April 5, 2010

[New Format]

When you write, could you please divide the letter up into sections so I can have a part to forward to everyone? And, when you do respond to my questions and news, it would be really helpful if you could write a complete thought

I will do it like this for each paragraph to make this easier and then write a report about the week to you all at the end.

How was Easter?

Yeah Easter isn't all that different. At least from what I saw. Oh wait, they don't eat meat for 3 days(even the members). No one knows why its just one of those Foolish Traditions of the fathers that they keep perpetuating. Ask someone, because I have no idea and no one here does either.

Were you able to see/hear General Conference?

Yes. I got to see it and in English. I have a small book of notes to go with it too. Definitely one of the most impressive that I have heard. Even President Monson agreed. I liked Elder Holland(of course you shouldn't be serving tea anyways) and Elder Uchtdorf(in priesthood and on Sunday morning) and Elder Andersen was good, along with one of the 70(Elder Foster I think) It was a great conference. It all started at 13:00(1:00) for us and priesthood was at 21:00(9:00) We had to go to another zone to hear it, but still very good and an amazingly spiritual experience. Did you hear Elder Ballard's? that one is worth a re watch for you and the Girls. When you get your Ensign in May, guess what that means? Yeah I will have been on the mission for six months.

How is the new assignment in Cordoba? New Comp? Did you get some good work done this week?

I am in the south of the city in Las Flores. I live with the Zone Leaders, my comp is Elder Velasquez from Puño, Peru. Its basically the Villa. Yeah, we led the district this week. we have 5 with a baptismal date and 15 new investigators, and like 16 lessons. It was an intense week, and a definite refresher from Villa Dolores. I loved it there, but this is all work all the time. It may be because I have a robot for a comp. They guy has no off button. Its good and bad. Nothing to do but learn to work with it. Like elder Foster said that it is how you react in disagreeable situations that you show who you really are. so for now I grin and bear it. Hopefully things will improve between us. =)

I would guess that, since you are closer to the mission home, the time may be a little less [for mail to arrive].

Yeah it is a lot less. like every week I can receive bolsa. Don't forget to mark its value low, use virgin stickers and Jesus stickers, and to put the valuables inside of something different. they have no problem just taking things from the packages.

Sarah probably already told you that we sold the RubySue on Saturday

=( and no she didn't. Espero su correo.

General information/travel log

Well this week was interesting to say the least. Its an interesting change from Campo to Ciudad to Villa, and from Americano a Latino. Oh and living with Zone leaders. This week we had tons of stuff done. We set 4 fechas(Baptismal Dates) with General Conference attendees, and we have 15 new investigators. I felt great while doing it all. Its how its supposed to be. You work and you work, and the Spirit sustains you even when you are dead tired. I am liking it really. Its great, but its also getting cold. This Wednesday it was about 85, and then Thursday it was windy, and Friday morning it rained. like river streets rain. and its cold rain. Its weird to think that 65 makes me cold now. that used to be fine, and now its jacket weather. Then I got to see the conference on saturday and sunday. It was amazing and especially with the simply powerful talks given by each and every one. I cant wait to get my Liahona to read it and understand even more of it. I don't have much else to say. I needed to take like 20 minutes to write in my journal today, but instead we came to Alta Gracia, to see some other Elders from the Zone and to go visit Che´s house. Yes that Che. and it was closed. so P-day today was a bust. Oh well there is always the circus next week. =) I dont have much else to say except that I love you all and I miss you all a ton.

