December 24, 2012: Week 62

Hey Fam!

This is going to be short because we'll be talking and today isn't our P-day but we're doing cyber today so ya...

We had a good week but we found out that Adriana's boyfriend still hasn't left so we need to help get him out ;) She wants him out and he's not a good person and treats her badly. She needs a push of support to get the courage to tell him to get out. Elder Woolston offered to do it for her, but she declined, lol. Really we just want her to be able to receive the blessings that God has for her and make a step forward in her life, because that man is holding her back. 

Other then that we are still in the search for new people. 

Sounds and looks like you had a good time going to Salt Lake. When did they build a train? Sooo much is changing since I left. I feel way out of the loop. Well I am, but still...

So I didn't get the packages still but it's alright, they'll come eventually. I'm super excited to see what everyone got for Christmas. Like you saw I created an account and Skype is definitely still on. 

Not much more to say because if I say more I'll have nothing to say tomorrow. ;)

I love you guys and hope you enjoy your last Christmas season without me!

Love, Elder Jordan Duke 

December 17, 2012: Week 61

Hey Family!

Are you as excited to talk to me as I am to talk to you?! I'm pretty excited! I plan on sending you stuff, but it won't get there until after Christmas. Also I have a letter but I forgot to send it last week so it will get there late also.. Yes i'm here in 100 degree weather in December! It doesn't feel anything like Christmas here. The only thing we have is the Christmas music we have that we listen to in the house. It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't come with the 90% humidity!! That's what kills us! We literally do nothing but sit there in a lesson and talk and we have sweat pouring down our faces...so crazy!!

Thanks Josh, lol! I'll try really hard not to get hit by a bus ;) Also I'm pretty sure I'd be coming home early if I did drugs, so thanks for warning me, lol! I'm not going to school by the way...
We'll be looking for those packages. Also I am planning on sending stuff home but I haven't done it yet. It will most likely get sent out next week. And yes I'll send something to the anonymous Jam sender ;) lol.

I have no idea about anything to do with Skype. If it's better to make me one then lets do it, but I really have no idea how to even do it. It'll all work out though and it'll be great to "see" each other. I'll write down the 2 Skypes so I have them ready.

The referrals, are good... sort of... One hasn't anwered the door when we go by and the other still goes to church in the other ward and can't be taught in his home, so he's being taught by the missionaries in the other ward. We have good news though from our other investigador Adriana. Her boyfriend that was living with her is going to move next week so she can get baptized. We're going to give her a fecha for the 29th of this month. I hope all goes through. It would be great to have a "White Christmas" baptism.

I have pics from the Zone Conference and I'll send them in this email. I want to see the Hobbit soo bad. I'll just have to hide in my room for a few weeks after I get back to catch up on the movies, lol! I'm glad you had fun in the Family Christmas party. Next year it will be more exciting because I'll be there! ;)

 

 

Good to here that Mom is getting back into school. It's really a blessing that you're able to go back. Good luck in school!

I love you guys and I'll see you in 8 days!

Love, Elder Jordan Duke

December 10, 2012: Week 60

Hey family,

So I'll start off answering questions. I'm ok with what ever color the glasses are as long as they work. And I'm fine with the contacts for now. I can wait. Elder Woolston was happy to read the part about a package for him. I won't forget to send a letter I'll probably write it today after this.

So this week was a relief. We had someone in church. I was super happy because lately we've been struggling in that aspect. It's a lady named Adriana who we've worked with in the past, but now she is able to get baptized because her boyfriend is going to leave, so she won't be living with someone. He's not a good guy anyway and she wants him to leave. She told us about some horrible stuff that he's done to her and I'm happy for her really. He's not a bad guy, he just has made mistakes...alot.

We are going to have a lot of great investigadores this week. And we have a lot to find because we've received a ton of references and of people that have already gone to church and want to listen to us. To me it looks like the turn around point of Barrio 2 in Artigas. I'm super happy and we're going to help turn Artigas around. With the Lord's help, of course.

