"If you're happy and you know it you must be serving a mission"

Aubrey with her zone in Caleta Olivia, Argentina.
They helped paint this house

We have been incredibly blessed this week.

1. Maria is beyond capa! She cooked us lunch (the best milanesa I´ve had in my life) and then we taught her about repentence. She has such real intent. Words can not express how much I love our investigators!!!!!

2. We had a lunch with Tina and her family. Then we shared a message about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her inactive son and his wife were there too. Tina began crying and told us that all she wants to do is devote her life to God. Such faith!!! I feel like I just sit there and ask the occasional question while our investigators teach themselves. It´s the best!

3. We visited Jimena 40 minutes before writing this email. She is 23 and newly married. (p.s. that never ever happens in Argentina!) She is catholic, but feels like something is missing in her life. We planned to get to know her in this lesson and talk a little about families. Instead, we invited her to be baptized and she accepted! God knows each and everyone of his sheep by name. I feel so blessed to be a small part of his grand work.

Maria and Jimena's baptisms are set for the 18th of April. We are doing a noche blanca which means that all the missionaries are finding people who are prepared to be baptized that night. It will be a spiritual fiesta!

Challenge time: I have been reading in the new testament in John. There is a scripture that talks about if we come unto Christ he will give us abundance. It is an act of faith to trust God. Do something this week that tests your faith in Christ. I know that the Savior will not fail you. He felt it was worth it to suffer for each of you personally. Trust in him and he will show you miracles.

Love you tons,

Hermana Davis

Week of Miracles

The highlights:

1. We have some really capo investigators. Tina is the one we met in January but she has been out of town. Now she´s back and ready to be baptized.

Maria is basically golden. She has three daughters. Maria came to church on Sunday!!! Oh, and she also has a fecha to be baptized!

Antonia and Reuben need to be married before baptism, but that can be arranged :) I do love weddings. They are both wonderful!

2. We attended the birthday party of Jackelyn Aleman. She is a member. Her family made her 3 cakes!!! Argentine people know how to celebrate a birthday!

3. I taught a 30 minute class about Charity. Yes, in Spanish. Thank you gift of tongues :)

I am so happy to be in Argentina. I love the people, I love the food, I love my companion.  I am learning so much about my Savior. This gospel is a miracle. Never forget where you came from and where you are going. Keep the end in mind. We are all on a journey back to live with our loving Father in Heaven. 

Challenge Time: Be friendly to visitors at church. The first time someone attends church is critical. There are so many new things and it really helps when the members are warm and welcoming.

Lots of love,

Hermana Davis

It's week 7 and Life is GOOD!

Sister's in Aubrey's zone.  Her companion is on her right

Aubrey's zone in Caleta Olivia

My heart is so happy to hear from everyone. I am sitting here in my little cyber station and laughing to myself as I read your emails. 

We had some pretty cool miracles this week. I can´t tell you all of them or else I won´t have material for my home coming talk :)

First: When I do practices with my companion we always pretend to be Maria. This week we actually met two Marias!!!!!! One is a single woman with 3 daughters. She is basically golden. The other one we met while knocking doors. She lost two of her children. I can´t wait to share more of the plan of salvation with her. How great a plan it is!!!

Second:  I finished the Book of Mormon this morning. I know without a doubt in my heart that that book is from God. Read it for yourself. Some general authority said something like, ¨"The study of true doctrine will change behavior more than the study of behavior will change behavior." It´s true!

Third:   I´m learning a little Guarani from Elder Ferrieras. Vaka pi popo means ball. You´re welcome.

Note from mom:  I asked her what her favorite part of the BofM is so I can share it in my RS lesson this Sunday.  Her response:  "That´s like asking me to  choose a favorite child. (mom note - Ashley KNOWS it's her!)  I really like the stripling warriors and the war chapters. They had so much faith in God that they won many impossible battles."

I have really been focused on trying to sanctify myself. I want my heart to be changed forever by this experience. I don´t want to go back to old Aubrey.(Mom note:  I didn't think the old Aubrey was so bad! :)  I am giving all of my dreams away to Christ for these 18 months. When I get back he will help me sort through my dreams with a new heart and perspective. With His guiding hand I will build a life that will help me reach my potential. This mission is great. I love it.

Challenge time! Study the scriptures with a specific question in mind. You will find your answer.

Love you all tons!

Hermana Davis

A change is better than a rest

Aubrey's new favorite treat!  Looks like some form of chocolate chip cookies
Love the smile and freckles!

Typical Argentine lunch and she really likes it!
Way to go on the carbs Argentina!

Hello again from Argentina! This week has been much better. Here are some highlights:

1. We have a less active member named Hilda. She lives in a super cool house with basically her whole extended family. She takes care of her 100-year old mother and has a pet iguana. I like visiting Hilda :)

2. We had a really great activity this week where we opened the capilla for tours. Everyone worked so hard to clean the capilla. Not many people came, but those who did were really interested in our church. After the activity we had two baptisms! They were the investigators of Elder Crowley and Elder Collier. The spirit was so strong.

3. The members are the best! I have so many Argentine moms :) 

This week I have been thinking a lot about time. My challenge this week is to evaluate your life. Does the way you use your time reflect what is truly important to you? Are you using every moment to the fullest? Our time on this earth is short. We don´t have time to sit in front of the tv and wait for happiness to fall into our laps. To be happy and successful we need to get up and do something. We have so many isles of time through out the day that we can take advantage of! My Grandma Hoopes always says,"A change is better than a rest." I believe that is true. Our purpose on this earth is to progress and grow. We must take advantage of every moment in our short days. Don´t wait until later to have the blessings of living the gospel. Why not be happy now?

Lots of love from Argentina,

Hermana Davis