(4/20/15) Did NOT See That One Coming!

This last week of the transfer had a few twists in it. I'll see if i can't recount a few and throw in some other tasty details. It was a week I probably should have been a more diligent journal writer. haha

First, we found out why Elder Jeffers has been spitting uncontrollably and have wierd chest/back pain accompanied by daily migraines - it's cause he's got......... Bronchitis AND a bad sinus infection! Woo hoo! After buying the appropirate medication, we're not hoping he will be back in it and stronger than ever because

Second, we're staying together! It's a great relief, there still just too much left to do here. We have a few that I would just not feel good letting go of just yet. Francis is doing excellent. He still continues to leave with us and we're teaching a lot his family that live around the city. Jordana is still coming around. She is always found in her bench at 9:00 on sundays, she just is searching for more of an answer she already has, so we visit her weekly and trust the Lord is working on his timetable and not ours. Mercedes' fecha has been post-poned due to some last minute coffee drinking confessions. She understands why and just needs to leave it for good before she is baptized. She, like Jordana has not missed a week since I have been in this area. 

Third, Get this: On wednesday around 3:30 on our way to meet up for a lesson with a member, President Corbitt called me. He asked me how things were going, we talked for a minute or two. Then, he asked me if we had any baptisms planned for this saturday. Sadly, just that day prior Hma. Mercedes had her date postponed so I answered negatively. After he asked me a question I would have never never ever had guessed. 

 Said: '' Do you recall any Family Diaz from your first area in Hato Mayor? ''. Confused I told him I did, and really wanted to know his motives. He goes on to tell me that the sisters there had found them in the area book from a year and a half ago when Elder Ford and I were there. Then informed me that Andres and Helena have decided to be baptized and that they had requested that I be the one to baptized them! I can't tell you how great of news that was to hear! That was THE very first house I had every contacted in my mission! I would have never have thought it would be me coming back to see them baptized. Never never.

So we packed up the gua gua, the assistants, some other sisters who also taught the famliy, an old pal E. Granados (who also helped teach the family) and I and took the 3 hour drive to good ole Hato Mayor. It was great to see the wide open fields of cane, to smell just openness. This capital life is making me appreciate nature a lot more. The baptism went well, lots of people in attendance and we started an hour behind schedule (right on time!). It was all in all just a great refresher that we really do plant seeds as missionaries and that people really do change. I love being able to hold the priesthood and to be able to baptize the people I know I was supposed to find. 

So, here we go. Starting my third to last transfer in the mission. Man that went quick. Hope one day I could try and explain it to you how weird and awesome it is to be a missionary in the Domincan Republic. It's definitely always gonna have a spot in my heart. It's weird to even think about leaving. But it's okay! Elder Aplanalp stays too and he's getting a new companion from Las Vegas. It's an all American house now, so we need some killer recipes that we can make on Sundays to make us trunky for normal food. 

Love yall have an awesome week!

Elder Tate

1) Elder Chicano and I

2) Helena y Andres

3) the crew

 4)road trippin'

5) dominoes

6) agenda featuring dad's ''holey'' hand

 

(4/13-15) Heeeeeeeeeeeeer's the letter!

It's beena real great time fore us our here in Maria Auxiliadora. Maybe not so much because or recent news we've recieved, but we're happy with the way the Lord does his work. 

It was a real blow this week to have Jordana's second fecha fall due to.. we're not really sure what. She just sticks with the idea that she's not ready to be baptized, she herself won't even come with a reason as to why. She's talking about her little sone serving a mission, being sealed in the temple etc etc. She just sticks with ''it will come when it comes.'' So she's got the next bap goal for the 2nd of may.

Francis on the other hand is doing so great! We left with him yesterday to go hometeaching. he's got about 6 familes to visit once a month and is always enthusiastic about doing new things in the church. He's given us like 6 references to teach, and 2 of them came to church last week. So thats cool.

Today was full of a deep cleanin of the house. My companion and the other guy went to go get their hair cut so e. Aplanalp and I were able to mop the floor dominican style. It means wetting the tiled apartment down with bleach and fabuloso, then beat it and scrub it with a kitchen broom. Then comes the big ole bucket to wash it all down the 3 inch whole to send the nasty water 3 stories down to the stinky street. Theres no other way when your serving in a dominican mission. 

