Chistmas!!

This has been one of the best weeks I have ad on my mission. Christmas is the best! We got to spend time with the members and hang out with other missionaries. It was good. For Christmas Eve me and my companion went to eat at the Gomez-Chafala's house. We ate Argentine "carne asada". It was actually really good, just a bit salty. We spent time with them and got to know them better. They are, in my opinion, the best young family in the branch. They are fun and don't make things awkward like most do.
Christmas day we went to the Christiansen's house to go use their phone to cal my family. I was really excited to talk to them. I had talked to them in about 7 months. It was really good to hear their voices again. After that we just ate all day and hung out with other missionaries. I had a bunch of fun.
So to the good stuff! Today i went to Nike Employee Store. Its really sweet. Their was a lot there to see. Too bad everything was really expensive and I didn't have much money. Maybe next time Ill have a little more to have a bit of fun.
Take care!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Christmas Party!

Well today was the mission's Christmas party. We are one of the only missions that are allowed to gather like this. It was pretty sweet. We sang and ate and just had a blast. i saw everyone there. It was a really nice experience.
This last week was kinda bad for our lessons. We had a lot of lessons set up but they all fell through. But we did get a less active member to commit to go to church this Sunday, that was pretty nice!
This whole week is going to be bad for us. We have like 3 members that want us to go to their houses and eat with them. We are ganna ge soo fat! Also since most of the people are ganna be out of town we are just going to go Down Town to sing carols. Its ganne be a lot of fun!
I hope that all of you remembered that you have some one on his mission that is poor and with out a family. I think that a bunch of presents will make him feel better! haha (No,but really it would!)
Well I hope yall have a great Christmas and party like its 1999.
Im so excited to talk to my family! Im calling them on the 25th! WOOT WOOT!!
Love ya. Take care

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

1/3

Today I hit my 8 month mark. Its not funny how fast time has passed. I remember coming out (on the mission) like it was yesterday. I wonder if this is how its going to be after my mission. Weeks go by like months and months go by like days. I cant believe that in four months I'll be hitting a year. Its ganna be a good time.
This past week was good. We went to the coast to help the other Elders in our district blitz that part of their area. Since they can only go limited times a month they need to be as effective as they can. We also had Zone Conference. It was good. It felt like I was back in school. We were there for almost 8 hours, but i love it. I learn so much that my brain cant fit anything else after.
This Sunday was really cool. We saw a sister come back to church that we have been working with for a long time. The family is not too supportive of the church even though they are all members. She is a really strong woman and has great faith. She is a great example to me.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

This week turned out to be one of the worst I've had yet. Its not about my companion. We are actually doing better then ever. All of our investigators flaked out of baptism. We had three baptisms set up and a wedding. And in four days time it all went down the drain. All of our investigators have been tricked by the master of lies through their families. Its amazing how much power family has in someones decisions. I just cant believe that with in an hour someone can go from being super excited to just undecisive. So thats why my week went so bad. Now what we have to do is just keep working and finding people that are ready.
Now that I let all of that out: Im really excited for Chistmas. Its ganna be a new experience to be away from home. This is the first time that I'll celebrate without my family. Its also wanna be good to talk with my family. We're ganna have a Mission Christmas Party. Ill tell yall how that went. AND all the presents that Im ganna get will not hurt either! haha
I cant believe that Its almost ganne be 8 months since left home. Time flies by when your doing the Lord's work. I love you all!! Take care!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Turkey Day

