Christmas song from Elder Clifford

We had a great Skype chat with Elder Clifford on Christmas morning. 

Merry Christmas!

December 22, 2014

¡Feliz Navidad a todos! Estoy animado poder escribirles y compartir mi gozo de la navidad con ustedes. This week was pretty great. We have a lot of progress and had a lot of really cool activities!

First, let me tell you about S and E. S is the mother of E. We were teaching E for quite a while but then the other day, we met his mom and she is SUPER prepared. We taught them several times this week and both accepted baptismal dates for the 17 of January. They are capos and even came to church yesterday. They are both really determined to find the path that God wants for them and once they find it are really determined to stick to it. They are really great. 

We also had Zone Christmas this week. It was really fun exchanging gifts with everyone and receiving some cool stuff. It was a white elephant. I almost got a pair of Sweet Michael Jackson pants that had a face of Michael Jackson sewn on but they got stolen from me. I ended up with a Crunch bar. Lame. But I found this sweet AS Seen on TV exercise band from like the 60s in a store. It was a great gift if I do say so myself. 

I always end up running out of time. Unfortunately we have people waiting outside the church for us so I have to go early, but know that I love you all. I hope you can all really enjoy this Christmas Season and keep in mind the real reason that we celebrate: to remember our Saviors birth and the wonderful gift that God gave to us: sending His son to suffer and die for us so that we can return to live with Him. I’m so grateful to be His servant and preach His gospel to help bring salvation to the people of Argentina. 

Keep up the good work!!

With Love,

Elder Clifford

CIPOLLETTI!

HEY ALL! How are things going in the homeland?

Well, I love Cipolletti. We are seeing great thing happening here and the ward is amazing. The ward has about 130+ members that are actively assisting every week. It’s great.

This week we had a lot of really cool new investigators this week: 1) C and L: They were just a contact that we made. They immediately let us in and we chatted for a good long time. They had a lot of cool questions and we talked about the Book of Mormon and José Smith. It was really cool. They seem really prepared. 2) L: He was a reference from some other Hermanas in Cipo. They gave him one of the He is the Gift cards and he was really interested in the idea of eternal life. We went immediately and he let us in. We chatted and he told us that he really wants to go to church. He should be coming next week. 3) E: She was a contact. She was just leaving for work but told us to come back the next day. We went and we chatted for a long time about God and prayer. I think she is going to progress really fast. We are going to visit her tomorrow. 4) E: He is a younger kid, but is really interested in religion and God. He had a small accident recently that opened up his eyes a little. Super cool kid.

We are seeing lots of miracles and our area is already progressing a lot. The majority of our work seems to be with less active members, which is just as cool. But everyone we are working with seems to be progressing really well. It’s great. I am loving Cipolletti.

Funny story of the week: We did exchanges with the zone leaders. I was with an elder that was actually my comp a couple transfers back. But we got on a bus to go to the church. It was his first day using the bus system. We got on the wrong bus. We ended up going about 45 minutes away from the church and then just staying on the bus while it made its rotation back. We proceeded to get off where we got on and then just walk. It was pretty great. Best part, the activity started late so we didn’t miss anything! Super funny.

Also, on a sadder note. So here in Argentina, people typically just pile up their garbage and burn it. That’s the usual. Well this week, we found a burnt dog on top of one of the piles. It was sad. We are almost positive that it was dead before the burning, but still. It was a bit cool/gross.

Well, I am out of time, folks. I love you all and I have never been more sure that this is the work of the Lord. It comes in His time and when we are prepared for it. Keep on doing good things, but more importantly, great things. A wise Young Men's adviser once taught me: "Good is the enemy to great." May we all strive to do great this week instead of just good. I love you all!

Elder Clifford

Pictures in Roca

My district in Roca when I left

Me with the Familia Epullán 

All of the Missionaries in my ward in Roca with the Familia Caram

"...Y Elder Clifford se va a.... CIPOLETTI!"

Well, another transfer gone. Another companion to say goodbye to. Another ward to leave behind. But that's the life of a missionary.

As the title explains, I have been transferred to Cipoletti. Its a fairly large city just east of Neuquen. I am very excited. I have heard that things here are great. I am with Elder Ostler from Draper, Utah. This is his last transfer so it should be fun haha!

I was sad to leave Roca, especially some of the members. But that's how it goes. Roca was a wonderful experience and I am grateful for everything that I learned. We ended up having dinner with one of the families I'm going to miss the most. The daughter is actually one of our investigators and it was very sad to leave without seeing her get baptized but I think it will happen this coming transfer. 

HAPPY DECEMBER! ¡FELIZ NAVIDAD! Its already time to celebrate Christmas and I can't believe it. The church, for those of you who don't know, has started a big Christmas push and I would like to invite you all to take part. The have published a video called He is the Gift, and it is wonderful!! Here is the link to watch it: http://www.mormon.org/christmas . But it really is a great video that expresses the real meaning of Christmas. I hope you all can share this video and more than anything, partake of the great joy that is the Christmas season, but not the presents and not even the family (although that is a great part!). I invite you to partake of the joys that come from accepting the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, into our lives. He truly is the reason for every single little piece of happiness in my life. It can all be traced back to Him. I'm incredibly grateful for Him and His sacrifice for me. 

I love you all more than you can imagine and want to wish you the happiest Christmas that you have ever had! Keep up the good work!

Elder Clifford