New photos

Here are some new photos pf Kyle's Mission.

What does belligerent mean. 2010-02-22

It seems like only seconds ago that I wrote you all. The mission is passing extremely fast. I am so grateful to hear from all of you, and to know that everything is going great. Kraig, you always help me a ton to keep going. Thanks. I love you all a TON, and I miss you much.

       So this week we have been working a lot with a lady named Dora Acosta, she is about 60 and is just really awesome. She owns a restaurant and we have an appointment with her tomorrow to eat lunch with her, we are way excited. So she has already had the lessons with the missionaries a long while back, but they took the missionaries out of campo largo for about three years. Now we´re back. Elder Mccroby found her with his past companion Elder Smith and this week we put a date for her baptism, for the 20th of march, so we are way stoked for that, she studied english for a while, at times she blurts out random words in english while she is speaking to us. The owner of the restaurant was born in argentina but his parents came here from ukraine, he has been teaching me some ukrainian haha. We have 3 baptismal dates for the 20th. One of which is a man named Ricardo, who I think I have already told you about, he is doing well. It rained really hard this sunday, so we only had about 8 people in total at church, us missionaries, president of the branch, and 5 members. How sad. I also found out something that shocked me, If we don´t start having more active men in the branch, president del castillo is going to shut it down, and the members of campo largo will have to travel an hour to be able to go to church in saenz peña, the main city, costing 8 pesos each way. The people here don´t have that kind of money, they barely have enough to buy food, let alone 16 pesos every sunday. So basically, it is all up to us. If we don´t start baptizing and reactivating men, a lot of members are going to be forced in active. I feel very inadequate for the job. But, God calls us in our weakness.

      The third is a girl named Belen, about 16 and really awesome, she came to church the week anterior, but people in argentina don´t know how to sing... and with lack of a piano and the skills to play it, we are out of luck, so she didn´t have the best experience at church. However, she did go to an activity for the youth in saenz peña and really enjoyed that, they had some discourses that she really enjoyed.

    This week, we went to an appointment, but, no one was home. Except 2 dogs, so they came out to greet us, we had a nice chat, shared some homemade juice and commited them to baptism only to find out we can´t baptize dogs, the hair  clogs the drain in the baptismal font... That was our week, full of a lot of heat, a lot. It got to be about 115 degrees this week. It was awesome.

     So let us all remember the amazing words of my favorite hymn, "Lead Kindly light, amidst the encircling gloom, lead thou me on, the night is dark and I am far from home, lead thou me on. Keep thou my feet, I do not ask to see. The distant scene, one step enough for me." This has helped me a ton in these past weeks.

                   To infinity and beyond,

                                   Elder Jacobson 

2/15/2010

Hey,

            I am so glad to hear from everyone, in truth! It always seems like everyone gets sick at the same time no? I am praying for you all and I hope you all get well real soon, nobody likes to be sick

                           I have been here in Campo Largo for almost 3 weeks already and until now, with a ton of success. No new baptisms until now, but with  a few more active members at church that were previously inactive. So as you may have heard we lack men. My comp and I have been trying to find ways to capture the men, so basically when we do trackting we walk fast and go talk to the people sitting outside drinking mate. In formosa we did a lot of clapping houses, here it´s a bit different. Since there is so much heat, everyone sleeps the siesta. EVERYONE . Except for us of course, so for about 2 hours everyday we are walking in severe heat, looking for the first sign of movement. I am sure that through obedience we will see the blessings. To motivate us to talk to the hombres, my comp and I have made up a competition, whoever sees a man, and calls out “hombre”, gets to contact him. Whoever contacts the most men in the week gets icecream on the tab of the other. However, when we started playing that game, my comp stopped contacting the people, since I win all the time…. so it didn´t quite work how I wanted it to… But we are definately talking with more men. In one of those instances we met a man named Ricardo, who had been listening to the missionaries 3 years ago, but then the mission president took the missionaries out of the area due to some problems in the branch (I´m pretty sure that some members were trying to beat up the missionaries or something, maybe its just a rumor, for the record, nobody has tried to kill us yet, well no humans. I got bit once by a dog, and my comp almost got bit. ) So he invited us over to our house and we had a pretty sweet lesson with him. He knows more than we do about the book of mormon, I swear. He knew what year God and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph, the name of the Hill Cumorah, everything. In our first visit, he was practically showing off all of his knowledge of the church, haha. He´s a stud. So we placed a baptismal date with him for the 20th of March. We also met a girl named Belen, 16 yrs old, Who is the niece of one of the members here in the branch. She understood the first lesson so well, she is awesome. She also came to church this past Sunday, but she didn´t have the best experience. The thing here in campo largo, is that 1st, we don´t exactly have a church building. We are renting out an old store, piano not included. As for the acapella talents of our branch, we´ll just say they have really sweet spirits. Secondly, it was branch conference, so the district president came and spoke, very very quietly. While we have the fans turned up. We couldn´t hear anything and with all of the sustaining of leaders, it kinda weirded her out. So that was really sad that she didn´t have a very good experience. Because she is really awesome.

