Week 48 - Rain Rain Go Away (9/25/2017)

So this week has been a pretty fun week. As for last week went on a quick split to teach 3 kids who are progressing so well and are on date for Baptism!! It was so amazing to see how excited they were as we set that date for them.

Tuesday Elder Marin was still sick so we spent all day at home till he recovered and we saw one person that night. The Miller Family. They are an amazing family and we went all the way to literal corner of our mission and saw them (found that out today). 

Wednesday Elder Marin was feeling a whole lot better and we saw some families after our District Meeting which was pretty cool. We then went and saw some people and struggled to find people home, but nothing too unusual. 

Thursday we had our weekly planning and we were going to do exchanges that night after a Baptismal Interview. All things went well and I was in the area to lead it out again which is always fun. Got to drive through mud in our nice Nissan Rouge which is now caked in mud. Pretty nice if I say so. We saw some people and then called it from there. 

Friday the exchange went on and right as soon as 10 hit, we were out seeing people. Literally had the hardest time finding anyone at home. It made me sad. We unexchanged and went to find more people. Ran into a problem since Elder Marin held onto the other Elders' phone so we had to run back and give it to them before dinner. Had dinner and tried some of the names dinner gave us and found some pretty cool people. We then went to the Dairy and tried some people, but met with one family and talked with them which was awesome!! They are like the only family at this dairy that fully listen and engage!! It's awesome!! We then called the night.

Saturday we went into Raft River and still had the same struggle, but we talked to as many people as we could. Had some success talking to people outside and people telling us to come back so that's always promising. We then talked to some people who didn't want us to come back, but it's okay. We did what we could. 

Sunday came and it was great. We went to church and after church they had a potluck lunch and we got to talk with a lot of the members getting to know them and finding out who speaks Spanish. Cause that'll help a lot. We then came back and did all of our studies and had dinner and then went a visited a family and they are so hilarious! They are just great. They told us they were going to General Conference which is exciting!! We hope they have a good time there. We then came back and saw some someone we've been trying to teach, but haven't been able to since Elder Marin got sick, but he faithfully goes to church! So we set a time that we could come back and talk and also a Baptismal date! 

This week has been pretty good and something to remember! I come closer and closer to my Savior each week as I try to walk that path that he has for us. I encourage all of you to listen to Spirit and listen to the Prophet's voice that we so gladly get to hear every 6 months. I know we've got a living Prophet today who leads and guides us. He loves us and our Heavenly Father Loves us. I love you all and I hope you all have a great week!! 

Elder Ruesch Sosa

Week 47 - Laser Focus (9/18/2017)

So this week has been a really good week and a little slow one too. To start off with Monday, we had exchanges and we had the opportunity to go and teach three kids who are just way amazing! The youngest one, who is 9 is totally prepared! She is ready for baptism and the oldest who is 11 is starting to follow along!! It's so great. We then tried some people, but no answer so we saw our neighbor and asked if we could do any service for them. They didn't have anything ready for us then. 

Tuesday, the exchange continues and we went and saw a house over in Raft River, or as I like to call it the Peruvian house. We got to talking with one of the guys there and just had a really cool time talking with him. He brought a lot of questions and luckily enough, we had the answers to those questions as we testified of the Message of the Restoration. It was really touching. We then unexchanged and went and tried some families in the area, but had little to find. 

Wednesday we had correlation and we talked a lot about the Hispanic workers here in the area and as to how we can help them progress. It was a struggle as we were talking and trying to figure out ideas. We eventually just said we'll go by the spirit and that's what we did. We went and talked with one of the families out in the rain (more like sprinkle) and talked with them about how important this Gospel is for the family. We then saw some other people and shared the exact same thing. 

Thursday! Zone Conference!! Made the drive up to Twin Falls and had Zone Conference and had a wonderful time as we talked about readjusting our sights and focus. We then made the drive back in terrible rain and I did not like driving in it, but we made it back safely. We then had dinner and went and knocked on some doors in the rain (this time for sure rain). We got one family to open and we started talking with them and sharing about the Book of Mormon. It was really great as we talked about it and it's power in conversion. It was just great as we answered this couple's questions.  We then made it back to our place and called it a night.

Friday and Saturday... So my companion got sick and we pretty much stayed inside just so he could feel better and I did a lot of studying. Pretty cool things that I learned.

Sunday we went to church and came back and Elder Marin is still not feeling very well. He was just down and under. Luckily I haven't caught it yet and I'm hoping to keep it that way. Today is the same still and luckily it's preparation day where we can go and get him some medicine that will hopefully kill whatever bug he has. It's been a great week and I just wanted to let you all know that you are cared about and that Heavenly Father has a plan for each and every one of you and that He loves each and everyone of you. I love you all and I miss you all!! Have a great week!!!

