A SUPER CHARGED WEEK IN CIUDADELA...6/17/2013

Hello Family and Friends,

 

Hope everyone had a splendid week, cause I sure as heck did, the bestest of weeks I might say a huge difference then last week, I keep telling everyone on those bad weeks ya' got no where to go but up and yep I was right! 

 

 



First off we prepared all week for our amazing baptism of Cathy!



 

 

In addition  we had our Gira Misional! (Mission Tour) which was super exciting! We got to hear from Elder Viñas of the Seventy! It was like a really cool meeting that we had, because it was like an informal meeting relaxed, and it was an open discussion! We got to learn allot of things that are going to happen in the Mission, stuff that is about to occur but, you will have to read the details as they unfold, super awesome experience, we even got to shake his hand!  He also recapped the historical events that have occurred since we have embarked upon our Mission, like in the last 10 months, such as we have experienced  hearing from 4 apostles... as well as 2 from the 70's , been here during the change of the ages for Missionaries, and participated in the temple re-dedication  September 9,2012 with Henery B. Eyring, First Counselor in the church's First Presidency.  And as if that is not enough blessings our current Prophet Thomas S. Monson  presided over the original temple dedication on January 17, 1986.  I now know the original Buenos Aires Argentina Temple has a total of 17,683 square feet, four ordinance rooms, and three sealing rooms, because I've been on those HOLY GROUNDS, how's that for a mouth full!  WHAT A GREAT TIME TO BE A MISSIONARY IN THE BEST MISSION ON THE PLANET VIVA BAW ARG!!! 

 

 

 

  

Ok so Elder Wells and I had a decently good week! We did some service for an Hermana in the Ward  cleaning her water tank above her house, which was quite an experience! We had to drain all the water out of it then clean the mud build up, some serious sludge, and then fill it back up with water. She is like most of the Hermana's is like the funniest!  She has a calling in the Primary, and  so I gave her all those little toys that I got in my package, and she said I was a life saver for the Primary... PRIMARY POINTS!!! WOOT WOO! haha

 

So with all the visa problems resolved we got 2 new Missionaries on Friday, and our apartment is like where all the new Missionaries stay as well as those coming in from far away like the Compo, a little tight these days but loads of laughter and fun!  We had to do like a crazy four way division/spilt on Friday with 2 Missionaries from campo (far away) and the 2 new Missionaries! 

 

So that took place right in the amidst of planning for our baptism and all that good stuff! But with the push from above the baptism went absolutely wonderful! Cathy wanted Elder Wells to baptize her and I had done the last one so all was good! It was just spiritually charged ,awesome because a ton of her family who are inactive members came to it, and the next day THEY ALL came to Church for the Confirmation! So really this baptism was just a huge opportunity to reactivate a bunch of them, which is a goal that we have here in our ward.  It was super awesome really, and the manna from heaven  oh my what a joy!!!!  Now we are just working on getting some more people progressing! We have a ton of potential for July!

 

Transfers are this week so we will see what happens!!!! and...AAAHHHHH... we have a ton of new Missionaries coming in like the rain it is pouring Missionaries here AMEN!!!!!

 

Hope everyone has an awesome week and I truly love and miss ya´ll, get Grandma crackin' on that letter I look so forward to her enthusiasm and since of humor she is firecracker!  

 

 

Love, The Amazing (Or So I Like To Think) LOL

Elder Wade Draper

DIG A LITTLE DEEPER...7/10/2013

Hello Utah,

Not alot of fire here this week, bummed kinda a bland week guess we need to "Dig A Little Deeper" so get the shovel out RIGHT?  I did find out that it looks like we are getting a least 30 of the 80 Missionaries that the buzz is all about, maybe more but 30 I know of for sure!  I can just feel that excitement for them remembering that ever waiting day when we arrived!!!

A SHOUT OUT TO MY BUD JACOB HANNEMANN, drafted to the Chicago Cubs in the 3rd round MLB draft... look out Chicago. one of us, the "Men In Black" just a few months back, is headed your way bringing the "Spirit" on a whole new level!!!!  Your the best man take it to the limits!!!!