         Elder Mccroby is one of the nicest people in the world, he is always always thinking of others and is constantly in prayer. He is an amazing example for me in my life and for the investigators and members in this area.

       So today we had the second rainstorm in the past 10 months here in campo largo, very very needed. Before my mission I didn´t like the rain at all, but as I have come to know the heat, I can´t wait for the rain. It always refreshes the things.

           I love you all and I wish you all the best of luck with all of your asuntos personales. I love you all so much!!! And I miss you a whole 2000 lbs.

                                     Elder Jacobson

                                         Hurrah for Israel 

I hope you enjoy my voice? 2010-01-05

¡Feliz Navidad!

Hola todos!
This week felt really long and slow,
I have no idea why, however, we are working hard
So first off, this friday I am going to call at 7 or 8 in the morning, thats the hour that they gave us, so youll have to make some sacrifices. haha. This christmas is going to be very different than all of my others in the past. There arent very many lights which is kinda sad. However, the spirit of christmas is here, the focus on christ. I have dedicated my personal study this week to the birth, life, and death of Jesus Christ. I hope that I am able to know him a bit better by the beginning of next week.
Also, I wasnt transferred, I will be here for another 6 weeks, which is awesome. I really do enjoy this area, the people here are awesome. However, we have been faced with some big difficulties. Lujan hasnt come to church in the past 3 weeks. We found out that her parents have been putting so much pressure on her for being a member of the iglesia. They told her to choose between her family and the church. We have no clue what to do. We are going to try and go by her house. We are very worried for her. Also Gabriel didnt want to come to church yesterday. We found out he is hanging around with some of the not so best of people, he stopped reading his scriptures and saying his prayers. When I found that out, I was pretty devastated. We need to help them in some way... Vanina and Dalma are sticking strong in the church, they are firm in the faith. We are going to have lunch with them on christmas which will be awesome. Victor and his son Ariel have been reading consistently and praying also, they told us that they have received an answer and they know the church is true. The only problem is that him and his señora arent married.... and she doesnt want to. The same thing with Francisco Romero.
Alex beleives that the church is true, he just has some problems with the law of chastity, the problem is that he is married, but separated. Divorces here cost about 3500 dollars.... and he wants to start a family in the near future. We dont want that he is baptized and then after breaks the law of chastity. We just need to firm it in his mind that he cant do that, and have his testimony stronger.
We have also been teaching a girl named Marlene, Yesterday, she told us that she had read and prayed, and recieved an answer. She commited to be baptized and attend church this upcomming sunday. We are stoked for her.
Another of our investigators, Sandra, feels that the church is true, but she doesnt want to give up the things of the world. So we had a really good lesson about choosing God or the world. We´ll see what happens with her.
Saturday the power went out around noon, until noon the next day. Our house has insullation like an oven, it was awesome. haha. I slept on the floor because it was cooler than my bed, I had to wet my hair often to cool down, a lot of our food went sour also. However, I was still happy for some reason. I decided after the first time our power went out that I wouldnt let anything bad bother me. Life is too short to let inconvenientes bother me.
With transfers we lost some really good elders, but gained some other capos in our zone. We are stoked for this transfer, however we will probably die in the heat.
I love the book of mormon, and I encourage all of you to read it everyday, to be able to overcome temptation and have the spirit with you always, I love you all a ton. Pray always, Your father in heaven wants to talk to you. I promise. Thank you for all of your prayers. Remember, I am praying for you always.
Your son and brother,
Elder Jacobson
Hurrah for Israel!

¡Feliz cumpleaños papa!

