October 25, 2010

I know, I understand. It was a weird transfer, but now I am with Elder Lorimer and we are working like crazymen. In 4 days I talked to 46 people and we found 18 people!!! Thats the work of a week done in 4 days, so this week is going to be nuts. (You wanna help me find my nuts? Tempting Hammy. very tempting) Oh and I got to enjoy a baptism, Sofia. She was all ready to go, and I just happened to be around. Well Its a great area here in Parque Liceo. This is a launching point for many, many, many zone leaders and several assistents. Not that I want to be one of those, its just I have some very big shoes to fill, because thats what they expect from us. Its still a branch, we have a chapel(that looks like every other chapel) and we have alot of great members. Its just that those great ones arent all we need to reach ward status. We have a couple sets of families that we are working with, to help us. They are all very willing(many return missionareis) and we are just set to go. Well we have alot of possible baptisms this month coming up, but that means REALLY working. Thanks for liking that RAP letter. I tried a little bit, but I just really like OLA. Honest .rar is a file format that is just like zip it just makes it alot smaller. The comics are for you to enjoy and get an idea of what we as missionaries go through. The comp checklist is fun, as with the trauma checklist. Its just a fun book some Elder had and I took pictures of the fun ones that I liked. My side was the one without tomatoes so you pegged me pretty good there hahaha, though now I even eat those, they must be cooked though, raw, uncooked, natural, alone I cannnot do. =P

also we didnt move to that pension... oh well.

Honest a CD with a few holiday songs will not make me trunky. I have Disney music, and some other good spiritual, study music. For me its Christmas as long as its cold so Christmas in July is the kind of deal I am working on. That will be interesting. I would like some more music though, not that I necesarily want christmas music, I more want some Especially for Missionaries(Sarah would know) and just good mo tab. I have Called to Serve(the album) but other cds would be nice from mo tab. I do agreee, most elders have left a stocking or some lights in the pens when they have left. Sure its not as nice as gifts, but packages are WAY expensive. I can get some nice stuff here or get some souvenir stuff with that. its about 100 dollars(if you include shipping and the contents) which is 400 pesos, which gets me pretty far. Anyways. just rambling. I have to get something before that though to survive. Things are rough. The dollar keeps increasing, but also we have problems with the government making it hard on distibutors, which passes the prices down to EVERYONE. At least thats what I heard. Dunno, but things have significantly increased in price. A 350cc coke was 1 peso in January, now its 2.50. Yeah. stupid. I am taking some money out again. Also writing to Pres about it. We need an increase in our allowance but we needed it done yesterday. Oh well. I accept the situation as it is, and do everything like I should to change it. =)Yes, not only do we get to see the groundbreaking(its going to be by satellite so not gonna do so well on pictures, you will see it in the news reel next conference which I beg you to record if you see it on the public broadcast station.) but we get to have a mission wide conference with Elder Neil Andersen. WAY COOL!!! Trust me the temple here is going to just blow our minds. We are already seeing movement in the opposition side which means huge blessings are coming down the pipes.

GO WALK!!! Go both times ;)

Thank you, love you, Hope you are doing well. and seriously RAP is not just for us here, its for EVERYONE!!!.

Con Amor

Elder Ben =)