It's sooo awesome that the Jazz beat the Lakers, Tomá like they say here in Uruguay. Also awesaome that the Seahawks won 58-0. lol what a buttkicking. Sounds like the Jazz are slowly climbing. Hopefully they keep going so that when I get back I can watch them kick some butt.

Our zone conference is going to be with the zone of Salto. It's this Wednesday. I'm super excited especially to see everyone and also just to have a great conference and enjoy the Christmas Spirit. It's always a great time of year. Here it's a little weird because instead of snow it's super hot sun of over 100 degrees. QUE LOCO.

To end I'm going to give you good news. We have someone who is letting us use Skype, WOOT. So you'll have to send me the info or however it works and we'll SEE each other in a couple of weeks.

I love you guys and I love this work almost as much. Have a great week and remember to stay close to the Lord.

Love,
Elder Jordan Duke

December 3, 2012: Week 59

Hey Family!

So to start off I thought of a few things that I wanted for Christmas but didn't remember to write it down to tell you. I'd like Hot sauce, the hottest you can find the better.  Also warheads, they are super funny when you give them to the Uruguayos, lol! I'd love it if you could send some of that really good Mississippi BBQ sauce that we always have at the house. Also if I didn't already say Twix Peanut Butter. And last but not least a rubix cube. I learned how to complete it here and ever since have wanted one. The limit for packages is 5 kilos or 10 lbs, but I doubt that that stuff will weigh 10 lbs.
Other announcement... I don't remember if we had some kind of garauntee on my glasses or not, but the ear piece on one side is busted beyond repair and I've taken it to eye places here and they haven't been able to do anything... If you can I'd would love new frames sent.

We'll to talk about the area. We had no one in church for the second week in a row... Sometimes I get really annoyed at people that use their agency to make wrong choices. Even after you've taught them  all they need to make the right choice. We have more plans this week to find more and also to find the doubts of the people that are keeping them from entering the church. We're going to have at least 1 person in the church next week si o si.

Alright to answer the questions about the mish. Our District consists of Me and Elder Woolston(Murray, Utah)(DL). The Zone Leaders (Elder Velazquez(NY, USA) and Rivera(Honduras)), Elder Crawford(ID, USA) y Elder Favero(Sao Paulo, Brazil), Elder Bustos(Argentina) y Elder Encina(Paraguay) and the Hermanas Mosmann(Argentina) y Castro(Guatemala) There are 18 missionaries in Artigas and only 2 are Hermanas. The other district has the other 4 companionships and their DL is Elder Bryant from Ohio.

I lost contact with Elder Minter after he left Rivera and that was 3 changes ago so I have no idea and I didn't ask him when we went to Elder Oaks's conference. Elder Webster is in Tacuarembo. Elder Salmond was in Paysandu last time I checked, but I could be wrong. Also when we went to Elder Oaks's conference, it was the first time I had seen Elder Webster since the CCM!

I'm glad to hear that your had a good week. I'm surprised that you got the tree up soo fast! I haven't recieved anything for Christmas but I should soon. I wasn't expecting more the the $100 that you said you were going to put before. This Christmas we're going to spend with the Family Bueno, which is the stake president and his family. I'm not sure how many of the missionaries are going to be there but there will be a lot.

There is a place to change dollars to pesos so that won't be a problem when Grandma's card gets here. Also I can easily send somethimng home. I don't know if it will get there before Christmas, but I'll try.

I still think it's so cool that your friend got baptized! It's really is the best step for anyone, and being out here on the mission has helped me realize that. We really have the right message for everyone because it's the perfect message. It's of God.

I love you guys and I love the work. I know that we will be blessed every day of our lives if we just simply complete with the commandments of God and strive to be our best. I hope you all have a great week and I can't wait to talk to you in a few weeks!

Love Elder Jordan Duke