Email October 29, 2012

Hello Mom!

Well.... I saw KO and Elder Bednar on the same day! It doesn't get much better than that! It was so awesome. I got to the stake center and saw someone that was in his MTC district and asked if he was there, he said yes so I hurried inside. I turned the corner and saw him. Don't think I have given someone a bigger hug in my life! But don't you worry Mom, You will get a bigger hug!!!! It was so great to talk to him. But I will talk a little more about that later.

It was kinda a tough week. We worked hard, but it seemed like everything we had set up failed. It felt like we killed a bunch  of time and it wasn't our fault and I could feel myself getting frustrated. Plus I have been feeling really tired lately. Actually before I forget, Mom, my belly is getting bigger. And not fat bigger, just bigger. I have less energy, I have been just not feeling very good. My conclusion, worms... But I don't know. Maybe you could look up exactly what worms would do to me if I had a bunch? I know I have been making jokes about it.... And it still is pretty dang funny.... But the movie Alien is a whole lot more real right now. hahaha

So anyway. We put it all on the line with 2 of our investigators this week. Carolina, who was supposed to get baptized, but didn't go to church, and Manuel, who needs to get married to the 2nd counselor's daughter. And well, we saw the fruits. Both of them were in church and are progressing and should be baptized this week on Saturday.

We also had 3 other investigators in church. 2 of which are this awesome family. Hugo and Natividad. They are progressing so nicely. They already have testimonies of the Restoration, just a matter of getting a ring on that finger... They are planning to get married the first week of December, so a little bit of time away. We had an awesome lesson yesterday about the questions of the soul that can be answered in the Book of Mormon. it was great.

So the mission conference was awesome. Elder Bednar taught us some awesome things. He didn't give a talk. Rather he asked, "What did you learn from the reading?" which was 2 talks that we read before hand. People raised their hands, and from their answers he gave more instruction. But he was very clear that he was not the teacher. "El Espiritu Santo es el maestro" was about all he knew in Spanish, but he said it often. I learned so much. There was a time for questions as well which was also incredible.

Talking to Kelon was like a dream. You would think we would talk about super important stuff or something, but then we wouldn't have been ourselves! We talked like we always did. It was awesome. I realized that he goes through the exact same trials that I do, and that he is every ounce of the missionary I expected him to be and even more. We couldn't take a photo because it was a specific rule of the conference, but that is how it goes. I also saw Johnny and Jordan Hager. 

All in all it was a great experience. A once in a lifetime experience. I will never forget it. I am excited to see all my buddies again, but there is no where I would rather be.

Love you all so much.

Elder Naegle

Email October 22, 2012

Hello Mom,

Well I am not feeling the greatest, I have been a little sick these last few days. Not sure what is going on. I got the usual "chivivi" and I have just not been 100%. But that is alright! The work goes on! So I got my package! I am wearing one of the ties. I am saving the really good looking one for Elder Bednar. 

Mom, who is Mike Harris? Is that ACS's mechanic? or did I just make a complete fool of myself? I have to remember hundreds of names so you will have to forgive me.... Tell Nick Reid congrats for me. 

So on Wednesday we had to go to Asuncion. I got a call from the secretary and he told me I was almost illegal. So I had to go to sign my visa papers. I got to see Elder Richins for a split second, cause he is a zone leader in that zone. Anyway. We went and signed then we had to wait for some latins getting shots, and we were in downtown Asuncion. So the secretary suggested that we go to the market where all the missionaries who are going home go. On the way he told me that you emailed him asking about you coming down to pick me up. Basically the whole thing got me really really trunky for a second! Hahahaha but I had an interview in San Lorenzo at 1:50 so I had to hustle back and get into missionary mode again.

My interview with President Madariaga was great. He taught me many things. Plus he told me that I speak well! Maybe he was just trying to make me feel good... But either way it worked!

That same day we had a cool experience. It was getting a little late, we had another visit to do, but we contacted a reference really quick. We started the lesson, but before we had really even taught much Elder Phippen started inviting her to be baptized. It kinda caught me off guard, but I prayed the Spirit would be in his words (also because I thought she probably wouldn't understand what he had said). She accepted without hesitation. A little surprised, I testified, then put her with a baptismal date. It was  a cool experience. I have found that we as missionaries often get in the way of the Spirit because of our "incredulidad". Sorry... Spanglish... forgot that one in english....

