You're Not Gonna Believe This One..............

Misioneros Street in Bahia.....gonna miss it.

So here's the DL, the 411, etc....

I got transferred. YES. I know that it was an inspired process for sure, but I think the cookies and brownies I made for the office Elders helped a little... 

maybe a lot :)

- So, we got transfer calls at 1 in the afternoon Saturday, and ALL the office Elders knew what was happening to me before I did. I guess I was the one most anxious to leave that they all wanted to know what happened. BUT, they couldn't tell me! Goobers! So I had to wait 2 hours and I found out I would be going to......

PUERTO MAR DEL PLATA! With... Hermana BATISTA and Hermana MANSILLA!! Yep, I'm in a trio. And YUP with my hija!! I was super surprised and thought it was a joke. But here we are! We are thinking it's because no new hermanas came and that Hna Batista has to train when the 14 new hermanas come next transfer... We'll see! I'm super stoked to be here. I secretly wanted to be companions with Hna Mansilla. She is a super hard worker. She's 24, from Buenos Aires, and we have the same amount of time in the mission. Her mom owns a salon, so she knows a bajillion beauty secrets. Today, they were putting mayonnaise in each others hair... it's supposed to make it way soft... but I'm not convinced, yet. We"ll see if y'all get a pic of me with mayo in my hair!!! She is AMAZING. She said something like this "I think that we were best friends with all of our companions in the Pre-existence. But we all knew that we would be living far away from each other, so we had to come to the mission so that we could find each other again". It's so true! She also told me that they had various people that were close to baptism but things came up and they weren't baptized. She said that maybe the Lord put me here because these people need something more that they couldn't offer them. Yup, I love her already. I know that God has great plans for us! It's not very common that ex-companions return to being companions again! He has great things in store for the three of us. 

- So, I left Bahia yesterday at 5 and got to Mar del Plata at 12:30 at night. I traveled with a few Elders and we chatted for a bit and then it got dark and I thought, "super, I'll rest for a bit." We stopped in Tres Arroyos and a man got on and sat right next to me and SNORED THE WHOLE WAY!!!! Flip. But I got here safe and sound with my GIANT suitcases and Hna Carson, Mansilla and Batista were waiting for me. Hna Carson had to wait for her comp to come, so she stayed with us. We went to bed at like at 2:30 that night, so I'm runnin'  on about 4 hours of sleep!!  WOO! SO, we had to travel to Centro this morning to pick up Hna Carson's comp and leave them to travel to their area but WOW centro is SO BEAUTIFUL! I felt like I was on vacation! Beach, Hotels, Shopping... I was like "you're a MISSIONARY! Not a TOURIST! FOCUS!"  Haha, but one day I'll come back. Puerto is... well a Port. It smells like fish. All of the time. We can see the ocean!! It's so pretty, and our area is like 2 and 1/2 times the size of Villa Mitre. AND IT'S MOSTLY PAVED! No more dirty shoes! No more dirt in the face and mouth! WOOO! AND! It's not as hot! I think the Lord heard my prayers.. or He knew that I would probably DIE in Villa Mitre. I'm super happy!

 - The hardest part was leaving... as we all know. I gave a talk in church about missionary work and I sorta bajar´d the caña... pero bueno. (**lowered the cane, oh well...) Poor Rosita cried! It was so sad! She said, "oh no, don't tell me. I grew to love you so much!" She's the little lady in the pic. Erika cried as she was hugging me and all of my girls were so sad. I didn't expect so many tears! We ate with the Familia Saghin and they told me how special I was to them and how much they thought of me as their own family. It was a very sad day, with lots of tears. I will miss them all very dearly. The best part of the day was when all of my converts came to church in SKIRTS!!!  That was the icing on the cake and made me want to cry. I love these girls, and I will forever be grateful that God put them in my path. They were BEYOND ready to receive the gospel.

-Shoutouts: MIKAYLA MCCHESNEY!!!! I forgot to say in the last email CONGRATULATIONS on getting called to serve in the best country!!! You will love the Argentine people!!!!  You will also be speaking the best form of Spanish there is... Castellano.... so work on your "sha"s!! 

MOM AND DAD!!! New mission prep teachers! I AM SOOOO PROUD!!! WOOOO!!! 

