HELLO!!!!

 I know that I have pretty much let this go. Im sorry I have been really busy and dont have a lot of time to write on P-days. It is one of my goals to get better at writing you all. Well I cannot remember the last time that i wrote you so Im  just ganna start from some where. Elder Terry is leaving me and he is going to Leavenworth to step train another missionary. I will be companions with Elder Crovetti. We are ganna work the north side of Moses Lake. We have a lot of investigators that are keeping commitments and I know that together we will lift this area a ton. I dont know if I told you that I am district leader now. I did it last transfer and it went great. I learned a lot from the missionaries in the district and from the Zone Leaders.

 Well I dont have too much time left. Im sending some pictures to show how I have been doing and maybe like that gain your forgiveness. I love you all!!! hopefully you can see the pics!!!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Hello from Washington!

 This week has been a really good one. My companion Elder Terry and I have been working hard to find more people to bring the Gospel to. It is kinda challenging with the cold weather and riding bikes but the Lord always helps us out. We are getting a little sick but its nothing that a little herbal tea and vitamin c couldnt fix. We have been blessed with the strength that we need to work.

 We have been working hard with a few families that seem to have desire to change but just need a little more help with keeping committements. They are progressing well but for one reason or another they have not made it to church. We have worked hard to get them there but I guess it is now up to them if they want to keep progressing or not. We have faith that it will happen.

 Well I would love to say more but my time is running out. I love you all!! Take care.
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Hello People!!!

 Well this week was not so great. I was way (and when I say way I mean WAY) sick this last week. I felt like an 18 wheeler had run over me with studded tires. It was bad. It was so bad that on Thursday I just could not go out and work. I felt like a bum for not going out and working but I could not get out of bed. It was the worst. Other than that it was good. We worked hard and got a lot done. The thing was that it was super cold. It probably does not get any higher than 40' F. Its ganna be bad when we get into winter. I think that need to prepare more for the cold. I need to buy warmer undies and get a scarf or something.

 Well tomorrow is transfers and I am way excited to be back with Elder Terry. We is ganna tear it up!! (sorry, my thug side is coming out) We are ganna stay here in Moses Lake and Elder Kurtz, the other missionary that we live with is getting a new missionary (for the second time). I know that he will do great and train really well.

 Sorry that I have not been too great at keeping in contact but I'm a missionary, what do you expect? I need to be out finding, teaching and baptizing, not worring about who I need to write to. As a matter of fact, I have a lot better things that I could be doing for the salvation of others. Take care!!! Love ya!!! Buh- Bye!!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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3/4

 Well people this week has been pretty much the same as all other ones. We have been working really hard to get some of our new investigators to start progressing but it is really hard when they need to work. And since it is the last few weeks of apple season they are all trying to work as much as they can to have some money for the winter. Its kind of a bummer because that really halts our work. People just need to not work on Sundays!!!

 Yeah this week was not one of the beat ones we have had. A lot of our appointments fell through and we just have not managed to get back to see them. We also had two of our investigators drop us after a really great lesson. Its a shame that it happenes but it does. The good thing is that now we can look for more people that are truly ready and willing to live the Gospel.

 Elder Terry and I are destroying this area (in a good way). We are knocking everything and finding new people every day. Not trying to brag but we are awesome!!

 Well people, sorry that I have neglected this for a while but I have been really busy lately. Time on the mission flies by so quickly. I cannot believe that I have been out so long! And the days dont seem to slow down for any one or anything.

 Love ya! take care!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 It has been a long time since I have written to yall and I am very sorry for that. I just have been bombarded with emails lately and just have not had much time to write. Not that I am complaining about receiving emails but i just have not had time. 1 hour is just not enough to write to all of the family.

 These past few weeks have been crazy. So I got Elder Terry as a companion. He is way legit!! We work really good together and just go out and do it. Elder Johnson is gone now. He is in Othello till he gets his visa.

 This past week was great. We had a training and it was the best thing ever!! I learned a lot and now Im trying to apply it. We have seen a lot of miracles since we have applied these things. 

 General Conference was great!! One of the missionaries in my district explained it the best: It was like the General Authorities and the Apostels and Prophet just had a Spiritual baseball bat and they were just beating us with it. Ah! it was amazing. I learned so much and saw what i need to do to be a better disciple of Christ. I love General Conference!

 Well sorry that it was so short but Im out of time. I love you all and hope that you are all doing well.

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Well people these are the high lights of the week!!

 Monday -  Laborday, Just went out and worked the whole day. Gave a Book of Mormon and invited to pray about it.
 Tuesday - P-day, had fun till 6pm. Then went to find people to teach.

 Wednesday - just a lot of looking not a lot of finding.

