Photos

Pictures from last pday when we went to a little zoo here in San Juan. Kind of pathetic but still fun haha!!

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Here it is!!!

  Well, i guess here it is. The last time writing home! Im not really even sure what I should feel like. Elder Hernandez asks me every day how I feel and every time I dont know how to answer. I feel like the only thing I can say is ´´a little bit of everything´´. I feel like im back home once again during the week before entering the MTC thinking to myself ´´how can I do this. Leave my home and the people I love?´´. But this time I feel like it´s a little more difficult since I dont know when or if I will be able to return one day. Of course there is excitement in there too. Excitement to see those that mean the world to me. And then throw in a little bit of the butterflies to go with it. And now you have it, there is Elder Wengert for you haha. But I know the Lord has everything planned out and knows what is best for me. 

   Im glad to see you all had a good week and were able to celebrate a bit for Tans birthday. Jordy im looking forward to watching some of your softball games. And Naes, we need to do some track workouts together to get me back into shape. I can walk hundreds of miles without any problems, but when it comes to running maybe ill make a mile (unless I have a Dogo chasing me from behind haha). 

   Well this was by far the best week we have had here in Retiro. Truly a week full of miracles. We got to meet a few times with Betty this week and work on slowly chipping away at her doubt of the Difunta Correa (I believe I told you last week, but she is a catholic saint here in Argentina). By our last visit we chipped enough of that doubt away that she understood the importance of baptism  and accepted a baptismal date for the 21st of March. She is now super excited for that day and is progessing well. We also got to work a lot with Hermana Ricardo and his son Eliam. In one of the lessons Hermano Ricardo said such a simple but powerful prayer that anybody could have felt the spirit there. It was truly incredible and led up to his son, Eliam, accepting a baptismal date for the also the 28 of this month. Then the last miracle happened yesterday. In my whole mission i have always had the goal to leave everyway one of my areas better than when i found it. In every aspect. So when I got here to Retiro I set a personal goal to work in such a manner that the total ward assistance will increase from about 75 to 100. We got to work teaching inactives, the members, and of course working with the investigators. After a little time that number began to slowly go up and now all that work has payed off when yesterday we had exactly 100 asistances. What a great feeling to complete with that goal.

  I want to thank all of you for everything you have done for me these past two years. The mission is not easy at all, but when somebody has the love and support that I have had, it is so much easier to keep working hard. My mission has been an incredible time of personal growth and learning and truly has become the North Star of my life. When one can learn to truly love others, even when they dont quite love you back, that is when the miracles begin. It is sad to see the mission coming to an end but the Lord blesses His servants and for this I know He has great things in store. I love you all so much and look forward to seeing you next week!! (keep an eye out for me on the TV monitor at the airport!!)

Elder Derek Wengert - W9 forever!!!

Misión Argentina Mendoza

´´Alcanzando lo más alto´´ 

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Photos!!

1. This is a tower that san juan is known for. Why? No idea haha!

2. Some gun that we found in a plaza here.

3. It finally has cooled down a bit here in San Juan, we even had to work one day with jackets on. So Awesome!!!!!!!!!

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  Well here we are, just one week closer. I cant believe it!! But im happy to hear that everything is going well with everybody!! Tan Man, happy birthday last week!!! Naes, keep working hard. That sounds like a fun trip you are working towards!! And Jordy, im looking forward to watching some of your softball games!! Oh Mom, Alcanzando lo más alto means ´´reaching the highest´´. Just so that you know! Dad, you can do whatever plans for my homecoming. I am fine with anything, just let me know next monday (since it will be my last time emailing) all the details about what is going to happen so i can let others know! 

  Well, this was another great week. First of all I had my final interview with President Goates last Wednesday. It was seriously incredible. I truly believe a huge part of your mission is who your mission president is and the impact he has on your life. We had a great talk for almost 2 hours, and he gave me counsil on just about anything from school up to the secrets of having a successful marriage. Very interesting. And then this week we got to meet with Betty. She is just the sweetest and the most loving old lady ever. Right in the middle of our lesson as we were teaching about the restauration, she just burst into tears because her dog is sick haha. But she absolutley loves the church and everything about it, except for the fact that we dont belive in the Virgen Mary and the Difunta Correa (other catholic saint here in Argentina. They have way too many haha). But she knows the church is true and she knows she will get baptised soon. She kept telling us ´´but elders, im catholic........for now´´ haha. Unfortunatly i wont be able to be here for when that time comes, but everything works out in the Lords time and in His way!! So she really is prepared, we just need to help get rid of those few doubts that she has. Enzo and Valeria love everything that we are teaching them and they are so happy to be able to teach these things to their son. But the only thing is that we cant get them to come to church. Well Valeria wants to come, but she doesnt want to come alone. Enzo says he is afraid of coming and feels embarrassed to come. So we are going to try something new this Sunday and cook them breakfast in their house for them so that they get up, and then afterwards we will all walk together to church!! So hopefully it all works out!! Lets go Enzo!! Well, other than that everything is going great here!! Sorry its a little short today. We been having some problems with the computers.