JAKEEE!!!!!! WOOOO! Congrats on your mission call! I'm beyond stoked for you!!! 

VENICE!! I'M DYING! WRITE ME, YOU GOOBER FACE!!!!! AHHHH! Flip, three amigas DOWN.

 OK everyone, really quick, last Sunday we had a lesson, and Cindi Luna (love that girl) challenged us to look for the Lord's hand in our life. I challenge you to do that. Look for the blessings that the Lord gives to you every day. Big and small. For example, that very day, we were walking home in the heat, and some nice lady stopped and said, "I'll take you to your house, it's hot, hop in!"  So we did and she took us to the corner where we live. I'm not sure if that was against the rules or not... but hey, not the point. The point is that the Lord is VERY aware of EACH of His children. Look for His hand in your life and write down what you find. I promise if you start looking, every day,  you will find out that He is very involved in our lives.

I love you all very much. 

Have an amazing week.

Hermana Squire

pics:

#1 My District in Bahia!!!

#2 The "Dream Team"; Elders Cruz & Gravelle; Hermana Gomez

#3 My sweet little Rosita! Love her!

#4 My girls in Bahia; Liz who is a future missionary, in pink; Bella, the little one, a future baptism;  next 3 our converts:Tatiana next to me;.Barbara and Erika

What a great day.

#5 Hermanas Mansilla, Batista and myself (don't know about the mayonnaise....in the hair....:-)

#6 "Misioneros" Street in Bahia..the best.....gonna miss it....not gonna lie.

My district in Bahia

The "Dream Team": Elders Cruz, Gravelle,& Hermana Gomez

Our Rosita

My girls: Liz, Bella(little one), Tatiana, Barbara & Erika

Hermanas Mansilla, Batista, & Squire

I'm in an OVEN. A hot, HUMID Oven.

Hello all you mighty fine lookin' people,

I am going to take a little space to complain about the heat. Then I won't mention it again. Ok? ok. I am in an OVEN!!! This last week was the hottest that it's ever been!!!! 100 degrees with sensacion termica of 104!!!! I thought I was going to 1) pass out, 2) throw up 3) die or 4) all three at once. I'm not joking!! The sun is SUPER strong and it's so humid!! I feel like I'm breathing in vapor. And NO ONE IS AWAKE OR IN THE STREETS FROM 2-5! So we just die in the streets! We have to take shelter sometimes in a home of a member, or menos activo because my blood pressure drops and I feel pretty weak.  It's pretty dangerous sometimes. I know missionaries have gotten heat stroke. It's gotten up to 88 degrees IN our room at night and we sleep with 2 fans, one on me, and one on Hna Gomez. So yeah. It's been pretty bad. The end.

-OK!!!  So last Monday, we had a great noche de hogar (family home evening) with the familia Saghin! THEY ARE THE BEST PEOPLE EVER!! I LOVE THEM. Mom, they loved your gifts by the way. I JUST WANNA TAKE THEM HOME!!!!! Dad, they love that you restore cars. 

That same day, we found Corina. She was a street contact and the first time we went to her house she said, "wanna come in?" And we're like... "ummm... SURE!" Haha, it's so surprising when that happens. When people invite me in I always stand there like... "wait,..... what? Really?"  It's like a Christmas miracle every time! So she's in her 30s, not married, but is very attentive in the lessons. She has got a lot of potential, and I'm excited to see her progress. Pray that she gets her answer. 

- This week we did divisions and Hermana Ermacora came to Villa Mitre! woo!! This girl is a hoot and a half and I seriously almost peed my pants every day. We worked really hard (except for 20 minutes one day, when we thought we were about to fall over in the street because of the heat, so we sat under a tree) and laughed really hard. I hope I get to serve again with her one day. If not, we're going home together in July so we'll be able to see each other again. Um is it just me or does July seem really, really soon? What the heck?

-So this is the last week of the transfer. If you wanna pray for me, pray for 1) that my body will survive this heat and 2) that I will get transferred. I already have 4 transfers here and this next one is 9 weeks long (they are normally 6) to accommodate the flood of new missionaries. I WILL DIE IF I HAVE TO BE HERE THAT LONG. DIE I TELL YOU! I love these people and the members but I NEED A CHANGE! I have memorized this tiny place! I walk down the street and point at houses... testigo, evangelico, viejito that said "no", x investigator, menos activos that don't want anything to do with the church.. etc. I NEED A CHANGE! PRAY HARD!  PLEASE!

