Thats an interesting dog. Yeah I saw a little bit of news, because a member refused to turn off the TV, and yeah Torndaoes all over, even near CA.
Ok no there is not a class, and I was NOT in shape to have played basketball or even interested in playing when I was there. Now its more fun. but yeah we played soccer today, now that we have enough people here in the zone.
Yeah I have made it. Its very south american. Its good. Cheese is a key, but expensive.
This week was kind of a rough one. I got to know my comp. Hes from Arequipa, Peru. He is a convert of about a year and came out on the mission. Its interesting to talk with him, because I cant really talk with him as I would other missionaries who have been members their whole lives. Like it surprises me sometimes when he doesnt know some point of doctrine and I have to explain. But yeah. This week it was like independence day so no one wanted to talk to us. Its also alot colder here than in Chilecito, so I got a bit of a cold from the temperature change. I bundled up and still didnt feel warm. Nothing. but we worked. and still no one wanted to talk to us. even our fixed appointments fell through. I was just way down. but you know what I did. I got down on my knees and prayed. I prayed for a long time. I just wanted to be able to teach someone. I wanted to be able to have success, and to know what I had to do. I dont know or really remember what I said or was thinking, but everything just started to click. We got in a whole lot of work on saturday, and we were able to find some new people. The ward here is great, we have lunch every day, but they went to the temple for the week, and no one could give us lunch. =P dang. So this week they feel kinda bad and confirmed us lunches all week. and the bishop and his wife (they are quite a young couple they have been married for 4 years) said that if anyone falls through we can call them. I like the ward. they are a good size, and are willing to work with us. I wanna share more stuff but its already prety late. I´ll try to remember for next week.
Things are good here. but before I go. a huge shout out to you Mom and Dad. 25 years!!!! Congratulations!!
Love
your son
Elder Ben Ludlow
Monday, May 30, 2011
May 23, 2011
Yeah Elders have bigger stomachs. That's exactly it. Its also the wonderful economic situation of the country that has changed significantly since they last changed it 2 years ago. Yeah that's for sure, not gonna need a haircut. I am just barely gonna be able to start combing it. Besides I asked for it for a specific purpose for something that you cant put in for half of your allowance, to have a backpack. I got it out, and yeah I found a better deal on it, here in Rio Cuarto where I got transferred to.
That's right I am now in the opposite side of the mission. 10 hours in a bus from midnight, to 12 in the afternoon. with maybe an hour and a half in the terminal in cordoba. Ridiculous. But I am here in my new area. Its called Bimaco, and I am here replacing my MTC comp Elder Jensen. My comp is Elder Monzon, hes from Peru. Seems like he will be a fun elder to work with. They have been working hard here and its looking like I will be a bit more successful here. Chilecito was a good area, it was pretty, it was fun, had great people, but I just couldn't get anywhere there. Well I did, but it was more in learning how to be like Christ (IE Patience etc) Like now I only get a little frustrated with things that are difficult over a long period of time. hahaha I´m gonna see how long that lasts. This week we played basketball, and I actually played well. I´m not sure if I told you before but every P-day we played basketball because we were 4 english speaking states/canada side of life, and wanted to play something else. Its really fun, once you figure out how to use your body and play the game meant for tall guys. I was getting stuffed all over the place by these two elders who were shorter than me. But they taught me to get my hands up and hold on to the ball and how to shoot. I was not coordinated nor am I now, but I am kinda getting a little bit of how to play sports. Its fun. I like it. I was actually prety accurate from below and away from the basket. Thats right I´m not as much of a hazard as I thought. Except for when my teammate ran into my elbow with his eye. Awkward. Then I tripped him on accident and he almost twisted his ankle... So no I am not coordinated but I am learning how to play basketball. On tuesday I had a ton of plans with my comp, we were going to have an amazing day. All of our plans fell through. Everything. We ended up finding a single person, because we knocked almost every house in the area. Wednesday we went to La Rioja for an asado and a Zone Meeting. We got there way too early so I sat down to study, even though I just wanted to sleep. I had a really cool moment. I was sitting there going over my old notes and just thinking about all the things that have happened here in the mission and what it is that I am doing different from before and why I wasnt having what in my eyes was success. So I looked at things and realized that yeah, I have changed. ALOT. the things that were important before arent as important. I still like movies and music and all that but I have changed my attitude about what kind of things I want to listen and watch and do. I want to really figure out how everything works. I have an ability to observe and discern so why not apply that. I have been doing a lot of thinking on the whole, whats gonna happen after all this is over. What can I get out of this last 6 months that I can use and apply in the world. Its a lot of interesting thoughts. So that was just that hour. then we had a kind of fun little asado and we left to go home again. other than that the week kind went the same. On thursday Elder Gallacci and I finally clicked and we were able to get the motor running. I felt way good about things and then I got the transfers.