   But thank you all so much, have a great week, and I love you!!

Elder Wengert - W9

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More Photos

1. This is Hermano Ricardo Gallardo. He is seriously the funniest old man you will ever meet. And the other is us trying to imitate the face he always makes at us to make us laugh haha!

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Its Gameday!!!

   Wow, I dont even know where to start! Tan, im sorry about your wrist bud. But your right, its all for the love of the sport. Through my years of sports i got banged up quite a bit. Had to use quite a few braces, slings, a boot, who knows what else haha. But looking back it was worth every second of it. But you know, its a lot like the gospel of Jesus Christ. During this life we also get banged up quite a bit. Every day is gameday. We may get hurt a bit, but thanks to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have been given the healing process necessary to get back on the court/field. What a perfect plan the Lord has truly given to us! Jordy and Naes, it sounds like you are playing really well. And good luck ´with your first state game! Dad, thank you so much for your talk. Your talks have always been the best! And Mom, I cant believe you got to meet Albert (what is his real name haha?) and that he came to seminary. That really is incredible! Oh and for the place to eat at when i get back, im thinking mexican food haha. And I remember that with the older kids we always ate at Mecayos. But I am down for anything! Oh, and Congrats to Dallin Miller. He will tear it up there in Mexico!!

   Well this was another great week. Unfortunatly things are still a little tough with Dolores. We still havent been able to get in with her since the incident with her husband. We have passed by quite a few times and every time she has a different excuse. I believe she is afraid of what her husband will say or do. Thank you so much for the prayers in her behalf, and if you could, please keep them coming! But we had another great miracle happen yesterday. We arrived at the church and there inside was a member waiting for us. But she was waiting with one of her friends named Betty to introuce to us. Betty loved church and is now wanting to learn a little more. So this afternoon we have an appoitment set with her. We know she is very catholic, along with most of Argentina haha, but she is super nice and really wants to learn more. Hermano Ricardo is doing so great and has really seen the difference since he began to come to church again a month ago. We havent been able to teach his son Eliam yet, but we should be able to this week.

    Oh Mom, i forgot to tell you that last week i recieved the christmas package from your seminary class. Thank you so much! Well, im sorry but time is just about up. Its gameday, so i better get to work. I love you all so much and look forward to hearing from you next week!

Elder Wengert - W9

   

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Miracles Happen!!

    Hello from Retrio!! Arizona sounds beautiful right now. Some rain every now and then making it greener and starting to change to spring. My favorite time of the year!! In the mean time, we are still burning up here. But hey, its all good! Jordy and Naes, good luck this week with your first play off game. Go get um!! Naes, so you decided to do track! That is exciting and i know you will do great!! I cant get over that picture of Beau, she is adorable. No wonder those photographers wanted a picture of her!! Mom, way to look for those missionary opportunities. You are the best!! And Dad, thank you so much for all of your counsil and guidance. I have been a little worried about some those things, so thank you!

    Well, during this past week we had some ups and downs. To start out, on Tuesdsay we had to travel to Mendoza for a trainers meeting with President Goates. As we were boarding the bus I realized I didnt have my scriptures with me, but that i had left them in a little store we stopped at. Some we ran over there super fast but they werent there. I had lost my scriptures that i have used for my whole mission. 23 months full of personal growth and progression. I seriously was so sad about. The whole rest of the week I was praying and praying for help to find them. It came to the point that i recieved the impression that its not the scriptures itself that are important, but the teachings they contain. So taking that as the answer the Lord had for me, i got another triple from the offices and got to work studying. Honestly, it may have been the best week of studies i have had in my mission. There were so many little things calling out to me that i never realized before and my testimony took giant leaps. And then last night, our zone leaders called and gave me the great news that a member in the other stake found my scriptures in the middle of the road in San Juan Centro (the city part of San Juan). So later today I will be getting them back. To many people this may have been a coincidence, but to it is a true miracle. Evidence that Lord answers prayers, and He does it in many ways. I feel like He first answered my prayers with that impression to get to work and study. There was something special He wanted me to learn from that experience, and He lead me to find out. Then after, knowing how much my original scriptures meant to me, answered my prayers once again and help His child find what was lost. How amazing it is to know we have a loving Father in Heaven who listens to His children and is willing to guide them! 