Con Amor

Elder Ludlow

March 28, 2010

Well that sounds like a very interesting weekend. I will do that. I didnt even know that much about him. we may be technologically expensive here, but not behind, they have satellites and we do get to watch it in English. I am actually really excited about conference, because my old investigator(that sister named Beatris) is going to go. I am super happy because she finally came to church Yesterday(sunday) and I got transferred. Now I am in Cordoba Capital, in the South of the city in the Villa its called Las Flores. Kinda like the ghetto I hear. I will be able to tell you more about it next week. I have no idea how we celebrate Easter here, but its Pascua and its all in eggs.
What is it now that she is doing? is this still that one place where she was getting like afternoons in the medical office? Thats awesome if she can get it. and she is going to go back now? thats GREAT!!! Its about four hours in a bus to get to cordoba from Villa Dolores. and if you only get to take the one or two buses available you take the one that leaves at 6(which kills your evening cuz you are on a bus) or you take the afternoon one at 2 which kills your morning too. Its difficult to travel and arrive back at 2am and then go out and get things done the day after, that is how I lose days. Its in distance about 300 km I think. It is not too bad, but I keep having to dip into personal money each month. the mission gives us 500 pesos a month and because of inflation it gets increasingly difficult as the month goes on. Last month I had to use almost 300 pesos of personal money. So maybe things will be cheaper here in the ghettoish place like I hope. I have pictures here for you, that Elder Loader sent me last week. Its just a few, but yeah its something. I love you all and hope you send that on to everyone you meet. Send me pictures from the wedding and such when you get them. Its ok you can send things on the email. =)

I´ll keep asking, but when you get a chance can you please send my camera and the razor part?

Con Amor

Elder Ludlow


PICTURE TIME!
Elder Ben with the other missionaries in his Zone.

The Elders in Villa Dolores

Beautiful scenery

March 15, 2010

Hi Mom!Of course they were funny, its Sarah and Alyson and Lindy. Yeah I´m waiting for my turn with the hair loss thing(its coming I know) but for now I laugh. hahahahahaha. but thats great. He will be good. I have two good memory cards and two san disk. So I wont use those. If it works, it works and I would love to get it. just remember what I told you about hiding it. Its fine to do, missionary moms have been doing it for ages. and use Virgin Mary stickers(I dont know where to get them =( but I hope you can find some) Can you send me Sarah and Aly´s emails? Then I can email Sarah "Happy Birthday" for myself. So this week we had alot of repairmen come to fix the pension. I paid the 170 peso gas bill out of my asignacion(mission money) and was going to have 20 pesos to get me through the month, because our travel money was low and we had to pay alot to get home from Cordoba to Villa Dolores.
This week was great. monday night we set a baptismal date with Beatris(the investigator I told you about last week) It was awesome. It was really funny how it happened, cuz my comp was trying to be a little more smooth, and I didnt catch it, but I was thinking "hmmm we need to set a baptismal date with her" and I asked her to see her Pamphlet for the second lesson(the plan of salvation) which has a timeline deal with the whole plan written out, and under the part called our life on Earth, it has the 5 parts of the Gospel of Jesus Christ( Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End) and I asked her ,as we were talking about what things Heavenly Father wants us to do while we were here, Which of these have you done? She paused for a second read them, she said, well I have faith in Jesus Christ, even if its just a little bit its growing(we had read Alma 32 with her a few weeks ago) and I have started to repent, you know for my gritos(shouts because sometimes she gets frustrated with her kids). and then she said "well I guess that means I need to get baptized. When can we do that?" It was amazing, because the Spirit just flooded that backyard. she is getting baptized on April 11th. Its amazing how much power the Spirit has when we do what the Lord wants us to be doing. I felt like going out and baptizing the town(which is totally not ready right now) and it was amazing that feeling. Well then this week we had to get some things fixed in our apartment and couldnt leave all that much. It was interesting how the Lord knew that and each of the people that we talked to as they were fixing something, had heard the missionaries, or had a Book of Mormon, or wanted us to come by. Amazing how the Lord knows and prepares people. I love how things are going here, and I am ready to kick some tail this week and show thanks to the Lord for all the blessings He has given me. Well I love you all and miss you a little but I am trying to get some work done here and grow closer to my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I love this gospel, my companion, and the mission. Its starting to feel normal to be here in argentina, but wits weird that it feels normal. Im still getting used to it I guess(I ate udder this week...yeah thats right udder)
Con Amor
Elder Ludlow