 Thursday - weekly planning, Great lesson with Blanca! She is progressing great. Just needs to focus and GO TO CHURCH!!!!

 Friday - District meeting, Beat the clock on the way to church!! getting a lot better at biking. Flew over my handle bars in my wreck. But I came out like Superman, no scratches.

 Saturday - Bomb lesson, Francisco wants to change!!

 Sunday - gave talk at church, My companion is great at talking in church. His spanish is improving a lot!

 

Well I know that it was a little short but I dont have too much time!!! Love ya!! take care!!!

 

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Re-thinking

So I have noticed that I have been saying a lot more about what I am doing, Which is good but I'd like to think that you all want to know how Im doing so thats what this is mostly ganna be about. So... I have been really good. The weather here has been really good. It gets sunny and hot for a few days and then it gets cold and glommy for a couple and thats the way i like it cuz its not deathly hot when we ride bikes. This past week I had a few eye opening experience. One was that I had in a way let my faith kinda just slowly desintigrate. Its not that I have not been reading the scripture or that I have not been going out to do missionary work. It was the lack of faith that I had that the people that we meet have been prepared by the Lord to be baptized. For some reason I have noticed that I have not invited any one to be baptized in a few weeks and that is just wrong. Thats what I am here for; to help  others come unto Christ through faith in Christ, repenteance and BAPTISM! I am not here to convert but to invite and i think that I had lost track of that. I wanted to convert these people instead of letting the Holy Ghost do it. I know that I can do better than that.

 Well the other one was we were riding our bikes to go to an area and tract. This young guy stops on the middle of the road and talks to us for a while. It was apperent from the beginning that he wanted to confront us. We started talking about what we believed and he pointed out some of the doctrine that we have that is not described in the Bible. The only thing that I could do us bare my testimony and tell him to read the Book of Mormon and to pray about it. He left me with a question about what one of the prophets had said in these times so I went to study it out. I came to understand that what he had said was an alteration of truth. That helped me to understand that principle better and to come to a knowledge of the things that people don't understand because of their unbelieve in a modern prophet. I am grateful to know of these truths.

 Well I see my testimony grow and expand like Alma describes it in the Book of Mormon. It started out as a seed and it has groen to be a little sprout. And I know that that is a gift from God.

 I love you all and I hope that you are all doing well. I would love to here from ya'll!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 Well people, this week was not so great :( We have been working really hard to get some new investigators cause most of the ones we have are not progressing well. We have been trying to help them but we have not been able to have lessons with them or see them in more than two week so we are starting from scratch. The investigators that we do have that have been progressing are doing good. The only obstacle that we seem to have is to get them to church. We have tried many times but for one reason or another we cant. I know that as soon as they go to church they will start progressing towards baptism. We have faith that the Lord will help them in some way.

 On another note: my bike decided to stop working this week. It was not good!! Ive been struggling with it since. Its not fun. So this is whats wrong: 1) the peddals were annihilated. Im peddaling on bare metal. 2) the shifter just went kaboommee. It will not shift at all and thats not good when we have to go up steep hills. 

 But other than that Im really good. I feel great going out and sharing the Gospel with others. Elder Johnson is not too bad. He doesnt beat me as much. haha He have a lot of fun together and we work really good together also. 

 Well that was all for this week for the reason that my time is coming to an end. I love you all and hope that everything is going well.  

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 Well people this week has been a really crazy one. So on Monday, Elder Kurtz and I, had a couple of new missionaries come and join us in Moses Lake. We have been asked to help these missionaries learn how to be effective missionaries. They got out of the MTC just last week and are waiting for their visas to go to the Mexico City North Mission. It has been really challenging and fun to be able to work with them. My new companion is Elder Johnson. He is from Denver, Colorado. He is a really cool guy and a great missionary. His Spanish is really good, a lot better than he thinks. He is really motivated and always has his purpose in mind. I have learned a lot from him a just a few days. He is a lot more prepared to be a missioanry than I was when I first came out. I know that he will do great things wherever he is.

 So since we had to split our area for the new companionship, we have been working hard to find people. We pretty much started  from the ground and have been really successfull in finding new people. Now we just need try and find them again. I have faith that the Lord will help us find people that are truely ready to hear the Gospel and to bless us with what we need to help them.

 I guess the only other thing that I can say is that on Sunday we had Elder Christensen, from the Seventy, come and talk to all of the hispanics in this area. The Branch Presidency asked me to translate and I was freaking out. I was reakk worried that I would not be able to do it right because i had not done it in a long itme but the Lord helped me and I think that it went well. Then on Monday, Elder Christensen and his wife addressed all of the missioanries in this part of the Mission. It was really good. The Spirit was there strong and we were edified.

 Well, my time has run out. Hope that you are all well and I'll write you more next week.