Elder Ruesch Sosa

1-2: Rainbow

3: Sick Companion

Week 46 - Into the Smoke (9/11/2017)

So this week was a pretty short week and a good week. So to start off with Wednesday since you heard what I pretty much did Tuesday. On Wednesdaywe had our District Meeting and we learned a great deal of things about finding people that are prepared by the Lord. So we tried putting these things into practice and went out to try and find someone new to teach. So after our District meeting we went and did some service for some workers in a corn field moving hand lines. I say, not the best thing to be doing on a smokey day. About near crashed cause of all the smoke. We then went and saw a few people later that evening and had some good visits. 

Thursday was the best day. Went back to seminary and had lunch with the students and shared the temple open house with them to get them excited about it!! We then had our weekly planning session and then took off to go to Raft River. We had dinner with a combined lesson with a new investigator that we just picked up!! And she's totally prepared!! It's awesome!! We then finished there and tried a house and ended up teaching someone in their car!! How cool is that!?! We had a good night that night and we came back and ended there.

Friday we went and tried contacting some people but didn't find any at home. We then had dinner and talked with a lady and then had exchanges. I got to stay in the area and lead it out again which was pretty fun.

Saturday we continue on the exchange and we did some service by tossing out some trash and wow it was disgusting! But fun! We then had a good lesson with our progressing family the Millers! They are stoked for all that is going on and they are excited!! We then made our way to Raft River and went on some visits with a Priest. We didn't get to teach any lessons, but I got to meet some people that we've been trying to meet with and some appointments. We then made our way back to Malta and unexchanged and Elder Marin and I went to try and find some people to visit. We stayed in Malta just so we didn't kill our miles. We finished the night with a really cool family and they are awesome! It's pretty great!

Sunday came and it was fun. Got to pass the sacrament with the Deacons in the ward and we then had really good talks and really good classes! We then had correlation and dinner and they were both good! We then saw Roy who is a Recent Convert and we read with him from the Book of Mormon and we went on talking about we he had learned! It was awesome! We then did our studies cause we forgot to do those haha whoops... and then had Stake Mission Correlation! Talked about some good things that will be happening here in the Stake and we're excited as missionaries to help out with those things!!

This week has been good and exciting!! I hope all is great with you all back home!! I love you and miss you all!! Take Care!!!

Elder Ruesch Sosa

1. Exchanges with Elder Thompson

Week 45 - Run Down Shoes (9/5/2017)

So this week has been a fun and memorable week. To start of with Monday!! We had exchanges and I had a blast!! It was fun times.

Tuesday we went out and I was with Elder Farr from the other District for the day and we were in Raft River and we found a new person to teach!! It's so awesome!!! We unexchanged and we went about the area trying to contact people. Slowly my shoe started to break...

Wednesday we had District Meeting and it was really good. We came back into Malta and stayed here in Malta trying to get a hold of people. We tracted some houses in Malta and found a LA member and we were able to meet with her and her family and it was a really good experience. We then had dinner at the one little restaurant here in Town called Joy's place. Really good food. We then met with a family and ended the night there.

Thursday was a day of diligence. We tried so many doors to have some open, but no one to be there. It sucked so much, but we pushed onward and tried. We had someone open the door and I started talking to him and there's this AC unit right by me and I'm trying to speak over it. He couldn't hear me so I try again, and he told me he doesn't speak English. I was thinking to myself "I know,that's why I'm speaking Spanish." It was funny! We then had dinner and after dinner had some good contacts in and had another new investigator!! Awesome!!

Friday we had interviews! Got to have an interview with President Bartlett and it went really well. Went on another exchange and back to Declo! It was weird being back in Declo. It was really weird. We saw some people or at least tried and it was good. 

Saturday we tried seeing some people in the morning and had some success there with return appointments and things like that. We did some service for a member and she offered us some lunch and she fed us left over steak! It was really good! We then did some tracting at a bypass road and met some people then re-exchanged and I was back in Raft River. We tried some people before we had dinner come and pick us up and take us to their house. We had dinner and it was really good and we then went to go meet with the Millers. They were behind on some of their work so we jumped right in and helped them! It was fun digging through the garbage. We helped them and my shoe broke.... It sucked.... But it was well worth it!! 

Sunday we had church and it was really good. Fast and testimony meeting is always great!! We then did our studies after church and tried some people before we went to go meet dinner. We had dinner pick us up and we went to Utah!! Since our area is a little bit into Utah we had dinner in Utah!! We visited some people over that way and it was really great getting to know some of the people there. 

Monday since we had to proselyte we had some good times! We met with one of our investigators and set a baptismal date and he is excited for it! It's pretty awesome!! But after we had dinner had to make a drive to Boise and we got there at 9:15. Long drive! I made it though from one corner of the mission to the next!! Then made the drive back this Morning!! 

