Week 16 - Progress! (2/13/2017)

Well this week has been super amazing!! So to start off with Preparation day last week, we played Volleyball and dang it was really fun!! I didn't end up getting my hair cut last week so I will be today. Finally... But anyways Volleyball was so much fun and I got to thank my cousin for helping me learn how to play correctly!! Because of her, I'm actually good. After that we attempted to see people cause our appointment cancelled on us so we went out contacting, but that was difficult enough. So Tuesday came around the corner. We went and actually had some really good spiritual thoughts and lessons with some people. We felt really good that day and intuned with the spirit. Wednesday came and we had interviews with President Bartlett. They went pretty dang well and he challenged me and Elder Rust to ride bikes for two days of the week. It'll be challenging, but doable. We then tried making contact with people which we did and got some appointments set for this week. It's going good. Thursday did we see some big success. So during our weekly planning we put forth just trying to call people to get appointments set and we've got quite a few set for the week and even last week which was amazing!! That night we went and saw three families and helped them out with what they were struggling with. We had a less active family tell us that they know they need to come to church, but they feel uncomfortable coming because they know no one. So we plan on changing that one here soon. Our last appointment for the night is what made our night. We met with a couple who had a lot of questions about the church. She is a member, but less active and he's not. They start asking us questions left and right, and wow was the spirit present in that room to answer those questions. I've noticed that being out the spirit helps all things. She had a lot of questions about happiness and how we can achieve that and the spirit was able to help calm her and bring peace to her heart with the answers that we gave through the Spirit! IT was really amazing to see that happen. The next day we had a really good lesson with a new investigator who we just started to teach and she felt at peace with the message of the Restoration that we shared with her. That same night we gave her a blessing so that she can overcome all the trials that she is having in her life that she can feel peace in her home and all that good stuff. It was really awesome and we had a member with us to that really helped us out in that lesson. And then came the lovely Saturday. Something that I like to call the diligence day. We went attempting to contact a lot of people, but no one was home. Which made us sad a little but it was alright. We got to talk with an investigator on his front porch cause we caught him as he was leaving, but we got to talk to him for a good amount of time. He invited us to come back Saturday again at the same time which is great. We then ended the night with praying with one of our Recent Converts Olga and it was really great. She definitely was in need of a visit that night. And Sunday. Oh we had a great Sabbath day and a good Branch Council too. We finally got to move forward with the new mission plan that we have had written up since January and we are excited to finally move forward with it. As well we kinda guilt tripped the Branch into visiting some families that have been in the Directory for awhile and haven't received any visits from the Branch except for us missionaries. Which is great cause now there will be more friendshipping happening. (I don't care if that's not a word, my English isn't the best any more). Well that ends my week and I'm excited for what this week will bring. I found one of my tags that I lost and that same day, a new order of tags for me arrived which was awesome. I now have the original tags I came out with and a whole new set of tags to represent with. I hope everyone has a stellar week and always remember, Heavenly Father loves you all!!

Love,

Elder Ruesch Sosa

Week 15 - No More SNOW (2/6/2017)