Hello Family!
First off, happy birthday dad! The big 48! That cake looks delicious, I hope you sent some in the mail for me. And what a pleseant sight it was to see snow! We lack that a little bit down here. However, all of the people have their little trees all lit up. It is nowhere near the same as the states. I kinda miss it to be honest, all of the snow, lights, trees. Wow. However, we are working a ful! Alex accepted his baptismal date for the 26th of december, we are really excited for that, we also have many other investigators that for sure might possible with a chance progress. Lets just say we are searching for the chosen ones. Those who are prepared.
Friday we had a really fun activity in the church, we set up different rooms to display the different cultures and how they celebrate christmas. In our zone we have elders from chile, peru, colombia, and the states (one from canada). So we had our room, where we built a chimney out of construction paper, made no bake cookies, peanut butter cookies, and brownies. Then we had that game with the donuts on strings where you cant use your hands and bobbing for apples. then we watched the church movie when jesus was born and how that relates with the book of mormon. Wow, I felt the spirit really strong that day, I am so greatful for my savior Jesus Christ.
The other day we were walking to our next appointment and my comp was feeling a little down, so I asked him what was up, he misses his family and being with them for christmas. I tried to help him forget about it a little. The only way to fight homesickness is to work.
What I am going to do to celebrate christmas, is to dedicate my personal study for the week before christmas to the studying of the life of Jesus, his birth, life, and atonement. I am really excited! What an awesome time of year to focus on our savior.
This week has been spiritually magnifying for me, I have been SEARCHING the scriptures, meditating them, "how does this apply to me." That has been really spiritually enriching for me. I have found things that I definately wouldnt have found otherwise.
So, we have been teaching an investigadora named elvira, and her daughter paula. haha. They are crazy. Elvira has dreams often and asks us to interpritate them, we try our best. The only thing is that she hasnt prayed to know if joseph smith was a true prophet or if the Book of mormon is true. Without that there is no way that she will be able to progress. So we placed the comitment again, with all hope that she does it.
We also had a very interesting lesson with the mother of vanina, we told her very directly that her church does not have the autoridad of God. She promised that she is going to pray, however I think that she already has it in her mind that she has her answer. We´ll see, she just has to ask with a sincere heart.
Our convert, Lujan Cardozo, hasnt come to church the past 2 weeks.... we are nervous for her. Her family was completely against her baptizm, and we think they have something to do with not letting her come to church. Its sad because she has 25 years. She knows its true and is attending institute in the stake center every week. Im praying for her.
There is a good chance that Im going to be transferred this week... I dont want to go. I love branch centenario, my area, the members, the investigators. However, I will go where you want me to go. I find out tomorrow in the night.
I also had divisions this week with elder Villaroel, HOLY MOLEY! What an amazing missionary. He is my hero. He teaches with the spirit so strong that the people cant say no. We were teaching an evangelical, and just like in first nephi, his words were confounded. He had no idea what to say. Elder Villaroel has such a strong testimony. He has truly searched the words of the prophets. I also learned something very important, that I took to heart. It doesnt matter at all what other people do or think, what matters is what God thinks. I have been a little worried about impressing others that I lost my true focus here. To serve God. To bring the world his truth. With that, I have a new desire to work, to do my best. To be my own example. I am so excited for this week, and send pics of christmas, but not too many.
I love you all a TON!!!
Your son and brother,
Elder Jacobson
Hurrah for Israel!

¡Buenas Lluvias! Mon 12/7/2009

Hello all!

           So I want to start out this card this week to say how much I miss all of you! Those pictures made me a little teary eyed dad. :). I love you all a ton!

           I also want to describe the culture a little better, The people here are rarely married, mostly just living together. There are also a ton of single mothers for just that reason. The families that do have a father figure work in the morning return for the ciesta and leave again for the night. Lots of people also work in the Campo(or the farms) where they travel for the week and return in the weekend. In their free time, they like to sit and drink mate (a cup full of herbs and water) Everyone drinks mate, eccept for us. Most families have a kiosko, or a little store where they sell basic neccessities out of their houses. (very convenient I might add). You find a lot of soda here, coca cola products and also things native to argentina, especially Guaraná, or apple soda. Mmmmmm.... Very tasty. Drinking and smoking is a big problem that we find here, we need to be very careful weekends at night and holidays especially. Everyone travels either by bus or motorcycles/scooters, if you see a car, its usually a taxi. lots of those also. That is how I would describe formosa in a nutshell...

         So, we are comming really close to transfers again. This time, It may be my time to leave formosa, I hope not. I have grown a bond with the people here, and I know that I may not see them again for a very long time. I have promised myself that I am going to return with my wife and kids.

         One of my favorite parts of every transfer is the interview with president Del Castillo, Throuought the transfer, I think of questions that I have for president. When interviews come, he talks with us for a few minutes then opens up the rest of the time for questions that we have for him. How awesome. One of my questions was how could I become more humble. He then told me not to worry too much about that, to do everything that I can do personally (serve others, compliment them, accredit others, etc) but that God is doing his work on my as we speak, to continue praying for humility and one day, I will look back and realize that God was helping me the whole time to become more humble.

            We have been working with some awesome investigators here, one named Victor Aguero, All he needs is to ask God if these things are true, and to get married.... 

               The other is our friend Alex, we werent able to teach him at all this week because he had mouth surgery.

        This week we were so excited for how many people promised to come to church with us, we worked so hard with the people that they could attend church. ...... Then it rained all morning sunday..... Oh man! the roads here are all made of dirt, so rain+dirt= mud. We left our house a little disheartened, as we walked we knew what that meant, nobody would make it to church. As we entered the chaple, to our surprise, Who to find, but our very good friend Victor Aguero! He stuck to his promise! We were thrilled! Awesome.

         This week was really good, Elder saenz and I are working a ful! At times in the morning he tells me that his back hurts, so he rarely gets up on time. I do all that I can to help him, and Dad, thanks a ton for all of those times in the morning when I was little and didnt want to go to school and you "helped" me get up. I am now putting into practice much of those tactics, for example: singing really loud, turning on the light, having a conversation, etc. :). I am learning a ton everyday and am loving the mission more and more everyday. My spanish is really good, I owe it all to the gift of tongues. I can understand almost everyone and am able to communicate without struggle. God is trying my patience and faith in ways other than the language out here.