   Last monday we had a great lesson with Dolores where she was so excited for her baptism. She told us ´´Elders, when I get baptized, I want to get baptized using a white dress and a white flower right here on my wrist´´. We answered back saying ´´I think we can handle that haha´´. But then on Friday we had another lesson with her. We were teaching the Word of Wisdom since she needs to quit smoking, and her husband entered the home. He got pretty angry that we were there and took Dolores outside behind the house and made her wash the clothes. We sat there waiting for her but after 15 minutes of waiting we left a note for her and decided to leave. Yesterday, she wasnt able to come to church either because of her husband. So we arent exaclty sure what is going to happen. But we know that the Lord has everything under control and that it will all work out in the end according to His will. But if you could keep Dolores in you prayers I would really appreciate it! We also havent been able to find Enzo or Valeria in the house for over a week. So things are still a little difficult here in Retiro, but Ricardo is doing great. He came to church again yesterday. And he now wants us to teach his son who isnt a member. So we will see what happens there. Well, thank you all so much for everything. I love you and hope you have a great week!!

Elder Wengert - W9

   

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Febrero!!!

   Well, once again here i am writing you guys. How crazy is that, but time flies while we are having fun!! Im way happy to hear that Jeff Carranza got his mission call. He is now in for quite the adventure haha! Im glad to hear that your 72 hour kits are all finished up. Just this morning we felt a nice little earthquake here in San Juan. The floor shaked a little bit and a few things fell from above the cabnents. Nothing too big or scary, but those kits are important. Tan Man, your blue hair sounded pretty dang cool, and you sound like quite the baller. You should probably teach me how to play when i get home. I havent had very many chances to play these past 2 years haha! Naes, so you are thinking about doing track? I honestly dont know what you should do. I know you love softball a lot, and i loved track. Im sure that you will do very well at whichever one you chose!! Dad, after seeing you all attempting to speak spanish on skype, i could only imagine you there in the spanish branch. But hey, atleast you speak a little better than Mom haha!

   Well this week we had quite the problem of our appoitments falling through, but other than that is was a great week. For the past 3 weeks we have been teaching a woman named Dolores after she stopped us in the street one day and asked us to visit her innactive mother who is quite old and has some health issues. The whole time we have been teaching her she wasnt really willing to do anything. But this past week we taught her the gospel of Jesus Christ and as we were teaching about baptism and explaining the importance of following the example that Christ gave us and be baptised in that way and by somebody with the authority to do so, it just clicked for her and is now working towards her baptismal date on the 28 of February. She was so exciting afterwards that she asked ´´so what time will my baptism be at?´´, we just told her that we will plan the details when it gets a little closer haha! Because of the work schedule of Enzo and Valeria, we werent able to meet with them this week. But they are reading a lot in the Book of Mormon and we have an appoitment set up with them for this week! Another great miracle we saw this week was with the less-active members we have been working with. 5 of them came to church on Sunday for the first time for years. One of them, Ricardo Gallardo, is about 75 years old and had a stroke a few years ago leaving the left side of his body just about useless. But on Sunday, the member that was supposd to pass by for him never showed up. So Hermano Ricardo set out on his own and made the 45 minute walk to church (well like 5 minutes for us, but 45 for him haha). It was so great to see him make those efforts to get to church. Whatever it took, he would be there. What a great attitude that we all need. No matter what happens, i will live the gospel!! A great lesson learned!

   Well, thank you all so much for everything. I hope you have a great week and I love you all!!

Elder Wengert - W9

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The final one!!!

    Im glad to hear how everthing is going well back to home. I cant believe how big everybody is getting. But i guess that is what happens when two year passes by. Tan, me perece que tiene un buen equipo y están ganando a ful. Bien hecho hermanito, ¡¡siga siendo un capo!! There you go tan, now you can use your google translate skills to read that haha! Jordy and Naes, sounds like you had an exciting week on the court. Keep it up! And Jess, I heard that you met Aubrey Tanner the other day in the temple. She was in my MTC district and then i was her DL at one point here in Argentina. It is a small world!