Ok, So I read a talk by Pres. Ezra Taft Benson... It's "The book of Mormon, the Keystone to Our Religion." It is amazing. Go read it. He talked about how the Lord views this sacred work, and I had never really thought about it too deeply, but he makes the point that the only thing that preceded the coming forth of the Book of Mormon was the first vision. It came forth before the restoration of the priesthood, and before the church was organized. The saints were chastised because they were taking too lightly this "new covenant" (DyC 84: 54-57...i think). Here's a quote: "Do eternal consequences rest upon our response to this book? Yes, either to our blessing or our condemnation. Every Latter-day Saint should make the study of this book a lifetime pursuit. Otherwise he is placing his soul in jeopardy and neglecting that which could give spiritual and intellectual unity to his whole life. There is a difference between a convert who is built on the rock of Christ through the Book of Mormon and stays hold of that iron rod, and one who is not". WAHPUH!! My family and friends! Are you studying the Book of Mormon as fervently as you should? If you are not, is President Benson's warning enough to put a fire under your bum? I hope SO!

-Shoutouts: LUCAS BOY!!!! Happy 1st Birthday! Su primer añito! Also, Happy birthday to ADRIENNE this week! Woo one  year younger!! Then Happy Birthday to Lauren Platt! I hope you all have great days. I LOVE YOU ALL! Thank you for the prayers and support.

Hermana Squire

HELLOOOOOOO 2013!!!!!!!!!!

HELLLOOO everyone!!!

I'm glad that you all made it to the New Year and that the world didn't end. People kept asking us, so... "what's gonna happen on Dec 21??" And we're like... "honestly... nothing."

 

- So New Years was pretty pathetic. We didn't get invited anywhere,  so after we worked, we just came home. We ended up awake at midnight and we went outside all bundled up because it was FREEZING and waited for fireworks. It was kinda lame to be honest...We couldn't even open the bubbly that we got! So we were just like FORGET IT! And we went to bed. 

- We had a Zone Conference this week, and as usual, it was amazing. Presidente talked about how we can become leaders... all through:

1. desires 2. imitating (like Christ imitated the Father) 3. Obedience 4. Service. Know what that spells out DIOS (God). It is all about trying to follow Christ and become like Him. We also did a bunch of practices with 2 members and Presidente and Hermana. It was a great day! We also talked about setting goals. When we don't set goals, it means that we are SCARED and VAGUE. We are submitting more to the natural man and less to the Holy Spirit (Mosiah 3:19). I challenge you all to set goals this year that are going to make you stretch a little and work to be a better person.

- Tomorrow we have DIVISIONS! Hermana Ermacora is coming here from Dorrego and we are gonna have a blast! I'm stoked!

- We went to teach Barbara this week, and she had a note on the fridge "orar para la comida" (pray for the food). She said she had made it a New Years goal to pray as a family to bless the food. I was super impressed! HOW did I get blessed with such great converts? I have no idea. The girls I baptized here are 14, 13, and 11, but are so willing to be obedient. I used to be hesitant about baptizing kids, but when you have a primary and young women's program that rally around new converts, they feel welcomed and part of the family. I feel so blessed. 

- Quickly... I was reading the Liahona about the Book of Mormon... it's Oct 2010 I think... But it's GREAT! There's an article by Elder Bednar: "Lehi's dream, Holding Fast to the Rod" That I LOVED! He focuses on three groups of people. The 2nd group made it to the tree of life by "clinging to the rod". But they were embarrassed and eventually fell away.We all know that the rod is the Word of God... or the scriptures. Elder Bednar says that perhaps they only studied the scriptures occasionaly, or had bursts of study rather than consistently studying. Then he explained the third group: "In verse 30 we read about a third group of people who pressed forward “continually holding fast to the rod of iron, until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” The key phrase in this verse iscontinually holding fast to the rod of iron.