         Thank you so much for all of your love and support.

                        Your son, brother, and friend,

                                             Elder Jacobson

                                                      Hurrah for Israel! (i know know what that means).

                           P.s. Serena, I have many talents but you´ll have to put me on the list for 2011, count me in!

                           P.p.s. Tanner, Thanks a ton for your letter! I miss you a ton man! and I am so excited for you to have the oportunity to serve a mission. You are going to love it! I love you a ton man! Hope you are loving BYU, I sure did!

Elder Sal Me Llamo

So turns out, it was a bit hot this week. haha. We changed the schedule today, we now wake up at 7, work in the morning, study during the ciesta and return to work at 330 until 10 at night, we go to sleep at 11. Its just too hot during the day. President Miranda told us that during summer here, it gets hot enough to cook eggs on rocks... I used to always joke that I wanted to try that. Ill send pictures when I do. We have been working really hard this week, my companion´s back has been bugging him but not enough to prevent us from working which is a big blessing. We Are really excited for our investigators! We had 3 inv. in the church this past week, missing the norm of excellence by 3, however we have plans to work harder this week. We have been working with some really great people here, like Alex, hes evangelical (one of the 4 religions in this area:1. catholics, 2. evangelical, 3. Testigos de Jehovà, 4. Mormon) He is a great example of someone who has been prepared for us. He told us the other day that 3 years ago he would have told us to get lost, but now he is willing to listen. He is progressing really well, he has attended 2 times at church and also the baptism of dalma which was awesome! I have no Idea why but she wanted that I did the baptism, so I did. Wow, I was nervous, one, because baptism is what allows people to enter into the kingdom of God. Wow. and I hold that authority of God to do so. It was amazing, I felt the spirit very strong there. The only problem was that the water was to our knees no more. So she had to basically lay on the floor. It was awesome.

      So, I woke up one day this week and I was thinking in spanish.... Thats what happens when every single thing around you is in spanish, including your companion. However, not the songs here, 2/3 are in english. haha.

       I had a pretty cool experience the other day, we were clapping houses and I felt the need to clap a certain one, so I did. The words crossed my mind, "We´re here to help you?" so instead of the usually contact, I said that. She responded, "If you were to help me, I have a list of 100 things! How can you help me?" "we help people physically and spiritually, through the teachings of Christ". She responded, "come back next week and we´ll see what you can do for me." It was definately the spirit that was guiding me as to what to say.

      I get to talk to you on the phone on christmas! I am going to call around 11am your time on the 25th. You all better be ready!

            I love you all a TON! Have an amazing week!

                      Your son and brother,

                                    Elder Jacobson.

Que Calor que Hace!

Hello all!

         Im so glad to hear from you, those pictures are so gorgeous, made me feel like I was there for a bit. Dad, thanks a ton for all of your help! This week was just awesome, We have been working hard and the heat has been following us. I am not going to lie, Im missing the snow a little bit. That tends to happen when it gets to be 113 degrees. Yeesh. We could cook some eggs on the road down here.

         We had the baptism of Gabriel this week! It was awesome, he is going to be an awesome member of the church, and hopefully an awesome missionary also.

         Dalma is really excited for her baptism also, we just gotta teach a little bit more, and make sure that she has had a sincer repentence before her baptism.

         We got a new investigator this week named Alex, he is a reference from a member, his sister. He is Evangelical and has good interest in what we are teaching, we taught him the first lesson and he came to church with us yesterday, we are really excited to see where it takes us.

         Elder Villaroel (district leader) has been helping me a TON to become the missionary that the Lord wants me to be. He is my hero and I learn something new everyday from him.

        The Flia of Vanina, the Montenegros, are very stubborn. We have been trying to help them gain a testimony but they are firm in their beleifs, with time we hope they can come to know for themselves the truth. However, they still love us and have invited us over for an Asada, its like a barbeque but x 10, it will be my first one, Im way excited.

        I remembered something that my Branch president of the MTC taught me, a story he shared of a sister missionary. One day she was teaching a family and the neighbors had the music turned up really loud, she went to the neighbors and asked them to turn off the music for 30 min, so they could have the spirit in the lesson. I had that same opportunity twice this week. The first time, I went up to the man and asked him if he could turn of the music, he was about 25 and in the middle of getting skulls tatood on his leg, listening to really loud rock music. I asked him if he could do me a huge favor and turn off the music for just 30 min. He told me no, I asked him again. He told me no once again. I tried and I felt good about it. I was a little disappointed in his response, but I did my part. The second time, was yesterday, we got to the lesson, and the neighbors were once again listening to really loud music. So, I asked if we could leave the lesson for 2 min. I got up, went to the neighbors and asked if they could please turn off the music for 30 min. They were nicer, they turned it down, and we had a really spiritual lesson with a lady named maria. Its not easy to do it, my heart overworks itself everytime but I know Heavenly Father gave me the strength to do what was right.