October 20, 2010

Well my new comp is an old acquaintance from like my second transfer. His name is Elder Lorimer. He is from Seattle Washington, attended BYU-I, and if I remember right is an Econ major. We are in Parque Liceo, which is like one area over from Ayacucho. I'm still in Norte, and I am loving it. We have something like 25 potential baptisms, and we find 20 new people each week. I'm stoked to get to work and get to know the new area here. Our side project is strengthening the members, as it is a Branch, so that they Pray, Read, and Attend Church. In Spanish Orar, Leer, Asistir or Ola. Like Ocean waves or Ola´s the restaurant. Really if every member would READ DAILY, PRAY DAILY, and ATTEND WEEKLY (that includes the activities) the church would be a whole lot stronger. That's honest to goodness one of the major differences between the average member and the missionary. We all should be keeping similar standards, but if we all got up and went to bed on time, read our scriptures and prayed personally and as a companionship (or husband and wife) our lives would improve in a degree that wouldn't allow us to ever stop doing it as we would really truly see the blessings the Lord gives us DAILY, and that He really LOVES us, each of us, so much that He wants to give us blessings, and that He sent His SON, JESUS CHRIST, to give us an example and a pattern for our lives and to sacrifice His life, for each of our mistakes, each of our pains, and sicknesses, and that He understands. I know it. I have gone to Him with those things, and felt relief and strength. I love the Lord. I serve Him. I know that this is His work, and have seen Him work in peoples lives and change them in ways that they never imagined. If those that are not members of this church are changed by the things that we teach, just imagine how they could change you as a member. We teach more than just those three things I mentioned (READ DAILY, PRAY DAILY, and ATTEND WEEKLY) but those are the ones that truly allow everyone to feel the Spirit and to feel the Lords love for us. Is there any greater thing in this world, or that which is to come? Love is the answer, the reason, and the way to just be happy. Love everyone, which means that we have Charity (the Pure Love of Christ) and from charity we get faith, hope, patience, humility, obedience, diligence etc. and we become more and more like our Savior, and our Heavenly Father. I know this is the Lord´s work and I am doing it.

Oh so fun little deal. I forgot to pass on these two stories. Last week we went to see Nico, because well, we hadn't done it in awhile. We were talking to him and just chatting. We give a prayer and get ready to leave. Well just before Nico we had been to see that ie Hno that gives us milk. Well we give the prayer and I get the impression, give Nico the milk. that's weird, but ok. I gave it to him. and asked him if the kids(he has 3: 8, 2, 7 months) had milk. He said no, but now they do. Its fun, and yeah its great when you finally have one of those moments. Well Sunday was Fast and Testimony as well. So Pablo(the bishops son) was being a good Aaronic priesthood holder and watching the door. well I looked over and saw him with tears in his eyes trying to tell himself that he could leave the door and go give his testimony. Well sure he could go, but he didn't understand that, so I went over and told him to go, at first he said that he had to watch the door, but I just told him to go give his testimony. He got up there and just gave one of the best ones I have heard. He went in and said I no longer need to rely on borrowed light from my parents. I now know for myself that this the only true church of God on the earth and that He has called prophets and that we have the Book Of Mormon.... So on. He finshed and came up to me and gave me a big old hug, and I sat down. Those are two things I figured you all would enjoy. Yeah, gonna go tear it up here in Parque Liceo with Elder Lorimer Love you all, and hope the best for you.

REMEMBER

R A P (READ. ATTEND, PRAY)

Con Amor

Elder Ben

October 10, 2010 (10/10/10!)

Hi mommy

So this week... Well we worked. We just got out and dug our hands in. Ok better said that we tried. We had a good start, I said like three months ago that we were going to baptize twin 12 year olds. Well they are finally getting baptized the 23rd. =) Sad thing is that this next week we are getting transfers. they are going to be on tuesday instead of saturday, so we dont get our day to say goodbye, and we dont have P-Day until WEDNESDAY So I may not be responsive on monday, dont be mad =P But yeah I may end up missing the baptism by like 3 days. =( Its ok, if I stay I get to see it anyways... Im pretty done with the comp, after 3 months everyone pretty much is done with their comps, unless you are like best friends. Hes fun because he gets all stick up his butt "Im and obedient missionary, you should be too," for things that I am being obedient, but he sees as disobedient. I have tried working things out with him, but he just is kind of hypocritical, because then he goes and does something semi disobedient. Like Indiana Jones. He says it doesnt make him trunky, but thats like me saying going on facebook wouldnt make me trunky. But enough about complaining about the comp, (Murphy says we stay together once more) Back on topic, So with the twins we were talking to them and then their parents like appeared. Now we usually just say hi with them because they are working alot, even though they support their kids in this, we have never talked. Well we were talking with the father Pablo, and we invited him to pray, and he said, well I dont know how, so we explained. He said ok, I´ll do it. He did an amazing prayer! like a member hahaha. So he said, well for my first mormon prayer it seems pretty good to me. We are going to work with the twins some more to get ahold of their parents because they are actually pretty interested. =) That and we are going to work with the youth in the ward some more here to go on divisions this week. I just hope it will all go well. Its kind of a fun place here in Ayacucho. =)