The third group also pressed forward with faith and conviction; however, there is no indication that they wandered off, fell into forbidden paths, or were lost. Perhaps this third group of people consistently read and studiedand searched the scriptures. Perhaps it was diligence and devotion to a seemingly “small and simple [thing]” (Alma 37:6) that saved the third group from perishing. Perhaps it was “the knowledge of the Lord” and “the knowledge of the truth” (Alma 23:5, 6) obtained through faithful study of the scriptures that yielded the spiritual gift of humility—such that this group of people “fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30; emphasis added). Perhaps it was the spiritual nourishment and strength provided by continually “feasting upon the word of Christ” (2 Nephi 31:20) that enabled this group to heed not the scorning and mocking of the people in the great and spacious building (see 1 Nephi 8:33). This is the group you and I should strive to join."

My dear family and friends, are you "clinging" to the iron rod or are you "continually holding fast". I hope it's the latter. Please do not forget the small and simple things like reading your scriptures. They are the simple things that people think are so simple that they don't have to do them. But I'm begging you to PLEASE DO THEM! Study the scriptures every day. Write down your impressions. Don't be like the people of Moses who only had to look at the brass serpent, but because it was so easy they didn't and perished. Don't let a simple thing like reading your scriptures keep you from exhalation. 

Shoutouts: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Elder Kelly today! WOO! 

And a big Happy Birthday and besito de Argentina this week toooo.... Adriana Ibarra, Clint, Miss Anna Dunn, Brendyn Hiatt, Uncle Scott, annnnd RACHELLE GRIFFITHS! Hope you all have great bdays! 

Adrienne, thanks for the email! Yes, I got your pkg this week! Thank you so much! 

Aunt Jeni! Thanks for the email and the update on my amazing cousins! Cant wait to see how much they've grown!  

HEY I LOVE YOU ALL! 

HAVE A HAPPY WEEK!

Hermana Sqweeray (that's what Hna Ermacora calls me for fun)  :-)

pics:

#1 Hna Gomez and I went to lunch using dad's Christmas money! Thanks Dad! 

Yummm!!!!  Strawberries and cream!!! It's been 11 months since I've eaten strawberries... 

#2  keeping up with Argentine fashion while shopping today. mmmhmm

#3   Hey, I finally gave myself a little pedicure.... don't worry, I'm not sunburned!! :-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hey peeps!

Well I hope you all had a great Christmas!!  I sure did because I got to talk to the best family on earth... otherwise known as the SQUIRE FAMILY! And with my Grandpa Serna and adopted big brother, Tyler too... so yeah. My life is preeety good.

- BARBARA GOT BAPTIZED ON SATURDAY!! WAHOO!!! It was so great. She already has a friend from school who is Mormon and he was able to come to the baptism and the confirmation yesterday, and she was super happy!! We went to pick her up for church yesterday and she came out in a SKIRT! I about passed out. We didn't say anything about it because not everyone has skirts and not a lot of people have the money to buy them, and if they do, there's not any that are modest. BUT! Her MOM had one and said, "you should start going to church in a skirt." WOO! We were two happy missionaries yesterday!! We found out that Natalia really likes the Mormon church, but it's hard for her to get up and go on Sundays. Her marido, boyfriend, father of her children, whatever, is not the best person and doesn't want to get married, so there´s not much we can do about it. But we're hoping to baptize Lautaro and if we do, I KNOW that one day she will be a member!! This is one of the circumstances that I've had to patient and ´wait on the Lord´ and trust in HIS timing, and not mine. But I have faith that she will one day be baptized. 

- So I forgot to say what Christmas Eve is like here in Argentina. At midnight, they set off fireworks ALL OVER and it's like a war zone with all of these explosions (illegal fireworks for sure). Then they open presents and go around to their neighbors and eat and chat until like 5 in the morning. They also eat a lot of fruit salad. I can't tell you how many bowls I've had since Monday. We'll be going to a member's house tonight to eat some more and say, "HAPPY NEW YEAR!"  Hna Gomez and I bought some bubbly and we'll be toasting to the New Year solas (**alone) tonight since Vawdrey and her comp moved. 

-  On Thursday, we were finishing up the day and it started POURING!! I didn't have my umbrella and Gomez didn't have a hood so we were like "WHATEVER!" We got soaked in a matter of 5 minutes walking home, so we ran in the rain, jumped in puddles and played on the seesaw in a park for a bit. The pic below is the after effects. Fun times!!