      Yesterday, after church my companion wasnt feeling very well, he felt really weak and with a head ache, we think its for the heat. I think its because he doesnt start his personal study on time. haha. So I got an extra 4 hours of study time, which was awesome. Id rather be working but I used my time thebest that I could have.

     Saturday we had an awesome zone conference, I felt the spirit the whole day, It helped me a TON! I know this church is true and that Jesus is our savior that through him and only through him can we return to our heavenly fathers presence.

                     I love you all and love to hear from you all!

                                  Elder Jacobson

                                       ¡Hurrah por Israel!

Mi casa es su casa.

Service cooking Pastellitos, Mmmmm...

Betcha cant eat just one

We finally have a mission vehicle! No more walking!

Baptism of Gabriel

The flowers are blooming.

What fun at zone conference!

Our truck broke down...Back to Walking... Again

Hno. Duarte Our mission leader of the Rama, Hes a jokester.

2. Flia Miranda, President Miranda. They are awesome. Like his Goatee?

3. The Church.

4. The basic scenery of formosa, like a humid desert.

2 The Flia Gomez, we eat with them every tuesday. Mmmmm. Usually rice and some form of meat with potatoes.

1 They had me design a tshirt for the zone.

5. Flia Chavez, We are currently teaching gabrie

4. Romero 3. Our district before transfers, I love that man.

5 The bird of flia. Jaime. He speaks spanish!

4 Frosted Flakes

3 Painting the house of the Flia Jaime!

2 Teaching the members how to spread the gospel!

1_The Collectivo

Transfers! 11-09-2009

¿Como les va?

How are you all doing? Dad, to answer your questions, I dont think I am going to be able to find out all of that information for you due to lack of time. Ill send a picture to you of our house this upcoming week. I am glad to hear that you are still running those half marathons, I remember very well my first one. :). I have eaten some interesting things since I have been here, some being: Cow stomach, Large rat, Armadillo. Haha. Sweet.

My new companion is Elder Saenz, He is from Columbia, he is really dark skinned and funny. He is very easy going. Hes a good elder and weve been working hard. The only problem is that we live so far away from everything, we do all of our travelling by foot, unless we are going to centro, then we take the collectivo. The church is 30min away from where we live, that takes a lot of time out of our day, and our area is shaped like an elongated rectangle, we live in the very bottom corner of it, it takes about an 45 min to go from one side of our area to the other, we are working on planning our day to save the most time possible.

We had the baptism of lujan this past week on saturday! It was awesome, she has a testimony very strong, she came to know the church through her friends inviting her to institute. You all have the power to change lives and be missionaries, dont underestimate that. Invite all of your non member friends to Family home evening and activities in the ward. You all could have such an impact in peoples lives.

Since Elder Tucker left, I have inherited a ton of responsibility, I am basically directing our area until Elder Saenz is familiar with the area and all of our investigators. This week has been really hard for me, I am not to good at handling stress, Any Suggestions on how to handle stress? I have been praying a lot and fasting too for the strength to keep going. I have been strengthened a lot. I just need to keep moving foreward. I have learned a ton these past 3 months, I have grown a ton in my knowledge of the scriptures and also as a person, I have 21 more months of growing and learning. I am hopeful for the future.

Our investigators are progressing, the sister of Vanina now has a baptismal date and is excited to acheive it, her parents however are going to need some more time. They are going to get baptized, with time. Romero Francisco, all he needs is to get married, all his wife needs to do is want to get married. What is up with people and not wanting to get marrie? I always thought it was a good thing? :)

Jorge is drinking again, its all because he isnt reading and praying everyday, I was reading in preach my gospel where it says that most of the time, people are going to crash and drink again. We just need to have patience and emphasize repentence, that will help him the most. Also, his wife needs to want to get married first... haha. I thought of a good example, its like a baby learning to walk, they are going to fall, the important thing is if they learn to get back up and try again. They try and try until they are eventually walking, we are going to fall, and thats ok, if we learn to get back up and try again.

There is hope for this upcomming week, there is always hope.

I wish the best for you all,

I love you,

Elder Kyle Braden Jacobson

Terminamos Traslado Dos 11-02-2009

Hola Todo! Como Les Va?

