BAPTISM in San Jose!

Hey Mom and Dad!

*I have to combine my letter to ya’ll today because I had some trouble sending the pictures. I´m still not exactly sure what pictures got sent because the computer was giving me some problems.

*We had a great week! There were 5 investigators that came to church yesterday, and we also had an awesome baptism. Because of the baptism for this one girl, about 5 or 6 more less active people came back to church and one of them gave a testimony that brought everyone to tears.

*We have been trying really hard to keep up with the mission expectations and well, we have been seeing miracles. One day a lady basically came up to us and ask, ¨Do you two baptize? My two kids and I need to get baptized. What do I have to do?” My jaw dropped! I have always heard stories about some people who are prepared and ready to receive the gospel, but wow! That was more than I could have asked for!!!. Also we went with one of the young men in the ward (named Diego) to visit one of his friends. We were only able to talk to him for about 5 minutes but to our surprise, Diego’s friend came to church on Sunday. He made new friends with all the members in the ward and is excited to come back next Sunday. I am loving it in San José!!!!

*I don”t have a lot more time to write but I want you all to know that I love you and that all is well. Talk to ya later!
Elder Myers

The City mall...

Christmas Post-Card from Travis, Received February 13, 2012

Padres! (Parents)

…I was just telling my companion the other day (in Spanish) how weird it was to finally be on a mission. It seems like my whole life revolved around the fact that I would some day be a missionary ---Well, here I am, trying to teach the gospel to a people I can hardly understand. All my life I can say that I was raised by “goodly parents” who showed me the way I should go. Anything of me that is good I owe to you two. “Yall” are the best parents and best friends I could ever ask for. I thank you and I love you with all of my heart forever.

Love, your son,

Elder Travis Dillon Myers

P.S. Merry Christmas

February 13, 2012 E-Mail Received from Travis

Dad,

*San Jose is going to be great. We are baptizing a girl this Sunday after church, and we are working with this one guy who wants to know if the church is true but is scared of what his friends and family will think if he joins. We FINALLY committed him to church for next Sunday (which is perfect because we have a baptism that week). There are also a couple of other people we have met (through inactive members) that we hope to teach...

*I have been on exchanges twice with Elder Vasquez (the one from Mexico who doesn't speak any English) and we actually had some productive days. Good news is that since I have been here in San Jose, I think I have learned a lot more Spanish.

*My companion Elder Vega (from Peru) is a super hard worker and I think we are going to see great success in this area. He is about 5´4"or 5´5"-- so sometimes I kinda look like his body guard.

*That's about all from me this week. I will be sending ya’ll some recent photos. Love ya’ and thanks for the News!
Love,
Your Son, Elder Myers

*P.S. In Malargue I lost a lot of weight but I think I have gained some of my weight back. I started an exercise plan here and have been exercising in the mornings.

February 13, 2012 E-Mail received from Travis

Hey Mom!

*Guess what? Out of the 20 lessons we were challenged to teach, we taught 24 lessons to less-active and recent convert families! And then, about 8 people from those families, went to church yesterday! We still have more work to do but the Lord commanded and He provided a way for us to accomplish the things He ask us to do. How cool is that?

*Today we (along with some other missionaries) went to the city mall (It’s called "shopping" here) for P-Day. We were looking for some cheap soccer jerseys.. I have to say, that the mall was REALLY nice. I would have to compare it with some of the nicest malls in the states. We even ate in a two story SUBWAY. Oh it was wonderful! Good times!. Some places here are actually very modern.

*Sorry I can’t write that much this week. I want to spend most of my letter time sending ya’ll some photos. I love you!
Your son Elder Myers.

*PS I will not be able to send photos this week. Computer problems---I’ll try next week

Reminder of home...

Hey Yall!
*…I am out of Malargue and now in San Jose. San Jose is in the suburbs of Mendoza.. We left Malargue at 3AM in a van because the buses would not get us to San Jose early enough. I had NO space to move in the van but it was alright because a bus ride would have probably been the most uncomfortable 5 hour ride of my life.

*After we arrived safely, I met my new companion. His name is Elder Vega and he is from Lima. Peru. The first thing he said to me was "What;s up bro?" He speaks perfect English. He spent 2 years at BYU studying business. In our apartment, there is Me, Elder Vega, Elder Vasquez from Mexico (who doesn’t know any English), and Elder Sanchez from Chile (who speaks English almost without an accent and he has never even been to the states.) It is pretty fun with these elders.