Well this week finally has been looking up weather wise which has me happy. No more snow!!! But the rain has fallen and it will fall all this week. But no matter, the work shall continue. So I shall start off with last P-Day. We went to play bowling as an apartment and I took the win with a total score of 207!! Just barely breaking 200!! I got pretty lucky though I'll say so myself. I got three strikes that gave me the game with the rest being spares. Kinda like a Wii Bowling experience. Well after that we rushed back to the apartment and changed into P-Day clothes to go have our District Activity. We had NERF wars to the extreme!! It was so much fun and I even got battle scars. It was so much fun. That night we shopped and got everything we needed and called it a night. On Tuesday we went to go meet with some people and it was quite interesting if I do say so myself. We had an appointment with a family that has met with missionaries before and still wanted to hear from us, but no so much hear from us but tell us what we believe. They sat with us for an hour telling us what we believed and how he Book of Mormon couldn't be true because there is no evidence of its truthfulness. So we sat there just to get the feel of what they had to say and get to know them so we can come in with a lesson that will invite the Spirit and the spirit can do the touching and softening of the heart. After that we wanted to go see an investigator, but she wasn't living there anymore and we met a member instead which was a very great experience thanks to the spirit. So we walked in started talking to them and shared a quick message with them. They had told us that they had a terrible day at work (both of them, husband and wife) and they really needed that spiritual boost. It was quite awesome. We asked if we could do anything for them and they asked us both for a blessing. So we gave them a blessing and the spirit was definitely in that room that we were in. It was fantastic to feel that strong spirit reside there. That was our day leading into Wednesday with Splits! So on Wednesday we went on splits with the Elders Quorum President and one of the Ward Missionaries. It was awesome. We each had set appointments to go and see people but Elder Rust's list of people didn't answer and he ended up seeing a family that was on my list at 7. I was out visiting with a single sister with Hno. Garcia and we finished shared a thought with her and promised that we will find someone to take her to the Branch. We then went to the family we were set to see at 7, but got there a little late and we knocked on the door and we saw Hno. Quezada with Elder Rust sitting and talking at the table. It was funny to see that happen and we shared a thought with them and went on our way. They tried to contact the names they had for earlier but no one answered and we went to go talk with a part member family. The husband wasn't home who is the non-member and so we shared a quick thought with the rest of the family that was there. So we ended the night with that and had some funny laughs to talk about. And also ideas of what to teach these people when we return. And now Thursday. We weekly planned trying to set up to meet people, what we will teach, and just how our week should go.We did that and then tried to go meet with people. Everyone that we came in contact with, told us to come back a different day or they just weren't home. It was sad, but that's the life. We then tried some other people and we finally got one person that was home. So we met with them and talked and shared a spiritual thought with them about being strong in Christ. It was awesome as to how well we can bring the spirit into people's lives. That was our night leading into Friday. Friday came around and we saw NOTHING happen. We had a set appointment but they cancelled and rescheduled so we lost dinner that night. Luckily we dropping off some English Elders while that happened so they asked their dinner if we could join and they said yes. So we got saved!! After that we tried contacting, but people weren't home which was a little sad, but we try as much as we can to see people. Saturday came around when people said that they were home. So we went to see these people and we only had one fall through. Everyone else yet again said to come back. Sad day. Sunday came. Fast and Testimony meeting. I had the opportunity to bare my testimony in Sacrament meeting cause it felt right to share it. Hopefully there was a reason why haha. But then we went on with the day and got dinners signed up for the month! Oh YEAH! Food!! After church we went to meet a family who told us to come back and see them after Church. So we did, but they weren't home so I became persistent and kept coming back until they were home and we caught them. He was having car trouble and so he asked us to come back at 7 so we agreed and came back. In between that time we ate dinner at our place and and then went to see people. We saw a less active family and talked with them and shared a message with them out of Moroni 10:32. It ted up their day cause their daughters just got sick. It really put a smile on their face that we came and saw them. We then tried seeing some more people, but no one was home again. Or wanted to speak with us. So we called it a night and went back to the apartment. We talked and laughed until we had to go to bed and here we are this morning. This week has been great and I'm looking forward to another awesome week here in the field. As for today, I'll be getting my haircut so I look sharp then playing Volleyball as a Zone. This will be quite fun! But till next week, I love you all and I hope all is well with each and everyone of you!!

Elder Ruesch

Boise at night

Battle scar from District activity (NERF wars)

Boise at night again

Week 14 - WORK (1/30/2017)

