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)