* The San Jose area is really small and compact. It takes us about 10 minutes max to walk to the next appointment compared to Malargue’s 1 hour max. The work is good and we are going to work as hard as possible to meet the mission goals, which is to be received by 20 people into their homes and to contact 20 people every week. Included in the mission goals, we are also challenged to visit 20 recent converts or less active members every week starting next week. We are going to have to start running from house to house to meet that goal. Ever since I got here, the mission goals have been constantly changing and getting tougher and tougher. But it’s possible—1 Nephi 3:7 7 … I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

* While I was looking around in the church last Sunday, I saw a print of the Houston Texas Temple on one of the family history posters. I took that as my SIGN that this is the place where I am suppose to be right now and I am pretty excited about working here.

*I got to see Elder Stufflebeam again. We are now in the same room writing our e-mails. Other than that, some random facts about my area,

1. The ditches smell REALLY bad

2. The Ward is really strong with about 80 people showing up every Sunday,

3. The weather is pretty hot but there are a ton of trees. San Jose kinda reminds me of

Texas, (but just a little colder). It’s nice.

4. We use the bus a lot to get around and there are a TON of buses.

5. We have an air conditioner in our apartment which is awesome!

*That’s about it for now. I’ll be sending pictures next week. The computers are really nice here and they take memory cards. I love it here and I love all of you!
Adios!

Elder Myers
PS Today we got a couple of missionaries together to celebrate Elder Vegas’ birthday. We had a Bar-B-Q (or as they say it here--asado). It was incredible.

PPS Everybody loves seeing pictures of my family, so if you can send some for me to print out that would be great! Once again-- love you! Your son Elder Myers

1st Transfer - Malargue to San Jose

Hey Mom!
…This week was pretty great although there is some sad news. The Zone leaders from the offices came down for about 3 days and we did exchanges. I’m beginning to realize how important it is to have 4 missionaries in Malargue. I will just say we worked, walked, sang, and saw miracles. I felt somewhat like a pioneer. Anyway, the Lord blessed us BIG TIME. Thirteen less-active members came back to church last Sunday, some of which we have been working with since I got here. We had a great attendance at church, even though two of the most active families (that bring quite a few people) were in different cities.
We also are finding (through the less-actives and by just looking for them) many people who are ready to be baptized. The other day (when I was with one of the zone leaders), we were looking for a less-active member who had just started coming back to church. In our search for this less-active, we knocked on the wrong door. The mother who opened the door, invited us in and we were able to teach her a lesson. As we taught this mother, she started to cry. She told us that she wanted to learn more so she could help her family. She even said the closing prayer. Is that prepared or what? I can’t even imagine what the attendance will be like at church this coming Sunday! Sad thing is, I won’t get to see it. I leave Malargue Wednesday for San Jose, Mendoza. It’s sad that I have to go, but I can leave saying the branch is stronger and God gave me a confirmation that I did my part. One of the good things about San Jose is that there is an alfajor factory (cookie factory) in the area. I think before I go back home. I am just going to buy a couple boxes of alfajors so you can all try some. I don’t think any one of you would like to try mate, the famous Argentina drink (pronounced Mah-Tay). I haven’t tried it but it smells A LOT like the hay we feed the cows. Anyway, I guess that’s all the news I have right now. I am going to have another Latin companion in San Jose and Elder Maughn (the other district leader I served with in the MTC) is one of the elders taking my place in Malargue. I Love you!
Your Son Elder Myers

Hey Dad!
…I went on exchanges with one of the zone leaders that sounds just like Jacob. I felt like I was serving with my brother. That was pretty cool. I’m learning a lot every day. I have been studying directly from Preach My Gospel. I kind of want to master that book. It is so much easier to study Preach My Gospel-- once you are a missionary. Well, that’s about it. I love you and it’s great to hear from you! Love, your son, Elder Travis Myers

PS- Thanks for trying to send those magazines to the Torres family. They are like my family here.