We just found out that it looks like we will be heading home  March 1st, 2104 so those of us from Highland will land at the SLC airport on that day.  We will tour the last week of our Mission with the President and his wife and then our visa's will expire as we depart the country so looks like we will have to return in the near future to enjoy visiting with those I  leave behind.

I am so looking forward to the Spring/Summer semester with Elder Nielson at BYU, he has just been the "ROCK" since we joined up at the MTC and he has served the people here of  Argentina well!  I am so grateful for his testimony.

Hope Sis, Lyndsey enjoyed EFU in Provo, you know I want to be a counselor when I get back,  EFY is just a great summer kickoff packed with spiritual experiences and meeting friends from all over the world and states.  I bet it was nuts down there with all the construction and the SEA of new Missionaries around the MTC, what a sight, I can only imagine!

Dad-A Special Happy Fathers Day To You and as always the cards in the mail probably come about Christmas and your Bday card at Halloween, the snail mail gotta love it!

Like I said kinda, a  quite week so this email is a little short,  sorry all we but things will surely pick up this week I pray and transfers are right behind this Pday so fingers crossed again, I really like it here, nice place to be for the winter but I know I wll serve wherever he calls me and serve well!!!  

Until next Pday everyone go out there and grab some sun and lets here it for "Sliding Rock" my old friends!!

Love,
Elder Wade Draper  

 

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS...6/3/2013

Hey ya´ll, hope everyone is doing good!


Well we had a pretty amazing week this past week!  Tuesday we had our Zone meeting in the morning... and we had to come dressed in church clothes so they could check to see if we are dressing to "code"for a special meeting that we were going to have. So as we were having our meeting when the rains came down and the floods came up,  Like Crazy bucket of rain!  It just started pouring rain without warning and nobody had brought any jackets or umbrellas or anything! Being the witty one that I am,  I went to the storage closet and got a bunch of garbage bags thinking "This is the only suit that I have that fits me... there is no way in heck that I am getting it soaking wet", so I made an outfit out of garbage bags, and everyone else joined in as well, I thought wow... Gaga would be so proud to see that we made something out of nothing and it worked wonderful ;) haha Our nice  garbage bag tunics and my garbage bag boots kept all dry! =)






Wednesday was just a REAL treat, a  special reunion with Elder Cook!!!! It was soooo awesome!!!! Like absolutely amazing! He talked allot about how we as Missionaries have a responsibility to edify the Church and do everything in our power to do that, whether it is baptizing and getting new people into the Church or working with members who are less active and need the support to come back to Church. Also his wonderful wife, spoke and talked about the Christ like attributes a bit saying, "It is difficult to have the Christ like attributes all the time but at least we should try and have 1 a day"! So for me that is patience and humility, cause not gonna like I am a prideful little bum ;)



But the work is going super well here! We had an awesome experience with one of our investigators, Cathy to be exact.  She has not been coming to Church and we could not figure out why, so we knew that she had like an "iceberg" we like to say, in that  we can see a little bit of the surface but underneath we have no idea how much bigger the iceberg could be.  We dug a little deeper and had a really unreal lesson with her.  She told us that she knew it was important to have faith, but after the death of her husband she lost her faith, and I felt the spirit pressing "Blessing, Blessing" of some sort not sure what but it cam several times during that evening.  When I opened my mouth, literally the spirit just spoke through me and none could deny I was the mouth piece for the Lord right there! I promised her that if she came to Church the following day with a question for God, that she would find her answer, so the next day she came to Church! After the meetings we had a little lesson with her, and she talked about the Relief Society class and how the lesson was about how God´s will isnt always our will an though she remains sad she feels she was ready for baptism! We are going to be working towards a June  15th baptism for  her =) yayyyyy

MORE AWESOME NEWS... Apparently all the VISA PROBLEMS ARE CLEARED!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOO WE ARE GOING TO RECEIVE A TON OF NEW MISSIONARIES THIS TRANSFER AS I HAVE HEARD 80 MAN I AM! SOOOO STOKED!!!!!