Love ya!!
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Hello from Moses Lake!

 Well this week has been a really awsome. While I was still sad about leaving Oroville, my new companion, Elder Kurtz, and I went through the city of Moses Lake and just invited everyone to be baptized. It was great!! We didn't have too much success, cause then we would boast of ourselves, but we did find one person that accepted. The one bad thing is that we have not been able to talk to him since. But we have faith that we will get in contact wiht him once again.

 But not all was fun and games. This week has been the hardest for me. We have been riding bikes all over. I am drained! Well we actually just rode them for three days, but it really wears you out. We have a car share with the Spanish Sisters in the south. We get it for a few days and they get it for a few days. I guess thats fair. It won't be that way for much longer. We have two more Elders coming to this area. We are going to have to figure that one out.

 About these two new missionaries, they are straight out of the MTC and President Palmer has asked my companion and I to train them. They are going to be in this mission for a few months and President wants them to be treated like permanent missionaries. I am pretty nervous for this but I know that the Lord will help me out. Elder Kurtz is freaking out too, but I know that he will be a great missionary.

 Well thats how my week has gone. Its been full of ups and downs but we will get through it. I love you all and I hope that you are doing well.

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Moses Lake!!

 Well people this week has been one of the best ones on my mission and also one of the worst. We had worked so hard this last transfer to be able to help more people enter the fold of God. We went out everyday with that determination and the last week of the transfer we were able to see our hard work bare its fruits. Douglas Mancil was baptized the 6th of August 2010. It was a really nice experience and the spirit was definitely there. I think that the best thing is the way that we see the investigator change and literally morph into and new person. I know that Doug will do really good in this ward. He already has a great support system. I am also glad to be able to share this experience with Elder Harper. He is great missionary.
 I got word last night that I am getting transferred to Moses Lake. I really was not prepared for that. I wanted to stay a bit longer to see more people progress but I guess that the Lord has something else in mind. I know that this area is in good hand woth Elder Harper and his new companion Elder Contreras. They are going to rock this area. I hear that my new comp, Elder Kurtz, is a really nice guy and a good missionary. We are going to get along well and work hard.
 Well Im running out of time. I love you all. You are all and inspiration to me! Take care!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Hello People:
 Last week was a blur. I really cannot make sense of all that has happened.
 We have been pretty busy trying to help more people come to the knowledge of Christ. People have been really receptive and open.
A funny experience that happened to us this week, we were out looking for some one to teach and we went to a potential to see if he had some time. We get there and his sister in law was there. She interrogated us about what we did and who God was and why we did this. She seemed to be really sincere and ignorant so we answered all of her ?s  Hopefully she got something out of it and is following through.
 This week we have been working on getting Doug prepared for baptism.He is scheduled to be baptized this friday and he is progressing really good. He has been working really hard to change and to be worthy of baptism. He really likes the way that he feels when he goes to church and how the members treat him. He has come a long way in a really short time and I know that it was only through the power of God.
 We have also been working with Frank and Sarah. Well this week was kinda hard to get in touch with them but they made it out to church on sunday and I think that they really liked
it. I have also seen a big change in them since the first time we met with them.I know that the Lord has been working really hard with them and preparing them for an even bigger change.
 Well I love you all and hope that the Lord is blessing you as much as He is blessing me. Take care and keep the emails and letters coming!
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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15

Hello people:
 How are you all??
 I've been really good. This week has been really hot! Most of the week we have been over 100' F. Its been pretty hard to want to go out to the scorching sun but if we don't, who else will??
  Last week we had Zone Conference and it was down in Othello. It was a long drive there! The best greatest thing about it was that we didn't have to drive there. A member from the Omak Ward took us and the Omak elders. It was a great meeting. We learned a lot about our calling and the power that comes from it. We also learned about the Gospel of Christ. President Palmer explained it really weel and I think that I'm going to implament some of what he said into our lessons.
 We also had the opportunity to have President Palmer and his wife Sister Palmer in our sacrament meeting this Sunday. They talked to the members about missionary work and how they need to be just as involved in it as we are. The Spirit was definitly there! They really sparked the member to do missionary work. It has been going great!
 This week we had the opportunity to go and help Bro. Carpenter. He was getting some buildings that he had ordered and we helped him set them up. Before they showed up, we were splitting some wood. It was nice!! I had an ax! I felt like a real man. (Probably smelled like one too, hahaha) We also when to go visit Bro Buyers and he had a horse so we took some pictures of it. It didn't like me too much though.
 This week we had exchanges with our district leader. I stayed up here while my companion went to Omak. It went really good. We found a lot of potentials and we found new places to tract. It went good but it is always different when you are not with your companion. It just feels weird. 
 We had a real good day yesterday at church. Three of our investigators went to church. It felt good to see the result of our hard labor.
 Well people I'm running out of time! I love you all and hope you are all doing well.