40 Day Fast (English) is OVER!

Letter received: January 23, 2012

Hey Dad!
… This week was pretty good. We knocked on a few doors and found some really prepared people to teach. One lady basically said, “I don't understand why there are so many churches when there is only one God!” We gave her a short first lesson, and a Bible, (somehow, she already had a Book of Mormon ) She said she would read and pray about the things we taught. Sadly though, (because I might get a transfer to another area), I might not see what happens to this lady. Thursday we had a Zone Conference and President Avila basically told me I am probably going to be leaving Malargue soon. Just so you know – about every 6 weeks there is always a possibility of being re-assigned to another area. After the 1st six weeks in an area, you are basically guaranteed to stay in that same area for another 6 weeks. After the 2nd six weeks in an area, you might be transferred to another area (but it is more likely that you will stay) After the 3rd six weeks in an area, your time is up in that area, unless of course you are Elder Stufflebeam who had 5 six week periods in Malargue. Now for some good news. I FINISHED MY 40 DAY FAST OF ENGLISH! I believe now I can say that I speak Spanish. Understanding some people is a different story, but when I have something I need to say, I can. When I can understand people, I have no problem talking. This next transfer I am going to focus on understanding-- such as.learning as many vocabulary words as possible and being able to use them,-- reading the scriptures in Spanish and -- looking up words I don't understand. That's basically what is going on here. Love you!
Your son, Elder Myers

Hey Mom!
I would just like to say-I love you a lot. You will be glad to know that I am still studying like crazy and learning a ton everyday. Right now I am taking the Attributes of Christ from the PMG Section and looking up every scripture, analyzing what the overall message is, and writing down my thoughts and how to apply it. I love it! Patience has basically been my topic for the last few days. I love the story about Alma and his people (when they were in bondage) and how they were delivered . Even though they were not allowed to pray publically, they prayed in their hearts and soon through their faith and patience, their burdens were made light. Not only were their burdens made light, but they continued to pray and later they were set free. Sometimes in this life I believe we pray for things and when we receive relief, we stop praying. If we extend our vision and continue on praying with patience, trusting in God to bless us after our time of trial, we will be set free from our burdens, not just relieved. I have written a ton more about this subject in my study journal and I can’t wait to share all of this with you and Dad. Another great thing about all this studying is that by the end of my mission, I will basically have a talk ready for just about every subject. More and more people are starting to come to church, a few of which are people we have been visiting. I love how the work in progressing in Malargue and I think by the time of the next transfer, the Lord’s work will progress even further, with or without me. I love you Mom and it’s great to hear from you every week. I think that is why I am not really homesick-- I get to talk to you every week.
I love you Mom!
Your son, Elder Myers

PS I just bought a flash drive so I can save my pictures and do some church work . I think I will be buying some cheap shoes today. One dollar is about 4 pesos here and the shoes I think I´ll be buying are about 40 pesos. Ten dollar shoes! Woohoo!

Pig Eye????

Letter from: January 2, 2012

Hey Dad!
Sounds great over there. I’m excited to hear about Michael Renfroe putting his Mission Papers in! Woo-hoo! Elder Caro and I have a plan to work with the less-active. We have a list of all the less-active members in the ward, (all 26 pages) We plan on taking this list and visiting all the less-active. During this process we will also find out who has moved, died, etc. Apparently there are people on the list who have been dead for 15 years. So, we will start with this list and help clear-up the church records. The House of the Lord is a House of order and the records here are far from being organized.
I love you Dad! Elder Travis Myers

Wow! Thanks for all the news mom! I don’t have a ton of time to write today because I had a lot to read this week. But there are a few things I would like to say very quickly.

1. I love studying! It’s one of my favorite things now because of all the cool things I am learning.
2. I started memorizing a scripture every day again. It’s my goal for this year.
3. I got to see almost all my MTC District on Wednesday Dec 28th. I felt like Alma the younger with the sons of Mosiah. My joy was full. Elder Tingey (his MTC companion--- Rachel) already has some crazy stories. He is in the hottest area in the mission right now. He says the evening showers are hot because during the day, the sun heats up the water tanks (which are above the houses) and their freezer hardly works. I am so glad I am in Malargue right now, (coolest part of the mission) Sadly I had to take a break from my English Fast for part of a day, but I am back on it.
4. I believe the Fast is starting to work. I have received several compliments in the past few days on how much better my Spanish is. I still have a LONG way to go but at least I know I am progressing a little. I am halfway there! 20 more days before my fast is complete!