 

I am super excited for this upcoming week to see what adventures it brings and what doors we might open here in the field ! =) The work across the NATIONS IS REAL AND THE ARMIES ARE IN MULTITUDES and I am so thankful to be a part of HIS GREAT WORK!! WHAT AN EXCITING TIME TO BE A MISSIONARY!!

 

 Love ya´ll so much and REMEMBER BELIEVE AND BE AND STAND IN HOLY PLACES AT ALL TIMES!!!

 

Stay classy kids! Same time next week!!!

 

Love,

ONE OF THE MEN IN BLACK,

 

Elder Wade Draper

MOVE OVER ZUPA'S... THERES A NEW SOUP IN TOWN...5/27/2013

Hello Everyone!

As always I hope everyone had a wonderful week last week, oh and HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!!!

Hope everyone is having an awesome long weekend just living the good life with lots of BBQ;)

 

 




My again was yet another super awesome one! Last week I decided I wanted to do some good ol Bama Fried Chicken... cause nobody knows how to fry chicken like I do! ;) and it was soooo good to say the least!

 

 

Our interviews this week were awesome too!  President and I had like really probably one of the best interviews and we talked about some awesome things and just how much progression that I have had in the mission! We also had an interview with the Hermana Carter and I always love having a conversation with the Hermana Carter! She is so fun to talk to! That conversation was about the mission and how it really prepares us as a person for life in general and like never knowing what could happen next but just handling it head on like here in the Mission. It was just an awesome day!

 

 

We had lunch with Marina this past week as well, and she made and unreal Bolivian soup, "zuppa de mani", which is Peanut soup! It was absolutely soooo gooood!!!! Definitely something I need to learn how to make! She she is doing very good and is just so dang nice! She bought us some really nice scarfs and jackets, because she says it's getting colder and wants us warm, and like after every visit she sends us home with like 2 bags of food usually warm, she is really just the best!

 

 

 

 

We are also still working with Eduardo our baptism for June! The poor guy he gets really nervous in Church, because whenever some quotes or mentions a scripture he feels like he has to find it in that very moment and he still doesnt know the Book of Mormon very well, but we are trying to work with him and not let him get discouraged, he really is just an awesome guy as well!

 

 

But in other news..... There was a big old celebration this past weekend in Argentina the 25th of MAY, the day of revolution! woo!!!! Lots of fireworks and everyone eats LOCRO, and it's pretty good!!!!  Its a soup of... cow stomache, cow intestine, corn, beans, and lots of other vegetables, believe it or not I absolutely loved it!  I was especially stoked that I got to eat it that evening because on that particular day our lunch was not locro... so I was kind of bummed... but Heavenly Father seeing fit came through with our last visit of the day.  Luz, the mom of a member, made us  little take home bowels of Locro YAAA, and it was sooo good! Another must make when I get home! =)

 

But yea.. basically that was my week in a nutshell nothing off the hook or anything but still working hard as ever to find those seeking along the way!

 

Hope everyone back home is doing good! Missin yall so much!

 

Stay classy kids, same time next week?

 

Love,

Your Stormn' Mormon

Elder Wade Draper

BAPTISM, FREEZING WATER, TEMPLE VISIT AND PIZZA...DOESN'T GET BETTER THEN THAT...5/20/2013

Well Hello Stars and Studs! 

Hope everyone is having an amazing week! It was yet another amazing week for this amazing Missionary (just kidding the work is amazing)!  It has been  beyond all belief the best week, l mean like really.  If you recall, I mentioned last week, it has been a little rough with hitting our key indicators, but we picked it up this week and we got back on track. We worked really hard with the members  and also got some awesome references to work!