PS:
  Please send me Emails. I really dont get any :(

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 Hey people:
 How are you all??
 I've been pretty good. Well this week has been a fairly good one. I just got a new companion, Elder Harper. He is a pretty cool guy. We get along real well. He is a Spanish missionary so that is helping the area out a lot. We are getting along really good and we work hard.For some reason this week end was not so good. I think that it was because of the 4th of July. Everybody was out partying and no one had time to just sit and talk. We have been trying to be patient and diligent to keep on working hard. Hopefully it all comes back to normal when the holidays are over.
 It was pretty sad to see Elder Layton leave but I think that Elder Harper and I are going to do really well. I was also really nervous because I was going to take over the area and teach my companion the ropes. I think that it has been going real well and even though it might be tough right now to find I know that the our efforts are not in vain. Well im running out of time. I love you all and hope you all are doing well.
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Hey People:
 Well what can I say?? This week was not so great. It was not too bad but it was not as we expect it to be. We were kind of bummed because one of our investigators that was doing really good has fallen off date and its going to take a bit for everything to go back to normal. The good thing about it is that his wife is now more receptive and wants to learn more. So that was kind of a blessing in disguise. We did not find as many people as we wanted to but at least we found some, very last minute but its better than none.
 We had a really great thing happen to us. We went to the Stake Center in Moses Lake and we saw Elder Pearson of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He talked to us for a long time. Like 4 hours. He taught us so much and helped us to understand the true nature of our calling. It was a nice uplifting event and I'm grateful for it.
 This week we have transfers and we just got told that my companion, Elder Layton, is leaving me. He is going to Spokane. He is kinda sad to go but I told him that this is missionary life and that he will like his new area more than this one.
Well people I love you all and hope that all are doing well. Take care!!!
 

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 Welll people this week was not the best. We worked super hard this week and we didnt have much success. We found a few people but not as many as we wanted. We did find a guy that was way Christian. He was way sweet to teach. He understood everything but the the First Vision. He could not see how Joseph saw our Father in Heaven. I tried to explain it nicely but he would not budge so I opened up the Bible and set him straight. After that he had no more concerns and he wanted me to give him a Book of Mormon and wanted us to go back and teach him more. He was way nice though. He did not get contentious at all and I felt that he was really trying to help come closer to God. That was a nice experience.


--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Well people this week we have been doing pretty good. We had a lot of success. We have found a lot of people to teach and to share the Gospel to. We also had a real sweet experience with one of the less actives that lives in our area. We had just gotten out of church and we went to see him. He just started telling us why he thinks that he hasn't been to church in a while and he said that he was trying get the courage back to go to church. We have been teaching his 15 year old son so that he can get baptized and I guess that the spirit has been working a lot woth him. He said that pretty soon he was going to make that choice to finally go to church. That was just sweet in its self.
 The other day we also committed Celestino to be baptized and he accepted. His date is the 3rd of July and we are way excited for that. He went to church and really liked it so we are going to try and help him to understand more about the Gospel. We also found a few more that we think have  a lot of potential.
 Two Tuesdays ago we had Zone Conference. It was pretty sweet. I had a really good time and learned a lot. We had to drive for like 3 hours to get to the meeting but it was worth it. Well we didn't drive but we rode there in the back seat. It was not too comfortable.
 Also on Saturday there was a little parade here in this little town. It was pretty fun. We tried to contact some people but I guess that people that goo to those kind of events are not to open to the gospel. Well, at least we did our part.
 Well people I think its time for me to go. I love you all and hope that you are all doing well!!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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yeah yeah!!!

 Well people, these past weeks have been a bit crazy. I just got transferred to a new area in the mission. I'm working in the Tonasket/Oroville area. Im really sad to leave East Wenatchee because I think that I could have helped a lot more people there but I know that this is where God needs me. My companion, Elder Layton, is just learning how to take over an area and its been kind of slow but we are trying to get going again. Its mostly english work here but their is a lot of potential for spanish work. Just recently we found a few good people that are progressing real well towards baptism. We have been working really hard to get this area back on track.
 The members here are sweet. They care so much about us and take care of us. This area was just opened back up. It had been shut down for a while so they are glad to see missionaries again. This ward was just made a ward recently. It does not have more than two months. Its really nice because they are all about missionary work to get the ward growing.
 The view here is amazing. Its pretty much just ranches and orchards but there are some mountains and its all rural. I never thought that I would like the country so much. I guess its just growing on me.
 Well what else can I say?? I love being out here in the middle of nowhere trying to bring people closer to Christ. It has been a great honor to serve with all of the people that I have served with and Im excited to work with many more.
 I love you all and I hope that everything is going well for yall!!
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Three down, one to go!!!