  Well this is it, the start of my last transfer in the mission. Im staying here in Retiro with Elder Hernandez to finish it off. I honestly can believe how the time has passed by. Jordy, you asked me in your letter if, now that im finishing the mission, if it has actually been the best 2 years. It is a little dificult to fully explain, and it would probably take a few weeks to do it. But it a more simple way, yes!!!!! It truly has been the best times of my life. It is bittersweet knowing that it is coming to an end. It will be sad to leave this place and Argentina has now captured a special part of my heart, but im also excited to see all of you again and to see what else the Lord has in store for me. But hey, i still have 6 weeks left. Which means 6 weeks more to work with everything i have. 

   Well, this week we kind of started from the beginning once again. Focusing on finding news, but people who were very interested in listening to us. And that was when a member, Hermana Flores, gave us a reference for her inactive daughter Valeria and her husband Enzo who isnt a member. A while back the missionaries visited Valeria and while they were teaching her, Enzo was listening from the other room. He was interested, but the missionaries never passed by. We were able to meet with the both of them this past week and it was an incredible lesson. We taught them the Restauration and they both were just listening so intently. At the end of the lesson Enzp told us about how his life he has been Catholic, but never really liked the teachings and they never really called his attention. But he told us ´´but when you two taught me this lesson, it really touched my heart´´. In the end he accepted a baptismal date for the 21st of Febuary. He is such a great guy and has some great potential! This experience really showed me that the Lord is going to guide us to those who are prepared. We are always going to have some of those tough times when we dont know what we should do, but if we can trust in the Lord and keep going strong with everything that we have, we will walk in His footsteps and find His lost children. What an amazing blessing we have to have such a perfect guide and example to follow. 

   I hope you all have such a great week and can always walk in the footsteps of the Lord. I love you all so much!!

Elder Wengert - W9

1. Please dont take your horse and carriage on the freeway.... only in Argentina haha!

2. San Martin!!! The soccer team here in San Juan haha. 

Times a Ticking!

    I seriously dont even know how it is possible that the time flies by so fast! But once again it is monday! Everything seems to be going great for everybody! Jordy and Naes, way to be balling it up. I still remember playing Vista Grande my senior year. It was our retro game when we played in the old gym using the old jerseys. It was way sweet haha! Tan, you are basically fluint in spanish. Just come on over here and we can be comps to finish up the mission! Im glad to hear you are all looking for those special missionary opportunities. Sometimes the people right in front of us who see on a daily basis are the prepared ones, and other times it is a little more of a search. But no matter how it is, the Lord will guide us in our efforts! Mom, there is still no signs of anymore packages, but the zone leaders will be going to mendoza this week, so hopefully they will bring something back for me!

    Well, basically the highlight of our week was when the Lord decided to bless us here in San Juan and cool us off a bit. Friday night right as we got back to the pench a big rain storm hit cooling us a little bit. Us six elders were litterally outside enjoying every moment of it haha! 

   Thank you all so much for the prayers you have been sending over here. And we would really appreciate it if you could keep them coming. Things have kind of stopped here in Retiro. We have had to drop a few people and are now working hard to find some news. We met with Teresa this past week and she had some concerns about everything. Her 3 older children are not supportive whatsover of her getting baptized, and because of that she is hesitant of continueing listening to us. She told us that she knows the church is true and her dream is to be baptized along with all of her children. But after having her husband passing away, she is afraid of losing her children. But we commited her to talking to her children and sharing her testimony with them and why she wants to get baptized. We have an appoitment with her tonight, so we will see how that went. She is literally incredible and has such a great testimony. We just need to help her recognize how that will be such a great blessing for her and her family and how the greatest thing that she can do for her family is to lead them to the gospel!

    Well, i hope you all have a great week this week, Know that your missionary is working hard here in Argentina until the end. I love you all!!

Elder Wengert - W9

Things are good!!!

     Hello!!! Tan Man, im pretty impressed with your spanish haha! But dont rely on google translate, it doesnt always work haha! Jordy and Naes, way to go with basketball and good luck with your games this week! Jess im not going to lie, Sterling looks like a stud! But I would like to hear a little bit more about him! But sounds like everything is going well there in Marana. I got some mail this past week, so please thank the Kimber family, Brother and Sister Housten, and also Brother and Sister DeSpain for their letters. It really means a lot!

   Well this week went really well. The first time in a while when we had the whole week to work!! Things have gotten a little difficult with Margarita since she went out of town to Córdoba. So because of this we havent had any conctact with her. But Teresa is absolutely on fire!!! Her and her youngest son Gabriel came to church yesterday and loved it. The members just welcomed them right into the ward and loved them to death. I dont think i have ever seen anybody recieve so many kisses on their cheeks before (thats how they greet people here). I could tell that they truly felt loved and they are now super excited to come back next week. Teresa told us after church ´´well i am definatly coming back next week´´ and then Gabriel says ´´hey what about me!!´´. They are really progressing very well. Teresa just keeps reading and reading, to the point where she is almost done with 1 Nephi. But it has been amazing to see. And all of this she contributes to her husband creating the path for her and her kids to recieve the gospel!

