TRANSFERS

Hola!  Hermana Mannewitz reporting for duty as a fully trained missionary.  Even though I am far from fluent in Spanish, my training is finished and now I am even more prepared to serve with all my heart, might, mind and strength.

Bueno!  BIG NEWS!  Transfers!  Hermana Norman has left to be a Hermana Leader in Santiago and my new companion is Hermana Adams from Alaska, USA!  I am seriously a mixture of emotions.  I am super sad to leave Hermana Norman, super nervous because I’m the only one who knows my area and super excited to work so hard with Hermana Adams!  I have no doubt that Hermana Norman is going to be the best leader!  I have learned so much from her the past 3 months!   I sure have a lot to live up to.

Keep the prayers coming for our dear investigator Maria Emilia.  We have seen so many miracles in her progression!  Her mom is not super supportive in her decision to be baptized and since Maria Emilia is only 14 years old, we were really worried she wouldn’t sign.  Last Friday night we talked to the mom and lost a lot of hope!  She was very short-tempered and direct.  However, last Sunday, we put all of our faith in the Lord and fasted that everything would turn out okay.  After completing our fast and with a lot of faith, we stopped by their house on Sunday night and THE MOM SIGNED!  Hermana Norman and I were skipping in the street because we were so happy!  I know that with the help of the Lord, our sacrifices make a difference.  I know that Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires!

Sorry!  It’s transfers day so I don’t have a lot of time and I have a lot on my mind but I do want to share my favorite scripture from this week!

Alma 5:26  And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

I love this scripture because it explains that even if we have a testimony of the gospel, we 

can and must always look for more ways to strengthen our testimony.  It explains later in the chapter that we might have to lay aside the things of the world to more fully understand the power of the Atonement in our lives!

Mateo

Ward activity - movie night

Sassy Valentina

your favorite minions - still not sure why they wanted us to wear these hats

Martin aka bff

Ciao Hermana Norman!  luv u

Hermana Adams - my new companion

HOY ES EL DIA!              

♥ Hermana Mannewitz

It's all fun and games until you are showering in the dark

July 17, 2017

We all have the gift of agency, but showering in the dark was not my choice.  Remember the other week when I said we haven’t paid our bills since January?  Yeah, well they finally cut the power on us.  Anyways, this email is going to me mumbled jumbled because so many things happened.  Get pumped.  Here is one week in the life of Hermana Mannewitz.

·       So on Tuesday morning, we were doing the norm – exercising, eat breakfast, showering and getting ready for the day – when suddenly we lost power.  I was in the shower when the power went out but I tried to stay calm.  So I didn’t scream.  I safely got myself in a towel.  We were trying to figure out what happened but we had no idea.  So we finished getting ready in the dark, planning in the dark, all things missionary in the dark.  We finally decided to call the mission finance elder and he told us they lost our bills so they couldn’t pay them.  How cool J.  So we ate ice cream for breakfast (because it was gonna melt of course) and then left to work hoping we would have power that night.  Well, we didn’t so we continued our routine in the dark and without music.  Luckily, the following afternoon we finally got our power back!

·       My arm did this really cool thing this week and was numb for about 4 days.  Hermana Norman insisted that we go to the doctor but I really didn’t want to go to a crazy doctor in Argentina so I said no way!  But no worries – I have sufficient feeling in my arm now!

·       “Manuel, do you want to follow Jesus Christ?”   “Ummm, idk.”  “You aren’t sure if you want to follow Jesus Christ?  Who do you want to follow???”

·       (Ward council – end of meeting)  “Alright, how are we gonna leave this meeting?”  (random member) “With hunger!”