- On Friday, we had the end of year dinner with the two wards. It was SO FUN! There was so much food and the youth (including my converts Tatiana and Erika) danced Argentine folklore in traditional dress and it was so great!!!! I love all of the traditional music and dances of Argentina. I was talking to Elder Gravelle and we were like, "what does the U.S. have in terms of traditional dances? The line dance? cotton eyed joe? The chicken dance?" Ha ha. Sad. They played some great music and Gomez and I were having a hard time not dancing. We may have done the sprinkler a few times when no one was looking... my friends know I can't dance.... ha ha. Tatiana and Erika are doing so well and fit right in with the members. They love them so much and are just part of the big family. That makes me SO HAPPY as a missionary. There needs to be a good hand off from missionaries to members, since we're not going to be here forever, they need to have the support system. Erika is now trying to save up to go to EFY in February and I KNOW that will be a great experience for her and a testimony builder.

 

-To finish, I started reading the Book of Mormon again in Spanish. I LOVED this verse in 2 NEFI 4:34, 35 34 O Lord, I have ^atrusted in thee, and I will ^btrust in thee forever. I will not put my ^ctrust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his ^dtrust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.

 35 Yea, I know that God will give ^aliberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ^bask ^cnot amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the ^drockof my ^erighteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. 

I love the psalms of nefi! 

Shoutouts: ANNA! I got your email. I LOVE YOU! And thanks for sending pics of little Evelyn. 

KELSEY MEGAN.... COOK! YOU ARE A MARRIED LADY!!! I want pictures dang it! 

To all of you who sent cards to me for Christmas......THANK YOU SO MUCH!! 

Vaughan! Good luck on the 5th! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! 

Hey, I love y´all! 

Have a Happy New Year!

Hermana Squire

Clouds on a rainy day in Bahia

IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!!!!!!!!

Our Christmas sing at Centro

Hey people,

First off, MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! I hope you all have snow because we're having a CRAZY rainstorm right now. We got soaked walking to the cyber in a matter of 5 minutes. WOW! 

Elder HALL from Provo MTC District!

- Well it was a fun and interesting week. We had our Christmas activity on Tuesday and it was the BEST! We got to the chapel and I hear "Hermana Squire?" and I turn around AND GUESS WHO IT IS!!! ELDER HALL!!!! (Elder Hall was in my district at the MTC in Provo) I started flippin' out and bouncing on the spot because it was as good as seeing family! He's grown up in the past 8 months and it was honestly so hard not to just squeeze the heck out of him! But I didn't do it, don't worry!! It was so nice to chat and catch up. 

To start off the activity, about 50 of us went to this Catholic Care Center for people with disabilities and we sang to them. It was so wonderful! You could feel the spirit so strong because these people are so special and you can just feel their sweet spirits! 

After that, we met up with the rest of the group to sing in Centro. It was so awesome! We were on the news here in Bahia! The only bad thing is that they said that we were the "Coro Evangelista"! (Evangelical Choir) POR FAVOR! But then they changed it the next day. We had an Hermano play the violin while we were singing. Investigators and miembros were telling me that I showed up front and center in the clips. Ahhh... how embarrassing. We weren't allowed to proselyte but it was amazing how many people stopped US to say "What are you doing? Who are you guys?" So amazing. We were STILL able to do some missionary work. We got back to the church, ate, had a hilarious talent show and a fireside by Presidente. It was great. They gave us letters from home and a letter to each missionary from Presidente and Hermana. It was a very spiritual and touching day but it made me feel a little trunky!! Haha I was like "I want to be with my family!" But it's ok, I get to talk to y'all tomorrow.

- Barbara came to church! That means she's getting baptized on Saturday! WOOO! Pray that everything goes well. 

- Just some quick funny things about Hna Gomez- She is TERRIFIED of dogs. When we are walking down the street and there's a dog on her side, she switches sides with me. She won't knock on a door if there's a dog in front of it, and she's always like "IT'S GONNA BITE MEEEE." Haha, we laugh a bunch. She's one of 9 kids, and all of her family are members. She is the 4th missionary in her family and is an excellent teacher. I'm happy for this time that we have to serve together.

Hermana Gomez

- SHOUT OUTS: Hey you, Yes YOU (all of you!!)  Merry Christmas. 