Oh and Saturday I baptized. not an investigator of mine, but from the other elders. She picked me to baptize her, and I just thought it was so cool and felt honored to do it. She was nervous and was laughing almost the whole time. Silvia is the sister of another recent convert who didnt believe that her sister had changed so quickly in just 3 weeks. So she came to a few lessons and listened and accepted a fecha and now is a member. Imagine that. Well I baptized her and now she is going to be a good faithful member.
So far no real fun stories aside from having canned peas and carrots for dessert last week. We ate pizza with Oswaldo. He shaved his head because he felt bad for my haircut. So we ate pìzza it was amazing and we got ready to leave. He says oh I have dessert for you guys. Ok cool. So he goes out and gets... Canned Mixed Veggies. Elder Gallacci got a look of horror (not a big fan of the veggies i guess) and I just thought to myself, "here we go again" So he serves it up and goes "oh how stupid I am thats not fruit salad thats veggie salad." hmmm well lets put some cheese on it. and then Elder Alvarado says jokingly Put some sugar on it. its dessert after all. So he does. It was so gross, but I didnt put sugar on it and ate all my peas and carrots and white chunks of some kind.
I think that I will use your example of popcorn. Its cool and we can use it with Less actives as a fun FHE. Its true everyone has to go to church. Elder Anderson back when he came to Cordoba prophesied something (or at least was communicating something from the Prophet to us) that the world will cease to believe in Jesus Christ, even among our church, but we will have a stronger faith because of the Book of Mormon. When we read and use the Book of Mormon we "get closer" to God and really learn about our Savior. He loves us and wants us to believe and because we believe repent and be baptized (weekly) and receive the Holy Ghost (weekly) I´m not saying that the font has to be filled up every week to baptized every member every week. I am talking about the sacrament. Its a renovation of our covenants with our Heavenly Father, who loves us and gives us a WEEKLY opportunity to be clean and to have His Spirit and to remember His Son. Theres nothing better. As Elder Oaks said a little while ago. The sacrament is the most SACRED meeting, the the church. Its a literal cleansing and communion with our Heavenly Father promising Him that we will try harder the next week to be more like Him and His Son. I know that its really hard to wake up. I am pretty sure everyone knows that, but they never do anything to help themselves. Get a new alarm clock. Make the decision the night before, get to bed on time, have your clothes ready, and pray for extra strength the day and night before Sunday to be able to go. Its the most sacred meeting we have, therefore we should WANT to go. I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father who has provided a Plan, His Gospel, and His Son for us. Its the Good News that keeps us going in our lives and it has been restored because a 14 year old boy asked God what he should do. Thanks to him we can be clean each week and perfect ourselves through the restored church of Jesus Christ. *End spontaneous testimony*
Yeah thats what goes on here in the mission. Weird food. But anyways I am really tired. Its hard to sleep on buses. So I am gonna go clean my pension, cuz its disgusting and try and get some siesta shut eye.