·       This week during weekly planning, the Hermana leaders came to verify our planning.  It was supposed to be a surprise, but Hermana Norman saw in their planner that they were coming so we were on our best behavior and they told us that we planned perfectly!  We are perfect!!  And humble too…

·       We met our new mission president!!  President and Hermana Orquera are super great.  They bring a new enthusiasm for the work and are truly focused on our purpose as a missionary – BAPTIZE!  Now we have a mission motto – “AMB” – actitud mental bautizadora (baptizing mental attitude).   But really, I already love President and Hermana Orquera and their 6 year-old son Jaimpe (?).  I know that President Orquera has been called by a prophet of God to direct the work here in Salta.  We are going to see lots of miracles as we work together.

·       This week Herman Norman and I got to watch “17 Miracles”.  I have seen the movie but have a new appreciation for the pioneers – how their journey was not easy but they put their trust in our Savior Jesus Christ and pressed forward.  At one point in the movie, an elderly woman said that whenever she feels discouraged and wants to quit, she offers a prayer of gratitude for all the miracles they have witnessed instead.  That was just what I needed!  Sometimes the mission is really hard.  I never want to quit, but it does get discouraging.  However, I love her perspective. In these times, I need to offer a prayer of gratitude – thanking my Heavenly Father for all the many blessings I have.

·       Alright prayer warriors – we need some prayers.  Our super awesome investigator, Maria Emilia is strengthening her testimony and preparing for baptism which means Satan is going to tempt her extra hard.  Pray for her strength!!

·       Last p-day we went to this breakfast buffet and Hermana Norman and I were the first ones there so we hurried and ate a plate of food, then hid it before our district showed up.  When our district showed up we were super casually reading our scriptures and drinking hot chocolate.  Haha. They have no idea.

·       Hermana Norman talking to a single, 24 year old boy:  “Is it hard to find someone to marry in Salta?”

If my personal study had a name it would be called “Lost in Mosiah 2” There are too many blessings that I read the chapter many times to find all the things I can improve.  But the last verse really stuck out to me:

Mosiah 2:41  “And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.”

Three things really stuck out to me in this one verse.  1) As we obey the commandments, we will be blessed both temporally and spiritually.  I know this is true because I have seen it bless my life and the lives of the people here in Argentina.  2) We have to be faithful to the end!  I think that is one of the most difficult parts.  3) Enter into a state of never-ending happiness!  WOW!  I can’t even imagine what a state of never-ending happiness is but I think I am getting a little taste of it here in the mission!  I know this to be true – that as we are obedient and try our best, Heavenly Father will cover the rest!

Bueno, can’t believe this is my last week of training with Hermana Norman.  We set goals to sing more, eat more empanadas, work so hard, and enjoy our last week together!

Hoy es el dia!

Con amor,

Hermana Mannewitz

Our ice cream was gonna melt so we ate it for breakfast!

no power....still smiling

Hermana Castro-Orosco

The biggest avocado I've ever seen in my life

The most famous cookies here - sugar cookies with dulce de leche and coconut

Tacos with Familia Caceres

Hermana Urena is heading home

Hermana Norman and I

wife us.  we made whipped cream

bumper cars!!!

pure joy!

God Bless America! And Argentina Too!

Aloha!  Did you think I was in Hawaii for a split second?  Well, I’m not, I’m in ARGENTINA BABY!  Jajaja I hope you all had a super fun and super safe 4^th of July.  Hermana Norman and I sang as many American songs in the street that we could remember – so look out for us at the next Super Bowl.  We have our national anthem perfected.  But yesterday was Independence Day for Argentina, so we are celebrating freedom all around the world. 

And now, the moment you all have been waiting for… (drum roll by my super awesome brothers)… CHISTOSOS:

·       I think I am finally a real missionary now because I was sleep praying.  Not sleep walking or sleep talking, but sleep praying.  I woke up at 2:03 am on my knees but Hermana Norman said Amen so I guess we are super united.

·       Mateo, our recent convert, got his tablet taken away because he was spending too much time on his tablet and too little time with his family.  His excuse, “But I can hang out with my family when my tablet’s charging.”