Then we went out and had lunch with the assistants. I got some nice sticky panda express kinda chicken. It was expensive and not filling, but It's fun to go pretend like we're something special and buy ourselves food, and take a happy picture crowded together with our 10 dollar plate of rice. haha

I send you lots of love and 3 cool pictures from today

Elder Tate

foto 1) fish tank

foto 2) soy el capitán

foto 3) the sugarcane gang

(4/6/15) Semana Santa, Havichuelas, y bendiciones‏.

Time to get to business. I feel it's about time we recognize how much we are in debt to our good Lord, and the blessings he showers down on us. I stepped one first in the internet place and snap it started raining mega. That is in every description and every from a blessing from God. Even more, a lot of times we have a hard time counting our blessings, but how bout all those blessing we're not permitted to see?? Huh? Can you count any of those?? We have a million see and even more unseen ways we's being blessed by papa god who loves us more than we can see.

Pres. Anderson said it pretty well. If we're dancing the dance we best be hearing the music. It doesn't have much sense if we are danncing to just be seen doing the jig. I know it's true, cause the spirit will enter my thoughts and when I press play on my moves he's follow suit and I'ma dancing every where I go. I really liked that talk. 

I know I'm bouncing around, but Conference just puts it all right where It needs to be. Hearing countless talks about eternal families and about the importance of our savior in all of our choices we make just draws it out perfect for me. I know my time as a missionary is every day getting shorter, but it doesn't me this great energy I have has to go with the plaque. I'm really trying hard everyday for the blessings of an eternal family and like E. Larry M. Gibson said, I completely agree - I wouldn't do anything that wouldn't make my father proud. (Both of 'em). I know this whole plan is mean to see a lot further than our earthly eyes permit, and I know this life is really just the beginning. I owe all I've got to this gospel. I love my family every day more, and my friends that I feel are gonna be connected to me somehow in the eternities as well. It's gotta be forever, if not then whats this all about anyway? The church puts more money into the missionary work than anything other fund, and why? Cause this message is gonna be sounded in every ear before all this is said and done, and before the bright and comforting presence of our bigger brother Jesus returns to earth. What a privilege it is for me as one of his unworthy sons to carry his name and the name of my family to share this message with errbody. When you put church service into perspective they're really totally bonus blessings (again, more often the ones you don't see), we really don't appreciate the blessing we have to serve. Theres no better way to spread the gospel the do reach out a helping hand without the littlest thought of payment. Thats what it's all about. If theres something you can take from Elder Tate, who's bustin his buns everyday for this cause, it oughtta be that as members of the church our work our work is a lot easier than it's cut out to be. You don't need to put on a tie or make an appointment to go visit someone in need. Just go do it. Even if they're not there to attend you, it'll make their day to know you care. Just go do it! It'll do more good than you know. I am truly grateful for this path I've taken, choosing to serve and take his name to his children is this far away land, and for the experiences he has permitted me to see to help mold me into a better future father and son. 

Although its not the typical letter you see me send, I really feel what I said is true. I Know it is.

I'm praying for all yall, I hope you can feel it.

Love your friend, brother, son.. whatever I am

Elder Tate

1) conference

2) my friend e. aplanalp

3) it's called tamarind

(3-30-15) Mis ojos ya perciben la gran gloria de Señor!!‏

Due to the fact we only have access to absolute junk computers, I've lost like 30 minutes of my write time, and it's deciding to not let me use my camera memory to peg photos either. So, I'll try and recap the happenings of the week

This was a super week for Maria Auxiliadora. A Baptism, confirmation, a visit from the Temple President and his wife, and to cool us down a sudden roaring thunder that came outta no where to break the month and half long drought we've been having. 

Like I say.. It's been a super week.

We were able to baptize Francis; Jordana says she still needs a little time to decide. But she introduced us to her folks last night along with one of her sisters. And I feel that her family approves of us and can't argue with the spirit we felt in the visit either. I'll give her two weeks and she'll be ready.

Haha two weeks because like yall know we's gonna have some general conferencing coming our way, and then for our stake we're having some more conferencing at STAKE conference. Our area president is comin to address us and after hearing those monster general athourities speak we're supposing that she's gonna be bout ready to seal the deal. Lets pray

But it was sweet, when we were teaching the family a couple weeks back out in the gardens of the Temple, President Flake and his wife came out for night time walk and I called them over so they could meet the family. We got talking and he (pres. flake) promised that he would be there for the confirmation of them both. AND HE CAME! It was the first time a temple president had ever came to this ward since it's existed. He was able to confirm Francis and it was the cherry on top to the whole weekend.