March 8, 2010

Oh the Book Fair. Any new good books out? speaking of books did you get anything from Victor? I emailed him about it. I have no idea what the sister who teaches the primary does, but well I am trying to help myself understand Gospel Doctrine and Priesthood. I think its the basics. Here they have snack time(whether its fast sunday or not) between hours. Its probably just fine though. Still tearing up when you hear primary songs? Yeah Arizona! Just you and Dad or the whole fam damily. Tell Lauren Congratulations from me. well tell the whole family I say hello. Wow Elder Stoddard has got to be tearing his hair out, thats alot of area to be covering, but I guess they technically covered that area anyway since that was the area of that branch. Thats cool about the soon to be Elder Davis. Tell him to be good and no matter what happens in the MTC you will know Spanish by the end. Also that if he gets Hno Rogelio Osuna or Hna Julie Davis that he should tell them Elder Ludlow says hello. Thank you for taking it there. If it is really working just fine, here is what I would like you to do. Send it when you get the razor parts, with some like cake mix or brownie mix, and some mac and cheese(blue box). Heres how it works. Open up the box, and carefully put the camera in it, and put the noodles and stuff in it with the cheese powder. then re seal the macaroni box. It works really well supposedly. So as long as its light(under 2 kilos or about 5 pounds) they wont open it. You declare it as missionary supplies(and yes get virgin stickers and send it in the priority mail box) Also maybe like a pair of gloves or a scarf. It actually does get cold out here and we are heading into fall and then a humid winter(which is a penetrating cold) If you can think of any other fun stuff(I like milky way and fun make a meal powder mix just get the meat kind of stuff) I would love that too. I feel like I can ask for that because guess what? I have lost about 10 kilos. Yeah I remember weighing myself at the beginning(so like 3 days in) and I was at about 107 kilos, I am at about 97 to 96. Its exciting. I have a neck. =P but I have some extra skin which is slowly being filled in with muscle. =) weird to think of that one, you wont recognize me when I am back. I love you mommy. dont stress out too much. The Lord is blessing you and the family and me for this service.
PS Have Dad re write that letter explaining the work things cuz I definitely am not getting it. PPS Tell Alyson to keep rocking the Spanish and that I am waiting still for her biography in
Spanish.
PPSS Tell Sarah that when she has like a few minutes that she should email me about her life of craziness.
PPPSS I love you all!!!



