Gratitude

Hola friends and family! Transfers today so we don´t have a lot of time but I'll give y'all a quick update of this crazy week. 

Oh and HAPPY THANKSGIVING! there is so much to be grateful for!!!! 

• I am grateful for Hermana Taylor. She has been such a good example to me and i have loved our time together. I know she is gonna work miracles in her next area! I will be receiving another gringa - Hermana Westra. Pictures will be coming next week! 
• I am grateful for Jimena and her family! Jimena is preparing for baptism and I absolutely love visiting her family! Her little sister, Julieta always gives us a great big hug and she is so sassy! Plus we both have the same love for food so we get along great! Keep Jimena in your prayers! 
• I am grateful for the strange cheese man who only sells cheese on the corner. And he also wears really weird sunglasses but he makes me smile. 
• I am grateful for Gustavo - our ward mission leader - who is engaged to a girl that he has been dating for 4 years but they have NEVER met in person!!!!!!! She is coming to Argentina this week and Gustavo is freaking out lol
• I am grateful for the man at the bike shop that fixed my bike for free! He knows we are just two gringas trying to save the world so he helped us out. Thank you! 
• I am grateful for the latest update on my bike - a seat warmer!!!! its called the sun! Yup, the sun is shining real bright here in Guemes and it makes the seat nice and toasty. 
• I am grateful for relief society here in Argentina. The only thing i am missing is some marshmallows because it is a ROAST session every week. Argentine women have a very strong character and are not afraid to express their opinions

So much to be grateful for! Our loving Heavenly Father is aware of every single on of His children and rains blessings upon us every day! 

gtg save the world

HOY ES EL DIA 

Hermana Mannewitz

ARGENTINA!

The water bottle says it all - Life is Good

Hermana Taylor and beautiful San Lorenzo

These girls are obsessed with my blond hair.  Litterally obsessed - so we had to take a picture.

never. stop. running.

Hola! Que tal? Are yall getting pumped for Thanksgiving this week? Very sadly, Thanksgiving is not a holiday here in Argentina. And bueno, if you know me, you know that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because I love being grateful and I love food! So go ahead and eat an extra slice of pumpkin pie for me! My gringa and I will be celebrating here in Guemes (but without all the yummy food) 

Anyways, we had a super great week and worked really hard! AND WE ATE MAPLE DONUTS!!!!! With my imagination, I was basically in Krispy Kreme enjoying a donut hot of the press. But in reality, I was eating a cold scone with maple frosting (another shout-out to my mom for the maple extract)

Bueno, Hermana Taylor and I have started running...believe it or not....every morning to lose a little of this weight we have gained on the mission. As we are running, I have a lot of time to reflect and think about my life. This week, when I was basically dead, I remembered that a little over a year ago I ran a half marathon. And now I can barely run a mile....but that’s another topic. Anyway, I remember in my training, I only had one goal 'never stop running’. I didn’t know what to expect the day of my race and I had never run a half marathon before so I didn’t have a timed goal. My only goal was to never stop running. And bueno, I finished my half marathon, ran the whole thing and was pleased with my performance. I didn’t get first place or even a very good time but I was proud that I gave it all I had. As a missionary, I have found a lot of correlation between my half marathon and missionary service. I don’t know all the results I am going to get from my mission, I don’t know how many converts I will have written in Preach my Gospel, I don’t know how many of my investigadores will come to church but I do know that I will give it all I have. I will give the Lord my all for 18 months and as I finish this spiritual journey I can rest, knowing that I tried my best. I invite you all to do the same. Whatever you are doing with your life in this moment: studying, working, being a parent, professional nap taker, GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT AND NEVER STOP RUNNING! 

(Motivational speaker Hermana Mannewitz out)

I’m almost legal! I finished up some paperwork this week so I should be getting my Argentina ID in about a month! Woohhooo! Finally!!!

