I saw him come out of the house and yelled at Elder Avalos to turn around. We went back and gave him the pants and they all came to church...CLUTCH!! Thats my best story for getting investigators to church! 

Well, we are now just trying to get used to working in 2 areas and trying to make it work, but it is going pretty well! 

I'll have more to say next week but thats all I have time for! I love you all, and hope you all have an awesome week!! 

The gospel is true, and we all have hope through the atonement of Christ, if only we utilize it by doing the things the Lord has commanded of us, which are nothing compared to all He has done for us!!

Elder Yeoman

Elder Yeoman and Elder Avalos with one of the young
men from church.

Selfie for my Mom!

The food in Argentina is Amazing!

Bananas with Dulce de Leche!

Incredible Week!

Well this week was just incredible! It is very true how the Lord magnifies those He calls because I felt more than ever carried by Him this week, and all week long! It was very humbling and awesome to be a part of! This week we were able to find a lot of new investigators including a family that the husband had died about 3 weeks ago from using drugs, and they are absolutely amazing! They really have great desire and were begging us to come back, which isn't the most normal thing that I am used to, haha!

My new companion, straight from the MTC, is Elder Hazelgren from Virginia..yup 2 southern boys walking the streets of Buenos Aires haha! It's awesome! He went to BYU before the mission and he is pretty funny!! He has a great attitude and is ready to work hard!

So I have been studying a lot about the Atonement..and I saw a quote that just made me think a ton that I want to share. It is talking about when we struggle with trials and difficulties, and we have a bad attitude about it, but it says:

"But is this really as bad as it seems? What if we knew that someone paid in advance for all these difficulties? What if, in turning us toward Heaven because we have nowhere else to go, our difficulties actually point the path to the salvation and exaltation we came to earth seeking in the first place? It's a different perspective, isnt it?"

Wow this is just incredible and so true. Imagine if we could think like that, how different we would feel all the time? Because that is exactly how the Savior wants us to feel! We are here to progress towards Salvation and our difficulties and trials are what point us to the direction that we need to be in to reach this goal that we have!

I know that this is true without a doubt, because I know that the biggest reason I am who I am is because of the difficulties and trials I have faced this past year. I may never be perfect. I may not be the best teacher, but I love my Savior, and I try really hard. And at the end of the day, I can enjoy this process! I know that my Savior lives and loves us all! Through him, we will be successful! 

I Love you all!!

Elder Yeoman

Elder Hazelgren (new comp), Elder Stafford and Elder Moura

Welcome Cake for Elder Hazelgren at a church member's home

Transfers and Training

Hi Everyone, (This is Alana)

Today was transfer day for Elder Yeoman and he was very short on time. He is doing GREAT and wanted me to let you know that he is sorry that he didn’t have time for a general email this week, but will have more time for an update next week. He is super excited that they had 9 new missionaries coming in to the mission today since there have been very few new missionaries called to the Buenos Aires North Mission at all this past year! Elder Yeoman will be training one of the new elders and was very excited to find out who his new “hijo” would be later today. Elder Yeoman said that all nine of the trainers were going to be hiding when the new missionaries walked in and then they planned to all come into the room as they sing “Llamados a Sevir” (Called to Serve).  That gives me chills to imagine.  I wish I could have been there to witness it. Elder Yeoman was also super excited that he will be staying in Derqui to train. He loves the ward members so much. Although, they will be moving to a pension that is in better condition on August 1st.

Elder Yeoman with some of the other elders who have served in Derqui
(this morning at transfers)

Elder Saez all packed up and ready for transfers! Elder Yeoman will miss him.
(Not sure why the room looks like a tornado went through) 

Elder Kelly finished his mission and went home today! Elder Yeoman says that
he is one of his best friends in the world! They look forward to hanging out
together at BYU next year!

Hermana Majorana sent me this picture of the Derqui Elders with her husband and son.

Hermana Molina sent me this picture taken at her home on Sunday.

America!!!!!!

Happy 4th of July, Everyone!! 

I'm sorry but I don't have any time today! I hope you all are doing well and have an awesome 4th! 

Next week we have transfers, so I will be emailing on Tuesday!

If anyone feels burdened, down, or bad in any way...STOP! Jesus Christ already suffered for that, you don't have to! The church is true!

I love you all! 

Elder Yeoman

Elder Kelly and Elder Yeoman 

Elder Hendricks was in my district at the MTC!

When you are soaked and muddy from the rain.....
sometimes you have to wear pink flip flops!

Elder Yeoman and companion Elder Saez
soaked and muddy from the rain!

Hasta Luego Presidente y Hermana Ayre :(

Hello Everyone! 

Hope you all have had an awesome week! This week was pretty sad because we had to say bye to President and Sister Ayre...which was pretty hard. They will be life long friends, and always family! One of the many things I learned from President Ayre is vision in life.