I have never felt so much happiness and joy as I do as a missionary. I get to see people's LIVES change through obedience to the gospel. I get to meet wonderful people every day and grow close to them, close enough to call them family. I am SO GRATEFUL for my savior Jesus Christ. That He came to earth, and that He died so that we might live again. I am so GRATEFUL for the restored gospel. I know with every fiber of my being, every particle of my body, that THIS is the TRUE and ONLY TRUE church. If you don't know that yet, I invite you to get down on your knees and ask our Heavenly Father if it's true. We have the FULLNESS of the gospel. People often tell us that we look different, that we have a light about us. THAT, my friends, is the LIGHT of CHRIST and the LIGHT of the GOSPEL. And you can have it too. If you have lost that light, I'm inviting you to find it. It is never too late. Remember when you made covenants with our Heavenly Father that it was FOREVER. Not for a time, but FOREVER. Once you enter into the gate, there is NO TURNING BACK. You stay on that straight and  narrow and I PROMISE YOU, as a representative of Jesus Christ, that you will find indescribable happiness. I love you all and I want you all to have this happiness and pure JOY that I have. The JOY that makes me want to shout out "I LOVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!" AND "I LOVE BEING A MORMON!!!"

Have a very MERRY Christmas and remember, I love you.

Hermana Squire

Elder Stott an alumni from LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL!


                                  

Hermanas in Santa hats with...ummm...Santa....

Pic four:  Elder Stott! He went to LONE PEAK HIGH SCHOOL!!!!! We had to do the "L P" together! RACHELLE & EMILY!!!!!! HE SAID 'TELL THEM HI AND TELL THEM TO WRITE ME!!!!!"

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...ha ha..not really!

Hello world!!!!!!!!!!!

I want y'all to put on NSYNC ¨Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays¨ on right now and think of Hermana Vawdrey and I singing at the top of our lungs in the pension at 7 in the morning (especially for you Kris)!!!!

WELL HELLO! I hope all is well in the good old United States. I'm just walking around sweating all the time and then I see a little plastic Christmas tree and I'm like "OH YEAH!!! IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME."  It really is going to be just another day of work for us... BUT I get to talk to my FAMILY!!!! WAHOOO! 

- Ok, so I'm trying to think about what happened this week. We have been practicing singing for our Christmas activity tomorrow. It's going to be half of the mission and we'll be singing 5 Christmas hymns in the plaza en Centro, and in the Hospital! They said we can´t proselyte, but little do they know that when we sing about Christ, it will be proselytizing in a way! Right?! Music can touch hearts, so I'm hoping there will be lots of people there! And I think we're even going to be on TV....so yeah. That will be fun!

-So Barbara. She's progressing really well and really wants to get baptized and do the right things but she slept in for church yesterday!! So now she can't get baptized until next Saturday! BOO! Who needs sleep anyway!!?? Ok, but we are really praying that she can realize how important church is. Maybe we'll buy her an alarm....

- We found PAULA again...!!!! We've started teaching her de nuevo  and she REALLY has a testimony of the LDM.(**Book of Mormon) We're praying she can come to church and feel that is where she needs to be. She's such a sweet woman and I KNOW she could get baptized!!

- Hna Gomez and I have been getting to know each other better this week. She's pretty straightforward and says things how they are but is also SUPER funny. She's so quick and sarcastic, so as you can see, we get along great!  She is also a hard worker and a very good teacher!! We have been working hard all week to find new investigators.!

- On Saturday, we had another missionary day with the jovenes(**youth) in the stake. We went with Mité, a cute and hardworking 15 year old. We found two new investigators with her, and all before lunch! What a miracle! We taught one girl the first lesson and after we taught the First Vision, she said ¨que lindo! genial!¨(**how wonderful and brilliant!) and I was like..." ahhhh!" She accepted a fecha bautismal, (**baptismal date) but might be moving in the next bit. 

-During this Christmas season, I hope you all remember why we celebrate this special time. I am so grateful for my Savior and all He did for me. I have grown closer to Him in these 10 short months as I have labored in His work. President Monson said this ¨There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.

Because He came, we are gathered tonight to worship Him, in bonds of brotherhood and love."

- SHOUTOUTS!  MARGIE! Got your pkg this week!!! THANK YOU! 