 Last week we had the opportunity to talk to our families over the phone. It was a really nice to hear my family again and to be able to know that they are doing well. It lifts my spirits. I had a really good long talk (less then an hour) with them, but what can I do? Its been 5 months. I cant believe that this is the 3rd time I've called home. Just one more time in December and thats it. Thats crazy!!

 Well this past week was kinda rough. One of the couples that we were working with decided that they didnt want to meet with us any more. It was hard to hear that because I thought that they had a lot of potential, but I guesss this is not their time. I know that later on thet will soften theri hearts.

 Also I just got word that I'm gaoing to get trasferred out of this area. Just when I was getting used to my companion and the branch, I have to leave it. I'm going to some place called Oreville, I think, its a town almost bordering Canada. Its going to be a new experience because must of the work is going to be in english, something that I have not done, and I'm going to be in charge of starting a new littlt group there. Lets see how it goes.

 This past sunday our Stake Presidency was changed. Elder Snow of the Presidency of the Seventy came and called the new Stake President. I think that this is the first time that I have witnessed a change in the stake. It was pretty sweet. The only thing is that I really didnt get to enjoy it because I was translating. Traslating is hard but its is a lot better when you go by the spirit.

 Well people, next week I will be writing yall from another part of Washington. So stay tuned!! I love you all and take care. 
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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 Well this week was a good week. We were having a hard time getting investigators to come to church and getting them motivated to keep committments. We had a lot of success with our investigators this week. We had a really good lesson with a couple that the wife didn't feel comfortable going to church because she didn't own a dress. She thought that it was a rule to wear dresses. We helped her understand that its not a rule but a nice way of showing God that we respect His house. Sister De los Santos shared her experience when she was first going to church and I think that really helped our investigator to feel more comfortable.

 We were also struggling with another couple because the wife thought that she was not worthy enough to go to church. Her and her boyfriend/husband got into a real big argument. She still had some anger inside and thought that that would make her a hypocrite for going to church with those feelings. We taught her that the Church is more like a hospital; healthy people dont need to go to the hospital, its for the people that need to get better. She understood it and felt a lot better. Both of these couples went to church this Sunday. It was BOMB!!! I'm sure that the Lord touched their hearts.

 Friday was such a hard day. The only good thing about that day was that we got a new car. We are riding in a 2110 Chevy Malibu. Those cars are sweet! Well, I was in exchanges with Elder Burns and it was the Apple Blossom Festival. We worked super hard to teach some potentials but no one was home. Five of our appointment fell through and I was just frustruated. I think that that was the worst day I have had for lessons falling through. But they say that after much tribulation come many blessings.

 Yesterday was fast and testimony meeting and I really enjoyed it.  My companion and I humbled ourselves and prayed to the Lord for miracles and they did happen. Im pretty sure that the Lord is just waiting for us to just give our problems over to Him so that He can show us that He really is capable of helping us out.

 I love ya'll and miss ya'll much!!!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Another one bites the dust!!!

 Well this saturday was my first baptism in the Spokane Washington Mission. It was a pretty cool experience. The best part about it was how it all came about. Well the girl we baptized, Monce, she had been taught for a while now. Her mom knows all of the lessons and is currently trying to change her life so that she can also get baptized. Well when we got the her house the first day we taught her about the Restoration of the Church and we thought she had undertood it all. So the following lesson we go over what we have taught and she does not know what we are talking about. So we are going over everything that we have taught and she just does not understand. So we are in the "pit of dispare" literally wanting to give up on her but we get the idea to start asking how to do the signs for words like teacher and guide. So by the end of the lesson, she knows what a prophet is and what the Word of Wisdom means. That was totally the hand of the Lord that worked through us. We re-taught her everything in broken Sign Language and she undertood it all. She learned everything pretty fast, shes really smart. That was the way this baptism came to pass. This really strengthend my testimony that the Lord is actively engaged in His work. I known that there is no way that my teaching alone could have helped her. I know that the Spirit of the Lord was the one that worked in her for her convertion.

 So that is pretty much the highlight of the week. We are working a lot with other families that we think have a good chance humbling themselves and let the Spirit work in them too.