This week was crazy, on tuesday we changed appartments, it took the whole day, we werent able to do hardly anything. We did get to teach Juan y Valeria, When we got there Juan was really quiet and didnt want to talk to us. We Opened with a hymn and a prayer and just talked with him. Its something really interesting. When someone is just boiling up inside, if they will just express their feelings and what it is that is bothering them, they immediately cool down, I have seen this many times in my mission so far. One little tiny thing will get to me and it just grows. Satan will use anything to get you down on yourself. The thing that helps the most is just talking to someone. Many occasiones here I have just expressed my feelings to my companion and immediately I feel better. We are doing just fine here in Argentina, We are going to have another baptism this saturday for Lujan Cardozo, she is a girl of about 24 years old, she is just awesome. She came into contact with the church through her friends, they invited her to attend institute with her and she said that as she has been assisting it, she felt as though a hole had been filled. She has such a strong testimony and such a desire to learn more. Her parents are completely against her baptism, but, she is going to do it because she has the desires and knows that its true. Im so excited for her. We also have my favorite person in the whole world, Francisco Romero. He came to church An hour early again, he has the strongest desires to follow christ and be baptized. We taught him the Law of Chastity because he isnt married with his Señora, (he calls her his concubine, haha) She doesnt want to get married. Thats the problem. He was about to abondon her, just so he could get baptized. We dont want that, we want a marriage so they can be sealed in the temple together forever. So Elder Tucker, Francisco, and I all fasted this past sunday that his señora could have a change of heart. Jorge has been drinking again. Its so hard, to have such hope and then see them crash again. However, I need to be patient with my investigators. We are going to teach him repentence so that he can use the power of the atonement to help him.

My comp is fighting to the end. He has been helping me a ton and working really hard his last week in the field. He is really trunky though. haha. We have high hopes for our investigators this next transfer. Our Rama is working really hard, our president is amazing, he is instituting the home teaching program in the next upcomming month, he is really devoted to the work and to the Lord. The members are so excited about missionary work and they are helping us a TON. We are so excited for what the future holds for Rama Centenario.

Halloween was sweet for us, We dressed up in matching costumes! At night we went from door to door, We didnt get very much candy though... But we did get some new investigators! Haha. Halloween isnt very big here, I hear that Navidad is though. We´ll see how that goes.

I love you all and I miss you,

Your son, brother and missionary,

Elder Jacobson Mom, could you add some email addresses to your foreward list,

Byucoolkid@myldsmail.net

kschevrier@comcast.net

(the email address of Sam Morris, BJ, Todd Harris, Erik anderson)if you can get them? That would be amazing. Thanks a ton!)

Sending Kyle Letters

What is the address that we need to use for letters through the mail? We have had several people tell us the wanted to write letters to you that use stamps and take forever. Where should I tell them to send your mail?

-Dad

I would just tell them to use dear elder.com. that is the fastest, safest, easiest way.

-Kyle

Note from Dad; (or use kbradenj@myldsmail.net )

Ananás y Arañas 10-26-2009

Hola Todo!

This week we have been blessed a TON! we were able to have 11 investigators in the church! I can definately see the Lords hand in my life here in Argentina. My testimony is growing a ton. The biggest thing that I have come to learn is that missionary work is WORK, Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, Espiritually. There is someting magnificent about things of a spiritual nature, After the first vision, Joseph Smith was visited by a heavenly messanger, after that experience, he collapsed, unable to move. When we have a really spiritual day or moment, afterwards we are drained. Adding to this; walking a lot, rejection, dissapointment, discouragement, etc. Its been tough. When I first got into the field, I thought to myself, this is missionary work? However,I am beginning to realize why this is going to be the best two years of my life. I am beginning to love the people, my investigators and members. My comp told me that charity is what makes the work light. I feel it growing within me. I look back on the first day that I entered the mtc, three months ago. O how Ive changed. I look foreword to personal study everymorning, I wish it was 3 hours instead of just the one. I am studying this week about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I have learned a ton and anticipate learning a ton more.

Formosa is kind of like a humid desert, lots of dirt and scattered trees. The Jungle area is more in the province of Misiones. My companion asked me today what my expectations for the mission were. I really had no idea what to say. I have seen "the best two years" I figured it´d be something like that.

Francisco Romero is just amazing. He has the biggest faith. He commited to come to church yesterday, he came. An hour early. Haha. Just amazing. Found out he and his señora arent married yet, that will be a small obstical, luckily they arent married to other people. The divorce process here is horrible. Takes anywhere from 2 months to a year to get a divorce here, and a lot of work with the government. We have some investigators, Ramon Luna and Graciella Barrios. They are awesome, around 70 and 60 yrs of age, They attend church every sunday. Just awesome.

Jorge Amarilla. We had an appointment wth him the other day, he was yet again drunk. Its a tough thing. We taught his wife a few things, she still has doubts. Jorge knows its true, he knows what he has to do. We are working to help him turn to other things when a problem shows up in his life, other than drinking. I am learning patience through this experience.

I am so excited for the work and the future that lies ahead of me. We have some good baptisms lined up for november. I hope that they all make it into the water. I am praying for you always, thank you so much for your letters and your love and especially the pictures! Send me all the pictures you want, it made me smile!

We are moving tomorrow to a new house due to complications with our current one, Im a little sad because we are not going to be able to do ANY work. Its for the best.

If you need help, turn to the Lord, he knows you very personally, I have a huge tesimony of this. He knows how to help you, how to comfort you. Alma 7:11 y 12.