Saturday night/Sunday morning was rough. I woke up to a huge storm and about cried. I started praying really hard that our members and investigators would go to church anyway. It was a small service... A total of 3 members were there... A tough end to a tough week, but we keep moving forward. 

Hope you all have a great week. Just so you are all aware. I will see KO on Saturday! Also Elder Bednar. 400 missionaries in the stake center in Fernando de la Mora. It is going to be awesome. The weird thing is that Kelon is literally a 30 minute bus ride away from where I am right now... Pretty close.... too bad he is so obedient.... haha just kidding. obedience brings blessings. 

Love, Elder Naegle

 a picture with my comp, Elder Phippen, Elder Shumway, and my grandchild.

Email October 15, 2012*

Hey Mom,

So I am training again!!! Yep. Pretty crazy. I am training Elder Phippen from West Jordan. He is a great kid. Also, Elder Shumway is training, so that makes me a grandpa in the mission.... I am an old man. Johnson went to a place called Emboscada, he was pretty sad to leave, but that is life. 

I would assume that Elder Bednar will talk to both of our missions at the same time, because we are going to Fernando de la Mora which is in the south mission. My branch meets in the building with Kennedy. So they are a ward and we are a branch, for now...... Elder Hill is my really good buddy. He was comps with Richins in Trinidad after I left, and he is in my district now. We get along great. Richins always told me about him out in Paloma, and now we have been together for 3 changes. He was training for 2 changes, and they stayed together for a 3rd. Willes is his comp. Willes knows Paige Andersen.

Your little comment about the the beach front property made me pretty trunky.... But not in a bad way. I laughed pretty good. I am excited for it. I am trying to work my tail off and be super obedient here with my second kid. Having a 2nd shot at it and seeing my first fruits in the training meeting made me really want to do the best I can so Elder Phippen has a really good impact on the mission. Clearly Elder Shumway is doing well too, but I don't take any credit for that. He is just an awesome kid. I miss being with him.

So we had some good lessons this week. Elder Phippen struggles a bit with Spanish, but that is expected. The great thing is that he isn't afraid to speak. He wants to share his testimony and it is awesome. One thing I have really been trying to focus on is having the Spirit. We had a lesson with a lady where we taught the Restoration. After sharing the first vision with her, she said, "Joseph Smith was a prophet, he really saw God and Jesus Christ didnt he? I can feel it in my heart that what you guys are saying is true." We explained that we have the Spirit with us and that is why she feels like that when we come over. It was really cool.

I am really starting to understand the importance of letting go of our desires and replacing them with the Lord's desires. For a long time in my mission I have been obedient and worked hard, but I often times didn't love it and would have rather been doing something else. I can honestly say right now that I love the mission. Some days stink, I would rather be cuttin up some glass at Bear Lake on the ski, but I understand that waterskiing wouldn't make me any happier. So I have 8 months left, and I am going to make them count. And when I get back you better believe I am going to do all the stuff I love!

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. He atoned for our sins. I know it.

Love, Elder Naegle

ps. Sorry Mom my sd card is still loaded with that virus.... You might not get to see me until Christmas! Hahaha Love you Mom!

Email October 8, 2012

Hello Mom,

Well this week was awesome. I have many things to say so hopefully I won't forget all of them. First of all, time has changed in Paraguay starting yesterday, so we are now forward one hour. Second, God looks after his missionaries! This is a silly example, but it still applies. This morning I was cooking breakfast, and without realizing I stepped on a scorpion. I was only wearing flip flops. later I looked down and realized and chuckled. Close one! As I was taking a picture of him, he got back up and started coming at me. He was a mean little guy. The chicken we fed him to was happy though.

Another example. Elder  Johnson fell out of a tree this week when we were doing a service! We were cleaning out mango trees of the power lines to a house and such with machetes, when I heard a snap, thud, and a moan. Luckily he was fine. He fell right where there was no concrete. But the branch that broke was filled with ants, and let's just say they weren't too happy, so they started attacking. It was pretty funny. He was pretty sore all week though.

But. Best news of the whole week! Are you ready!!!????? Both paraguay missions will have a conference on the 27th with Elder Bednar!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah!!!! WHat's up KO??????