Love you
Elder Ben Ludlow
PS still... saving money is hard, working on it and will be for some time
That's right I am now in the opposite side of the mission. 10 hours in a bus from midnight, to 12 in the afternoon. with maybe an hour and a half in the terminal in cordoba. Ridiculous. But I am here in my new area. Its called Bimaco, and I am here replacing my MTC comp Elder Jensen. My comp is Elder Monzon, hes from Peru. Seems like he will be a fun elder to work with. They have been working hard here and its looking like I will be a bit more successful here. Chilecito was a good area, it was pretty, it was fun, had great people, but I just couldn't get anywhere there. Well I did, but it was more in learning how to be like Christ (IE Patience etc) Like now I only get a little frustrated with things that are difficult over a long period of time. hahaha I´m gonna see how long that lasts. This week we played basketball, and I actually played well. I´m not sure if I told you before but every P-day we played basketball because we were 4 english speaking states/canada side of life, and wanted to play something else. Its really fun, once you figure out how to use your body and play the game meant for tall guys. I was getting stuffed all over the place by these two elders who were shorter than me. But they taught me to get my hands up and hold on to the ball and how to shoot. I was not coordinated nor am I now, but I am kinda getting a little bit of how to play sports. Its fun. I like it. I was actually prety accurate from below and away from the basket. Thats right I´m not as much of a hazard as I thought. Except for when my teammate ran into my elbow with his eye. Awkward. Then I tripped him on accident and he almost twisted his ankle... So no I am not coordinated but I am learning how to play basketball. On tuesday I had a ton of plans with my comp, we were going to have an amazing day. All of our plans fell through. Everything. We ended up finding a single person, because we knocked almost every house in the area. Wednesday we went to La Rioja for an asado and a Zone Meeting. We got there way too early so I sat down to study, even though I just wanted to sleep. I had a really cool moment. I was sitting there going over my old notes and just thinking about all the things that have happened here in the mission and what it is that I am doing different from before and why I wasnt having what in my eyes was success. So I looked at things and realized that yeah, I have changed. ALOT. the things that were important before arent as important. I still like movies and music and all that but I have changed my attitude about what kind of things I want to listen and watch and do. I want to really figure out how everything works. I have an ability to observe and discern so why not apply that. I have been doing a lot of thinking on the whole, whats gonna happen after all this is over. What can I get out of this last 6 months that I can use and apply in the world. Its a lot of interesting thoughts. So that was just that hour. then we had a kind of fun little asado and we left to go home again. other than that the week kind went the same. On thursday Elder Gallacci and I finally clicked and we were able to get the motor running. I felt way good about things and then I got the transfers.
Oh and Saturday I baptized. not an investigator of mine, but from the other elders. She picked me to baptize her, and I just thought it was so cool and felt honored to do it. She was nervous and was laughing almost the whole time. Silvia is the sister of another recent convert who didnt believe that her sister had changed so quickly in just 3 weeks. So she came to a few lessons and listened and accepted a fecha and now is a member. Imagine that. Well I baptized her and now she is going to be a good faithful member.
So far no real fun stories aside from having canned peas and carrots for dessert last week. We ate pizza with Oswaldo. He shaved his head because he felt bad for my haircut. So we ate pìzza it was amazing and we got ready to leave. He says oh I have dessert for you guys. Ok cool. So he goes out and gets... Canned Mixed Veggies. Elder Gallacci got a look of horror (not a big fan of the veggies i guess) and I just thought to myself, "here we go again" So he serves it up and goes "oh how stupid I am thats not fruit salad thats veggie salad." hmmm well lets put some cheese on it. and then Elder Alvarado says jokingly Put some sugar on it. its dessert after all. So he does. It was so gross, but I didnt put sugar on it and ate all my peas and carrots and white chunks of some kind.
I think that I will use your example of popcorn. Its cool and we can use it with Less actives as a fun FHE. Its true everyone has to go to church. Elder Anderson back when he came to Cordoba prophesied something (or at least was communicating something from the Prophet to us) that the world will cease to believe in Jesus Christ, even among our church, but we will have a stronger faith because of the Book of Mormon. When we read and use the Book of Mormon we "get closer" to God and really learn about our Savior. He loves us and wants us to believe and because we believe repent and be baptized (weekly) and receive the Holy Ghost (weekly) I´m not saying that the font has to be filled up every week to baptized every member every week. I am talking about the sacrament. Its a renovation of our covenants with our Heavenly Father, who loves us and gives us a WEEKLY opportunity to be clean and to have His Spirit and to remember His Son. Theres nothing better. As Elder Oaks said a little while ago. The sacrament is the most SACRED meeting, the the church. Its a literal cleansing and communion with our Heavenly Father promising Him that we will try harder the next week to be more like Him and His Son. I know that its really hard to wake up. I am pretty sure everyone knows that, but they never do anything to help themselves. Get a new alarm clock. Make the decision the night before, get to bed on time, have your clothes ready, and pray for extra strength the day and night before Sunday to be able to go. Its the most sacred meeting we have, therefore we should WANT to go. I love this work and I love my Heavenly Father who has provided a Plan, His Gospel, and His Son for us. Its the Good News that keeps us going in our lives and it has been restored because a 14 year old boy asked God what he should do. Thanks to him we can be clean each week and perfect ourselves through the restored church of Jesus Christ. *End spontaneous testimony*
Yeah thats what goes on here in the mission. Weird food. But anyways I am really tired. Its hard to sleep on buses. So I am gonna go clean my pension, cuz its disgusting and try and get some siesta shut eye.