This week was good. Specially Thanksgiving. First we had a Turkey Bowl. We went and played Touch Football with some members. We played for like 2 hours. It was raining and cold but we had fun. After that we cleaned up and went parting with all of our district. Our Zone Leaders got invited to a party at a Bowling Alley. It was great! We bowled all we wanted, eat all we wanted and played games for free (air hockey and hoops, not arcade games). I had a good time with the members and trying to get to know them. We went to their houses and just talked to them. We had dinner at a members house. Family Juarez Alvarado. We stuffed our faces with food. We ate "Tukey a la Mexican" (quoted from the chef herself). Its one for the journal.
Fryday we went to play Futbol with some investigators and I hurt my knee really bad.
The whole week we have been working on getting Manuel and Glendis, our investigators, married. It is finally paying off. We have all of the paper work we just need to fill it out and send it in to get a license. After that its marriage and baptism.
Yesterday we went to Tillamook and got some work done there. I drove all the way theere. It was NICE! We tracted for a while and we knocked in to a couple that was really interested. They said that they really want to go, but there is no spanish group up there, so they said that they would come down to Hilsboro to church. They looked sincere. They felt the spirit and wanted to change their lives. We also went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. We had fun and tried all they types of cheese they had. After that we went to eat at Bro. Foote's house. He is a sweet member there and he told us a lot of his story. It was fun! I drove all the way back home. It was BAD! I was tired and my knee was hurting from Friday. All in all it was a good week.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

AHHHH!!!

Im excited that we are going to Sea Side today! Its going to be sweet. We are ganna go to the Nike Outlet Store. Nike stuff here are relatively cheap since Oregon is the home for Nike. My compa bought a set ao $90 shoes for $15 at Ross. The best thing is that there is no sales tax. Ill tell you what I bought later.
Last week on P-DAy we had Zone Activity. We went down to Portland to play some soccer and some basketball. We were also ganna go to eat at a Peruvian restaurant but the Elders that I went with decided that they wanted to go to the mall, so we went. We went to the Lloyd Center. It was nice! It felt kinda weird going in a mall after more than 7 month of not setting foot in one. I had fun though. I saw some nice ADIDAS that I should have bought but for one reason or another I didnt. I regret it!
Thursday I was not too enthusiastic. It was just one of those days that you want to end as soon as possible because you know that tomorrow will be a better day. After that It was really good. I was reading my old journal entries and looking though my old planners and it made me feel a lot better. I felt rejuvinated. It brought back all of those memories. It's weird how I can remeber most of the days like yesterday although it has been a long time.
Im really excited for Thanksgiving (AKA: Turkey-day). We were ganna have Zone Training then but our Zone Leaders had mercy on us. Now we can go out and have a Turkey Bowl. Its ganna be nice. Well I really wish that I could be with you all but at the same time I don't. Wish you all a great Thanksgiving. Dont eat too much cause I will!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

This week was great! It started off with the Mission Conference. Elder Robbins from the Quorum of the Seventy came and spoke to us. It was really good. He talked about how the most importnat thing that we are trying to accomplish as missionaries is not to baptize, but to help others find faith in Christ. After we do that, everything else will fall in to place. He also gave a lesson about how to truly pray, and how we can find the "instructions" in the scriptures. That was a really inspiring talk/lesson that he gave. It set up a good attitude for the rest of the week. I also enjoyed seeing all of the other spanish missionaries. We went to eat at a Chinese Buffet and talked and messed around like only 19-21 year old know how. It was fun!
On Wednesday I had exchanges with Elder Jimenez, my District Leader. He is a good missionary and a great example. We woked hard and had fun at the same time.
Friday we did some service for a member's friends. We helped them move from apartments. They are really nice people and have a lot of faith. They at first were not so fond of having missionaries over but now that we softened their hearts through service, we have a chance to teach them and share the gospel.
Saturday we had interviews with the President. They were a little unexpected since we got the call at the time they were going on. But the experience is what counts. Im grateful for having the opportunity to sit and talk with him.
Sunday we had Stake Conference and it was a good end to this great week. After that we went to a members house and he made us tacos de carne asada. They were so good I had to eat 20 of them. The craziest thing about it is that I've been eating like crazy and I lost weight.
Well I love you all take care.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

WAAAA!!