I can just see grandpa driving that car. He also washes it alot too I bet. *High five to that Elder* The link is just a picture. It happens to not be just any picture, but of the temple of Cordoba.!Yeah if milk was free that would be nice, but I wouldnt drink it. Wait I do have free milk. Its free powdered milk from a member. So I prepare it myself. I am also not in Bahia Blanca where the cows wander all over and people would offer me "free milk" that is VERY fresh.I had giant honey nut cheerios. Which were ok, I am going to get Cocoa puffs this week. It lasts about 2 weeks.

[referencing little sister Alyson] Yes pictures. thanksI am going to print some pictures today, maybe. We are going to walmart in a bit here. hahaha"I like the dollar store cuz ya dont have to dress up like when you go to the walmart..."But yeah. I will be the bouncer on said line =P *holds up sign that says "you must be this tall to enter" and velvet rope*Nah dont worry. Tell her to watch it though. ;)

Ok well gotta get out of here.

aight

Peace out

Con amor

Elder Ben

October 4, 2010

Hi mommy.

Look I had my interview with President Salas. I feel a whole lot better. =)

Look what I found =) http://www.countrywebsites.lds.org/ar/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=531:imagen-computarizada-del-templo-de-cordoba&catid=43:ano-2010&Itemid=82 Its in Spanish but I think you will like it. I almost teared up a little when I saw it.

You may share this part I figure.

I also always have liked blue... so the rest of my answers will be in blue, especially to your questions.

I talked to Prez about being a better missionary, and he was really just comforting. The thing was that I had felt heavy with some things from my past. Like I said Old Elder Ludlow, wont be coming back anytime soon. Hes gone for good now.

On to your questions as they will help me to answer in a better form how my week went.

I had money spent to get to stake conference and other conferences, normally we have travel fund, but that didnt reach the special zone conference and other such meetings with Elder Arnold So I payed. that and medical expenses and stuff like that. I am getting payed back this week dont worry. No. I am still trying to sell my suit

Lunch is like dinner and lunch all at once. Its a big meal. So I eat like at that. I found a place where I can buy like 7 pound bags of cereal, and a hermano that gives us free milk. so I have breakfast now. Look the skinny is good, but even Prez noticed. thats not good if prez notices. So while I am going to be fasting once a week, its not to be skinnier its to be a better missionary. Do not worry mum. I am not terribly worried about things like money I have seen that the Lord does provide before so I know that He will again

How come you had to get a new place? Is the new place better? Bigger/smaller? Cleaner? Closer to the work?

Well because the rent went up. and it wasnt worth it. No, and yes its a work in progress. Its smaller, much cleaner, and on one side of our area. I would sned pictures but an elder just ruined his flash drive because these are slightly virused. this is web based so dont worry about viruses, its attacking the hardware inserted in this comp. Speaking of. what happened with that computer dad was going to "hack"?