Ohmygoodness. We made cookies! My lovely family sent me a package with a package of Betty Crocker cookies and to celebrate Hermana Taylor completing 1 year in the mission, we made some DELICIOUS chocolate chip cookies. Wow....I haven’t eaten a warm, soft chocolate chip cookie in so long. It was absolutely amazing. Enjoy all those Christmas cookies that will be coming soon! 

Pray for Aron aful! Tonight we will be having a Family Home Evening activity with Aron and his parents and some members from the ward here in Guemes. Aron really wants to be baptized but needs permission from his parents. This could be the night that he finally has permission to enter the waters of baptism! Pray for the hearts of his parents, that they will be softened by the spirit! And more than anything, that we can all have trust in the Lord’s timing. 

Lady giving a talk in church, bragging about how awesome her husband is "We don’t have kids but we have a cat and he always takes good care of our cat" (starts crying) 

Are you converted unto the Lord? A real test of our conversion to our Heavenly Father is in the strength of our testimony. I have studied a lot about testimonies lately because testimonies are more important than a baptism. Testimonies are more important than another name in Preach my Gospel. Because if we have a strong testimony in the principles of the Gospel, we will be able to overcome the trials and difficulties of life. This week I was reading in Ether, one of my favorite books in the book of Mormon. The Brother of Jared and his people are commanded to build a boat and cross the seas. The Lord leads them through the process of constructing a boat that will survive the storms and waves of the ocean and the people built the boat very tight 

Ether 2:17 “And they were built after a manner that they were exceedingly tight, even that they would hold water like unto a dish; and the bottom thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the sides thereof were tight like unto a dish; and the ends thereof were peaked; and the top thereof was tight like unto a dish; and the length thereof was the length of a tree; and the door thereof, when it was shut, was tight like unto a dish.”

And with the tightness of the boat, they were not overcome by the storms 

Ether 6:7 “And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.” 

How tight is your testimony? I know that if we have a strong testimony in the eternal plan of happiness from our loving Heavenly Father.  We will be safe in the storms of life. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it can be applied to our daily life. I know that God lives, God loves, and God has the power to change our lives. 

Have a great thanksgiving! And a special birthday shout-out to my bestie Emily in Thailand! And a special anniversary shout-out to my amazing parents! Love y’all! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

Betty Crocker cookies - heaven in Argentina

We have lots of unity . . . demasiado unidad

Donuts!!!!  Thanks Elder!

Where's my ankle?

CONGRATS to Hna. Taylor for completing one year of missionary work!

Sun: 1, Hermana Mannewitz: 0

That´s right. I thought I was bigger and better than the sun and received my first good sunburn here in Argentina. And don´t worry mom...I learned my lesson and that will be the last burn! 

Did you know . . .

·       Here in Argentina, it’s really cool to put fish on top of pizza

·       The lady at the hot dog stand knows my name

·       There was an earthquake in Argentina

Bueno, those were just some fun facts of the week! 

WOW WE HAD A CONFERENCE WITH ALL THE MISSION!!!!!!!!!!!!  And it was absolutely amazing!!!  Elder Christensen from the Presidency of the 70 and his wife came to visit our mission so we got to reunite as a mission and be uplifted, edified, and take a mission picture. Some highlights of the conference were:

·       Saw Hermana Norman! I can´t believe that she is going home at the end of the month. Time really flys by in the mission! But she is doing great and working lots of miracles in the heat of Santiago. I´m super excited to see her in a quick 11 months.

·       I saw other great mission friends ' Hermana Tolson, Hermana Oliviera, Elder Guarteche, Elder Vigil and other great missionaries that have made a big difference in my life. 

·       Elder Christensen spoke about the Holy Ghost and the power of Holy Ghost in conversion. He had about an hour to speak and only spoke on the Holy Ghost. I think that explains a little bit about the importance of the Holy Ghost in the work of the Lord. He gave great tips and tricks on what we can do, like imperfect missionaries, to be worthy of the spirit in every single second of the work. I sure have a lot more to study and a lot more to work on but I am grateful for the guidance I received. 

