Email January 28, 2013

Hello Mom,

How are you? Sounds like things are going pretty well. Send the Knickrehm's my love. Not easy to lose a loved one. The cabin sounds as fun as ever. Good thing it doesn't move... It will be there when I get back. 

Please tell the Faulkner's and Rich and Rhea Anderson thanks for their Christmas cards! Really appreciated! Also I got a nice little Christmas package from Dave and Jeanette. Awesome! Thanks! Paraguay mail decided to open it with a box cutter and cut the card right in half... I love Paraguayan mail.... hahaha.

This week was awesome. Super busy. Divisions. I did a baptism interview for the district leader in Zeballos Cue. The assistants had a baptism. Time was short, and it flew by. 

The first division was with Mburucuya, I went with Elder Wolfgramm in my area. He is so awesome. A big football player from Payson, UT. I told him about the new snowmobile and he about fell over saying that is the first thing he wants to get when he gets back. My kind of missionary!

Friday we did a division with the assistants. I stayed in my area with Elder Harris. He is pretty dang funny. We had a good time. I just want to share one experience. We contacted a reference that I have been trying to contact for a while, and the lady came out and said she only had 15 minutes cause they were leaving out of town. So we sat down with her, and it didn't seem like she was super interested. We were just asking her questions and trying to get to know her better. Then we started testifying about eternal families. Not exactly sure why, but the Lord does. That was exactly what she needed to hear. Her face changed immediately. She looked at me and asked, how does this work? Are you guys coming back? I want to learn more with my family. The Spirit had knocked on the door and she let it in. It was awesome. Due to time, we were unable to invite her to be baptized but I am sure this wednesday when we visit her she will be ready. 

So I was reading in el LDM this morning in Alma 25. Pretty awesome how the converted lamanites understood the doctrine. They knew that the Law of Moses wasn't the end in itself. But rather the means by which they could strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. I have found that often times as missionaries and members, we get trapped in thinking the goal, or the program is the end. Elder Christofferson talks about this in a great talk he gave to mission presidents. It is so important to understand why we are doing the things we are doing, to strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and be able to live His Gospel, and to help others out along the way. Just some good old Elder Naegle thoughts for you. Hope you enjoyed. Let us all do the things we are supposed to do, but remember why we are doing them. I know that Jesus is the Christ. Have a great week!

Love, Elder Naegle

Email January 21, 2013

Hello Mom,

Sounds like good news from home. I sure do miss going to the Logan temple once a week, especially seeing the Paraguay temple at least once a week... But it is such a blessing to have the temple in my area. For one thing, 99% of the people know where the church is! Right now the temple is closed though for cleaning and maintenance. I got a card from the Guinns, please tell them thanks. Also please tell the Nicholas family thanks again for their monthly letter. 

Anyway. This week was a pretty good one. We were able to get ward night started again here in Moroni and it was an ok success. We played cake in the face with whipped cream. Pretty fun, I think we will have more success as time goes along. Hector went and liked it a lot.

Thursday we did a division with Trinidad, and Elder Hernandez and I taught Hector the Word of Wisdom. He committed to live it, which means dropping the occasional drinl Haha but he is willing. He stopped smoking a while back so there are no problems there. And he said he will just drink mate or cocido instead of cafe, so we are all good! Haha he is awesome.

The interesting thing about Hector is that he always tells us he is not looking for the truth. Just trying to feel good, and he does feel good in the church. "many people don't know they are looking for the truth until they find it"... so we are just trying to help him fulfill his commitments so he can gain a testimony. As Elder Bednar said, a testimony is essencial for conversion, but a testimony alone isn't enough. So, that is how things are in Moroni B. We are finding lots of cool people, working well with members, but people are using their agency and not going to church..... but that is all part of it. I have been through it before. Just gotta keep going. Elder Bednar said something very interesting when he came to Paraguay. He said many missionaries are obedient, they work hard, and they aren't seeing the results they want. So they ask themselves, what is wrong with me? to that Elder Bednar said, STOP IT! Haha, "Just be a good boy or a good girl, be obedient, and work hard". I am doing my best to be a good boy. I know the Lord will bless me with the success I am looking for.

Love you all. As I am sure that someone said, "whatever you are, be a good one!" Have a great week!

Love, Elder Naegle

 The  horse pulled cart in asuncion is a normal thing. My face in the other picture isnt.... 

Family Home Evening

Email Jan 14, 2013*

Hello Mom,

I am doing good. I kept both journals. I liked them both. I haven't had any more sunday dinners. Hector didn't go to church again this week... But we are having a FHE with him right after this! Wahoo!

This week was crazy. Lots of divisions. I did a division with Elder Goncalvez, who is in training. He is waiting for a visa to go to Argentina. He is from Encarnacion, and he worked a ton with Johnny Holmgren! What are the odds. So he is in my zone for a bit. He is a super hard worker. Tell Johnny thanks for me!

Then I did a division with Elder Wing in the office. We got office poned! The Hermana had us do a bunch of stuff for her right when I got there so we didn't end up leaving until about 6:30... hahaha it was fun though. I worked in the van!!!!! I was an American missionary for a few hours. Then we had to drop off the van that night at President's house. We needed to take the back seat out, but it turns out it doesn't come out, so we were there pretty late. President then took us home. Crazy night. But Hermana Madariaga made us sandwiches! oh yeah! There house is sweet too.

Last week the zone concilio was super awesome. I learned a lot. President is great. It is pretty cool to share a ward with the assistants as well. I think I am doing a division with them this week.

Well we had interviews this week as well. The best interview I have ever had in my mission. President Madariaga is guided by the Spirit and knew exactly what I needed to hear. I left his office with a desire to give it all. It is hard sometimes, especially working in a team, but I know the Lord just wants our heart.

Have a great week. Love you all. Hope I answered all your questions Mom. Love you .

Love, Elder Naegle

Email January 7, 2013

Sorry I have no time. Concilio with all the zone leaders took up a lot of time. So I am going to print my emails. Love you all so much. I am working hard. The picture is of Elder Hill and me. He got those in a package. A voice recording would be great next week. I need to hear some American voices again... haha. Had some crazy dreams this week. One, I got dropped off at home on a Paraguayan bus at the end of my mission. 2, I was with Dad and I started contacting some spanish woman and she was golden!!!! Hahahaha I love the mission!

Love, Elder Naegle

 Elder and Sister Price

Elder Hill and Preston