Well this week had its good and its bads. The bads: we spent a lot of time moving apartments. It took most of the week trying to get our stuff together and cleaning it all out but we are finally done. That about all of the bad. Except that we didn't get too much time to knock. The good:I love my new apartment!!! Also we had, in my opinion, a really good Zone Conference. We talked about The Doctrine of Jesus Christ. we read 2 Nephi 31. I learned a lot. Its crazy what you can understand from the scriptures if you jsut have a different perspective. I got so much out of this conference. Some of the stakes in our area had a Missionary Fireside. It was good. We had the president from our mission give a talk and Elder Robbins from the Quorum of the Seventy. I enjoyed all the talks and testimonies.
I had exchanges with the Zone Leaders and I had a blast. We worked hard and brought some kids into repentance. We layed down the law! Its always good to go out of your area and help other people.
We also had a "Family Home Evening" with the branch. It turned out better than I thought.
I bought this sweet sweater! It has a map of Oregon on it with big Old English letters "OREGON". Its nice I must confess. The best thing is that I bought it at a GenX store, so its pretty "Cholo" (LOL).
Thank you for all that you for me and because you are always worried about my needs. Also thanx for the sweet camera. Its ganna come in handy. Peace and Love!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

November!!

I can't believe its already November. Time flies by so fast. I remember like it was yesterday that I was at home with my family playing Rockband and watching Lion King. And that I was all excited for all the new moveis that were ganna come out. Too bad I didn't get to see any.
Ah... this week has been really good. I had exchanges with Elder Cardenaz and got to be with him in Aloha (his area). It was fun. I got to know him a little better and learn from him. We ended up getting a little lost because none of us knew the area well but we got through it. Saturday night (Halloween) was fun. Since the mission president didn't want us to go out at night, we went to play basketball with the assistants and other Elders from the surrounding zones. I really enjoyed it. On Sunday, we had testimony meeting and the spirit was strong. All six of us Elders in the branch shared our testimonies. The meeting went over like 20 minutes because of all the members that wanted to share their testimony. Then, later that night, we went to Santiago and Inez's baptism. This branch was pretty much all there to support them. I love this branch.
I just love doing this. Missionary work is awesome. I have not felt so good doing something than right now. Its just been good all around. yesterday we went to go do service at Brother Newberry's house and today Im so tired and sore but I feel good.
Good news. Tomorrow I get a new apartment!! WOOT WOOT!! Bad news. We have to move it all. I guess you can't win them all. I have a couple of cameras that Im going to get developed (yes I have been using disposable cameras) so I'll have new pics soon.
Well I love you all. Send me some pics so i can show you all off to my friends. See ya!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Family!!!!

How are all of you doing?? I haven't heard from any of you in a long time. Oh well. This last week has been good. I don't think I've worked so hard in four months. We have knocked like beasts!! This is so much fun!! There is three pairs of missionaries in this branch, so there is three times as many missionaries for the bracj to feed. The cool thing about it is that we all eat in the same place at the same time. So picture this, there is six missionaries in a table for four and we all eat like we've never been fed before. It's actually really sweet. We have a good time and the members are willing to do it. They like it. We like it too. We get to know each other and the members every day. Its so much fun. I could not have asked for a better place to spend the holiday season. Yesterday, Monday the 26th, we did service. We went the house of a member. The english Elders invited us to help this member expand his basement. What we are doing is we are moving all of the support beams and digging to make the basement bigger. It was hard work. Harder than what I did with back home. But it was a good feeling to know that we are helping this member. Afterwards his wife made us Frito Pie with home made chilli. It was good!! Last but not least, the other day my companion and I found this lady that was literally possesed. It was one of the craziest things that have happened to me on my mission. This just strengthens my testimony that there is an opposing force that is trying to drag us to missery. And the only way that we can protect ourselves from it is to have faith in Christ and do all that he want us to do. Love you all. See ya later!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Hey People!!

Well I have exciting news, I have a new companion! His name is Elder Battaglia. He is a really good missionary. It kinda funny, we both are follow-up training each other. That is, we both are our first companions after our trainers. It pretty crazy. He has five months in the mission and I have six, so I'm the senior companion. I think that he will help me more than I will help him. I also moved from area. I'm not in Portland anymore, I'm in Forest Grove. Its a little town. Not as big as Portland, but also not as hectic either. Our area is pretty big though, I think it might be the biggest in the mission. We cover from Downtown Hillsborrow all the way out to Sea Side. The good thing is that our work is pretty much centered in a small area. So that's the big news. I finally got a new companion after six months. We had a good run but it was time for a change. I can't wait to go out and work!! See ya!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

