Getting stuck on the 3rd floor!

BUEN-FREAKING-DIA

This week has been super Busy (as usual) Saturday we went proselytizing. and we did awesome from the second we stepped off the bus we first talked to a little old lady and she just loved talking to us she wasn’t too interested in what we had to say but it’s always good just to talk to new people.

Later, in the day we talked to this guy on the side of the street. to be honest he talked to us first! we were getting ready to pass them and he started asking us all these questions about how the church. he started telling us about how he has talked to missionary’s before and his family use to invite them over. we shared a message with him about the gospel and wanted to know more. we gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon and then after that he invited us to dinner next week. we told him sadly we would only be in the area for a day but we can send over our friends and they would be willing to talk to him more. he told us that he was a devoted Catholic and that wasn’t going to change but I could tell that he wanted to know more, he was so inquisitive!

Later, that day (after stopping for some Amazing Empanadas) we met this older guy we were walking down the street and I had waived to him as we were talking and re said ¨Hello´´ I don’t think I’ve ever turned around so fast in my life! We immediately started talking to him and he told us all about his life. he ran up to his apartment and grabbed some photo albums and he stared showing us all the places he has been. he told us how he has seen the world and how he had dinner with Nixon. we finally asked him why he decided to fly around the world and he told us how he was in love with this American girl and she took him to see the world. he had pictures of everywhere you could imagine. We taught him a short lesson he told us that he believes that God and Heavenly Father are above us but he doesn’t believe in religion. he then told us he had to go pack for his trip to Mexico. he was truly one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

The weather here is getting kind of cold. yesterday for physical activity I wore sweats and a long sleeve shirt. the day before that it was raining, A LOT. I’m a little surprised we weren’t swimming to be honest. we still went out and we played Speed (as we always do). let’s just say my basketball skills are getting better. we were soaking wet but it was super fun!

the CCM is getting a little boring so wave been making up new ways to have fun. we found out that if you open up the window in the class room when it’s really windy all the ceiling tiles dance. we try to break up the routine and much as humanly possible without interrupting class time.

On Monday, we got stuck on the 3rd floor for about 3 hours because they decided it would be a great idea to fumigate the lower half of the building right before bed time, so we locked ourselves in the class room and played different mind games until we could go down to bed. my time here has been fun but I can’t wait to actually start my mission!

I hope you’re all having a great week! I love you all and I love reading your letters!

Thank you for all the love and support!

Week 4: Visit from President Nelson =]

Hi Family,

it’s crazy to think that time has just flown by here! it’s been 4 weeks! a lot has gone on this past week. last week we went to the temple twice because it’s going to be closed for the next month for cleaning. Elder Packer of the 70 came to visit it us. He gave an excellent talk on the savior’s atonement. then we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to hear and QUICKLY meet president Nelson and his wife. Sister Wendy Nelson talked on the spirit and how to be an effective missionary. she also spoke of the love that she has for us and how she got a distinct impression from each one of us just through shaking our hands. she also said how like Nephi we need to be desirous for the welfare of other people’s souls. she really knows how to give a great talk!

President Nelson talked about what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. we need to be willing to not only learn the word of god but to apply those rules into our own lives before telling others to apply them to theirs. it’s amazing to hear from such a great man. He gets around quite well for his age Too! 93, that’s crazy! at the very end of the meeting he gave us an Apostolic Blessing.it was such a cool Experience! he blessed us that we will safe in our travels, that we may have health and vigor, that we may fulfill our spiritual potential, that we may serve a complete mission, apply the saviors teachings into our life, and lastly he bless all my loved ones back at home.

yesterday we also did a really unique activity, we wrote letters to god, then translated them to Spanish. I told him how grateful I was to be where I am now, at the end I asked him to bless me with help in understanding the language. at the end our teacher told us that they were going to mail the letters to the lord (it kind of reminded me when we would write letters to Santa as a kid) our teacher then explained that they were going to take them to the temple and explained that it works the same was as putting names into the temple. it was a really unique experience and something that i would have never thought to do.

over all its been an amazing, spiritual week! being able to meet President Nelson was such an amazing experience. we were talking about it after and even from just shaking his hand you could feel just how strong his spirit was. I’m so thankful and blessed to have had this opportunity not only to Meet such a great man, but to also serve a mission. thank you all for the love and support you have given me. i love hearing how you guys are doing.

I love you all Very Much, Elder Rios

Alright so week 3 here in the (CCM) Empanadas & Orangutans!

Alright so week 3 here in the (CCM) is going pretty great! We are in-between transfers right now so it’s been my district of 9 people here for the past 3 days. New missionaries have started to arrive and its cool being on the welcoming side rather than the one being welcomed. We went Proselyting (is that spelled right?) and it was rough at the beginning. My companion wasn’t too excited to go but by the middle of the day we were rockin and rollin! We bought street empanadas! They were amazing.

Before the other districts left we started a prank war (which may or may not be against the rules) we flipped all of the desks upside down and laid everything out the exact way it was, just inverted (my idea) then they got us back by putting salt in all of our water bottles and hiding our white board markers in the ceiling tiles. When we’re not playing pranks were studying, A LOT! we usually we wake up have a study session, then breakfast, then 4 classes, then a study session, then lunch and an hour of physical activity.

Then more classes. We’re very busy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

We’ve been going to the temple once a week, but sadly they’re closing it starting Sunday we won’t be able to go anymore, however we did go today and were going to go on Saturday so we can get in one last time. It’s very spiritually feeding. 

We started playing around the world with ping pong and its one of the funniest things I’ve ever done. I’m not sure if it’s just because we can’t do a lot or if it’s the people I’m playing with but there is never a dull moment here.  We’re constantly laughing. Everyone here is super funny. We’ve started becoming friends with the teacher and staff. We play mind games like wombat, black magic, the triangle game, and click click bang. It’s so funny to watch people try and figure them out. I’m not sure if you guys know what those games are but you could look them up and mess with people.

 

My Spanish is getting a lot better! I understand people. ( finally) When we were out spreading the good word on Saturday we started to talk to this old man he had the body shape of an orangutan. And yet he thought it was only acceptable to wear short shorts. That’s a good mental picture, no? 

Love you guys lots hope you’re all doing well!

April 6, 2017 Short & Sweet

All right! so this week has Been PACKED!

Since last week we went to the temple & had a 1000 classes (only kind of kidding) and been working on the language like crazy! I’m finally feeling like I’m picking up the language, which is truly a blessing. I love to sit and talk with my district and get to know them whenever we can.

 The 3 sisters in our group have been fighting all week so that makes things interesting. (the only thing that would make it better would be a bowl of popcorn) oh by the way if you wanted to know what the MTC president here looks like, he looks like the boss off the Incredible's, no joke!

 We have been spending a whole lot of time with the Latinos here. they’re all very sad to be leaving! they want to come with us. conference was awesome! and the temple in Saratoga! That’ll be amazing!

 I’m sorry I don’t have a whole lot to write about! I just want you all to know that I’m doing well! I’ve dedicated myself to the lord and I’ve never been happier. the people here aren’t just friends they’re family. (they could never replace you though) stay positive, be happy!

love you all!