   Now for more of a funny story. Here in argentina they have dogs called Argentine Dogos. They are like pitbulls, but even bigger and meaner haha. Supposively they are illegal in the states. So this past week Elder Hernandez and I decided to knock on a door. And as the owner opened the door we saw 2 angry full grown dogos running right towards us. So what did we do, we both turned and started running away from the house until we realized there was another barred door in front of the main door. So we made our way back to the house to talk to the owner, but she was just lauging at us like it was the funniest thing she had ever seen (and maybe it was haha). But im not going to lie, i was scared out my mind. I couldnt even use the excuse ´´you only have to outrun your comp´´ since there was two of them haha. But hey, all missionaries have some kind of dog stories right? haha. 

   Well, thank you all so much for everything. Like Jordan realized, the time is ticking down. But no worries, always know that your missionary is here working hard in Argentina. Have a great week and I look forward to hearing from you next week!!

Elder Wengert - W9

1. Elder Hernandez and I made a quick stop back to the states haha. We also got to go to Mexico!

2. Hey Dad, I also got the letter from the stake presidency that you wrote. Thank you so much, but it was missing a little bit of it haha!

¡¡2015!!

   Well here it is, 2015!!! I honestly dont know what happened to 2014. It feels like it just barely started. But the new year is now here, so bring it on!!! Sounds like you all had a great break filled of great food and everything! Jordy, way to go with your camera. You are actually really good. Naes, keep ballin it up out there on the court (you too Jordan), and Tan, im glad to hear that you like your tie. I really like what Dad said, because if that tie could talk, Im sure it would have some interesting stories haha! And it officially snowed in Marana, well look at that. It is hard to believe that it is cold there while it is burning up here in Retiro. But hey its all good, all part of the missionary experience! Teddi, good luck with your surgery tomorrow. You on count of my prayers for you! 

   Well everything is going good here in Retiro. Elder Hernandez and I are working good together. Even if we are very very different. I think our only thing in common is our love for mexican food haha. But he is a great hard working missionary. Our New Years was also way fun. We werent allowed to leave the pench on the 1st, so we spent the 31st and the 1st as a District in the area of Albardón. We cooked ourselves our own asado, played some futból, and had a nice first day of the year. But it is a relief that it is all over and we can now fully focus our whole week to the work. 

   Margarita is doing very well. She has such an amazing testimony and her desire to follow Christ is incredible, but there are still many problems with her the husband. Every time we go over there, he just shuts himself up in a room and doesnt even want to talk to or see us. But she is just so great. We passed by on Friday and we were teaching her about the Plan of Salvation. Right in the middle of the lesson she stops us and tells us ´´my friend really needs to learn about this. Want to go visit her with me?. So we went with her right then and were able to talk to her friend Olga. In the end she wasnt interested, but that is alright. Margarita and us, we did our part and will be blessed for it! She has told us that, if it comes down to it, she is willing to leave her husband to follow it. But of course the best case sinario would be to get baptized while still being able to stay with him. So that is our goal for this week, to meet her husband and be able to talk to him for a bit!! 

   This week we also found another great lady, named Teresa Alaniz. Tuesday afternoon, we saw her sweeping out in front of her house. So we stopped and talked to her. We found out that she is a widow of 15 years and is now raising her 9 children on her own. As we were talking to her, she realized that when her husband was alive, he talked a lot to the missionaries. He was about to get baptized, but he passed away before it was possible. For this reason, she allowed us sit down with her and teach her a little more. At the end, her and one of her sons Gabriel, accepted baptismal dates for the 31st of this month. She was so excited to come to church on Sunday, but when it came around, she didnt show up. So we passed by later that afternoon and found out that she was all ready to go, but there was an emergency with her Mom´s health. But after she told us about how she had been reading the Book of Mormon and then prayed. Right after finishing her prayer, she told us that the sun came shining through the window right into her face. She told us that she took that as her answer and is now excited to keep reading. Oh how the Lord is a god of miracles. I have seen it over and over and over again. But it never fails to amaze me. There are so many people prepared and they want what we have. We just need to find them and help them realize it. What a blessing the mission has been, and it has literally changed my life. I cant believe how little time I have left. But hey, all the more reason to work even harder! I love you all so much and hope you have a great week! 

Elder Wengert - W9