And thank you Grandpa and Grandma Hobson for the card! Loved it!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday KRISTEN! Yes, I'm one day late and I didn't have time to draw you a hideous self portrait, but don't worry, you'll get one soon!! 

Adrienne! Thanks for the email!!! Good to hear from you!!! (FINALLY.) :-) 

Happy late birthday to Michelle in Idaho! And happy birthday to Susan and Nancy next week! 

Hey....

I love you all. 

Have a great Christmas. 

Hermana Squire

DOUBLE BAUTISMOS!!!!!

Hey y'all,

Well, it's been a pretty rewarding week as far as missionary work goes. There are weeks and transfers when you reap and some when you sow, and this was definitely a reaping week. 

- TATIANA AND ERIKA GOT BAPTIZED!!! Wahoo!! I was SO HAPPY! It was so nice to see many days of hard work finally pay off. Saturday we got transfer calls and sadly Hermana Batista got called to Mar Del Plata, and I get to stay. At least she got to see the baptism! Saturday was a day of walking in the hot, hot sun. We had to walk to the terminal, then to the capilla (**chapel)  to fill up the font (a 45 minute walk) make refreshments and pack that day, so it was super crazy!! We picked up Tatiana and Erika and got them all dressed and ready. Erika was so scared but she didn't want to say anything. I was so worried! Tatiana told me, "I'm not scared anymore, the nervousness left me." But after they got out of the water they were both so happy and peaceful. I asked Tati how she felt and she said FELIZ!! It was such a great day!!!!!!!!! They both got confirmed yesterday.

- In church, Hna Batista gave her farewell testimony and cried, and I cried because I'll really miss her. She was a great companion and friend. But I'm glad the Lord isn't going to make me stay with the same companion for 4 transfers again.. because when that happens, by the 3rd transfer you're praying for patience, and by the 4th you're praying not to throw her in front of a bus. Hah. It's good that we finished the companionship as friends. ANYWAY! She came back to sit by me just crying and I had one arm around my amazing companion, and the other around Tatiana, who was all snuggled into my side. I felt a lot of love that day!

- I know I say how hot it is every week but really.....I almost died yesterday. It was 96 degrees and here the heat is SO HEAVY. It just weighs down on you and makes you tired and burns you. WOW I'm grateful that I'm only here for one summer!! And it's not even summer yet!!!! FLIP!

- So on Friday it rained and cut the power. We went home half an hour early because there were no street lamps and it's kinda dangerous for us walking in the dark. So we came back, lit candles and told scary stories in the dark with the other hermanas. SUPER FUN NIGHT.

- OK SO I HAVE A NEW COMPANION!! Her name is Hermana Gomez. She's from Buenos Aires, she's 29, and used to be a teacher!! She's great!! I think we'll get along great this transfer!! AND GET THIS! SHE´S TALLER THAN ME! And man, we sure can walk fast! I'm excited for this time to work with her and get to know her better.

- SO our house is now Hotel Bahia... all the hermanas that are leaving tomorrow are staying with us. 2 got here last night and one more got here at 2 in the morning. That was a fun call with the AP... "Hermana, I'm so sorry but we're on our way to your house right now with Hna Bingham"... "uggghhh....okay Elder we'll be ready." Haha. It's been a long night and day. We'll have a total of 5 extras staying the night.... PLUS the four of us that already live there!!!!! Hna Vawdrey got her first Latina companion!  I'm hoping we´ll all be together for Christmas!!!!

- Just really quick, I'm really grateful that the Lord is blessing us here in Villa Mitre. Sometimes He puts us through the refiners fire so that we can become better missionaries and rely on Him more. I know when we do our part, He will do His. We were talking about our Christmas activity and our ZLs asked us to think of a present we could give to our Savior. I want to give you all that same challenge,  too. What could you give up or do better for our Savior this Christmas? It's easier when you're a missionary to think of things to give up, because we have already given up so much. But it really isn't that much of a sacrifice for me. It is an honor to serve Him.

SHOUTOUTS! Tyler and Ashley, THANK YOU FOR THE EMAIL!! Love you guys!

HEY SQUIRE COUSINS! Have fun at the Santa party tonight! Love you cuties. 