·       Hermana Christensen was a special mailman. In the conference, every missionary had the opportunity to greet Elder and Hermana Christensen, but since this was a special conference, we were limited to a handshake, nothing more. When it was my turn to give handshakes to them, Presidente Orquera walked over and said ¨This is Hermana Mannewitz¨. Hermana Christensen immediately threw her arms over me and gave me a great big hug. Then she pulled a card out of her bag and said this was a letter from Granny and Grandpa Priday. She explained how much they loved me and then gave me one more hug with a big squeeze, special request from Granny. 

·       Angels are protecting us! Presidente Orquera told a story and explained the miracles of missionary work. A couple days ago, there was a fire in the apartment of some elders. There are 4 elders who live in this apartment and they were all sleeping in one bedroom (the bedroom that had air conditioning of course) and a fire began in the kitchen. But bueno, the mission is hard work so the elders were fast asleep and didn´t have any clue that there was a small fire in their kitchen. A mother and son happened to be taking a nightly stroll at three in the morning and looked through the small window of the elders and saw the fire. They knocked on the elder’s door and immediately called the fireman. Fireman quickly arrived and the elders were lead to safety. The fireman said that the fire was small enough that it wasn´t going to kill them but the carbon monoxide would have killed them within the next hour. Presidente testified of angels. We are doing the work of the Lord, so He is going to protect us. Of course this was a pretty intense experience, but now all the apartments will be receiving fire alarms and carbon monoxide monitors in the apartment. And all the missionaries walked away with a stronger testimony in the power of angels. I can also testify that angels are around us to lift us up, make us work a little harder and be a little better. 

And there’s a quick wrap up of the conference we had this week! 

Pray for Exiquiel! We are preparing a baptism for the end of November and we are really excited! Exiquiel is the boyfriend of a member but told us that he has desires to be baptized, not because of obligation. He has been attending seminary (que capo) and the church for the past couple months and is finally ready to take upon him the baptismal covenant and receive the blessings that God is preparing. Also keep Aron in your prayers! He has so many desires but only lacks the support of his parents! 

Bueno, in the conference Hermana Bragg talked about the tools that we have been given to receive eternal life. I love the example of Nefi (really spelled Nephi – her Spanish is peeking through) in the Book of Mormon.  At the beginning of the Book of Mormon, we read about the trials he faced and the murmuring of his brethren. Despite the challenges, Nefi maintained his hope and confidence in the Savior.  And just when Nefi thought he couldn´t handle anymore, the Lord commanded him to build a boat. A BOAT!!!!  How often does God ask us to do things that seem almost impossible?  But I love Nefi´s positive attitude and trust in Heavenly Father´s plan for him. He knew that God had a perfect plan of happiness for him. And bueno, sometimes we have celestial oceans to cross but God will always provide a way and all the tools we need to keep his commandments. 

1 Nefi 17:50-51

“And I said unto them:  If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them.  If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done.

“And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of me, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?”

I testify that with God´s help, we can keep the commandments, we can be happy and we can do hard things. 

Thanks for all the prayers, support and love!!!! Have a super great week! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

A Catholic church in Salta centro!

my district homies

FLAMIN HOT CHEETO LOVE

Hermana Norman . . . see you in September 2018

my bff - Hermana Tolson

Hermana Ward . . . my mom of the mission

Mission Conference - November 2017

my mission fam

wow.  back at it again with the triple berry muffins

my two favorite things!

working on my charity . . . shared with obispo and his family

2 Gringas en Guemes

And it came to pass on the second day of the eleventh month in the year two thousand seventeen, Hermana Taylor and Hermana Mannewitz went forth in the strength of the Lord. And I, Hermana Mannewitz, testify that we did suffer from great heat (like more than one hundred degrees), nevertheless, laboring diligently according to will of the Lord STILL ATE SOUP FOR LUNCH. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND.