Well, I love you! Your son, Elder Myers

Letter from: JANUARY 9, 2012
…I found out something interesting about Malargue from my companion. This is the one area in the mission that no one wants to go to. I was kind of shocked when I heard that… The Good News now in Malargue is that I believe it is time to start re-activating the members who have gone astray from the gospel. Right now we have great families who are moving into the ward (one I believe might be a seventy one day—AND, he speaks English-thank goodness) I believe this man will help immensely with the work we have to do here…I also believe Satan has tried hard to stop the work of the Lord. I am not sure if I will be here when everything is back to normal in the ward, but I am just glad I get to be part of the process. Oh, and Daniel was right. We have two new people here that will for sure be baptized soon because we worked with the less-actives. Life is for the most part good.

Love ya’ll! Elder Myers

Thanks Mom. Your letters always make me happy. Thanks to the prayers that have been said in our behalf, because we are finding some people who are prepared to receive the gospel. One such person came to church Sunday with some friends and basically wants to be baptized. I believe we are doing the right thing by working with the list of the less-active members…We are also finding out that a ton of people who are on the less-active list have either moved or died or have no interest for some reason or another. But on the other hand, we have found out that many of the less-actives are ready to come back to church, because all they can remember is how happy they were when they went to church. I told my companion, that in the Bible we learn the parable of the good Shepherd who left the 99 sheep to look for the one. Here in Malargue we only have to leave about 5 of the sheep to look for the 95 lost sheep! What a search! Soon I believe we will see the fruits of our labors. I don’t have much to say other than that, but I am so glad I am here and so glad I can help the Lord build up His kingdom in this part of (quite literally) His vineyard.
With a ton of love, Your son, Elder Myers

PS. Monday I ate (drum roll…..) pig eye. I REALLY did not want to, but then again, there are not many people who can say they have eaten Bar B-Q pig eye on their mission, now can they?

CHRISTMAS SKYPE CALL!!!

Letter from: December 19, 2011
I have some good and bad news. First of all, transfers are coming up and Elder Stufflebeam will be leaving for Central Mendoza. Sad to see him go because I learned a lot from him. Good News though, I’m getting a Latin companion! AND (Donny is going to love this part) he is from Chile! (but I don’t know what part of Chile he is from) My new companion’s name is Elder Caro and I am pretty excited. I believe that with Elder Caro’s help I will be able to speak Spanish fairly well. AND for sure, I will be able to understand Donny. I have a little secret. I have been fasting this whole week from English. The only English contact I have now are these e-mails, my journal, and personal study I’m just thankful I have a companion who is willing to speak only in Spanish or else next week could possibly be more than I could handle. Because of Elder Stufflebeam’s help, I believe I will feel a little more prepared for a Spanish speaking companion.. I can already say my ability to speak Spanish has at least doubled. I was able to answer the phone yesterday and answer the sister’s questions. Granted, the conversation was approximately 30 seconds long but still, that’s WAY better than it was last week. I made a goal to fast from English for 40 days because I believe it is about time that I speak to people well and I believe this is the best way I can do it. I think God is helping me with this goal because it is going to be just me and Elder Caro for at least 6 weeks and we will be 3 hours away from the nearest missionaries who speak English. It may be a little more than I asked for but that’s fine with me, God knows better than I do. We had a great activity this week. It was all about PREACH MY GOSPEL and how the members can help us in missionary work. Since I have been on the mission, I have realized how much we need the help of the members. There are a lot of people here who believe we (the missionaries) are American spies! So, there is hardly any chance we are going to be able to teach unless the members get involved. True, we will find people on our own, who are ready to receive the lessons, but the work would just be so much faster if the members would actively seek to declare the restored gospel to their friends. It would start a chain reaction and we would need double the amount of missionaries that Elder Holland talked about in this last conference. Good news though is that the members really are getting excited and I’m excited that they are getting excited. Can you feel the excitement?

Well, I love you all! Until next week! Elder Myers

Letter from: December 26, 2011
It was great to see you too! I was really afraid we were going to have problems with SKYPE and guess what? We did! Anyway, I’m just glad we found a way to make it work. Maybe we should really plan out the next SKYPE conversation a little better, if we can. Do I think I will stay in Malargue much longer? Hmmmmmmm. I don’t think so but it is possible. I have at least 6 more weeks left until the next transfer. I feel my purpose of being here right now is to work as hard as I can and learn the language. I almost feel like I won’t leave Malargue until I can understand people --therefore, the English Fast. Good news, we visited San Rafael and I could almost understand every word there…People here have a way different accent and speak REALLY fast. So, when I do leave Malargue, I should be able to understand just about anybody…
Love, Your son Elder Travis Myers