When I got to the mission, he asked me to tell him my goals in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years after my mission. And he helped me to realize that there is nothing that can stop me from reaching these goals in regards to my career, goals in the church, and everything else! If we live the way we are supposed to live and put in the effort, there's nothing we can't accomplish. I have come to realize that a lot of the things that he stressed for us to do has more to do with the habits we will have after the mission, to help us throughout our life. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity to serve with him! But President Smith is gonna be awesome as well!!

Not much happened this week because we were running around to all of the meetings we had with Pres leaving, so not much to talk about from my week! 

We had a meeting yesterday that we brought investigators to. It was kind of like a farewell thing for President Ayre, and it was focused a lot on the Restoration. There is a reason that this is our principle message, that can bring happiness, joy, and hope to anyone that chooses to pray and follow the answer that they get. How much comfort we have to know that the same church that Jesus Christ established, with the same authority is on the Earth now..so that we may progress and live with Heavenly Father again with our family. I love teaching this simple, but powerful doctrine, that families can be eternal! That is why we have the restored Gospel, to reach Eternal Life..and to have true happiness together with our families.

I know that God is our Heavenly Father, and that He sent His son to die for us, so that in His perfect plan, we will be able to live eternally with our families! That is the biggest hope I have in my life, and know without a doubt that it is possible through the Atonement of Christ..which motivates me everyday to do what I do 

I love you all!

Elder Yeoman

Saying Goodbye to President and Hermana Ayre

Elder Jenkins (former companion)

Selfies with President Ayre and Elder Saez

Nothing like a cold Dr. Pepper straight from home!
Thanks Mom!

Elder Bustos (My first Zone Leader)

Elder Ayres (My MTC companion)

Elder Kelly (former companion)

Ward Mission Leader Hermano Majorana

Feliz Dia Del Padre

 Hello Everyone!

Well first off, I hope that all of you guys had an awesome Fathers Day! It was Fathers day here in Argentina! I have the best dad though ;).  Even though I wasn't able to celebrate it with my dad, I definitely thought about all the things he has done for me throughout my life. A big part of who I am today is because I always had him as an example and as my biggest role model! And one thing that I always tell my dad is that Heavenly Father gave him to me so that I can understand better the love He has for me! Because it is hard to even think about the love my earthly father has for me, even harder to think about my Heavenly Father! But my dad is the best man I've ever met and my whole life I will always strive to be like him!

This past week I had the opportunity to go to the temple again (gracias a mi compañero) and yes everyone,the rumors are true!....I got to see Elder Stafford (one of my best friends from home)!!! I was hoping and praying all week that I would be able to see him and right when I was walking out of the temple he was walking in! The Lord is always aware of His children, and even though it seems small and insignificant, it was a miracle that we got put in the same place at the same exact TIME! He is doing great, loving it, and he got to talk to my comp who is a native spanish speaker to see what it is like a little bit!! I felt so much peace and comfort in the temple, knowing that it is the House of the Lord! It's a place you never want to leave.

I had the opportunity to give a talk in sacrament meeting! The Bishop set up that this Sunday was a missionary work sunday..so the 4 missionaries spoke! He told us to pick what we wanted to talk about. I decided that I was going to talk about the excitement of Preaching the Gospel....how we as members have to be pumped! And more specifically, what helps me to be excited and pumped, and that is to truly know and understand the Doctrine of Christ. What helps to get me pumped is learning and applying the Doctrine of Christ. If we learn and apply the Doctrine of Christ, we gain a testimony that it is the only way that we can reach Salvation, and the Lord has given us all the opportunity that we need to be able to do it, based on our diligence in following Him and our consistency in living the Gospel. That has been one of the things that I most cherish from my mission so far, the unwavering testimony that I have gained through study and application of the Doctrine of Christ. This has helped me to overcome a lot of challenges, difficulties, and trials that I have faced, giving me an incredible amount of joy and hope! I can truly say that I know that the Gospel is true because I strive every day to live it and I feel in my heart the joy and hope that comes from this knowledge! 

Honestly, I can't imagine my life without this knowledge, without this hope that if I live the doctrine of Christ I will be able to live Eternally with my family, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ! How much hope that brings and strength to continue to do my best everyday is incredible! 2 Nephi 31:17-21

17 Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me, that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost.

 18 And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.

 19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

 20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

 21 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen.

What joy this truly brings me, and I testify that this is true! That this is what can truly bring us peace and happiness! Jesus Christ lives, and made it possible for us to overcome all and return to live with Heavenly Father again! 

Now, we must share this joy, this happiness, this hope with all..that they might be able to truly know of the true importance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

I love you all! 

Elder Yeoman

Elder Yeoman and Elder Stafford (a great friend from home) who is in the Argentina MTC
and will also be serving in the Buenos Aires North Mission beginning next month. Elder Yeoman
has been looking forward to seeing Elder Stafford for months!!!

One of the wonderful families in Elder Yeoman's ward in Derqui!

Cake for Fathers Day on Sunday!

In deep thought!

Elder Yeoman and Elder Avalos together again! (he was Elder Yeoman's trainer)

Elder Farnsworth and Elder Yeoman

The AWESOME Elders of Derqui!!!
Elder Yeoman, Elder Saez, Elder Farnsworth and
Elder Avalos