 Well people, I love yall and hope that the Lord blesses you wit all that you need.
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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22

People:

 Well this week was definitely the hardest one on my mission. We had a Zone Conference and I just felt out of place. I didn't know anyone. It felt like the beginning of my mission all over again. The actual Conference was really good though. I learned a lot about revelation and testimony and hoe that helps our conversion. It was a really spiritual meeting and I got a lot from it. Then the day after was really bad. I got a package from my old mission with all of the letters that I had written to my old mission president. The package itself was not the bad thing, the bad thing was that I read some of the entries and it just hit me how much I really did enjoy Portland and how much I had left behind. I carried that all day long and it distracted me a bit from the work. But I didn't let that stop us from working. We worked really hard that day and even though we didnt have as much success I felt triumphant because I worked through what seemed a great obstacle. I know that I didnt do it alone. I know that the Lord was there with me 100% and I am gratefull for that.

 Some thing really cool happened to us this week. Other than my Birthday being on saturday, we had a lesson with a girl that has trouble hearing. She can hear you but doesnt understand so we started to learn a bit of Sign Language to help her out a bit. At te beginnig it was horrible. We were trying to teach her but she could not understand anything. We were seriously about to give up and call it a day but we received ispiration to learn some basic signs to talk to her so that she could understand. She understood everything we taught her and she feels ready to get baptized. I know that the Lord helped us all the way with  that one.

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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1

 Well this week has been a real challenge for me. I got assigned to a new area and neither me nor my companion know this area. We are both starting from zero here and it has been hard. We have worked our butts off. I don't think I have worked this hard on my mission. We got to know most of the people that the other missionaries were teaching and we have been teaching them.

 By the way my new companion's name is Elder Jacobson. He was a Zone Leader right before he got stuck with me. He is a really cool guy that knows how to work really hard. He only has 3 months left on his mish and is starting to get a little trunkie. He denies it but it is becoming too ovious.

 I really like this new place. We live in a valley and mountains look beautiful. It makes it feel like home. There is also a river that goes across and that also adds to the beauty. Its really different than Portland though. Portland is a big city and its really green. East Wenatchee is a small town and not as green. 

 Well this week commemorates the 365th day that I went in to the MTC. It has been a real trip. A lot of areas, investigators, and companions but its all good. I have really learned a bunch from this past year and I am excited to learn a lot more.

 Well this is all for this week but tune in next week!!!

 Love ya!!

 --


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

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Waaahhhh!!!

 Well this past few weeks have been really tough ones. Most of you don't know this but I was reassigned missions. Now I'm serving in the Washington Spokane Mission. It has been a real rollercoaster ride of different feelings. The first few days were a hard but it is getting better. I really am ganna miss all the other missionaries that I got to know and love, and all of the recent converts that I have helped to come unto Christ. But, I know that this is where the Lord needs me and I will do my best to bring more souls unto Him.

 This change has given me a renewed drive to become the best missionary that I can be. In the past I have let my selfishness distract me from the work, but I intend to fully consecrate my time to the Lord. This has been the most humbling experience that I have had, ever!!! It has taught me the things that I really want out of life and it has taught me what I have to do and give up to get what I want. I didn't know that I could change this much.

 I really enjoyed General Conference. It really helped me to feel a lot better. I can honestly say that this was the best Conference that I have seen. I think that all of the talks were good but my favorite one was one by President Uchtdorf. I can't remember in which session it was in but I felt the Spirit through out all of it. I have learned a lot of new things from it and I am very thankfull.

 Well now for some cool news. I flew from Portland to Spokane!!! That was the first time that I had ever been on a plane. Thats crazy right!! It wasn't anything big. I thought that it was ganna be something a lot more frightning but it was sweet. It only took an hour to get here instead of 8 hours that it would have taken by bus. The only thing I was afriad of was losing my luggage. I did not want to get to Spokane and not have anything to wear. The only bad thing about flying is that I had to leave a lot of stuff back in Portland. I left a lot of books and clothes that I had, but I figured that I can buy those things back. Well, Im sorry for not writting as often as I should but i will get better I promise. 

 I love you all!!!  

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)
 

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Week in a Shelby Shell!!!

 Well this week has been a good week. I have had a lot of fun working in this area. The members here are really nice. They really care about us and look out for us. Like the other day we went to have dinner with the Batman family. Just the name should tell you how cool these members are. We went over to their house and ate fajitas, which were reallly good. The sister forgot to get some dessert and they invited us to Dairy Queen to get an ice-cream. Brother Batman took us in his '67 Shelby that he is fixing up. The ride was sweet. Lets just say that the 2 minute ride was well worth it.

 A few days later we went to eat with the Aires and they invited us to go to Calamity Jane's. They have the best burgers in town. I ate a huge burger with blue cheese. It was nice! I also had a banana and raspberry milk shake. When I got out of that place I really could not breath. I have not eaten that much in a long time! It took me two days to recover from that. The good thing is that I'm running in the mornings with my companion. That helped me out a lot.  

 This week we went to teach Selene and Miguel. The lesson was really good. They are our most promising investigators. Selene testified to Miguel that she knew that the church is true and she committed herself and Miguel to pray each day. They are progressing really good and we hope that we can get them baptized as soon as possible. 