Yup. Another great week in the work of the Lord. And although I have no idea why we continue to eat soup in the blazing eat, I am super grateful for the almuerzos that we receive every day. Bueno, this week was full of adventures, surprises and spiritual greatness! 

·       I saw my buddy Andres from Limache! And he had a package of love, letters and food from my family! It was great to receive a package but it was also so good to see Andres. I sure do miss Limache and all my homies there but I know that the Lord has called me to serve here in Guemes now! 

·       Zone conference!!!! With big changes too! Presidente Orquera has lots of excitement for missionary work and is doing everything he can to see the miracles of the Lord here in the best mission in the world. With changes in the way we find new investigadores and how to most effectively stay active in the church and receive the blessings that God is preparing them, we have a lot to improve on! But change is good! Change is a humbling experience and helps me put more trust in my Heavenly Father and His will. 

·       Surprise interviews with Presidente was the best Halloween surprise here in Argentina. That’s right, Halloween is not a thing here in Argentina, but Presidente was all in on the jokes and scares this Halloween. So yeah, we had surprise interviews but they went really well! 

·       Me: "God loves each and every one of His children" 

Person I’m teaching: "minus the Chinese"

·       Our bishop plays ping pong....competitively 

·       When your companera takes Saracha Sauce out of her bag in the middle of lunch with some members. 

·       Spanish update: basically Latina. hahajaj jk but I absolutely love Spanish now. I can understand almost everything that the Argentines say (unless they are talking about medical things.  Then I suffer a little bit) and I can speak pretty well! Now I am going to focus on my accent so that I am a true Latina by the time I return home....besides the fact that I am BIEN RUBIA.

·       Obispo and his family are incredible examples to me! They live right next to us which is a huge blessing. If we ever need help, they are only one hand clapping away. But they are so strong in the gospel. Their two year old son was recently diagnosed with Autism which has been quite the challenge because there are not good medicos here in Guemes. But they continue to put their trust in the Lord. Hermana Isendorf told me that she has seen so many miracles from the Lord, but only if she has her eyes open to see them. Sometimes, we have to actively search for the innumerable ways that Heavenly Father blesses us every day. 

·       Ward choir continues to be the highlight of my week 

·       Pray for Aron! Aron has 14 years and has so many desires to be baptized but doesn’t have the support of his parents! Keep him in your prayers! And bueno, if you’re praying, pray for Josefina, Clara, Belen, Sebastian and Exiquel also! thank you so much! I know Heavenly Father hears the heartfelt prayers as long as we ask with faith!

This week I have been studying The Living Christ as suggested by our prophets and leaders of the church. I love reading about the attributes of Jesus Christ and learning how I can be more like him, especially in this time of my life as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I was studying how Jesus Christ is our Advocate unto the Father and found a scripture in D&C and absolutely fell in love 

D&C 45:3-5 

“Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him –

“Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

“Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.”

He pleads our case!!!! He wants us to return back to His presence! He wants us to be happy!!!! Wow. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ and everything He did for me! I know that it is only through His atoning sacrifice and mercy that we can return to His presence but I know that He has given us everything we need to receive celestial glory! So be strong! Press forward! God is cheering you on! God lives. God loves. And God has the power to change your live. 

Love you all! Thanks for everything! Have a super great week! Oh and happy November!!!! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

Cute Argentina art

Hermana Taylor - she's the best!

Happy Halloween!  I was Hermana Taylor for Halloween

When they show a movie in the bus

IT ACTUALLY RAINED IN GUEMES

Uno and pancakes!  Shout out to my mom for the maple

Zone Conference

October 30, 2017

Hola! Another great week in Guemes! We worked so hard and saw lots of miracles! Bueno, here are the latest and greatest things that have happened in the life of a crazy gringa en Guemes. 