 Ima see if my companion can send me his pictures somehow.

Oh, and Mercedes interviewed along with Francis and Jordana last tueday (they all passed), but like jordana she too backed out last minute to make sure that some future employment she is looking for will not make her work on sundays.So she's waiting for the call from the country club out in san pedro to give her the green flag before her baptism. It's rough to hear, and I know it a tricky way that satan likes play with our investigators thoughts. But with constant visits and lots of prayer, I feeel these people are ready to make the jump!

But this week is gonna be pretty crazzzy. This week is ''Semana Santa'' or holy week for the gringos. And if it's anything like the semana santa in Capotillo where I was last year, we're not gonna be able to teach all the much and nearly everyone you talk to is hammered like the nail that shot through dad's hand. The people throw out pools and loud music, and make this devine pot of gold called Havicuelas con dulce (Sweet beans). If we're still friends after my mission I'll make it for you. I promise.

It's a fun time for the people, but a nightmare for a missionary.

But wish us luck, Happy general conferencing!

Elder Tate

Foto 1 Baptism

Foto 2 Confirmation day

Foto 23492735345 Confirmation day

(3/23/15) Whatwhat. It's Monday Already.

Lets see if we can´t whip another one of these. It doesn´t feel that long ago since I was scrappin together the latest acontecimientos of Maria Auxiliadora!! We had a lot of fun though. We´re wrapping up a lot with 3 of our investigators getting them all ready for their interviews and baptisms this week.

Mercedes is no prob. She´s convinced that she´s marrying herself with god haha. She loves the church and always brings a little notebook wherever she goes to note new things she learns. She also was able to make it to a bell concert some jovenes of Santo Domingo put on. It was the final ´umph´ moment for her to feel that she had made the correct decision to be baptized.

Francis and Jordana on the other hand have a little bit more interesting of a story. Francis is solid on his decision, he´s a go. But Jordana has expressed she feels its all a little to fast. She says that, but we know its just because her momma is evangelica and doesn´t approve of our church for nothing. So last night we brought our ex-area seventy and he gave her a few sharp and crystal clear invitations to do before saturday comes. She knows its true and absolutely loves the church. Just gotta drop you fear of man and walk with faith. We´re gonna interview Mercedes and Francis tomorrow, and we´ll have to see it´s her time. If not, as long as she keeps coming to church, I know her answers gonna come.

Yesterday in church I was invited to give a talk; I decided to talk about how we might take the most advantage out of this upcoming general conference (that makes more sense in spanish haha). But it went well, nobody was sleeping so that´s gotta mean something! I really feel a lot more comfortable behind the pulpit than befoer the mission. It´s just.. you know, normal now.

Like always I know I´m missing a million things, but know I love you and your prayers are what keep me going.

Elder Tate

foto 1 - Mercedes

foto 2 - Got nicked

foto 3 - Johnny Rockets

(3/16/15) La vida es un carnaval‏

My life is so great. I just love the animo I´ve got these days. I know it sounds nuts to say that when we´re putting up with a strong heat, walking pretty much all day, just talking to strangers.. But, I dunno, It´s just something about being a missionary. It´s a time you really just to know yourself. And god. I can really say these past 18 months or so have been time well spent for me, and I hope I can keep the umph going for these last few months.

We had a super great missionary conference meeting day in the capital, thursaday. We had 3 members of the seventy with us (Elder Zane got to hear E. Holland in Mision Oeste.. so I guess they thought having 3 seventy would = 1 apostle haha), Elder Clayton, Martinez, Cornish, and their wives. It was sweet to see the whole misson all together in one room, I´ve never seen that in my mission til now. We were instructed on how to handle stress, the recipe that makes a miracle missionary, and a lot of other things I have written down in my journal. A real great conference indeed.

My new companion is BEST. Elder Aplanalp and I have agreed he's the most humble person either of us have ever met. And he's got a sweet conversion story. He's Elder Jeffers, 26, from St Kitts and Neves, has about 16 months as a member and is the only missionary serving in the world from his country. And I get to be his trainer! We get along just great, he's got a ways to go on the language, but we study and he's learning more every day. I'll tell you more about him as the transfer goes on.