Can I please cut and paste your testimony from the last letter and forward it on? It is pretty awesome, so read it back to yourself and let me know.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He is my Savior. I know that He is my Redeemer. I know that we cannot even being to comprehend everything that He did for us. This week Elder Zarate came to our district meeting. He told us that he would love it if everyone that passed us on the street shouted CHRISTIANS instead of Mormons. Why do they do that even. Because we share the thing that to us seems to be the differing factor. We figure that Joseph Smith, the Book Of Mormon, the Restoration, the Priesthood, and Baptism are the most important things. Its true they are very important and it is how I know that Jesus is the Christ. What does it really mean to us to think of that. What does it really mean that Jesus is our Savior. What does it mean to be saved. Well I know something. That I will be with my family, I will have my body and Spirit together again forever, never to be seperated. I will have you and Dad and Sarah and Alyson and we will see eachother and have the same relationships we have now. I guess I should probably write to my sisters huh?... But well to think of all of this stuff that we have, why arent we just happy with that? Because we know we will see eachother again we also know that the same source of that knowledge will reveal more things for us to learn. That we can continue to develop and grow here so that someday not so far from now we will be able to apply the things we learned and take the same steps that Our Heavenly Father has taken. Heres a thought. that I have thought about recently. If Heavenly Father had to give His Son so we could come back to Him, will we as creators have to follow the same step? Would we be willing to do that? would be able to do it? That is the ultimate moment that we can achieve here in the Earth that I can figure... That we would give even our ONLY son so that we could have the rest of our children home again. I dont have words to even describe that. but I know that at this point in time I wouldnt be capable of doing such a thing. I guess its time to stop complaining and get to work and not just missionary work but on myself. I need to change myself to the point that the Old Elder Ludlow cant EVER come back. To the point that I have the patience humility charity dilligence and faith of a Havenely Father. (Mat 5 48) And if it cant get that(its almost impossible alone) I will make myself the missionary that I should have always been.

Yeah I realized that I sounded pretty down last week. but im glad that you like my testimony. Conference is always amazing. It was definitely a focus on addictions and feeling the spirit for me... I dont know what themes you picked up on. I love conference every time. It gets better as a missionary. To stay awake, seriously sit there with a pen and paper. You will be surprised at the things you pick up on for just plain ol you. also just go online and re watch it when you fall asleep. the video is up in three languages exactly one hour after conference. No excuse to wait until it comes to read it. =P

I am in fact extremely grateful for Nicolas. He is a great young man and a great father and husband now. He really is golden.

Well thats because Laura Barrus is a member of the Ben Ludlow fan club... hahaha.

The one who drags us down is Satan. He really makes us feel absolutely horrible, for every tiny itsy bitsy thing we have ever done. He hates us. Thats why I dislike hating things. I am trying to cut out that phrase from my vocabulary. Its difficult to do but it is just not very christlike to hate well anything... Just one of many. trust me the changes are the little things that probably bothered you and definitely bothered me. Its not going to be anymore physical changes. those I have had plenty of. Now maybe there will be a little muscle instead of fat but thats an over time thing. Yeah. Dont know where I am going with this.

what the crazy 50 degrees??!!!?!?!?!? And a cold. GET BETTER.

I laughed out loud to think of grandma on a camel. speaking of grandma and grandpa whats the word on that DVD?

So this week, we moved, cleaned the old apartment, cleaned the new one, un packed, all for tuesday. Wednesday we had district meeting in the morning and the next two mornings we had Zone conference. It was alot different than Olsen. This is Salas. He like to just talk to us and hear what we learned and have to say. Hes very open with us. I love it. I dont feel like I am talking to a wall of statistics and obedience. I feel like I am talking to a man, who knows Christ and wants to tell us how to get close to Him. well anyway. We then had general conference, I had an interview, and now I am here in centro helping a few elders do their trunky shopping. Its fun how they just buy a bunch of artisan stuff and candies. lol. Well I did get myself a hat. Its a kind of newspaperboy cap. Its a very british hat and I have a british face so it works well with me. =) Yeah. I am looking to have something on par with the excitement of Elder Cooley this week thats coming. I am so ready to just go to work and stop worrying about things. Look out world here comes elder Ludlow =)

Con Amor

Elder Ben