CHISTOSOS

· Someone legit asked me if I was a real Albino. My buddy, Kassidy, always made fun of me and my white skin throughout high school, calling me albino for a majority of our friendship but one lady really, truly thought that I was a classified albino. She asked me if I could look at the sun. Nope! Just a gringa with really white skin! 

· WOW. Ward choir was probably the funniest thing that has happened on my mission. First of all, latinos cannot sing very well but they are not ashamed. I was asked to play the piano for the choir and wow. It is so hard to concentrate and not laugh so much. One of the members asked me ¨what is so funny__ please stop laughing!  hahah I can´t help but laugh when they sing so loud and sooooo off tune. But one of the members finished his solo and turned around and told everyone that he obviously has the best voice in the choir. We have another practice on Wednesday and I’m pumped to say the least! 

MILAGROS

· OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! I saw Hermano Vieira!!!! The Vieira family is from Limache and are basically my best friends. They are so funny and bueno, I love them so much!  But when I left Limache, I didn´t get to say goodbye and that was really tough. But the other day we had a meeting in the church in Salta and he was in the church!  Such a great surprise!!!! I sure do miss my Limache homies but I know that this is the work of the Lord and so it’s all good! 

· We recently found a golden family!! I know that the gospel blesses the families so much so I have always wanted to find and teach a family! We found Belen and her family this week and she is amazing. She has so many desires to help her family have more unity and love and has already seen changes in her family by listening to the message of Jesus Christ. She has 4 kids and 2 of them are identical twins and they are both named Sylvana ' wierd no__ but keep Belen and her family in your prayers! They have a lot of economic problems and so it is difficult to attend church on Sundays! 

· The power of fast is so real!!!!! I know that I have already talked about the power and strength received from fasting but my testimony has been strengthened again! There is an investigator her in Guemes that has been investigating the church for a couple months and wants to be baptized but only has 14 years so he needs permission from his parents. But we did a fast, together - Aron, me and my companion - to receive divine help from above. And bueno, God listens to our prayers and recognizes our sacrifices! Aron came to church yesterday and his mom gave him permission to be baptized! We are truly seeing so many miracles as we put our faith in God and work with all our diligence!!! 

D&C 68:6  

Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the 

living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

I know that God is on our side!!! Don’t be afraid to share the joy that we have in our life! We constantly have the support we need! 

Thank you for everything!!!  Love you all!! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

Cemeteries here in Argentina are above ground...super weird.

Homies can be together forever.  Shout out to my homies in Limache

Rock in the House . . . again

Nueva Esperanza

October 23, 3017

Hola from Guemes!!! Sorry I was not able to write last week. Things were a little crazy with transfers and everything! But I hope you are all doing well and enjoying pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin carving and bueno, everything pumpkin!!!!

Alrighty, so these past two weeks have been a little crazy. But here are some of the funny and memorable moments:

·       Sandra got baptized!!!! Sandra has been investigating the church for over a year and finally was able to be baptized. She has truly been waiting for this day for forever so I felt so blessed to be in Limache on her special day. Right before her baptism, she was explaining that the spirit was so strong and she was so happy to make a covenant with our loving Heavenly Father. The member support was great! Our mission leader was out of town so things were a little extra stressful but it all turned out well! Sandra was confirmed a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Sunday and was truly beautiful. She cried, i cried, we all cried! 

·       Bueno, I left Limache and it was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. I really came to love the people in Limache.  And it was a complete surprise which made it a lot harder. Last Sunday night, we received a phone call from the assistants telling us that they are gonna white wash Limache. We were in Obispo´s house when we received the news and I started to cry right in front of their family haha oops. We took a couple pictures and then we ran to another family and had to say ¨see you later¨ again. I didn´t know that it was going to be so hard to leave my area but wow. I left part of my heart in Limache. But don´t worry! Hermana Mannewitz will be making a trip back!!!! 