 

We continue to stretch ourselves to the max with one of our new fechas, his name is Eduardo.  He lives in the Apache ??? (You know Mom) remember how you were so worried about the area..., well as it may have it's reputation, we find most people here are super receptive to the Gospel. I kinda like to think of it as "They have no where else to go but up" right? Eduardo is married, that's right one of the few, and how great is that, makes life a little easier here for the Missionaries.  The second challenge as you all know, is the smoking habits of the culture here and alas his wife smokes about a pack a day however, she is very excited too about the gospel.  She  has struggled, like many, quitting on her own, so we decided to try the tobacco tea approach, which for me was the first time although I can see now how it works.  The preparation is easy , not sure about the after taste kinda makes me sick to think about it as the smell itself of the brew was horrific!!  Tobacco tea is where  one takes a pan of water and shreds like 6 cigarettes in the water and then boil the water.  We did this and she did drank of it and relayed the taste was awful!!!  She say's now every time she smokes she gets this awful taste on her buds 9Taste) before she even lights up and in the past week has been only able to tolerate a half of a cigarette and that was not as appealing as before..  I think we might be on to something here keep your fingers crossed! YAAAH!!! 

So for some Super Awesome News, we got to go on a special trip to the Temple this week! The ward had their viaje to the temple, and we can go if we have a progressing investigator having had the lessons or a new convert. Lucky us with Marina's new baptism we qualified! She went with us and absolutely loved it! We watched her face as she watched the video inside the waiting room, walked around the gardens, and went to the little shop and she bought a ton of stuff! She told us she was super excited to go back and actually enter the Temple to do baptisms for the dead! It was a taste of heaven to be in her presence and seeing the joy in her eyes and smile.  I am equally as thrilled because the reality of her being a new member will open doors for her that she cannot even imagine just yet! 

 

 

As I mentioned we had her baptismal service last Saturday and it was THE super awesome spiritual experience yet, everyone is, in it's own special way! It was a little let down as nobody in the Ward came  because the weather was bad so they thought we canceled it.  The Bishop,  Relief Society Prez, our Ward Mish Leader and his dad was about the extent of it!  But the let down, I thought she would feel , never came.  Seriously, not even the water which was  absolutely freezing buzzed her one bit, I on the other hand was dying of hypothermia!  I asked her after we got out, "What did you think about that frigid water" and she replied "Oh was it cold, I didnt even realize"...BAM again "HOW GREAT IS THE WORK" and the let down what was I thinking wasn't even a thought that crossed her mind!!! HA  She will be an absolutely amazing member. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elder Wells and I celebrated with a pizza and 12 empanadas back at the apartment that evening on such a wonderful day and occasion! QUE RICO!!!! yay! 

 

Last night we had a little surprise visit from Elder Slone... who is now  ZL ,how cool that crazy kid... HAHA   So that was my week in a nutshell.  I am looking forward to another amazing week here in Ciudadela!!! woot woo! 

 

I hope ya´ll have a great week! Love and miss everyone!  Stay cool kids as I am trying to stay warm...er, I am not freezing yet most days but the broke out mu scarf at the Temple as the temps is dropping quickly!  Catcha same time next week?

 

Love,

The One and Only, 

Elder Wade Draper

MAY TRANSFERS & "COOKS FOR KOOKS" ...5/13/2013

Hey Fam!   Here I am still in Ciudadela! Elder Wells and I are still together, I am actually really happy about that, cause Elder Wells is just the greatest
 

Well it's that time of the week again, the weekly letter from Elder Draper! yaa!!!

 

But a few sad things did happened during transfers though,  Elder Slone who lives with us left and Elder Whitlock left Ramos as well.   Slone called me last night, and I saw Whitlock today in the offices that was a great thing! We have now Elder Asay from Ogden, living with us! He is a super good guy! He has the same amount of time as me in the mission, and he is just a saint!

 

Some other cool transfer news, they made a new position for Sister Missionaries and its kind of like a Sister Zone Leader position.  Hermana Andreason  got assigned to be one, so that is super cool.   Hermana Cahoon and Hermana Fernley from the MTC are comps again and that was super cool for them as well! Hermana Leavitt from the MTC was transferred as well. 

