Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Cambios a Tarija!

Dear Mom and Dad, Family, and Friends,

Wow, California sounds perfect right now! And please give Grandpa a big hug for me. Also, Michael is a pro at holding babies now!

This week has been pretty bitter sweet and so fun!!

First off, for Carnaval we got permission from President to go to the ward barbecue at 11 in the morning this past Tuesday. It was awesome. A Bolivian BBQ is a little different than an American one but mainly you have some good steak with some bratwurst hot dogs with hot rice and cheese mixed together with a little bit of an onion and tomato salad with yuca! Yuca is this white root that tastes really bland unless it is fried or has a lot of salt, but the people here love it. Hence the phrase, “I am mas camba de la yuca” or an American translation... I am more American than the hamburger. Something like that!  
Bolivian BBQ - Ward Carnaval BBQ


As we waited for the BBQ, we played futbol. When you play on a cement court, you play with a ball the weighs more so it travels faster and stays on the ground.


After the BBQ, we played futbol until about 5. It was so fun and Herlin came and made some great friends.

Making pancakes Monday with Olga and Ernesto and their grand kids. They love pancakes, especially when we added the chocolate chips!


Now for the crazy part of the week. Saturday is when we got the cambios and it is super fun because we get to announce them to the whole zone by calling them in the night. Herlin and Jessica had to postpone their wedding until this next Saturday, but Herlin had his interview and passed with flying colores. Anyway, my companion and I both thought we were going to stay together because we are both new to the area. NOPE!!!

It turns out that I have been transferred to Tarija where there are mountains, and my new companion is Elder Pineda and we will be serving as the zone leaders. He is from Ecuador and the native tribe there where it is a grand honor for the men to use braids!   ​
My new companion



Sunday was really special to visit our investigadores and converts, but it was really heart wrenching because I was expecting to see the baptism of Herlin and also Santiago y Maria Jose and Soledad this cambio, but I feel good because in this cambio with my companion we worked super hard and with the help of the spirit we planted the seeds of conversion for many people! Here are some of the member and investigadores.


Saying good-bye to Olga and Ernesto! They are examples of true saints and followers of Christ!

But one special blessing was to see Alan receive the Priesthood this week. In the third hour, Hno. Ernesto and 2 other high priests ordained him to the office of a priest. The blessing was so inspired and promised Alan that by magnifying his priesthood duties, he we would be blessed to finish his studies and would be the means of bring others of his family to the knowledge of the gospel! Alan is firm in the gospel and it is one of the sweetest feelings to see him progress and be converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

This morning we went to the offices at 3:40 a.m. UHHH we didn’t get a lot of sleep and from there we went in bus to the airport and then flew to Cochabamba and then to Tarjia!

​Evidence that we went to Cochabamba  
Santa Cruz to Cochabamba to Tarija

Traveling to Tarija!
Tarija is amazing and there are mountains!!!! And there aren’t a lot of mosquitos and it isn’t humid!! It really feels like am in Utah again! But this week is going to be fun!  We are in 4 de Julio ward.
Tarija
 These are some scriptures that mean a lot to me:

4 For many times you have desired of me to know that which would be of the most worth unto you.


5 Behold, blessed are you for this thing, and for speaking my words which I have given you according to my commandments.

6 And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen.

Wow, how blessed are we as members of the church to have the restored gospel in our lives and to know that the greatest happiness will come as we share it with our brothers and sisters so that after this life we can rest or be with them in the kingdom of our Father forever!

Love,

Elder Matheson

P.S. You have got to see Coco the Disney movie. It teaches us about family history work!


Streets of Tarija









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