·       Hermana Norman AKA Expert Knee Judge was honest with me and evaluated my knees on a scale of 1-10 (10 being super ugly)…my knees are a solid 4!  Wahoo!  She says her knees are a 12 but I don’t know because she won’t let me see her knees. 

·       It was super nice the other day so I finally got to wear a short sleeve shirt.  Well, my poor arms are originally white and they haven’t seen the sun for quite some time, so now they are super white.  We were at lunch with a family from our ward and the 7 year-old girl touched my arm, (to make sure it was real) and with big eyes said, “Rey blanca!”  Very white!

Comedian Kelly out **drops mic**

MILAGROS:

·       One family was preparing a big warm drink for us and they couldn’t find the malta so we got chocolate milk!

·       A newlywed couple recently moved into our ward and wow!  God knew I needed Hermana in my life. Hermana Schraifer is a recent convert – has only been a member a little over a year – but has such a strong testimony of the doctrines of the gospel.  Last Sunday, during fast and testimony meeting, she bore her testimony on the importance of missionary work.  It was truly an answer to my prayers.  Later in the week, we passed by her house to thank her for her testimony and she explained that the Holy Ghost had given her a prompting to bear her testimony specifically on missionary work.  What courage!  A recent convert who is so aware of the promptings of the Spirit but also courageous to follow the prompting. 

·       Hermana Norman and I went to the hospital last night to visit Nelida.  After visiting Nelida, we had a little bit of extra time so we decided to sing hymns for other patients in the hospital.  Singing hymns is one of the quickest ways to feel the Spirit so it was so cool to watch the patients lighten up.  Even though some patients were unconscious, I know that the Spirit was in the room and touched their heart.

·       We have a super awesome progressing investigator named Maria Emilia.  She is 14 years old and loves participating in Young Women’s.  The other day we had a lesson with her so in my language study I was practicing the lesson so I could speak Spanish well enough for her to understand.  I had my half of the lesson prepared pretty confidently but when we were in the lesson, Hermana Norman took my half of the lesson – the half I had practiced so hard.  I was a little worried because I really wanted Maria Emilia to understand but I didn’t feel as confident.  However, I know that the Lord blesses us for our efforts.  Although I hadn’t practiced this part of the lesson, I was blessed with the gift of tongues and was able to teach the lesson according to the promptings of the Spirit.  I am so thankful for the gift of tongues because I know I can’t do this work on my own. 

Scripture of the week:

I was reading in Mosiah this week about how we can overcome our own personal trials.

Mosiah 24:14-15

“And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

“And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.”

WOW!  How powerful!  However, many of us may assume this scripture is suggesting that a burden suddenly and permanently will be taken away.  However, in verse 15 we see how the burden was eased… “The Lord did strengthen them.” 

The challenges and difficulties were not immediately removed from the people.  But Alma and his followers were strengthened and their increased capabilities made the burdens lighter.  These good people were empowered by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I can testify of the truthfulness of this doctrine.  I know that through the Atonement we are able to do good and become better in ways that stretch beyond our mortal abilities.  I have found so much strength in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I know the Atonement brings a remission of our sins, but also brings hope, love and strength.

Special shout out to my dad – HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAPA!  Eat some apple pie for me J

Love you all!  Have a great week!

♥ Hermana Mannewitz

Happy 4th of July

Our only thing close to a firework

Hooray?

Patriotic slide in Argentina

Argentina's Independence Day

Argentine art haha

Beautiful sunset

Juanita - the only person who participated in "give your friend chocolate" week

District breakfast

Breakfast selfie

Ciao Presidente

Hola from Argentina!  And Happy Fourth of July to all my favorite Americans!  I hope you all stay safe while you’re blowing things up!

CHISTOSO: 

·       My soccer skills are chistoso.  Actually, they are straight garbage.  We got invited to play soccer with our zone and Presidente Chaparro last Monday and let’s just say that I lost all trust with my zone.  Well, they lost all trust in me.  The ball rolled right in between my legs AND I MISSED IT!  And that was the end of my soccer career.  I’ll definitely need some training from my BFF Ashtyn when I get back.