 I'm really happy to be serving here and to be able to help these people. I have had a lot of fun in these almost 11 months and I intend to have a lot more fun this next year. 

 Well people, take care. I love you all!
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)
 

yeah.....

I'm really sorry for not writing last week, but were a bit busy. I know thats no excuse but I'll try to do better. This past week has been alright. We were sick for a few days. That was no fun but we worked through it.
Just yesterday our recent convert had his interview to get the priesthood. He was so excited. Those are the experiences that help you understand how much we help people change. A few months ago he was drinking and was just not a favorable cadidate for the priesthood. Now he is an eligable, worthy person. That really means something.
Elder Revolorio and I have been getting along really well. Right now he's really excited to go back home and baptize his father. But we made a committment to ourselves that we will have another baptism before he goes home. That's whats keeping us motivated. Trust me. we are trying hard.
We are visiting some inactives and getting some referrals from them. We actually got some of them to go to church this Sunday. We have been teaching this couple, Selene and Miguel, and they are willing to have us over to teach them reguraly. One of the biggest obsticles that we have with them is that they are living together and are not married. She comes from a divorced family and is afraid to make that committment and not follow through with it, like her parents. But we will be working really hard with them to help get baaptized.
We also found a couple that speaks spanish but are attending an english ward. They have friends that they want to get involved more in the church, so they want us to go visit them. They couple has callings in their ward so they can't move to our group but they said that they would at least try it out.
Ok so the reason I didn't write last week was because we went to the Japanese Gardens here in Portland. Its a really nice place! I definitly going there again before my mission is over. We had a blast and saw really nice decorations. This week we want to go to Downtown Portland to get to know it a little better.
Well I hope that ya'll are having as much fun as I am here. I love you all and take care!!!

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

307 days

Sorry for not writing ya'll last week. I was a bit busy. But I'm trying to change that. This week has had its ups and downs. I had a good time on Monday. We relaxed at home a good while. Then after that we went to the institute building to see some members there. I met mamma Yates, a member that loves missionaries. We talked for a while and also played some ping-pong. We had a good time. After our preparation day was over, we went to the St. John's elders' house to start our exchanges. I served in that area not too long ago. I had a blast being back in my old area. We visited a lot of my recent converts and most of the members of the spanish group. It brought back a lot of memories. I had a great time that exchange. I hope that I get to have a lot more like that.

For a few days my companion was feeilng sick. He had an upset stomach and felt really bad. A lot of members say that it was a virus, but I think that he ate something that didn't go well with his stomach.A few days ago, we found a girl that was looking for the church. She was an active member in Mexico but she moved here two years ago and she has been inactive since. We encouraged her to go back to church and to invite her boyfriend. She looks like she really wants to come back. Lets see what happens!

We had a bar-be-que with a bunch of the members of our spanish group. We went to Hermano Diaz's house to eat with them. They seriously bought a whole cow. We so much! And the worst thing is that by the time we left, there was still food left. And it was a lot of people, around 30. It was good though. I had not eaten that much in a while. An ex-missionary visited us there. He was companion with my companion a while ago and we talked for a long time. He is also my trainer's trainer. It was nice!

On Sunday I had my first confirmations. First I confirmed Leticia Luna and my companion confirmed Alfonzo, her husband. After that I went to my last area to confirm Jesus Gutierrez. It was a neat experience to be able to confirm some one a member of the church. It took us a while but we finally did it.

--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net).

Bitter-Sweet

Well today was a bitter-sweet day. Im excited to transfer to Gresham and work hard alongside Elder Revolorio. I know that we will accomplish a lot of good there. I know he is a good missionary that knows how to work and is devoted to the work. We are going to get along really well. This transfer is going to be sweet!
On the other hand I feel like I had a lot more time with my companion, Elder Davis. We were barely starting to get the area back on track. We have a couple of baptismal dates and we were going to set a few more. Leaving the branch was hard. I felt like I had some more stuff to do there, but the Lord calls whom he needs. It was also bitter to see Elder Battaglia go home. We became really good friends and to see him just throw away 8 months of his life was hard. It really made me think of the reason that I'm here and as I was thiking I thought of all the people that I have helped come unto Christ. I'm not here to become a better person or to meet other people. I'm here to serve the Lord and that's what I intend to do. I love the Oregon Portland Mission!!! This week has had a lot of ups and downs but its all part of the mission. We have found a lot of people that are ready to come to Christ. Too bad that I had to leave. But I'm ready to start looking for people in Gresham. The Lord called me here for a reason and I'm going to find out why. I love ya'll, take care!!!
--


Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

Nice!!!