Alright so I dont know if you all know, but mail takes forever to get here. I get everything about a month and a half after it is sent. and most the time things get lost. So if you have something to get to me email me. Its way quicker. You all should have it by now. =) Ok. Unfortunately not much happened this week. We had P-day, and then went to a cita(appointment) with our investigator Beatris. The Spirit wasnt there at all, despite our best efforts, and she was falling asleep from running the kids all around town because school is starting. Then tuesday I was not feeling well at all, and since we were going to be travelling the next day to Cordoba, I took it easy, and we just talked to a few people. Then Wednesday we went and paid the light bill, and the other 2 Elders in our district from Merlo came, and we had lunch, and left for Cordoba. We got there at about 7pm and went to Burger King. I have never had anything taste that good(BK Stacker, it has BACON). then we went to Elder Loader´s old pension in 9 de Julio(a B° in Cordoba) and met his old comp and the zone leaders there. fun night talking about things, because Elder Lorimer went to BYU-I. So thats 3 days shot. then we had Zone Conference. It was pretty cool. We talked alot about focusing on the purpose of being a missionary, how we should be able to go out talking to everyone with a smile, because in reality we know the truth, and that should just make us the happiest people in the entire Villa. Its great to think that even President Olsen agrees that the "Fake it til you make it" works. He in fact used it during conference which I loved. We then went out from the chapel in B° Belgrano and tried to find someone to come back with us to hear the message of the Restoration in 5 minutes. thats right. 50 missionaries all leaving from the chapel with big smiles on our faces and trying to find someone who was ready to hear the restored gospel. It was crazy. like ridiculous. Then we came back and taught 2 people. Way cool. then I got the letter you sent me in the MTC finally. So I had a picture of my two sisters in flannel holding a pellet gun in front of Ruby Sue. I had a few new friends who think Sarah is pretty cute. Too bad, she hates the Argentine accent and they didnt meet the prerequisites or she would have a few new friends. Then we came back from Cordoba after interviews with President. so we got back at about 2am on friday morning with the Zone Leaders in tow. So far 5 days shot. then we didnt wake up in time(not even the zone leaders) and then we made lunch and had to wait out the siesta(cuz it is getting hot again) and then we finally got out to work and found 5 great people we can go by this week. so a little bit of work done. Then Saturday we got up on time, and had studies and it was all great, and then we looked at the pension, and realized it was a total mess from having 8 elders in it for 2 days. so we started cleaning, and cleaned, found out the walls are a off white, that the chimney is made of brick, and isnt painted black, and the the floors exist. Then it was about 12:30 and it was time for lunch, which we had with a great family that lives really far away, came back to the pension and cleaned all siesta time, and then went out and went to another cita with beatris and she wasnt there. great. so we had Sunday, which isnt much, but weekly planning and lunch and Sacrament meeting. So now we are here. I love you all and I know that this week will be better becuase the Lord has alot in store for Villa Dolores, that I am here to do. I am ready to go and do all that the Lord requires and use the new metholds that I learned at Zone Conference to bring others closer to their Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this Gospel and the light and truth that I see everytime I learn more and teach someone else about how it has blessed me. I know that the Lord provides for all his missionaries, especially those that are serving Him with all their heart might mind and strength.
Chau for now.
Con amor
Elder Ludlow

February 15, 2010

Yeah because of the change with email its not letting me in or it goes suuuuper slow. Good things it forwards here.¡Feliz Cumpleaños Padre! Yeah I am doing fine. It got the other two in the pension later this week, it was something to do with the heat apparently. This week was good. We worked really hard and we have nothing to show for it. =P Its not as bad as it sounds, we went member hunting all week and found some great less actives. Yeah they didnt come, but it was the fact that all the hard work felt like hard work when we were working with the members. We had appointments with investigators, really cool and likely to progress investigators, but we didn´t get to meet with hardly any of them. Its funny how that works. I also had my first of many mistakes in front of a member. We had a FHE and I got to share a thought, completely unprepared. Ouch. It was not good, and I shared something without explaining hardly at all. I felt like crap afterwards, but it just is an example of Keeping It Simple. I am doing well here and I am with my new companion Elder Loader from Mapleton, UT. Hes cool considering I have only known him for 4 hours. Im still here in Villa dolores and working hard to get this Branch out of the pit its been in. I love you all but I am running low on time so I just ask that anyone who reads this sends me an email, with their favorite scripture and why. It should be fun, go for it.
Con Amor
Elder Ludlow

PERSONAL STUFF: First things first: my razor broke. It fell off my bedside table and the shaver foil is busted and inner blade foils are dented. I could use it, but I dont want to have to regrow my face along with my beard.
**insert long, boring description of replacement parts. blah blah blah**

February 8, 2010

Ben's letters tend to be in direct response to whatever Mom sent him the day before, so I apologize if any of you readers feel a bit lost...