1/4

Within a few days I will have completed one quarter of my mission. It feels weird! I never thought that six months could go by so fast. Looking back on all that I've done throughout my mission, I feel really good. Sure I've stumbled but. all in all, I feel that I've given it everything. I've also seen the fruits of my labor and how the Spirit has worked through me to help others. I think that more than anything my decision to come on a mission has really helped me to live a more righteous life. I've received so many blessings and I still receive them as I strive to do better. I have gained a greater understanding of the Atonement of Christ, and how I can use it to help me through my times of need. I've also learned that the greatest reason, if none else will do, to live righteously is to show Our Heavenly Father that we love him. I know this experience has changed my life and my outlook on it. All of my ambitions have changed and so have my desires. I just want to live worthy enough to be able to show Christ that I love him and how grateful I am for all that he has done for me.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Hello Everybody!!!

Hey so guess what.... My companion and I are doing really well. We started this new thing its called Working Out. Its amazing. So exactly a week ago my companion and I decided that it would be a great idea to start working out in the morning. We went out to buy some exercise equipment and got to it. We bought an inflatable punching bag, some boxing groves, and one of those huge exercise balls. One of the members that lives close to us let us borrow a jump rope so that's what we have been doing the past week. It has helped us out a lot. We notice that we are happier and that we have a better attitude towards the work. It has really helped me to get some of my frustrations out and be more patient with my comp. So what do you know, exercise is not just good for your body but also for your overall well being. Changing subject... We are going to baptize a few people these coming weeks. I'm really excited to be a part of them. I feel that the Lord has really blessed us to be successful. I don't think that we have worked hard enough to be able to bring these souls unto God, but the Lord prepares all of his children in different ways. Well I hope that you all are doing well. Be sure to watch General Conference and tell me all about it, cause I'm going to be baptizing someone. WOOT-WOOT!!! Much love and peace. See ya!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Interesting???!!!

This week has not been too interesting at all. Well maybe a little. So the other day we went out to tract and we knocked in to a guy from Guatemala. He was really nice and just let us in to his house. We starts to talk and he starts telling us that he is a Seventh-Day Adventist. Well a few minutes in to hte conversation he tells us that he is a former member of our church and basically he still believes that the church is true. He told us that he was an Elder's Quorum President and that he really enjoyed it. He was also incharge of Sunday School. He feels that most of our doctrine is right but he had a bad experience with an Elder that got him disfellowshipped. He said he felt awfull and that he didn't want to go back. He says it does not matter which religion your from as long a s you have a relationship with God. But as he talked and talked I think that he felt the spirit that we brought in to his home and I think that in a few weeks we will get him to go back to church. The best thing about this situation is that we have that same name. I think its awesome. I think that the best experiences that we will ever encounter in our lives are when we are doing the Lord's will. I can see how I've been blessed with the desire to do better.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

5 Months!!!

Well today is my five month mark and it feel kinda weird. It really does not feel like I've been here for so long. I can say that I have learned a lot though. I have learned more about God's plan for us, I've learned more about how the church is organized, but I think that the most important things that I have learned are about myself. I have learned more about my character, about the things that things that I can withstand. I have learned more about who I am and what talents I have. But I have also realized the things that I need to change in my life and my character to become a better person. I need to be more patient and understanding with the people around me. Also I need to be more assertive. I need to learn how to tell people what they are doing is wrong and help them overcome it. I think that I need to be more of a leader to my trainer. He is having a lot of trouble and I need to help him. Most of the time I keep to myself and let things go so that we don't have arguments but it doesn't fix the problem. I need to sacrifice comfort for perfection. Not that I will ever be perfect, but I can work at it and do the best I can so that the Lord may help me with the rest

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

4th Transfer!!!