So this week has been extremely excellent!! So to start off we have had a lot of changes here in the mission and they have been really awesome!! We now have two extra hours on P-Day to do everything we need, which for us means more fun time. We also have our agency back! We get to choose how our schedule looks and when we do our studies and everything that follows. This allows us to be a lot more flexible when we go to talk with investigators, members, less actives, and even dinners. Which is so awesome!! We get to choose what we get to do!! Once we saw all these changes, we had a discussion on them and they were in play on Wednesday when we had heard about them. We were told by the first presidency to do so and so we did. Also we are allotted more exercise time. Which is nice too. This has been interesting news to hear throughout this week. On another note, we got our car taken away from us. They took the beautiful Corolla that we had and gave it to some sisters. It made me sad cause I really liked that car. They gave us a Cruze for compensation but it's not the same. It feels a lot like the Kia my family used to have. Which is nice at least, but I don't have all the cool things that the Corolla had. Sad day for us :'( But we did get work done!! We spent all week setting up appointments, finding people, contacting, and teaching people which has been really great!! We have set up for this week to go on splits with the Elders Quorum presidency to meet some Less Actives, Part Member Families, and investigators that we have been teaching. This coming week will be a big week of work. We are so ready for this!! As well in some down time that we have I did pick up the guitar and I am slowly improving on how to play it. It's a little difficult, but I'm slowly getting the hang of it. It's a good thing I can learn by ear. A lot of stuff is going down in mission and it's exciting to see, can't really say much about it because it will happen in due time. Well some other good news is that my Spanish has been really progressing. I have pretty much been taking initiative since I know the area to start conversations just like my trainer taught me too. Elder Rust is starting to get comfortable with the area and meeting with the people which is awesome. This area has got a lot of potential and we will be getting down to work and getting people to come to church. It may sound bad like that, but we aren't going to steal their agency from them. That's one thing we are not allowed to do. Haha but anyways some other things that happened this week that were awesome is that we finally got in contact with one investigator who we think has a lot of potential. Elder (Brother) Sarabia and I tried contacting and tried to visit, but every time we had caught him at the wrong time or just as he was leaving. We finally did and sat down and just had a conversation with him. He's really open to learn and we feel he might be one that will be willing to take the discussions. Like I've said, this area has a lot of potential. We'll be getting a lot of work done, especially now with the sisters area back in our hands. We will be taking things up a notch and getting things done!! This is really exciting and we are looking forward to it. A scripture to end things off with, is something that we have been hearing all week long with Stake Conference and everything. D&C 64:33 " Wherefore be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." I love you all and I hope you have an amazing week this week full of love, hope, and sunshine!!

Elder Ruesch

P.S. Here is a little clip of Elder Ruesch (Jeffrey) playing the guitar. 

Week 13 - Taking Boise (1/23/2017)

Well this week has been really crazy!! We took over Boise...AGAIN! We no longer have Hermana's in the Branch so me and Elder Rust are taking over Boise once more! We will be having a hard time, but it will be worth it. Well as for this week nothing really special happened because things were crazy over here! Having Transfers and taking over the area and having to learn it once more. It's all unbelievable. Well my new companion Elder Rust and I are really excited to take over the area and bring some work to the Spanish Branch!! We are super excited and hopefully can bring the word of Christ to everyone!! Things are pretty good here, right now we have snow again which kinda sucks cause we may be grounded again. But we just want to have our P-Day!! So we may be trapped inside or we'll be going to a closer building to have our activity. I'm slowly picking up the guitar being here on the mission which is pretty cool. It was hard, but it is pretty fun. It was also hard telling the Branch that we don't have Hermana's anymore. Everyone was devastated. But it is just something the mission has decided upon. I can't argue with them at all. It'll be a fun transfer and I've got good vibes about it.Yesterday we got one lesson in and taught the Restoration with an investigator we've been trying to see. We taught him the Restoration and you could definitely feel the spirit in that room. It was amazing. I love how we can teach by the spirit. This work is going to progress big time and I'm looking forward to seeing it. In other news I finally got a new plaque. Hopefully I can get a few more before I lose this one.  But bye everyone and have a good week and enjoy!! 

Elder Ruesch

Week 12 - Transfer 3 (1/17/2017)