So I must tell you of some of the amazing things that come with the land of Argentina: First, Dulce de Leche. Probably the most amazing thing in the world. Its far more delicious than carmel, Its creamy and just absolutely delicious. I wish I could share it with you, Ill bring some home with me. Segundo, Empenadas, DELICIOUS. Elder Tucker is going to show me how to make them this sunday. Sweet!

Also, in lots of parts of our area, there are spider webs bigger than houses here above our heads, with probably 700 or so spiders on them, Its rediculous! Haha. Also my comp has woken up 3 or 4 times with spider bites on his legs. I have been really lucky I guess. Hasnt happened to me just yet.

My companion leaves for home a week from wednesday. I inherit a lot more responsibility when the happens, I´ll be the only one that knows my investigators and the area. Thank you so much for your prayers and love. I love you all so much! I wish you the best in everything that you do.

Elder Jacobson

Estoy Listo! 10-19-2009

Buenos Tardes Familia!

This week has had its awesome moments along with some dissapointing ones. We start this adventure with my first South American Rainstorm! We were in the middle of teaching Jorge and his familia when it began to sprinkle, then a clap of thunder, then it RAINED. I realized that day that the sky is blue because really it is an ocean and all of it fell. The streets were completely flooded, and can you say mud. I was enjoying it, my companion not so much. He told me that he too thought it was really exciting the first few times. Haha. Things have been really good between me and him. I am learning a TON about humility here and learning to talk about problems with him instead of letting them boil inside of me until I explode. Things have been real good. This week started out pretty awesome, we have been challenging every investigator to baptism to really see if they are who God has prepared for us. There are a ton of people that are willing to listen to us, up until we start making it "Real" for them, usually its not a direct challenge, more "When you receive an answer that these things are true, will you follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized in his church?" Its been really good and we have a lot of investigators with baptismal dates. One of those is a girl named Lujan, she has been attending institute with her friends and we found her at general conference, we taught her the first lesson and she accepted the date of Nov. 7th, the problem is her parents are not so interested... We are going to teach her with her parents this wednesday. I hope it goes well. Next we have maricella who also has opposition with family, her husband. We have no idea what to do with her, she keeps avoiding our calls and our visits. Gabriel...he attended a baptism saturday that some of the elders in our zone were having. When he sat down, I smelled smoke. I think he still hasnt given it up. The birth certificate of Juan finally came, they should be getting baptized this saturday but we arent sure if he still has the desires to get baptised, its difficult for him to read the scriptures daily and attend church.

So remember Vanina, the baptism we had. Well, we have been teaching them and they are just awesome! They are always offering to feed us and do everything they can for us. They are also following the example of their daughter, I think that is what is helping them the most. They have seen the changes that have taken place in her. We challenged them to pray about the Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, we have a cita with them tonight and we are going to see how things went and if it feels right we are going to commit them to baptizm.

We also had a really fun activity in the chaple this past week, put together by the missionaries. Elder Payne (Kimball Payne, from alpine, gratuated with me) is in my zone! He is such an awesome kid. He and I were in charge of a workshop of "contacting" We taught the members how to share the gospel with friends and family. It went really great. It was way fun. We also had RMs there from the ward centenario sharing their experiences from their missions. Then we had a race of tying a tie, shining shoes and shaving a balloon. It was Hoots of fun. Then we showed the video of the Restauration. It was a way fun night, and really what I needed.

In two weeks ends my first transfer, then leaves my trainer, then I get a new companion who is unfamiliar with my area. That puts the responsibility on my to basically run the area for a week or so until he gets his footing. I have kind of been the side kick these past few weeks to my companion, because he is a great teacher and he knows the answers to our investigators questions. I am really praying that my next companion is a hard worker... For this, I am really working on getting involved, being assertive and getting to know the members and Investigators. My companion is helping me by having me make some of the phone calls at night and I have a goal of asking 7 questions every cita de almuerzo (lunch appt). It has really been helping me. I also have a goal of opening my mouth. Talking to everyone, even if I am scared. I started today. While I was getting my hair cut, I taught a rough outline of the first lesson to the hair cuttress? I am really grateful for the strength that God gave me to do it.

So usually on p'day we play futbol but I am going to use that time to draw. I am really excited for it!!! My zone leaders want to make tshirts for the zone and they asked me to design it this past week. They are happy with the results and I am really excited to see my drawing on a shirt. I was able to put my talents into action here and it made me happy.

So I have a problem, I have no way of getting more pictures to you, I dont have a chord to connect my camera to the computer... and the mail is really sketchy... If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them. :).

Les Amo Todo!

Su Hijo y Hermano,

Elder Jacobson

Soy un Hijo de Dios 10-12-2009

Hola Familia!!