Well people, this is the start of a new transfer and not much has changed. I'm staying here in Portland and still with my trainer. By the end of this next transfer (Sep. 9th – Oct 19th), We will have been companions for six months. I'm not going to lie, it's been really tough being with the same person for that long. Specially when he gets sick so much, we can't get a constant rhythm. There has been a lot of things that have happened to us that strained our relationship. I think more than situations, it has been the choices he makes the ones that have made me (I don't know how else to put it) doubt him and his ability as a trainer. I'm not trying to say he's a bad missionary but I think that he has become a robot missionary. He tries to be perfect and beats himself if he's not. I've tried to help him but it hasn't worked. He doesn't know how to have fun anymore. He still thinks that the only way to do missionary work is knocking. Sometimes I feel like he just plans the things we do, to just put a checkmark on the a piece of paper. (Now that all that is out of my chest) I know that the Lord will help us become better missionaries. I love my companion and I want to help him. I think that it's going to take a lot from my part to get this going the right direction. I need to step up to the plate and lead. It's really weird. I think that the reason that we have stayed together so long is not so that he can train me, but so that I can help him.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Portland Temple

Well today my companion and I went to the temple for the first time. The Temple here is so beautifull. I think that its one of the prettiest I've ever seen (and it's not cause its my mission's temple). I had a good time there and will love to come once again. The bad thing is that I have to wait three months before I can go back. The worst thing is that I forgot my camera. After that we went to Powell's Books. It's the biggest book store in the nation. Its six stories of just books. I have to bring my sister here when we come back. Downtown is just the best place to get lost in. We also went to a chocolate store. Its a good place to just go and hang. Its actually kind of ridiculous but it was fun. There is so much stuff that I've found here in Portland that I would love to do. I dont think I've had this much fun in Portland. I have decided that I need to go Downtown more often. My week has been a lot better. My companion and I have been working harder and it just brings us closer together. Its a good way to end a companionship. Love you all and see ya later.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Toughest yet!!

Sorry for not being able to write last week but the computers here in the library were being dumb. It kicked me out like three or four times. I got really mad. But now things should go a lot smoother. So last week was a really challenging week for me. On Monday my companion was feeling sick so we couldn't go out and do much. He didn't get better until like Thursday. For those three days, I felt like I wasn't giving it my all. That in some ways that I could be doing a lot better. That my companion was just dragging me down so to speak. Now I understand that he wasn't there to drag me down, I was there to pick him back up. This trail has really helped me to be more patient with myself but also towards others. And to understand that not all of us can function at the same pace. That what I might think is an easy task is a really tough one for someone else. I have also seen all the blessings that our Heavenly Father has given me and all that he still gives me. He has given me the strength of body and spirit to deal with all of the trials I've come across and every day he helps me with all my faults and imperfections.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Four Months!!!

Well its not four months yet. I still need 48 hours, but its close enough. Its been a real neat ride. I have come to love this work with all my heart. I feel really good about having taken this step. it has shown me a lot about who I am and whom I want to become. It feels really good to be a part of the change in peoples lifes. I feel really fortunate to have opportunity. I never thought I would feel like this. The best part about all this is that I still have 20 months. Im really excited to see what will become of me in that time. I hope that you are all excited as I am. Well now to tell you a bit about my week. I have had a lot better weeks than this. It has been really hard to work with my injured companion. We have tried, but it only works out for a little while. I think I need to take more charge and help my companion get back into the groove of things. The worst part is that I feel like I have become lazy because Im not doing all I can. This sounds more like a confession. But oh well, I know what I need to do. I love you all.

PS: Write me back. I'd like to know how you are all doing!!!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

My mailing address is:

1400 NW Compton Dr.,
Suite #250,
Beaverton, OR, 97006.

For those of you who want to know.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

New Apartment!!!