Well I'm staying another Transfer here in Boise!! My new companion will be Elder Rust! Don't know much about him, but with the weather we are having this week, it'll be a good way to get to know him. Well as for this week we were really bummed out due to Elder Sarabia going home and things like that. Trunkieness levels were pretty high for him this week. We did get to see some Less Actives this week which was nice and hopefully they'll come to church on Sunday this week. As for my week nothing really spectacular happened aside from changes are happening this week. It's still pretty cold here and we were put on Storm alert for this week so that makes me scared. I'm definitely tired of this snow. Well with not much to say I successfully ice skated last week for our district activity which was fun. I didn't get hurt like I thought I would which is nice. Oh another thing this week we got practice for a farewell that Elder Sarabia and one of the other Hermana's were going to perform in sacrament meeting on Sunday. It was pretty awesome. With downtime on my hands I have been reading a lot in the Book of Mormon and one thing that stuck out to me the most this week is how we are all loved by a Heavenly Father and He wants the best for us. He is always there to help and will help us in any matter cause He knows what we need. We may think we may know, but He knows our hearts completely. Study time has been really great for me to realize that and no matter what happens to us here, we are always loved and there is something else planned for us that we can't see. Well as well in some free time that I had, I have written two new songs that hopefully when I come home, will be awesome to hear. I won't explain at all what they are about for it will be a surprise to all. Anyways I love you all and I hope you are all doing well. As for this missionary, I'm doing amazing. Thank you all for the support and I hope your week is well.

Elder Ruesch

Week 11 - Grounded (1/9/2017)

So as for this week....we were grounded.... So we got record snow this week and all of the mission was shut down due to it. We couldn't leave, our car was grounded, and we were only allowed to walk to any house that is close to our apartment which we already did the previous day and scheduled appointments with them. So this week we really didn't have much to do. We did get to say goodbye to Homero cause he went off to college in Northern Idaho. He's off to do great things and hopefully spread the gospel up there. He's a really good guy. Well since I last wrote, nothing has changed. I've learned to drive in the snow which is good to have since I'll be living up in Rexburg after my two years. We did service on Thursday for some of our investigators, recent converts, and members. Well we tried to. A lot of times we got our car stuck (mainly me) and we spent most of the time getting it unstuck. But oh well haha it was funny and fun to do at the same time. Friday we did get to see some people just before we got hit again with another part of the storm. We were able to escape and then see a family who really wants to go to church and we are helping them come and they are just a really sweet family. The spirit here in Boise is so amazing. In closing cause I really don't have much more to say other than we haven't killed each other in that apartment of ours, but a quote that I found this week that has been really great and can serve as a constant reminder of who we are. This quote is by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and it says, "Keep trying, Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep Growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." I'd just like to say we are all children of our Heavenly Father and He, Christ, and the angels are cheering us on today as we face trial and tribulation. I know that this is true and we have a loving Heavenly Father who is here for us. I love you all and I hope your week is amazing.

 

Oh and here's a picture with Homero. Us saying goodbye to him.

Love,

Elder Ruesch

Week 10 - NEW YEAR (1/3/2017)

So the New Year has begun. I welcome all to a new year of 2017. But before I continue, let me share with you how I ended the year. December 31st, 2016 @ 3:00 PM we had the wonderful opportunity of seeing Homero being baptized!!! It was really awesome to witness that and see him be confirmed a member the next day. Elder Sarabia got to baptize him and I apologize for no photos cause I was elsewhere when they were taking the photos. Shame on me, but oh well. While the two of them were changing I had the opportunity to teach the Restoration to anyone who was in attendance. It was really awesome and definitely really spiritual. We we rang in the New Year at 10:30 cause we aren't allowed to stay up with festivities. Well anyways aside from the baptism, this week it was really focused on finding people to teach. We really didn't get any lessons in this week, but we really got to exercise our priesthood this week. On Sunday, we were asked for a lot of blessings to kick off the new year and even yesterday. All which were really powerful in the priesthood. I never felt nothing like it before. Oh and one thing that I mentioned last week, well apparently the apartment wasn't sick....we were poisoned!! Our dinner that we had with the English Elders, on Wednesday sent us a message saying that they had a bug/virus go around in their family all pointing fingers at what they ate and we got the bitter end of it. I wasn't feeling well Wednesday so I was on bed rest that entire day. No throw up which was good, but my body definitely tried to throw up. Other than these things I have no real highlights for the week. We are just hoping for no more sickness to hit us. We can't be sick!! The work must progress. We will be having some changes here soon, but as far as we know, that's it lol. Well anyways, I hope you all have a good year and that things look up for all of you!!

Elder Ruesch