We've got a solid line-up in Santo Domingo Zone. Got to reunite with Elder Graff, and like I said, Elder Aplanalp is Maria Auxiliadora B so we live in the same house. I'¡m just loving it, we been eating like kings these days. We've been eatin Pizza, baked pasta, MEATLOAF, Baked potatoes.. I tell ya what, we're doing al ittle bit more that alright in our house. It's been a great change for me.

Our FAMILY!! We took them to the temple last night with another young couple from the ward. We taught the super strong lesson on eternal families, and they really want to be able to make it inside there someday. We were able to pass by with our Bishop last monday and we put the fecha for the 28th, the husbands all for it, and the wife is too.. sorta. She says yes, but theres something that tells us she still wants more time. I hope this week we can tie up all the loose ends and clear up any more doubts they have. They're such great people and just need to take the leap of faith. They share the baptismal date for another older señora, Mercedes, next saturday. PRAY FOR THEM.

Well thats all for now, we´s gotta head out for a family night we're doing with Mercedes with the other elders of the area.

My spriritual advice for today is to never forget that happiness is a choice, you can choose to surround yourselft with teh things that bring you real happiness i.e.; good friends, family, great music, a hike, a long drive in the mountans, fishing, scriptures etc. Remember that ´´Men are that they might have joy ´´.

Love love love you guys

Elder Tate

 heard micheal's getting married?? Never thought I´d see the day.. haha jk Congrats brotha! Daina´s a lucky gal!

foto 1 - 2/4 hijos

foto 2 - Pizza

foto 3 - La futura Familia Eterna

(3/9/15) '' It has to be true, you guys are white! All angels are white!!"

 wish I would have brought my old planner, I had tons of funny quotes that people said during this last transfer. I think theres a few more I can remember off the top of my head

One day we were doing a practice interview with one of our investigators for baptism and we got to the part about the word of wisdom and drinkink tea and stuff. We asked: '' Do you have any problems with té (tea) '' and he said '' Actually, yes. I do. I always use té. .'' followed by a moment of silence, '' Every day I tell people ' Yo te dije! ' (I told you!). '' Then we all laughed. You also use te to say you. You probably don't get that whitty joke but it left me and my companion just smiling and laughing the whole morning.. 

what else.. Oh! There was this nutso hindú, india herb-lady who always offers us wierd spiced drinks and weird flans and tarts. But one day she told us (and swears by it) that we needed to try her spaghetti batidas. Its like a chocolate shake with nothing other than cooked spaghetti noodles as the base. I was just waiting til she let it go quiet and would say she was joking or something, but she was 100% serious. Maybe she'll actually make it for us one of these days. A spaghetti milkshake. Who'da thought?

Oh yeah, along with that whole transfers thing!

I'm getting a new companion. He's from the Bahamas, six foot 3 (at least), has about 2 months in the mission and the name on his plaque is Elder Jeffers. I'm excited to see what he's like, he's from the same group as Elder Martinez/Rapalo, so I'll be finishing his training. He seems sweet. Got tatoos that come up above his collar and looks like a total gangster, so it looks like we we won't be getting jumped it any time soon. It's nice to know I've got another tall companion to watch my back. 

We have 3 fechas that are semi-for sure. One is an older señora named Mercedes, she's going under 95% for sure. She just needs to kick coffee for good. Then our married couple, we're going over there tonight with the bishop and his wife. We invited them to be baptized the other week and the husband was all over it, but the wife was still hesitant. They've got 3 weeks consecutive at church, their kids love primary, we even caught her singing ''follow the prophet'' while she was cooking the other day. She's just got miedo to make the commitment. We've been fasting and prayin like mad that she'll come along, I guess it's just me wanting to push them off the cliff again. 

So, the hope is that next time I write you, I'll have news with a solid baptismal date for the family.

anything else.. I'm probably missing a million things, guess you're gonna have to just work with that and seek the rest through revelation.

AH! AND.. AND.... Elder Graff is coming to the Santo Domingo zone! along with another chum, Elder Aplanalp (Jenn actually in in a math class with his sister). And Elder Aplanalp is gonna be living in my house. How sweet is that!?? Pretty much all my buddies from my last zone just follwed me here. whoo whoop!

Con cariño

Elder Tate

foto 1 - Francis and Jordana (the two little squirts were in the other room)

foto 2 - us

foto 3 - A cool new fruit, totally forgot the name.. Eguero? something like that