Plus we had conference this week. Life just doesn't get better. But before I talk about conference I want to talk about something else. I started a 40 day fast this week. And it has been awesome. In other words, I started with a fast, then at the end of the fast I wrote down a list of all the things that keep me from having the Spirit, and then for 40 days I don't do those things. I also added some things that I will do. This is the 2nd time I have done it, but this time I am taking it more seriously and have put more reasonable things. I have noticed a huge difference and invite all of you to do it as well.

One lesson we had this week was with this lady, and after asking tons of questions, she just wasn't giving us anything to work with. So we started in on the Restoration. After about 2 minutes, a question popped into my head and I asked her. How do you feel when you go to your church? Simple question, some might say it isn't inspired at all. She started with the answer of, "I feel great, really uplifted..." But then her answer started to change, ".. but when I leave the church, that feeling leaves, I want to fight with my husband, I don't feel good all week." I bore my testimony to her about how I feel good all week and it is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that I feel that way. We shared Alma 7, then shared in 3 Nephi 18 about the Sacrament, and how it is for those that have repented and been baptized. This can only be found in the true Church of Jesus Christ by the true authority. It was one of the most spiritual lessons I have had. Her whole attitude changed, she said, "I want you to come back and share with my husband, I would assume we have to get married to be baptized? I want to get married." It was incredible.

As far as conference talks go, well I loved Elder Christofferson's talk. I love the way he puts together a talk. Priesthood session was the bomb, and not just because it was the only one I watched in English. Elder Holland's was really awesome as well, especially because it was a spitten image of one he gave in the MTC while Benny was there that is still circling my mission. All of my prayers were answered in conference. After saturday session, I thought, "well now I have to think of more things to ask my Heavenly Father". 

Saturday was pretty cool as well because I had more investigators than there were members from Paso. Hahaha. It was a very successful weekend for us in Paso. We will be having several baptisms here in a couple of weeks. One of our investigators, Miguela, is blind, she has awesome faith. We will be getting the BOM on CD for her this week. Have a great week. I pray for you. Let us follow the council of the Prophet and apostles.

Love, Elder Naegle

Email October 1, 2012

Hello Mom,

Sounds like you had a busy week. Too bad that Andrew didn't get to go to state again in golf, but there is always next year. That is great that you had a good time at the cabin with the Fousts. Congratulations to Tootin Terry! That is awesome that he got his best time. 

No I haven't heard from Isaias, I have written him twice I think, but I haven't got anything back. I did talk to Elder Shumway though. He told me that he was able to go to Asuncion with the Zalema family and do baptisms at the temple and go to seminary. Afterwards he went back to Paloma super pumped up! He realized that there are actually other youth in the church! haha not just him out there in Paloma. So last I heard, he is doing awesome.

The converts here in Paso are doing awesome as well. Mariano and family are going strong. Rosi is doing well. Hernan is doing fantastic! We were able to give him a Preach My Gospel, he is going mission crazy! He wants to serve so bad. September of 2013 he will be able to go. That is all he talks about. He blessed the sacrament for the first time on Sunday and gave a talk as well. He is a stud. 

So yeah. Paso de Oro. It is awesome. We have changes here in another week. We'll see what happens. This week was good. I was almost killed by a bus, but I am quick like a cat, so I was able to jump out of the way before I got flattened like the pathetic pancakes that I have made in my mission. I couldn't be better! Well, AC would be nice.... But we can't have everything we want!!!

Yesterday after church we were able to go visit our investigators Estela and Osmar with our elders quorum pres, David Toledo and his mom, the hermana Toledo. The visit went well. We had a testimony meeting with them and the Spirit was there. It was really great. But as always, the lesson part of the lesson was not what really counted, it was the before and after. When members chat with investigators in Guarani, and I understand about 4% of what is being said... It truly is a great blessing. When investigators have friends in the church it makes all the difference. 

I don't know about yall (Dan in the NC shoutout, boo yeah!), but I'm excited for conference! It is going to be awesome. I am looking forward to my prayers being answered, but even more than that, I want to make some awesome promises to people this week! (by the Spirit of course). I know that people will receive the answers to the questions they have in conference. It is awesome.

Well. Chaucito. Have a good one. No pictures. Sorry, memory card still infected with virus...

Love, Elder Naegle