I miss you all so much! However, I am involved in a great work and cannot come home, sorry. This week has been a lot of hard work. Sooooo Great! We started out the week with Exchanges, I went to Lujan (a neighboring area) with Elder Guerra, From Chile, while My companion went with Elder Villaroel in our area. We started out the morning Clapping houses and finding some great people to teach, we then cooked some pasta for lunch, Very delicous. Elder Guerra is awesome, we spent the rest of the day teaching, he taught me a ton of new teaching skills and examples that are really going to help me share this message with more power and clarity. I have come to realize that I know spanish pretty well, but my teaching is all over the place. Elder Tucker has been helping me return to the basics and create a foundation first. That has been helping a ton.

Elder Tucker is awesome, he has been helping me a ton. He is a little too relaxed with the rules for my taste. He had scheduled a FHE appointment at 8:30, when we are supposed to be in our appartment at 9:30. To make a long story short, we got home at 10:00. I felt really bad, and I took it a little to hard. I had a talk with the Zone leader, and he helped me a ton. He said that as long as I am doing everything I can to follow the rules then it is ok. I am just trying to do everything I can to be the best I can. Transfers are on the 5th of November, thats when Elder Tucker leaves for home and I get a new companion who I am going to introduce to the area. Im a little nervous but I know with Gods help I can do it.

We had a really cool experience this week with an old man, Francisco Romero, he is a Testigo de Jehova (Jehovas witness), We found him as we were clapping houses, we taught him the first lesson and gave him a pamphlet to read about the Restauration and to pray about it. Later that week we had an appointment fall through so we decided to pay him a visit and see how things were going, he had read the whole pamphlet and basically recited the whole thing to us. We werent expecting much from that visit. He understood everything and already has a testimony! We taught him about the book of mormon, as we were about to give him one, he told us that he already had one that he found in a trash can one day..... uh.... Awesome. He brought it to us. He said he had read some of it. He then related us of a point in his life when he was completely blind. He had an operation and regained sight in one eye. We told him that this was so that he would be able to read the Book of Mormon. We have another appointment with him this tuesday.

So Remember about jorge Amarilla. Well he has a huge problem with alcohol, this past week we taught him about the word of wisdom, he promised to stop, he was commited. He attended church this past sunday with us and was thrilled about it, he loved it. He was progressing so well. We went to his house that very night to teach him and his family about the plan of salvation. When we got there he was acting a little strange. I suspected but wasnt sure if he had been drinking again. He helped me remove that doubt when he brought out a large bottle of alcohol to refresh himself while we taught him. We started with a prayer and then moved quickly to what was up. We testified, promised blessings, taught with power, comforted him, supported him. After this, he took his bottle of alcohol and emptied it onto the ground right in front of us. He then began to sob. That broke my heart, a strong, grown man not able to resist a beverage. Alcohol is HORRIBLE, I hate it with all that I am, it is ruining his life and many many others. In these past few weeks I have seen the results up close and personal due to Alcohol. We are praying for him always and we are going to visit him everyday to comfort him and give him support. If he is going to get over this, he needs to read from the book of mormon every day and more when he has the desire to drink. He needs to pray and fast.

The Family shultz who have baptismal dates have been falling through on every appointment we have had with them. They promised to come to church this sunday, we even had a member family pass by their house this morning and they reminded them about church and said they promised to come. They didnt. We are praying for them.

We found a lady about 28 or so named maricela, reminds me a lot of maryanne, we have been teaching her and she has been really great. We commited her to baptism on the 14th of November. Its a little difficult for my companion because we have had to push the baptismal dates of our investigators back, so he wont be here for most of them. The requisite is they have to attent church 3 times and pass the interview. We still have hope for Jorge and even for his wife Yanina. She still has doubts about the gospel, we talked with her last night. She could have a testimony if she would just take a step of faith and read the book of mormon and pray about it.

Our other investigator with a baptismal date is the son of a member, named Gabriel, he is about 14 years old, he has a problem with smoking. We are afraid that his mom is forcing him to be baptized, she is crazy. We are worried about that, we are just hoping that he can come to know of the truth even though he is being "forced". We are not going to baptize anyone without a testimony.

At times I sometimes feel like Im drowning, however I am taking the council of D&C 88:126, I am praying always that I may not faint. I am looking towards the future and there are many amazing experiences awaiting me ahead.

Sorry about the lack of pictures, I just havent had many opportunities for picture taking. However, I dont worry too much about that, Im not here to take pictures.

Se que este Evangelio es el evangelio de Jesucristo. Se que mediante El Libro de Mormon tenemos todas las respuestas que necessitamos. si tenemos un desafio o difficultad podemos tener la fuerza necessitamos para superar cualquier cosa. Se que mediante Jose Smith tenemos este gran bendicion en nuestros vidas. He visto las vidas de muchas personas cambia mediante el Evangelio. Tengo un testimonio de estas cosas mediante El Espiritu Santo por mi mismo, Todos de nosotros podemos tener este testimonio si preguntamos a Dios. El va a contestarnos. Digo estas cosas en el nombre de Jesucristo. Amen.

I know this church is true. I do.

I love you all so much,

Your son and brother,

Elder Kyle Braden Jacobson