July 31, 2017
Well it was a bit of a crazy week!

Monday- We played soccer in the morning today and it was seriously sooooo cold! It was even pushing the point where it wasn't even worth it. The rest of the day was pretty normal though. Proselyting  in the night was great. I also realized today that I think if I got a dollar for every 16 -year old, single mom I have taught in my mission I could pay for all of my college schooling.

Tuesday- In the morning we had a district meeting and we did an activity where we picked a random person in our area book that has talked with missionaries before and call them to try to set an appointment up. And of course the guy I picked had recently converted to a satanic religion and was very proud and excited about it. I love the unpredictability  of being a missionary haha. Today I also had to do divisions and go to another area. We had a super great day.

Wednesday- Today was the day we organized in the evening to do baptismal interviews for some of our investigators. Everything turned out just fine in the end but today I was just reminded how much Satan tries to do everything he can to stop people from changing and living better lives. It was almost like everything was against us for getting these interviews done haha. To list a few; my companion and I had a handful of problems we couldn't control to get to where we were suppose to meet other elders that came to do the interview, the elders that came to our area to do the interview while traveling in our area got chased down and robbed by people with knifes, when all four of us finally got to our investigators house a ton of craziness broke out with some neighbors, but.... we were finally able to get the interviews done and they passed:) It was quite the headache but worth it.

Thursday- It was a pretty full day with a lot of people we met and visited. I would say the highlight of the day was this 20 year old kid we met named jony. We had met jony a few weeks back but just had time today to pass by his house and see if he could read a pamphlet we left him. So when we got to his house he came out and said he had read it so we asked if we could come in and share more. So he lets us in his house/garage area and then just says ¨Ill be right back¨ and wanders off. So we were just like chilling in his house all alone for a few seconds and then his family comes in wondering what two strangers are doing in their house. It was kinda an awkward situation to say the least haha But yeah it turns out Jony was just drugged up and who knows where he went haha. 

Friday- At night today an investigator Peruvian family made us dinner. I love Peruvian food so much and I was so excited the whole day to eat with them but I did not see coming what they were going to make. They ended up cooking this dish with Mondongo, which is basically cow stomach. In my mission I have eaten some pretty gross stuff with no problem but Mondongo is my weakness. It was painfull.

Saturday- We had some baptisms today! Its always pretty stressful and hectic but everything always works out in the end. It was a great day

Sunday- Pretty normal day but the streets were just so crazy at night. I couldn't believe it.

Well I hope everyone has a great week!

July 17, 2017
This email might be poorly typed because the computer place we are in is freezing and I cant think very clearly

Monday- Super great day! During the night we met a great new family to start working with and then after that we headed over to another house to celebrate the birthday of an investigator of ours named maxi. He just turned eight and is so excited to be baptized. He is so stinking cute. We made him a cake and that night and we celebrated with him and his family in their humble 1 room, falling apart, brick home. I am pretty sure if he smiled any harder his face was going to break haha. It was such a simple night but it just really hit me hard how much happiness comes from serving and loving others.

Tuesday- Today was quite the adventure. I did divisions today and headed to another area called castelar. It was definetly a memorable experience. It was quite a change because I went from the most dangerous and poorest areas in our mission to the biggest, most modern, and safest just for a day. I seriously had never even seen houses so big! But today was just a reminder that when people are so busy and have more money in their lives, sometimes their relationship with God is at the bottom of their priority list. We walked for 7 hours strait and didnt sit down once. No I am not kidding. No I am not exaggerating. It ended up being so worth it though because I found out last night that one of the families we contacted and found today went to church and wants to get baptized. And it is so great because that area hasnt had a baptism in who knows how long. Huge miracle.

Wednesday- Today we did a continuation of our service project de la semana pasdada where we were chipping away a hole in the cement floor. It is surprisingly super satisfying.

Thursday- Pretty normal day. We got a lot done and were able to meet a lot of great people. En la noche we were headed to the house of some investigators where someone stopped us in the street and let us know that our investigators were criminals wanted by the goverment with a pretty sketchy back story. Yeah so that was a close call and also a huge blessing. We wont be passing by again haha

Friday- We went out and did some visits with a recent convert in our ward in and it went so great! It is always stressful because when people acompany us I want to make sure things go smoothly and its a good experience and today went absolutely perfectly

Saturday- Baptisms today! Everything turned out great. Hicimos brownies but while the service was happening ants got all over them! The funny part is Argentines love them so much they eated it anyway haha

Sunday- It was so cold in the morning when we went out to look for investigators for church! I seriously couldnt believe it! I felt like I was in an argentine winter wonderland with just mud instead of snow. 

Well I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Townsend

July 10, 2017
Well it was super rainy this week but a lot fo good things happened!

Monday- At night we had a lesson with an investigator who is Fourteen that has been coming closer and closer to baptisms. For a handful of reasons it was kinda looking like he wasnt going to be getting baptized soon but tonight a miracle happened and he finally decided to get baptized! He will be getting baptized this Saturday.

Tuesday- Well we did divisons today! It was also the fourth of July! No one told me happy fourth of july but inside all day I felt radiating with red white and blue haha. At our english classes at night I wanted to have all the kids memorize the United States national Anthem but my companion thought that probably wasnt the most politically correct thing to do. He was probably right.