This all started a few days after tranfers. My companion and I (and the English Zone Leaders) decided that it would be for the best to let other fellow missionaries, Elder Anderson and Elder Christensen, have the apartment that we had. They were living on the edge of their area and they cover quite a bit of distance on bike. Since our apartment was right in the middle of their area and we have a car, we decided that they could take our apartment. It was actually a really good trade-off because now we have a washer and dryer, and the days are not so hot any more so we don't need the A/C, so it turned out real nice. Ah, so the other day we went to go eat with some members of the Gateway Ward, and they were really curios about why we had not gone to their sacrament meeting in a while. We told them that we had a lot of work in the spanish group that we could not afford leaving them. They told us that some of the members there think that we are inactive missionaries (whatever that means). We are glad that we are only doing spanish work this transfer. It really takes some of the load off to only be concentrated on one thing. That's it for now but I'll be back!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Third Transfer

Well this last week has been really painfull. Well to start it all off, on Monday I woke up with a really bad cough and headache so I just slept through studies. I could not consentrate. After I tried to work a bit so we went to teach some lessons. Then when we were going to interview a person for baptism, some one rear-ended us. The guy was going like 30mph. He it us so hard that we hit the car in front of us. The crazy thing is that our car didn't get too banged up, just a small little dent. Then we went to the hospital to get checked out to see if everything was ok. This took up all of our evening. Tuesday was bad. I was still feeling sick and my body was aching from the accident. We canceled all of our appointment and just slept the whole day. On Wednesday my companion was feeling really bad. He also got sick and it mangled him. Also his back started to hurt really bad from the accident. Then to top it all off, he got word from the zone leader that he had been replaced as district leader. He was really bummed. He really enjoyed being district leader and I liked it too. Its fun going out on exchanges and getting to know the other missionaries. Too bad. Well that was my crazy week.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Three months!!

Sorry for not writting yall last week but we had Zone Activity and we were busy the whole day. To catch yall back up, I baptized Linda Willis on the 11th of July. It was a sweet experience. She really felt the difference from just attending the church to being baptized and receiving the Holy Ghost. I would have never guessed that I would baptize a 70 year old woman but hey it was worth it. After that we had three more baptisms. Jose Pech, Alicia Bonilla and her daughter Magali. We are really havign a lot of success because of the members here. The Tongans give us a lot of references and the leaders of the group are always willing to go out to teach with us. We cant take all the credit. Last weeks Zone Activities were really good. I actually went to two, the spanish zone and the english zone were we serve. It was nice. For the spanish one we went to a field and played soccer for like 2 hours. I have never had that much fun playing soccer since I was little. We hung out and relaxed afterwards and took some pictures (too bad i didnt have my camera). But I will tell the other elders to give me some. Then after that my comp and I and a few other elders went to the english zone's activity. There we ate steak and hamburgers. We talked a bunch and we played Capture the Flag with shaving cream. It was really fun. I had never played it like that. I have a sweet story to tell but its ganna have to wait till next week cus im running out of time. Well take care and be good. I love you all.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Independence Day!!!

The Fourth of July was, I think, the best day I've had on my mission. Our mission president told us that the best way to spend the Fourth of July was to be with the members. Unfortunately our tongan ward had an activity outside our mission bounderies so we couldn't go. We were really bummed out, we wanted to spent time with them and eat some of their wonderful food. Since that didn't work out, we decided to go to a breakfast that some elders invited us to. We went there and we ate and got to know more people from our stake. After that we went to our english ward's breakfast get-together to spend some time with them. Before we left, we saw some tongan brothers settign up a grill. We asked them if they were ganna have a party and they said, "No we're ganna have a tongan feast." My companion and I decided that this was something that we HAD to attend to. So we went home to study for a while, and we called the same elders from the morning to invite them also. So we went to the "feast" at around 2pm. We got there and some other elders were already there. Then eventually the Sister Missionaries got there. We chilled, we talked, we ate wonderfull tongan food and had a blast. We had a crazy experience happen to us while we were there. Some guys were popping some fireworks in the church's parking lot. We saw them playing around and having fun but something had to go wrong. So they were playing with illegal fireworks and some tipped over as they lit them so when they went off they hit some trees that were near. Those poor trees didn't have a chance. They went up on fire like matches. The flames were like 15ft high. We called the fire department and they actually got there pretty quick. The good thing for those guys was that they didn't run away, they took to the consequense. It wasn't too bad but we had a huge scare. After that the sister missionaries and the elders went to see the fireworks in Down Town Portland. We went to the Willamitte River were we could see them. That day was a real fun one and I dont think Ill ever forget it.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

2 1/2 Months!!!

