Let the games begin . . .

January 22, 2018

That’s right. Things are getting a little spicy here in Argentina. Carnaval is right around the corner and I thought that was only a thing in Brazil but it turns out to be a war here in Guemes too!  And I received my first water balloon toss this week - my ankle took the blame. But don’t worry, I gave them a nice smile in return because I am a disciple of Jesus Christ and we can’t throw water balloons back. We can only soak them with salvation (aka baptism) 

AND AKA WE NEED TO HAVE A BAPTISM HERE IN GUEMES! So please send your prayers this way for Misael and Aron. 

Misael has already been the answer to so many prayers. God is preparing people for His gospel. Misael has come to our English classes every week and is reading the Book of Mormon every day. We asked him if he did a prayer to ask God if it was true and his answer was one of the most amazing things I have ever heard. He explained the happiness he felt in His heart and the love of God. And because He loves us so much, He sent us the Book of Mormon to understand His will. Pray for Misael. And pray for us because he lives in a neighborhood far far away - uphill, 15 minute bike ride! But I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me :)

Aron only needs permission from his parents because he only has 14 years. We have talked to his mom and have seen a lot of progress. We believe that things are looking great and he should be entering the waters of baptism soon! 

haha I had to give a talk yesterday but no one knows my name because it is really hard. And before, I was the blonde missionary - literally everyone called me Hermana Rubia. But now we are two blondes so now I am the tall blonde missionary.  It’s ok. I love my nickname 

Yup. That was our week! Thanks for all your love and support! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mann

PS another week with an untrustworthy computer so sorry there are no photos. But picture Hermana Mannewitz with a big fat smile and some ice cream - that is my life

The tale of a bike, a dog, and a missionary

January 15, 2018

Yup! You guessed it! I crashed my bike! And let me tell you....it was not the prettiest sight to see haha! Hermana Westra and I were in a big hurry to save all the children of God and it was dark and there was a lot of dogs. I don’t know why all the dogs love the gringas but they are always barking and running real close to our wheels. Hermana Westra got a little scared and made a sharp turn right into my bike and I tumbled to the ground. I’m sure the lady drinking mate on her porch had a good laugh! Luckily, I didn´t hit my head and just have a few battle wounds on my elbows and knees! 

Also! It is officially rain season in Argentina! It rains pretty much on a daily basis and I love it! Well, mostly haha. The other day we were riding in a huge storm and we went to a neighborhood that is "more humble" let’s say. And there were RIVERS IN THE STREET! Legit rivers. I was literally knee deep in water. My only regret is that I didn’t have my camera to take pictures! But I’m sure that wasn’t the last storm so stay tuned for pictures to come! 

BUT WAIT THERES MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We met a crazy 83 year old man named Segundo who has a 26 year old girlfriend.  What a player.

Other than that, I am loving all the crazy adventures my mission has to offer! More than anything, I love the people! I find myself constantly thinking and praying for them. I desire their happiness and I know that true happiness only comes through Jesus Christ. There are so many things in the world that give us happiness....but it aint real. Don’t be tricked friends. Bueno, I too find joy in food and naps and hiking and skiing and all that jazz but TRUE, LASTING JOY only comes through Jesus Christ! Never forget that. 

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints is the only true church and the only church that will bring us back to our Heavenly Father with our families forever. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and can be applied in our everyday life. So grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite love and sacrifice! 

Once again, I am in some creepy cyber so sorry for no pics! But thank you so much for all your love and support! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mann

PS - God still loves you even if you are ugly (wise words from Hermana Westra)

I'm still alive . . .

Well to explain the week in a quick story would be this: Hermana Westra fell off her bike and then blamed it on me. haha jk. But we have had some crazy experiences with the bikes. Love them 

Anyyyyway. We actually had a great week! Sadly we didn’t have any baptisms but we still worked hard and saw the Lord´s hand in His work every step of the way! 

Alright. So I haven’t given y’all a Spanish update in quite some time but here is a beautiful story about my Spanish. It is gettin better every day! I’m still not completely fluent but every can understand me and I understand everyone! (It’s a great combination) but there are always some people that say "I can’t understand her. She (my companion) speaks better" and that really discourages me. And lots of times I get all upset and come to the conclusion that it would be better if I just don’t talk. Yup. I just won’t say anything in the lesson. And after 10 months, I finally learned my lesson. (Of course it took me 10 months because sometimes I’m a little stubborn haha) but last night someone told me that they can’t understand me. So I got discouraged so I said a prayer to ask God to give me patience and love and all that good stuff. Then the craziest thought came into my little brain - who is really telling you that you don’t speak well? Who is telling you that you don’t need to talk? Or you don’t need to share your testimony of Jesus Christ? SATAN! Satan is trying to make me think that what the spirit guides me to say is not worth anything. So JUST TO SPITE SATAN, I talked in that lesson. And I bore sincere testimony. And the lady understood me. I know that this happens in the real world too. You don’t have to be speaking a different language for Satan to make you think that you aren’t good enough. So don’t let him win! Good try Satan. 

The latest excuse to not let us come into a house and teach: my bones are swollen. Alrighty ciao. 

We had a crazy storm here in Argentina and in the middle of lunch with obispo and his family, the tree in front of their house fell over and landed on their only car! Poor things already have a lot of stress and didn´t need anything else but they really kept it cool and trusted in God. Luckily, everyone is safe and their car doesn’t have a lot of damage! 

And with all the rain, almost everyone in the town has lost their jobs. Everyone works in the field and the fields got flooded so now everyone is selling more bread and empanadas and things like that to provide for their families! Pray for Argentina!