 

Last week we changed our key indicators, I don't remember if I wrote about that last week, but yes. The Mission has changed them so that we can focus on having our investigators progressing, and to be working more with the members! Unfortunately Elder Wells and I had a little bit of a rough week with key indicator, but we got the oil changed, got some new gas in us, and this companionship is up and runn'n baby! haha

 

This weekend we are going to have a baptism!!!! We are super stoked, our darling Marina has progressed so well, and we felt that she is soo ready, so we changed her date for the 18th and she is soo pumped! Yesterday in Gospel Principles she bore her testimony and like woow I felt all my work was wrapped up into that spiritual testimony, what a gift from heavenly father!!  I am really just so happy for her!
 



I'm also learning to cook a bunch of different
Argentine things to add to my "Cooks for Kooks" recipe book! Last week I made tuco, which is like the sauce they put on noodles and stuff! It didn't turn out like tuco... but it was still good nonetheless! It kind of turned out like chili, but it was super good so I guess I could rename it to chilituco right!

 

 

SO  I AM  BECOMING A CHEF IN THE  MAKINGS

Yesterday was  great mom and I hope that all the moms had an amazing mothers day we literally wouldn't be here without you, and then some.
 

I don't have any major plans today other then going to buy some delicioso milanesa, do laundry and rest sometimes, I am not sure if it's the hype or the exercise that drains me some weeks but for sure it's getting to be nice sleeping as the heat is past us and fall is here!!!!  

 

Looks like the neighborhood behind us is all developed now and those houses are amazing. I can see with the new Outlet at the Point of the Mountain, Walmart in Cedar Hills and soon to be new high school in Lehi things have changed from the "Green Acres" I left behind.  The yard looks great though and I cant wait to see Dad's garage once built..  Also can't wait to take that Jeep for  spin!!!    

 

Well another week started and I am  excited to see where the adventures take us this week! I have to run for now and can't get any pics to you this week as the computer is not reading my camera, I mean really you should see these things , I am so convinced Fred Flintstone had better tech equipment,  so Google the tuco if you wanna see what I am eating tonight, again!  HAHA

 

I love you all, and oh mom, thanks for letting Brelynn hop on, it was so good to hear her laugh and catch up with all the Mish's etc. etc. sorry the time got away from us, but your the coolest for understanding! I love you so much always looing out for others first, but I am sorry again, there is no one like you out there and I will so make it up when I get home!!!!  

 

Well I'm outta here and LOVE YOU ALL!!!  Remember to keep it cute, or put it on mute!!!

 

Same time nest week!!

 

Love,

Chef Elder Wade Draper

BAM...CIUDADELA ZONE CONFERENCE...5/6/2013

Hola familia y amigos,

Espero que cada uno tuvo una buena semana irends!   As for me SUPRISE, I'm still here hanging out here in Argentina! LOL

 

 

 

This past week we had a really GOOD week and I do mean GEAT!  We started out with an absolutely AMAZING Zone Conference with President, Hermanan Carter and the Assistants!!!!  We talked about a lot of things and what would help us in the field.  Things like how to acknowledge the members and let them know without their support the obra misional is very difficult. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We also learned some ways to work with our members to show that their confidence in us is important, so that we may be invited to reach even deeper into their families and friends continuing to spread the gospel. 

 

Heremana Carter shared a story about Daniel and the lions den and then had us ponder for a moment, what the image she displayed, meant to us.  As I did, at first I gotta admit (cause you know how I love art), I could see Tim Burton having a hand in the picture, it was different, but  then I felt a sudden whisper of GET SERIOUS there's a message here for you ELDER DRAPER!!!  I starred for awhile and BAM...here's what that Spirit spoke to me...The lions in the den represented the times I have felt like the Advisary is there so strong and ready to pounce anytime if I only would let him defeat my cause however, like Daniel, if I remain calm and turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer through faith and diligence victory will defeat any lions that wander onto my path.

 

Next President talked about the Atonement and how we can apply it to our lives and the lives of our investigators'.  We watched a really good video by President Packard that talked about "Christ Atonement" and he said something at the end that I want to share with everyone  reading as we all are Missionaries of God..."The message that our Missionaries bring to everyone around the world is the is the message of HOPE"....Hope what a beautiful sequel to faith and hear I think a lot of HOPE can be spread around!!!!  BAM there was the spirit back at me for the second time!!!  CONFERNECE WAS JUST SO GOOD I WALKED AWAY WITH A BIGGER STRIDE!!