I can't believe that I have 2 1/2 months in my mission. Its weird, it doesn't feel like that long. That's crazy!!! Well this week has been full of ups and downs. My companion Elder Myers is still dealing with depression. Its really been really hard to go out and do the work and talk to people. We're still teaching our investigators but we don't really go out to knock. But I feel that it should be getting better soon. Like on Monday, we had Zone Conferene and he was reallly good. After he was excited about going out to work. And Tuesday we went to a funeral and he was fine after. But yesterday he was just not feeling it. Good thing we had exchanges with the Zone Leaders. It sounds bad but it really helped out. I went out to Beaverton and he stayed in Portland. I went knocking and it felt so good. I didn't think that knockng could be such a relief. All in all the exchanges were pretty good. The only bad part about it was that the elder I stayed with snored really bad. He kept me up most of the night. Other than that it was fine. I got to know more of Oregon and got to know my Zone Leaders better.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

New Area!!!

First off I want to apologize that I haven't been able to write in a long time. I've been really busy and last week the computers were not working. Alright, so the past few weeks have been realy crazy. My companion was dealing with depression, so we didn't go out. Then, a week ago, we got transferred from Wilsonville to North East Portland.It was a big change. Wilsonville is the rich part of Oregon and now I'm literally in the ghettos of the ghettos. Its so different. There is a lot more people to talk to and to teach. I guess more people are open to hear us because they are more humbled. The job rate is low here and many people need to have that faith to help them through. The area is also about 10 times bigger. I was really sad to leave Wilsonville. I had grown close to the members there but specially our investigators. Speaking of investigators, I'm baptizing Linda Willis, on August 11th. I'm really excited for it. Well this area is really tough. We are serving in two wards. Gateway Ward is an english ward and Rose City 2nd, a Tongan ward, where our spanish group meets. The thing is that both start at the same time so we have to fine a way to be at both. TONGANS ARE REALLY SWEET!! They are the best people in the world. They have the strongest testimonies that I've ever seen in a particular group. I had the honor eat with them last Sunday and they are just amazing, and soid their food. Let me tell you a little story about them. The ward was looking for an Elder's Quorum President. The High Counsel told the bishop that he was looking into on of the members and the bishop said,"No, he is not so faithfull. He only goes to the Temple once a month." I hope that we could all have that same desire to do the Lords work. Well thats about all that I have today. I wish you all well and pray that the Lord keep you safe.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Address!!!

This is my address for those who want it: Village at Main Street, 30490 SW Rogue Lane #3110, Wilsonville OR 97070. It would be nice to get a letter once in a while!!!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

First Baptism!!!

Well last Sunday, I had my first convert baptism. HIs name is Tommy Walter. He is an 18 year old guy that had taken the discussions a year and a half before he could get baptized. I say "could" because his parents didn't want him to get baptized until he was 18. His baptism was one of the most spiritual baptisms I've ever witnessed. His will to do what he felt was right was just awesome. I feel really honored to be a part of his baptism. And to be able to usher him in to the kingdom of our God. Monday, on the other hand, was just a crazy, insane day. Well it started out really good. we went over to an investigator's home and set a baptismal date with her. But after that it all went down hill. Lets just say my trainer and I had a little mishap. I won't go too deep in to detail but it was crazy. If you really want to know, I'll e-mail you the story, I don't want publish it in a public place like this. Just let me know. Well this week has been really interesting and I know it will just get better. Talk to ya'll later.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Great News!!!!