·       TACOS!  We ate tacos!  And they were so yummy.  Much different than the United States (like everything) but there was guacamole so it was delicious.

·       One of our investigators is in jail right now so that’s cool.

·       Creepy old man told Hermana Norman and I that we look more beautiful every time we walk by.  I guess he didn’t see our sister missionary shoes.

·       Turns out we haven’t paid our bills since January.  They almost cut our lights but we paid just in time.  19 and 20 year old girls and boys sure don’t know who the real world works.  Pray for us!

MILAGROS:

·       Nelida!  Remember the old lady who thinks I’m a cat?  Yeah – her!  Well, she has been terribly sick.  She literally lives in pain but she has so many desires to learn more about the gospel.  However, she has had an open wound for several months she can’t enter the water.  But last time we visited her, the elders gave her a priesthood blessing of comfort, strength, and healing.  HER WOUND CLOSED!!  Literally a milagro from God!  She is still in the hospital as of now but things are looking great.  I have such a strong testimony in the power of priesthood blessings.  Whether it be a blessing of healing or a blessing of comfort, I know it comes from the Lord.  So grateful for the priesthood in my life. 

·       The other day we were working hard, looking for a family that is waiting for the gospel.  We were in the middle of nowhere, practically lost, so we were knocking doors and pretending to look for Familia Lopez (we don’t actually know a Lopez family that lives there but it’s Argentina so there’s always a Familia Lopez nearby).  Anyway, WE FOUND FAMILIA LOPEZ!  And what’s even more crazy is that she is the sister-in-law of one of our investigators.  There are no coincidences in the work of the Lord.  Only miracles. 

·       We had our last zone conference with Presidente & Hermana Chaparro this week!  Can’t believe that they have finished their mission already.  They are such a great example to me – always ready to serve the Lord.  The last challenge that Presidente Chaparro left us was to read The Book of Mormon in our native language (English – YAY!) before General Conference.  Challenge accepted!  And now we have a new mission president and we have no idea who he is or what to expect.  But I know he has been called by a prophet of the Lord so I’m not worried.

·       This week we had splits again with the Hermana capas.  But this time I stayed here in Limache and Hermana Norman left to their area.  That means that I had to lead us through our area.  I’m the only one who knew our investigators and I had to lead the lessons.  I was so nervous I hardly slept the night before and rubbed my worry stone like crazy!  But it was actually a great day!  I know my area better than I thought I did and I know more Spanish than I thought.  And I’m humble too!  Hahaha  But I know that I had Heavenly Father on my side.  I was praying so hard all week that everything would go well and it did.  Heavenly Father is sow aware of His children.

Favorite scripture of the week has a friend today.  I was reading Moroni 10:32 which reads:

“Yea, come unto Christ and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.”

The invitation in this scripture is to come unto Christ.  But I was thinking a lot about the part that says, “and be perfected in Him”.  I am far from perfect, but I desire to come unto Christ so I was searching for an answer on how I can be perfected in Christ.

Ether 12:27 says, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

I believe the key to be perfected in Christ is humility – recognizing our weaknesses and relying on the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  We have the confidence that His Atonement gives every one of us – no matter our weaknesses – the ability to change.  We have the hope that our future can be better.  The purpose of this gospel is fulfilled only if we are willing to act – if we are willing to change.  I know that it is not easy to admit our weaknesses, but with the help of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can change our weaknesses into strengths and be perfected in Him.

Have a great week!  Be safe!  Love you all!

♥ Hermana Mannewitz

Zone Conference

Ciao Presidente y Hermana Chaparro

Hermana Tolson

Oh Nelida

Hermana Sabate

Divisiones con Hermana Johnson

Bring it on July

Elder y Hermana Ward

The norm

Familia Vieria and my marshmallow coat