VAUGHAN! I'm gonna kick your married bum when I get home! But really, I am beyond happy for you! You deserve the best and the only thing I ask is PICTURES PLEASE!!!! 

Myranda Thurman, you've got a letter on the way!! Thanks for writing!! 

HEY! Listen, I love you all!!! I hope all you BYU students survive finals (yeah... don't miss that) and that all of you have an amazing holiday season. 

Besitos de Argentina, (****little kisses from Argentina)

Hermana Squire

  Misioneros de Villa Mitre 2; Elders Cruz y Gravelle; Hermana Batista

 Registros de Enseñanza...best thing you can see! (reports of lessons taught)

Cindi Luna, an RM from Bahia Blanca

¡¡¡Estoy Muy Contenta!!!

Hey you! (yes you... ALL OF YOU!)

Hey. It's December. And it's 85 degrees outside. And I melted on the way to church yesterday!!! AT 8 o'clock in the MORNING! It was like 80 degrees!! I swear!!!! AND I'M JUST SO DANG HAPPY RIGHT NOW!  Why?  I´LL TELL YOU WHY!!

- WE ARE HAVING TWO BAPTISMS THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!! Can I get a woo woo!!!!!???? (Taylor) AHHH I'M SO GRATEFUL! Earlier this week, Erika was having doubts. Not doubts really, but she was embarrassed. I showed her the picture of my baptism and how you can see the fear in my face and we told her that sometimes we have to do things that make us embarrassed, but in the end, we´ll remember the beautiful feelings we had, and not the embarrassment. She was much better after that chat! They are both reading and praying and LOVING Primary and Young Women's. We taught them the Word of Wisdom and the only problem they had was drinking tea. They said that they would leave it and when we passed by yesterday, we asked how it was going. Erika said, "good, now when we make tea, I have milk instead." AHHH! We changed the baptism to Saturday so they could get confirmed the next day... and the Elders are teaching two primary kids that (if everything goes well) should get baptized the same day! FOUR BAPTISMS FOR VILLA MITRE 2! The members are super pumped now!!!!! They are visiting our investigators and everything!!!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!!! There has been a change in the ward... they now have more animo por la obra misional! (***more courage and desire for missionary work) Transfers are this week... I HOPE I STAY!!!!! We also have a sister missionary coming home tomorrow... .hellooo!!! She will be awesome in helping us!

- Remember Natalia? Well, now we are teaching her daughter, Barbara! She's 14, came to church with us yesterday and LOVED IT, and has a fecha(**date) for the 22! WOOO! She didn't have interest before, but we always asked if she wanted to join in on the lesson and Tuesday she said, "YES!"  WOOOO!!! The Lord is really blessing us here in Villa Mitre!

- CHRISTMAS IS SOON! WHAT THE????  Mom, I'm glad you're all decorated at home. Send me pics! But I sure am glad I didn't have to haul 25 poinsettias up and down the stairs this year! Glad we got rid of the devils! :-)

- So I read the talk by President Monson from the priesthood session, I think it's called " See People As They May Become". I LOVED IT!!!!! I have never really been a person to judge. Even before the mission. I've never been one to be like "what the heck is up with that guy??". I've always thought, "bueno, I don't know what they're going through, I don't know their circumstances, who am I to judge??  That trait has only improved here in the mission. And the reason I loved that talk is because Pres. Monson shares that "people CAN change. And we have to see them as how they COULD be." There's a quote by Elder Holland " God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been, as He does about where you are, and with His help, where you are willing to go". I always try to see people here as future Relief Society Presidents, future Bishops, future missionaries. It helps me to get past the cigarrettes in their mouths, the alcohol on their breath, etc. When I start to see people that way, it helps me teach better. We have to remember that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God, and people CAN change. We just have to have faith that they will. 

- Ok everyone! I love you! ERIC AND ASHLEE! BRODY IS A CUTIE PATOOTIE! Congrats! 

EVERYONE:  Work hard, Pray harder!!!

Hermana Squire

Happy late birthday Uncle Todd and happy birthday Grandpa Squire on Friday!!

My turkey placemat

My Hermana Vawdrey

Mi compañera..Hermana Batista

Our tacos!

         

Our Thankful Fridge

My District....all chocolate...minus one who is 1/2 

Our Thanksgiving Lunch