 

So Elder Wells and I are just getting along swimmingly!  We had a really awesome Ward activity on Wednesday because it was a holiday here.  We ate an asado at the church and then we gave a spiritual thought about Temples to all.  We had 5 of our investigator's come to the activity and they Pasamos de maravilla con los miembros (had a blast with the members)!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Marina our investigator continues to progress well she is just adorable!  After like every lesson she calls us into her tiny kitchen and sends us off with bags of goodies to take home.  She makes these amazing vanilla muffin cookies and alfajors.  She truly is a priceless gem!  Oh before I forget Mom two things skping aournd 4:00 here I guess about 1:00 there and I don't think we got our baptism pictures in the Mission video as I did those just when I arrived there after the March video still like last 2 days of March but wasn't and yet since it was March it wasn't posted in the April video sorry, buy you got the pics, or so I hear from my friends ,they are o the blog...and thanks Mom for all you do there too!  Can't wait to see you and chat have the tissue by the cam Mom but you should be getting to be a pro at this by now!LOL

 

Transfers are coming up Wednesday so it will be exciting to see what happens but AHHHH my heart so wants to stay here, I love it so so much, keep on you knees by night and fingers crossed by day!!!

 

Well I must part but I leave you with the words of one of my favorites, Florence W....."It's hard to dance with the Devil on your back...so...shake him off" and my added words get dancing or keep on keeepin' on!  Have a great week everyone and keep me ion your prayers!!   Love ya'll, same time next week let your spirit stay beautiful!!!

 

Love,

The One and Only

Elder Wade Draper

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

HELLO NEPHI>>WHITLOCK IN THE HOUSE...4/29/2103

Hello Everyone!!!!

I hope everyone had an awesome week like I did! My new comp and I are doing really well together! Elder Wells is super great, first of all because he is Asian and I can crack little Asian jokes at him every now and then... so that is super funny to do!

We made a goal this week to find new investigators, and the beginning of the week was super hard for us.  We spent like basically 2 days knocking doors and nobody was answering, I was about to the point of Knocking down doors instead of on them! To top it all off it was decently hot this past week, so you might say we were just a tad bit bummed.

Tuesday and Wednesday nights were probably 2 of the funniest nights of my mission! Elder Slone went on a division with his Zone Leaders from his Zone and one of them came to live with us for 2 days.

 
 



Elder Tyler Whitlock from Nephi, HELLO PALMERS he is a “Freakin” stud! We had some really amazing conversations and he taught me some really amazing techniques that I can use when I am standing at at a door contact, so that we can get into the house and teach the lesson! I just really admire Elder Whitlock a ton! He is a legit Missionary and super role model! We had a really good time with our late night chats!

 

 

After those few days had passed we put those techniques in play/applying what Elder Whitlock taught me, and we it worked, the doors were opening and we started getting into houses! There were maybe like 4 people who did not let us in in like 5 days so that is like crazy right, it was good to say the least!

Our baptisms are coming along with one of our old investigator’s Marina, she is doing great! She came to church with us yesterday and loved it!  When you look at her you just think wow,  she resembles the perfect Member of the church, she is just a darling woman! On the other hand our other fecha Cathy... well we are having some problems there.  She wants to get baptized but she isn’t coming to church, and her nephew is trying to convince her to wait a year so he can baptize her, super lame but we are working through it!

Well sorry for the short one but it has been a busy day with the Mission President email and catching him up on this past week.  I have located a SKPYE for us Mom so we can get that time figured out next email.  Tell all I love them and miss them and I am glad Grams got her Bday card, now she owes me a letter back.  Thanks for the incoming box sounds like some yummy things on the way can’t wait to find out what’s in it! 

I gotta run now all so keep it real tell next week I love You all so much keep praying for your Elder and all the Missionaries around the world!  As you know, same time next week!

Love yall so much!  I said it once and I’ll say it many times more, “ The book is Blue and the Church is true!

 Love, Your Ever Amazing Missionary 

Elder Wade Draper