Well to start off, I would like to tell ya'll that an Apostel of the Lord came to our mission and taught us a bit. Elder Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve, came last Saturday to speak to us about becoming Master Teachers. He taught us so much and the spirit was really strong. We also got the opportunity to shake his hand and get a picture token with him as a Zone. When I get my copy I'll send ya'll one. Also a great thing happened last Sunday, two of our investigators went to church. I was really excite to see them there, it made my whole week worth it. Then came Monday and it all went insane. Well we saw in our "potential investigators" list that there was this man named Juan, so we decited to call him. When he answered the phone he seemed really nice and sounded interested in hearing us. So we made an appointment to meet later that day. We went over to his house and he wasn't home so we stuck around a bit to see if he was ganna get there, and son enough he got there. Well he invited us in and was really eager to hear us. He went to go get his Bible and started to talk a bit. So he turnes out to be of this one church called "La Luz Del Mundo". Its this hardcore Bible based church that believes strictly on the Bible. He was throwing us all these scriptures and just wanted to Bible Bash with us. I liked the way we handled it. We didn't fight back and just took it like men. And he saw that we were not there to fight so he cooled down a bit. After that meeting my companion, Elder Myers, and I just had the Spirit drained out of us and couldnt function the rest of the day. On Wednesday we met with 2 of our investigators and taught them about the 2nd lesson - Linda felt the Spirit and knew that what we had taught her was true and had a tear in her eye. Cody is still confused but getting there. Thats all I have to say, see ya guys next week!

Love

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

O.P.M. (Only Perfect Mission) May 14, 2009

The Oregon, Portland Mission is awesome. I love it here. I know that this is where I'm suppose to be. I've learned so much in one week. I've been tracking like 7 hours a day. I've met so many nice people. Like Omar and Gaby, they're a young couple that want something better for their daughter, and Tommy has been investigating the church for a year is getting baptized on the 24th of May. I'm really excited for him and I know that he will be a great missionary. Also I've met some really nice Missionaries, like Elder Jimenez and Elder Gringeri, my Zone Leaders, they are great role models. This first week has really been crazy, with a bunch of conferences and meetings but I know that they are to help me get comfortable here. Well Im really excited to be here wish Icould say more. See ya'll later.

Elder Arcia

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Im here!!!

Ya'll are lucky!! My P-DAY is now thursdays so i got to talk to ya'll twice this week. Well yesterday I got here to Portland, Oregon. This city is such a nice place. Its like a city within a rainforest. Everything is so green!! Downtown is beautiful. Im really blessed to have been called here. Im barely getting to know the area Im serving in. Its called Wilsonville. Its what some would call the rich side of town. My trainer's name is Elder Myers. He is a recent convert and has a great testimony of the Church that he wants to share with everyone. Im really lucky to have him as a trainer. He has taught me so much and Im really excited to be his companion and learn from him. I also met the mission President, President Dyches. He and his wife are some of the sweetest people i know and they are an example of what kind of life I want to have when I grow old. I also met a family in my area, the Wilsons. They are a nice, unified family. They are really interested in sharing the Gospel to all their freinds. They have even offered to have us teach one of their friends at their house. Well its been really nice to have shared all this new and exciting things. Hopefully I have more interesting things talk about next week. See ya'll!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

PS: Send me some e-mails so I have something else to do on my P-DAY!

LAST DAY!!!

Well today is my last day here at the MTC, Im getting my first transfer to my mission field; Portland, Oregon. I have really liked this experience. It has strengthen my testimony and changed my life. I'm really excited to go out on the field. I can't wait to get out there and start teaching people. I have met many wonderful people that have changed my life in so many ways. i know this will stay with me for the rest of my life. Sorry that i haven't updated this in a while but I've been really busy and I only get a few minutes a day to write. I don't have photos right now cause my camera broke and I haven't got it back. I bought a couple of disposeable ones but i need to get them developed and put on a disc. I promise I will have some by the end of this month. Well its been really nice talking to ya'll but I need to get back to washing my laundry (who would have thought? right?). I'll get back at ya'll as soon as I can. MUCH LOVE!!!!

ELDER ARCIA

FIRST P-DAY!!!

Well today is the first P-day i have in the MTC.Its been a good experience. I've had a lot of fun these past few days. I've experienced some of the most amazing trails that really have changed my view of Missionary Work and the church in general. I feel so preveleged to be serving the Lord and I know that this will change my life in so many ways. Well this is about all the time that I have. I only get 30min on the computer. So if I don't write often or a lot, don't think that i don't think of ya'll. See ya in a week!!

PS: my email is stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net

New Missionary!!!!

Well today I got set apart to be a full-time Missionary for the Portland Oregon Spanish Mission. I'm really excited to serve and hope to see you all in two years.