This week has been awesome!!! I really enjoyed having interviews with the mission President, and getting to talk to him for a bit. It recharged my "spiritual batteries". Now that the sun is out, after two weeks of no sun, I feel a lot batter. I never thought that the sun could control my mood so much. But now Im ready to work hard.
My companion, Elder Davis, is a really good effecive worker. He knows how to get things done but is always open to suggestions. I think that this is the best companionship that I have had. We work together and with unity. This has been great!
Our investigators are doing really good. We have two people with baptismal dates. Lourdes and Jesus are working hard to get baptized on the 7th of Feb. We kinda stole them from the english missionaries. They had started to teach them but they coulfd not understand so we went with them to teach and ended up teaching the whole lesson. I kinda feel bad about it because they are really good investigators. They are reading, praying and attending church. They are golden! Adriana is ready to be baptized. She had been taught the lessons by some other missionaries but moved out and could not get in touch with them. But she finally found a member that helped her get in touch with us. She loves going to church and she said that she can feel the spirit there raelly strong. Josefina is also starting to get a lot more interested in the church. She is reading the Gospel Principles book with her niece. She says that she has had an answer given to her but she is afraid of doing anything with it. We are looking for support for her with the Relief Society. She likes the sisterhood that it brings and wants to be a part of it. I can see how the Lord helps us when we do what he asks us. We were struggling to find some one that was ready but the Lord put three people in our way that are more then ready to make covenents. This area is starting to get better and better!

I really enjoyed all the photos that yall have sent me. They cheer me up! Well take care and dont get in to too much trouble. Love ya!!!
--
Elder Arcia
(pablo.arcia.valdes@myldsmail.net)

Humbled or humiliated?

These past 9 months on the mission have really taught me a lot about myself and about life. There are so many things that have changed in me, and I still change every day. I can't say that I am the same as I was then.
This week has been good. Elder Davis and I have been working a lot. We have been knocking and talking with members to find people to teach. Its really has been working out for us. We found like 5 people that we think have good potential.
I feel really comfortable with Elder Davis. He is a good missionary and knows how to teach. He always a want to go out and work. That's what I like about him.
Yesterday we had a Family Home Evening with a family that wants to invite their friends to church. They invited us to share a quick message about the restoration with their friends. We taught them how Christ formed His church and how that church was destroyed by the people. We saw the video about the restoration. The lesson went as planned and we saw that most of the people there were interested in knowing more. Let's see what happens with them. After that we had some "caldo de camarones". It was good! Too bad my companion hates shrimp. He says that he is starting hate them less.
Something funny happened to me. Just before that lesson, we were driving and my companion was telling me that I was ganna get a ticket for driving fast. Just as he finished saying that, I saw police lights in back of me. he totally jinxed me! The good thing is that then officer just let me off with a warning. Didn't report it or anything. My guardian angel was looking out for me.

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Transfers!!

Yesterday was Transfer day. They split Elder Battaglia and I. I was kinda bummed to have to switch companions. We were starting to get along better and working a lot harder. It just seems like our time together went too fast. But the Lord calls whom he needs.
My new companion Elder Davis is a sweet guy. I kinda know him because we were in the same district a while ago. He seems like a cool, laid back person, who likes to work. I know that we will have a lot of fun this transfer.
This last week has been good. We started this program on the mission, Collect the Elect. It focuses on getting the members to give us referrals and helping us teach those referrals. We are trying to start out the year strong. I know that this will help us.
I'm really excited for this next week. Our investigators are coming back from vacations and its just a matter of time till we get the chance of baptizing them.
Well that's all that I have for ya'll today. Hope that all goes well for ya. Take care and good luck. Love ya!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)

Happy New Year!!!

First of all, I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year!! Im really excited to see what this next year has in store for me and for all of you. This last year was a good year full of blessings. I know that this next one will be a lot better.
I welcomed the New Year like any other missionary should. In a huge party!! hahaha JUST KIDDING!!! I was well asleep when the New Year came around. I know that it sounds less than exciting but that what you have to do when your in the service of the Lord. I can't complain. We had a branch New Year's party where we ate and got to know each other. It was good. This branch really knows how to thow a party!
My New Years resolution is to be a better missionary than I was last year. Not to have many baptisms but to be more obedient and to work harder and more effectively than what I have last year. I hope that the Lord will bless me and help me complete the goals that I have set for myself.
This last week was good. We helped some in-actives go back to church for the first time in 2+ years. And fast and testimony week was the best time for them to feel the Spirit again. Hopefull it keeps on going like this. We might get a few baptisms this month if it all goes well.
Well, I love ya'll. May God bless you and your's this new year. See ya in 2011!!!

ELDER ARCIA
(stripplingarcia@myldsmail.net)