Love you
Elder Ben Ludlow
PS still... saving money is hard, working on it and will be for some time
May 16, 2011
Placida is just an odd old lady. We realized that she doesnt come to church because she doesnt really understand the doctrine. So we went to go teach her. But she took it badly when we told her we are really here to serve her in Spiritual help. She got kind of offended, now she doesnt even want to shake our hands when we see her, because only people who come and help her really are able to say hi. She also wanted to pay us. Oh well.
This week we were kinda strapped for time. I had a kinda crappy thursday. I just felt sick. Not like that i was really sick. Just unwell. So we went out to work, and as the day went on i got worse and worse. I just was tired. on top of it no one was there or wanted to talk to us that day. you have those days, but then the next day things get made up for. Friday we (the other elders and us) got a couple married, and the ZL´s came and did Exchanges with us. So i went and we had a ton of stuff to do and people to see, but we added to the huge amount of people that we now pass by. its crazy. we found a bunch. Oh but wednesday we found a lady and her family that are super cool. she was there with her 10 year old son and her 23 year old daughter. She is catholic, but doesnt really like that. i guess back about 3 years ago some elders came by and gave her her a tiny pass along card, that has a timeline of the world. So it had the creacion until now, including apostasy and restoration and on the back it has the steps to pray. We taught her the restoration, and her opinion was what we ended up teaching her. Its like she was made for the gospel. She wanted to come to church, as did her 10 year old, even though he is getting ready to do his first communion. So for this week they went there. Hopefully this week they will come by to ours. Anyway, we also found Olga, who accepted to get baptized very quickly, and gave a perfect prayer right there in the first lesson and received an answer.
Then on saturday we helped the other elders with their baptism. They baptized. and are baptizing next week, and the week after that. So cool. This is a great area. We have transfers this week, so i hope I dont leave. We have tons of potential for June.
Well thats about it. I gotta go now.
love you
Elder Ben
This week we were kinda strapped for time. I had a kinda crappy thursday. I just felt sick. Not like that i was really sick. Just unwell. So we went out to work, and as the day went on i got worse and worse. I just was tired. on top of it no one was there or wanted to talk to us that day. you have those days, but then the next day things get made up for. Friday we (the other elders and us) got a couple married, and the ZL´s came and did Exchanges with us. So i went and we had a ton of stuff to do and people to see, but we added to the huge amount of people that we now pass by. its crazy. we found a bunch. Oh but wednesday we found a lady and her family that are super cool. she was there with her 10 year old son and her 23 year old daughter. She is catholic, but doesnt really like that. i guess back about 3 years ago some elders came by and gave her her a tiny pass along card, that has a timeline of the world. So it had the creacion until now, including apostasy and restoration and on the back it has the steps to pray. We taught her the restoration, and her opinion was what we ended up teaching her. Its like she was made for the gospel. She wanted to come to church, as did her 10 year old, even though he is getting ready to do his first communion. So for this week they went there. Hopefully this week they will come by to ours. Anyway, we also found Olga, who accepted to get baptized very quickly, and gave a perfect prayer right there in the first lesson and received an answer.
Then on saturday we helped the other elders with their baptism. They baptized. and are baptizing next week, and the week after that. So cool. This is a great area. We have transfers this week, so i hope I dont leave. We have tons of potential for June.
Well thats about it. I gotta go now.
love you
Elder Ben
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
May 9, 2011 --- Pictures!
TO ALL THE MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, AND FUTURE MOTHERS OUT THERE
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
Con cariño
Elder Ludlow
Chilecito
This is Placida.