That twit. =) Good girl Alyson. Wheres my letter in Spanish? maybe when you are done with this semester? Sad day. Oh well Ruby Sue was a beast(just like the Beast) and we have a couple of fun memories. Hello Zoo Car/windup toy. Yay money... Thats cool. Thats the thing about craigslist and ebay, its an electronic garage sale. Only people looking for a 4 dollar deal on a 200 dollar item come to check them out. Elder Robison said he didnt get his MTC forwards until his 3rd transfer. WOOH!!! dont worry I´m sure they will come eventually, but for now they havent. The Last Olympian is with Victor Fralof and I need to write him an email about that and when he is getting his butt on his mission. Him and Adam. =P I can take care of it Madame Librarian. This gumshoe is on the case. Sad Colts. Thats a cool win though. I guess... the problem with them winning is that everyone will attribute it to Obamas supernatural powers. =P(woops that can be edited out if its truly offensive, but it gets annoying to hear from all the silly latins "Hows the Negro doing?" )Yeah so this week we got in trouble. We werent keeping the wake-up go to bed rules 100% and an elder called President. awkward. But its good we needed to get in trouble, because we knew it and had been trying to keep things, and had gotten lax. Its unfortunate it came the way it did, but well things happen for a reason. I know its not what you want to hear mom, but really I am disappointed in myself too. It was fixed too, and then I got sick on Friday(not sure what but it was body aches and dizzy and just overall bad) and then Elder Robison and I were both sick Saturday with Food Poisoning. WOOH. So much fun. But if you can believe it I have been in Argentina for almost a transfer. Its been raining alot during the night and getting really humid and hot during the day now. Its like thunder lightning wind and rain at about 2am and then its about 96 degrees with 70%+ humidity during the day. Its definitely weird. oh well the work goes on and I have one more week this transfer. We shall see what happens next week, I could be writing to you from a different area or not at all(that would mean I was travelling all day)Well I leave you with a quote from President Hinckley that I found the other day. "Let us as Latter Day Saints cultivate a Spirit of Brotherhood in all of our associations. Let us be more charitable in our judgements, more sympathetic and understanding of those who err, more willing to forgive those who trespass against us. Let us not add to the measure of hatred that periodically sweps across the world. Let us reach out in kindness to all men, even toward those who speak evil of us and who would if they could, harm us."Love you all and miss you
Con Amor
Elder Ludlow
¡El Reino de Dios or Nada!

February 1, 2010

Dear Family and Friends: Ben's most recent letter was in "pigeon" Spanish and very hard to read, even for the Spanish speakers in our house. He does seem to be learning but needs more time to get so that he thinks in Spanish as well as he writes and speaks. It was mainly answering my questions and commenting on news (he said to congratulate Kristyn and Russell on the birth of Baby Steven).

Yup I know. JAJAJAJAJAJA. Hoppefully Sarah translated even if it was painfully incorrect gramatically, I basically talked about how weird things go on here and answered your questions. Well this week I have alot more to say about things happening. We didnt baptize our investigator. He just kind of disappeared. We hadnt seen him in at church and he was very hard to get ahold of and generally evasive. We talked about it with him after finally getting ahold of him, and he has been reading in the Book of Mormon. He found a part in Moroni(I dont remember where. I should find out shouldnt I? =P ) and it was talking about how we need to forgive others before we can ourselves be forgiven. Turns out that he has someone that he just cannot forgive. We challenged him to try really hard to do so, and to think really hard about it, if he can or even wants to be forgiven for the things he has done, he has to forgive this person. I don´t know about you but I thought about it and I realized how I never had it quite that bad, but that is something that can stop us from feeling the Spirit. We had a visit from President this week. He visited when the crazy Elders Quorum president and the branch president spoke. It was great because he dropped cane(when someone gets in trouble) on them in his talk. He then talked to us afterwards and was like yeah, so I noticed you dont have alot of numbers. I can see why. You are to work with the members and combat all the gossip and mistakes of others and build up this branch, and then you will find people. The missionaries are not supposed to be finding, the members are supposed to do that and we teach. So yeah thats basically all thats gone on. We will see how things like that work, because we have to see the effects of our work, and the work of getting this branch to a 50 person or more branch will be alot. I will have more to say on the subject later, but yeah Mom you should get Preach My Gospel out and read it a little. Ch 9 maybe.

(Mom told him that she has more opportunities to talk to people about the Church these days and maybe she should study the missionary manual.)

Bye Bye for now I love you all tons.