·       I saw Hermana Norman!!!  But I forgot to take a picture Ñ) but it was so good to see her!  We got to spend the whole afternoon together and we talked and talked and talked. En verdad, I have made lifelong friendships in the mission YA

·       One of our investigadores here in Guemes was recently in a fight and lost his eye. HIS EYE!!!!!  Now he has a fake eye and in the middle of our lesson he took out his eye!!!!!!!!!!! That´s right. I saw an eyeless man. it was really creepy

·       (dramatic elder) Ï either have a sinus infection or I have cancer¨

·       One of the chicos here in Guemes was telling me of his lifelong dreams to go to the USA and so I asked him why he wanted to go. Like maybe for the white house, temple square, statue of liberty ' the natural touristic things. But no. He told me he only wanted to go to the USA to go to Chuck-E-Cheese. hahahahaha

·       Mariano, a recent convert here in Guemes, is tan capo!!! About a year and a half ago, he was in a terrible motorcycle accident and now doesn´t now have feeling in his arm and has lots of troubles with his leg. He lives in pain poor thing. But he is such an incredible example to me because he always has a positive attitude. And he rides his bike everywhere. Tbh, I have no idea how he does it but I respect him. I agreed that I would never complain about my bike again. Also, he is basically doing all the missionary work in the ward. He was telling us of all the activities he wants to have in the church to help the youth. que capo! 

·       One grandma was telling us about her conversion story and the elders who taught her. Then she told us that the elder got dear-johned and he went to her house and cried and cried and cried. haha the grandma told us that she just saying ¨please. Would you stop crying?  She’s fat anyways.¨

5 things I love about Guemes:

1. We have bikes!! Our area is really big so we have bikes to get around faster. They are so much fun!!! I always feel like singing (aka screaming) “Called to Serve” while we are riding in Centro and yeah. Lots of people stare. A blonde gringa smiling and singing on her bike! But life is too good! You gotta enjoy it! 

2. Grido is right around the corner from our apartment!!!! And I have already made friends with the people who work there! Sebastian and Facundo are true homies. 

3. The church is also in our area which is AMAZING! I didn´t realize how much of a struggle it was to walk all the way to the church in Limache so now that it’s so close, I am truly counting my blessings. 

4. The members are great! I don´t know why I thought I wouldn´t find good members in other areas but I was wrong! The members here have a lot of love for missionary work and are always willing to help us out! 

5. Hermana Taylor!!!!  That´s right! Another gringa! Pretty crazy! But Hermana Taylor is incredible. Her dad served here in Guemes several years ago. What a special experience that she gets to serve where her dad served!  But Hermana Taylor is so patient and always looking for ways to improve! She has lots of time here in Guemes and so she knows the area really well but is helping me learn the area quickly! She is so in tune with the spirit and is so good at identifying the needs of our investigadores!  This is gonna be a great transfer! 

Yup. I feel so blessed. The Lord is truly looking out for me!!! Although change is hard, I have found great comfort in the promises of the Lord. And I know that He ALWAYS completes His promises. One of the promises that I have read over and over again this week is found in Alma 26:5-7

“Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves!  And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

“Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them.

“But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.”

I know that it reads in past tense and I still have 11 months to go but I was reading this chapter specifically for Limache. I am far from perfect, but I worked my hardest and witnessed lots of miracles! I had the opportunity to help a few people receive the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and was really sad to leave them behind. But there is a promise!!!!! They are not my converts. They are now in the hands of the Lord. He will look after them and He will help them press forward. I know that to be true. I’m so glad for all the things that I have learned with these changes in my life. I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that He wants us to be happy! I know that He has prepared a perfect plan of happiness that is specific for every one of us! 

So happy! So blessed! So grateful!

Thanks for all the prayers, love and support! Have a super great week! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

Hermana Mannewitz  

Have to use hats here in Guemes because it is so hot!!!

I love my life!!!