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
Con cariño
Elder Ludlow
Quality haircut.
Chilecito
This is Placida.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
May 2, 2011
We shall title this email "Elder Ludlow's attempts to save money."
Chapter 1: Pizza Libre or All you can eat Pizza.
Last P-day we had all you can eat pizza together. The 4 of us. it was 25 pesos. And well we had 12 slices each. We ate 6 pizzas. It was crazy because it was all like homemade dough and was very filling after a half pizza. The thing is that the lowest price on pìzza normal was 28 so we had to eat our moneys worth. So we ate one and a half. we were sick for like 2 days. well not sick, just really full. That was one of those stupid things missionaries do I guess. Well we finally started feeling a little better and we had to go to La Rioja for a zone meeting. We were in the bus at 6 got there at 9 and left at 4 It was the entire day just shot. and all to get a conference call which we could have received in Chilecito. It was kinda a waste of time, but the news we received was interesting. (We had pizza there)The mission didnt get to our goal in april so Pres Salas was talking to Pres Arnold and they figured out that we had success in Jan/Feb but that the miracles on the Miracle MasterCard had run out. So we have to recharge it and work super hard to get not only 150 but 200 (I think we will do it) in May. Its gonna be an intense month. I am already seeing some of the miracles that we are working to get and its amazing. I´ll tell you more on the call. We got an amazing letter from Pres in the middle of the week with special instructions on what to do in order to get what we want.
Chapter 2: Oswaldo does not know how to cut hair.
So we have a recent convert, named oswaldo. He is an old man. Hes like 75. We had lunch with him on thursday (Pizza) and he said my comp and I needed a haircut. So I am just figuring hes old and he knows something, and I can get a free haircut. Well... that didnt work out exactly as planned. I went to see him on saturday, and he had his machine all ready to go. That was all good and well, until he started cutting with the grain... oh great. He left me bad. So bad I had to go pay for a different haircut to fix the damage. I am practically bald now... So bad. See pictures.
Thats about it for the week. We had pizza again last night. Talk to you on Sunday at 2. Thats my time. Its gonna be about 6 here and I wont be able to call any later because my comps will be calling. Love you. Back up plan is to call my phone.
Love you
Elder Ben
Chapter 1: Pizza Libre or All you can eat Pizza.
Last P-day we had all you can eat pizza together. The 4 of us. it was 25 pesos. And well we had 12 slices each. We ate 6 pizzas. It was crazy because it was all like homemade dough and was very filling after a half pizza. The thing is that the lowest price on pìzza normal was 28 so we had to eat our moneys worth. So we ate one and a half. we were sick for like 2 days. well not sick, just really full. That was one of those stupid things missionaries do I guess. Well we finally started feeling a little better and we had to go to La Rioja for a zone meeting. We were in the bus at 6 got there at 9 and left at 4 It was the entire day just shot. and all to get a conference call which we could have received in Chilecito. It was kinda a waste of time, but the news we received was interesting. (We had pizza there)The mission didnt get to our goal in april so Pres Salas was talking to Pres Arnold and they figured out that we had success in Jan/Feb but that the miracles on the Miracle MasterCard had run out. So we have to recharge it and work super hard to get not only 150 but 200 (I think we will do it) in May. Its gonna be an intense month. I am already seeing some of the miracles that we are working to get and its amazing. I´ll tell you more on the call. We got an amazing letter from Pres in the middle of the week with special instructions on what to do in order to get what we want.
Chapter 2: Oswaldo does not know how to cut hair.
So we have a recent convert, named oswaldo. He is an old man. Hes like 75. We had lunch with him on thursday (Pizza) and he said my comp and I needed a haircut. So I am just figuring hes old and he knows something, and I can get a free haircut. Well... that didnt work out exactly as planned. I went to see him on saturday, and he had his machine all ready to go. That was all good and well, until he started cutting with the grain... oh great. He left me bad. So bad I had to go pay for a different haircut to fix the damage. I am practically bald now... So bad. See pictures.
Thats about it for the week. We had pizza again last night. Talk to you on Sunday at 2. Thats my time. Its gonna be about 6 here and I wont be able to call any later because my comps will be calling. Love you. Back up plan is to call my phone.
Love you
Elder Ben
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