Life is too good friends! And the best peace comes from Jesus Christ 

John 16:33 reads, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

True happiness, hope and peace comes from His atoning sacrifice! Find peace through Him! 

Love you all! Thanks for everything! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz  

Mangos!!!  But really just check out my watch tan line.

10 months

Phase 10 for 10 months

Bought this donut because I thought it would taste like Krispy Kreme.  Was a little disappointed but all good.  Life is good!

Classico

Zone Conference

worry.  be happy.  The don't part rubbed off so now I just have to worry.  hahaha

The tree that fell on Bishop's car

hum.ding.er

Hola!!!! Como estan??? 

Happy transfers!!!! I am happy to say that I have another transfer here in Guemes with Hermana Westra! We are ready to work hard and see lots of miracles! 

Here is the latest and greatest in the life of Hermana Mann:

- We found a skinny blind grandpa that is named Francisco and I can’t say his name without thinking of buddy the elf repeating Francisco...that’s fun! But seriously, Francisco is basically the best thing that ever happened to me! He is so in tune with the spirit and loves talking about God. PLUS HE MAKES HIS BED! Sometimes I don’t even make my bed and I can see. So now I have another new year’s resolution - be like Francisco and make my bed

- Hermana Malfalda is an 84 year old lady in our ward who has the strongest testimony I have ever heard. She told us that she is doing everything she can - she is in church every Sunday, reads her scriptures, says her prayers and is preparing for the temple trip in February. The only thing she is not doing is preparing to die lol. Those are her words...not mine. (I have a picture that I would love to share but this computer is slower than baptismal progression in Guemes so you might have to wait ‘til next week)

- It is raining!!!! A lot!!! And I love it! Hermana Westra, my dear companion, told me while we were riding along in the rain "I really needed a shower and God gave me rain. That’s going in my testimony!" hahaha love her 

- Church starts at 900 here and I hate to say it but our alarm didn’t go off and we woke up at 850 yesterday. It was truly a miracle that we made it to church for the opening song 

- Clase de ingles - SUCCESS!!!! Hermana Westra and I have started an English class and it is going great! We had 6 investigadores show up for our second class! We finally get to use our gringa skills to take over South America haha jk but we are really excited! 

- I bought Nutella! It was probably the most expensive Nutella ever but I think it was worth it! 

Today we are gonna talk about love. haha as a missionary, you learn to love strangers and it is amazing. I have also learned more about the love that God has for each and every one of His children. 

Romans 8:37-39

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquers through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

NOTHING! Nothing can break us from the eternal love that God has for us. So be happy! Be grateful! And live every day to its fullest! 

Thanks for everything! 

Word of the week: pantorilla - calf muscle

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

We found a Chinese restaurant!!!!

Holding on for dear life!

Do I look Latina yet?

HUMP DAYYYYYYY

What an eventful week! I’ll give you the quick low down on what has been going on here in good ole Argentina: 

HUMP DAY (December 22): Wow. I completed 9 months in the mission field. Half way done! And it is truly flyyyyiing by! I have learned so so much these past nine months and can’t imagine what God has in store for me in the next 9 months. Hopefully lots of baptisms and better Spanish skills :)

CHRISTMAS!!!!!! Here in Argentina, Christmas Eve is bigger than Christmas Day. So on Christmas Eve we got to call our families and it was sooo good! My family is doing great and I know we are being blessed and protected. After our video, we went to Obispo´s house to eat a really fancy dinner. It was super yummy! I love Bishop and his family (our neighbors too so that’s a plus). We had to be in our apartment by 11 so we headed home but waited until midnight because there were so many fireworks! So weird to have fireworks on Christmas. Pero bueno. On Christmas Day we played soccer with Presidente and our zone (so Argentine).

BIRTHDAY!!!! Wow. I’m an oldie now. 20 years old. This was a birthday I will never forget! The members treated me so well with a fancy birthday lunch with birthday cake and lots of shout outs in the streets! To end the night, one of our investigadores made us PIZZAAA! My favorite! Then they sang and we ate and it was just a great day

NEW YEARS! YAY 2018!!!! I think 2017 was one of the best years of my life. I learned so much and really strengthened my relationship with our Heavenly Father. I am really excited for 2018 and all the crazy things that will happen - Max will graduate, I’ll come home from my mission and I’m sure we will have lots of happy moments as well as trials. But I love what my mom said. I am certain that 2 things will never change - my love for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my love for my family! 

Yup! That was my crazy week here in Argentina! I hope you all had a memorable holiday and enjoyed the time spent with family! 

Spanish word of the week: nubes - clouds

Love you all! 

HOY ES EL DIA! 

♥ Hermana Mannewitz 

Good old Guemes!

9 months LOL

Do I look Latina yet?

Christmas Conference

That's the closest we will get to sitting on Santa's lap this year

SANTA! aka Presidente

Christmas Eve dinner with the Familia Isendorf

BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER!  one of my fav families from Limache came to visit

Familia Validiviezo (birthday)

Malvina

2018 is looking good with my crocs and homemade peanut butter

Sparkling cider

MERRY CHRISTMAS

December 25, 2017

Although we didn't get a letter this week because of Christmas, we did get to chat with Kelly via Google Hangouts.  She is happy and loving all of the experiences.  She greatly appreciates all of the prayers, love and support.  

She is now able to get letters through the mail (with pictures if you want)!  Her mailing address is:

Hermana Mannewitz

Argentina Salta Mission

Los Eucaliptus 75 

4400 Salta 

Salta 

Argentina 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you!