Well I love you all and I hope your week is going great so far!! I love you all and Miss you all!! Take Care!!

Elder Ruesch Sosa

1. District Activity

2. District

3-4. My old shoes

Week 44 - The Great Escape (8/28/2017)

So being on the edge of the mission is pretty weird. I am still trying to learn this area cause it is so huge!! And so spread out!!! I will get used to it!! But to start off with our week. So it really wasn't that interesting this week. We've been knocking on a lot of doors here hoping that the dairy workers here will be interested eventually. It's been a real struggle. We did get to see the Eclipse and it was pretty cool. We did find some new investigators that night (Monday) and we feel they are pretty promising. It's really different here in Malta! Like a lot of our work, is kinda slow cause these workers are always working! It's a struggle to get a lesson in with them and most importantly, to feel the spirit. We did have some success later in the week on Wednesday. We got to see a LA family and have lunch with them. They are pretty cool and we had some pretty good food. We tried seeing some other people, but couldn't. We then got to close the night with an investigator. We recapped the Message of the Restoration and helped clear up any gray areas and questions that she had. It was a really touching experience. I'm loving this area, it's a  little out there and right on the Utah border, but I love it! I love you all back home and I hope everything is swell for you in all that you do!!  

Elder Ruesch Sosa

P.S.

I've also been working on some new piano music. For language study, I work double and I play the piano for my companion so he can focus and read. He's been reading some of the chapters of betrayal and dissension in Mosiah. So I wrote up a little something that fits. Sorry, it's too big to send. Love you!!

1-2: Watching the Eclipse

3-4: Mini Elder Marin

5: Strutting the Prep Day Clothes

6: Something I found in the Apartment...

Week 43 - Leash Loosed (8/21/2017)

Well this week has been a fun and crazy week! So last week found out that I was getting transferred, but not to far. Only to Malta, the edge of the mission! But I'm loving it here!! It was hard to say goodbye to Declo and the people, but at least I am close by and can go back on exchanges! So to start off, on Monday preparation day activity and we played chair soccer, totally dominated. Then we tried to see some people in Declo.

Tuesday we had to go into Burley to pick up an Elder cause his companion was going home. So we did that came back and we did service for a sister in the Declo 1st Ward. We then tried to see some people and had some success. Had dinner and then saw a family that I'm going to miss. We talked with them and found out how we could be better teachers for the husband. We then went to the English class and celebrated Horencia Morales' Birthday and did family History with them. We were able to get her Husband Rodrigo up and running to search for his Family names. It was pretty cool. Got transfer calls and I was leaving Declo for Malta. It was fun in Declo, but I'm loving Malta! 

Wednesday I just said a whole bunch of goodbyes to families that I'll miss in Declo. Photos will be provided.

Thursday off I went to Malta. I arrived in Malta with Elder Marin and we planned out the week and the day and off we went. We cover a lot of terrain and it's bug! I'm amazed by how much we cover. We go all the way down to the Utah border and then some into Utah! It's cool! Attempted some people and then had dinner pick us up in Sublett, which is an area, and then drove us to their house in Juniper. We had dinner and from there we went and saw a family and we got to meet them and share a scripture with them. They are awesome and totally prepared by the Lord!! We ended there cause we had to make our way back to Malta.

Friday came and we tried some people out in Raft River who didn't answer the door. We went out with a youth to save miles and give him some pre-mission experience. He liked it and we got to visit with some people. We came back to Malta and tried some others, but no luck. We then met with a guy who is getting married and we talked with him for a bit. Then made our way to the end of our boundary to meet with a family. We met with them and got to know them and all that cool stuff. Shared a message and then made our way back into Malta to end the night.

Saturday we tried some houses in Raft River and then went to the Midway Dairy to try some people. Had a nice little discussion with some people there at the Dairy. Then we met with a man named Armando and shared the Plan of Salvation with him. We then had to head to Idahome and have dinner pick us up and we went to dinner with the new family we found on Thursday and a member family. Had a great lesson and helped out in any way possible that they needed. We then made our way back to Idahome and headed back to Malta. Pretty crazy, but pretty fun!

Sunday came and we had to be up early for a meeting over in Rupert and we were tired. We then went to the Raft River building to do studies and had church there. Raft River is pretty cool cause they have a lot of Hispanics there and they are integrated so well into the ward. It's pretty cool. We then had correlation after Church and dinner. We then saw the Bishop over the Malta ward. And ended the night at Grush dairy trying to get to know people. It was pretty cool and different. 

I'm excited to be here I really have no other words to declare in this email. I love you all a lot and I miss you all!! I hope everything is well back home and that all is well. You're missed!! God be with you till we meet Again!!

Elder Ruesch Sosa

1. WML Chad Harris

2. Thornton Family

3. Alvarado Family

4. Morales Family

5. Robertson Family

6. Gularte Family