Another Week in the Mission

And, behold, it came to pass that another week had passed in the mission of Elder Clifford....

Well this week was just as exciting as every other week has been in Roca. A whole lot of contacting and looking for people to teach. With my new companion Elder Stoker from American Fork, Utah, we are working super hard. We are talking with every person we see and have seen a little improvement. I think we should have a lot of success going into these next couple weeks.

So this week was also REALLY hot. I'm dying. It was in like the 30's all week. And the sun, I don't know why, but its much stronger here. I am struggling with the heat but I'm surviving. Ive been told it should get better this week. Lets hope, eh?

Funny Story of the Week: We went to meet the Zone Leaders at the chapel to let them borrow our phone charger. We unlock the chapel doors and a super loud alarm starts going off. The Zone leaders start punching in whatever numbers they can think of to shut it off while they are yelling at us to call the District leader for the code. It was so funny. But you would think the zone Leaders would know the code. But no.

Anyway, Things here are truckin' along. Keep the prayers for The Universitario Ward coming. We need it. Pray for less heat. Please and Thank you. I love you all and couldn't be more grateful for your support. Until Next week,

Elder Clifford

P.S. Sis Burnham, I got your package and card. Thanks for keeping me in your thoughts! Those rings will go to good use! 

Happy Mothers Day!!

I want to wish a special Happy Argentine Mother’s Day to my wonderful mother whom I love dearly!! Happy Mother’s Day mom!! Get used to me wishing you Happy Mother’s Day in October because your son is Argentine now so you're gonna have to adjust. Mother’s day here in Argentina is in October instead of May. Don’t ask me why. It’s just Argentina. They’re a little odd here, but I love it.

Nothing mind blowing to report this week other than it was transfers today. My comp was transferred. I’m sad to see him go but excited for the future. My new comp is Elder Stoker. I think that’s how it’s spelled. Still haven’t met him yet. But I’ve heard good things and I am excited to get a fresh start on this area. I think we will have a bit more success this transfer.

I want to thank you for all of your prayers in my direction and would ask that you keep praying specifically for Elder Clifford and Elder Stoker and the Universitario Ward. It’s really does help. I want to confirm that this truly is the work of the Lord. And it truly comes in His time, not ours. I’m learning this very quick right now. I can’t tell you how much I want to be teaching people and seeing great successes, but I know that the time isn’t now. But it'll come. 

The Mission is a crazy thing but I love every second of it. I am having the time of my life. It’s an experience indescribable. It’s stinkin' hard sometimes but that just makes it that much greater. I love you all so much and know that you are in my prayers. Thanks for everything!

Elder Clifford

P.S. Stefani Lakic I got your postcard! Thanks for writing but you didn’t put a return address so I can’t write you back... You should send another but with a return address, eh? :)

Pictures in Roca

Last pictures taken in Centenario before Transfer

The Tsunami and The Thunderstorm

Welcome to another exciting blog post all the way from Roca, Argentina! This week we had both a thunderstorm and a tsunami here is Roca. 

So our area is still trucking right along to the middle of nowhere haha But I'm loving it. We have lots of good potential but we go to visit people and they don't answer the door. That is our problem. Also, for those that don't know, there is this thing called the Siesta here. Basically, from about 12 noon to 5pm or later, the world shuts down. Everyone goes home to sleep and no one answers. Its really just wonderful... if you're Argentine. If you're a little American missionary trying to help people, its pretty much death. But I love Argentina and all its kwirks.

So we did really have a tsunami. A Tsunami in missionary terms is when all the missionaries from the are spend a couple hours in your area contacting, trying to give the area a boost. Unfortunately, that boost has not helped us. The whole no one answers their door is a problem. That really seems to be the root problem of our lack of success here. But we may have another tsunami this week so stay on your toes people! Also prayers for Universitario and elder Clifford and Elder Muñoz! Please and Thank you! 

We also had a HUGE thunderstorm this week. It was pretty much the highlight of the week, not gonna lie. I took a video, but it may or may not get uploaded because it will probably take like an hour to upload. Later down the line Ill get it to you guys. Its got come nice commentary to it. Its a worthwhile film. 

Well that pretty much sums it up. Today I was ready from conference talks from May and found something I really liked. Its from a talk entitled Spiritual Whirlwinds by Elder Niel A Andersen. There was a quote that applies to everyone, members and non members, that I want to share with you all. 

"In nature, trees that grow up in a windy environment become stronger. As winds whip around a young sapling, forces inside the tree do two things. First, they stimulate the roots to grow faster and spread farther. Second, the forces in the tree start creating cell structures that actually make the trunk and branches thicker and more flexible to the pressure of the wind. These stronger roots and branches protect the tree from winds that are sure to return.⁴

You are infinitely more precious to God than a tree. You are His son or His daughter. He made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life. The whirlwinds in your youth, like the wind against a young tree, can increase your spiritual strength, preparing you for the years ahead."

I love that advice by Elder Andersen. We ALL truly are sons and daughters of a loving and kind Heavenly Father. He wants us to succeed, always. He has provided us the ways to hold strong when the whirlwinds of life blow stranger than we think we can handle. Stay strong. You can do it all through the power and Grace of Christ and our Heavenly Father. 

¡Sepan que te amo muchísimo! Oro cada noche por ustedes y estoy tan agradecido por su amor y apoyo. Gracias por todo. Sigan adelante.

Elder Clifford

CONFERENCIA GENERAL!

¡BUEN DIA! Well this week was General Conference and I can honestly say I have never enjoyed Conference so much!! En serio!

Conference down here is SO much different. First, only the people that live close to the Stake Center go to every session, which broke my heart that not everyone could listen to every single word the Prophets and Apostles had to say. But that’s how it is down here. 

Also, we had a less active at the Saturday Sessions so I listened in Spanish for those. Let me tell you, it is a miracle to be able to hear the Prophet and Apostles in their own voices. Having it being translated into Spanish was not even close. The whole time I was just thinking "This is NOT the same. This is NOT the same!!" Truly a miracle and blessing to hear their voices. Not take that for granted! Sunday I listened in English the whole time and I understood much better and it was so much more powerful and Spiritual.

Also, How cool that some of them got to speak in their native languages?? For real, it was super cool. The members here really enjoyed it. I’m glad for modern day revelation that makes things like that happen. Super cool. 

Now, a note to all of you. As I listen to Conference, I was able to really reflect on the blessing that this Gospel is in my life. To those of you that are members of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, please so forsake the incredible blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in your life. Its truly is incredible.

For those of you who aren’t members of this church, know that I love you. And because I love you, I invite you to learn more about this Church. I promise you that it is worth your time. I invite you to investigate and put this church and its teachings to the test. I know it is true. I know that it can and will bless your lives. We as members believe in finding and seeking after everything good. I know that this Gospel is good. I invite you to go to Mormon.org and chat with some of the missionaries there and ask them questions. When you see missionaries in the street, Chat with them. Ask for a Book of Mormon and give it a read. It is real. The blessings from this gospel are real. I have seen them. I invite you to do these things because I love you and I want these blessings for you as well. Give it a try.

Know that I love you all. I am so grateful for modern day revelations and the chance to listen to the Prophets and Apostles. Reflect on their words. Study them with all your might. They know so much better than we do. Take your doubts and questions to the Lord. He Knows. I love you.

Elder Clifford

 The Roca Zone

Celebrating Birthday during Zone Conference