Wednesday- In the morning we did service with this great family and basically we just hand chipped away the cement floor to make a hole to get to some pipe. So that was a first haha 

Thursday- A great day full of rain but luckily a lot of lessons! We also probably rode the fullest public transport bus in the history of Argeninta. 

Friday- Definelty a memorable day. So at night we were suppose to have ward council. So my companion and I arrived at the chapel but only the bishop was there and he told us the meeting was cancled because someone in the ward had past away. So we ended up going with the bishop to the ¨velatorio¨, which is basically a place hear where they have the open coffin and all the family and loved ones come to see the body and be sad together. It was the first time I think I have every been that close face to face with someone who has passed away. It was neat though because it really made me reflect on my tesitmony of the Plan of Salvation as I saw the family come and be together.

Saturday- Day full of visits and rain

Sunday- Today was the fourth of July but for Argentina! It was raining, everyone was drunk or insided sleeping, but in the end, it was actually a pretty effective day haha.

Well I know the church is true and I know without a doubt that God has a divine plan for each of his children. This life isnt the end. It is just the beginning. And if we truely live the gospel of Jesus Christ we can one day be with our family forever.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Townsend

July 3, 2017
Pretty great week!

Monday- We made barbeque chicken saldad. My goodness. 

Tuesday- We did divisions today and I had to travel to a different area. Normally when we do divisions we always stay the night in the other area, and to do that we always have to pack extra stuff like clothes, towels, etc... Well due to a few things that happened during the day I ended up not having any of the the stuff I packed so I just slepted in my normal proseliting clothes... The sad part is I am so used to wearing slacks and a tie I didnt even notice....

Wednesday- Normal day. Super busy and super cold

Thursday- I dont know what it was but everyone today just really liked the jacket I was wearing. Several people we passed by in the streets asked for it

Friday- Super busy day

Saturday- We had a baptism today!! The only thing is the guy getting baptized showed up about an hour late with all of his family. KInda stressful but it all turned out fine haha

Sunday- Well, we did an hour walk again before church to look for this investigator named Agustin but this time he actually was home and came with us! In the afternoon today we traveled and had a meeting with our new mission President and his family. The are seriously so great!

I know the church is true and I know the gospel fixes

I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Townsend

June 26, 2017
Absolute craziness this week. So on Wednesday we got a call and found out that in the ward I am in where there are normally two companionships of missionaries, now there is only going to be one. My mission has a really low number of Elders right now and more arent coming until the end of August. So now my companion got flashed to a new area and I have a new companion from Utah that was in the other companionship in the ward. We both have only been in the ward for two weeks and there is so much to learn and so much to do. It is going to be an adventure, full of a lot of stress and a lot of walking haha

On Friday we had a part member family we are working with get married! It was so great! And the best part is they father will be baptized this saturday, and then in a year from now they will be able to go to the temple as a family and get sealed for all time and eternity!

I dont have much time so this is all I could write this week!

Take care!

-Elder Townsend

Wedding! 

The brides face perfectly shows the stress involved in marriage haha

June 19, 2017

Well it was my first week in my new area of Villa Amelia! It so far has been super great! Its not really the city. It mostly is just neighborhoods and dirt roads with a handful of paved streets. The ward here seems pretty great to! The chapel is absolutely enormous! I wont mention if it safe or not, but to give an idea of what its like it is more dangerous than my last area, and my last area was probably the second most dangerous area in my mission. Lets just say that coming out of this area and going strait back to the States is going to be a huge change haha. This place is going to give me some mayor street-cred!

My new companion is named Franco Moroni Vasquez. Yes, that is his name. He is from the south of Argenina and is super great! It is going to be a awesome transfer working together.

Monday- A lot of packing and having to say goodbye. Its always hard leaving so many people you come to meet and love. 

Tuesday- We traveled to the offices in the morning and in the afternoon I arrived in my new area. Tuesday nights they have english classes in the chapel so we went to that and that was great. A lot of people actually went and it suprised me!

Wednesday- In the morning we did service in the Bishops warehouse that is located on the grounds of the chapel in this ward. It was actually pretty fun! We basically went around filling a cart with the orders that came in. In the afternoon we were able to find some great people and we taught a handful of lessons.

Thursday- Normal day. Full of visits and a lunch appointment that fell through 

Friday- Today at night we visited this part member family that is going to get married this Friday and the dad, our investigator, is going to be baptized the week after. The mom is so stressed about the wedding planning it hurt me inside. Luckily we were able to help her a bit getting things organized with the ward for the reception and everything. 

Saturday- It was my companions birthday today and we also had a baptism! Our investigator that got baptized is named Lucas. Everything turned out so perfectly. While we filled the font I made the cake that the argentines here love so much. It never fails to impress haha

Sunday- Today we left our apartment at 8:00 in the morning to go look for an investigator we had arranged to walk to church with. It was seriosuly so cold!!! It was an hour walk and my ears with the wind seriously almost fell off! The humidity just kills me here! The rest of the day was really productive and we were able to get a lot done and set up for this next coming week.

Well, I love the gospel so much. Honestly I can't express how rewarding this work is and how blessed I feel to be here. The church is true and it changes lives. 

Elder Townsend

June 12, 2017
Well so today is the new day of a nine week transfer cycle and...... I am getting tansfered. I am going to an area called Villa Melia in a different zone. I am sad to leave but it should be exciting because I have never been there. I have heard good thing about the area to so it should be great. I am pretty sure my companion is Latino so that should be fun too.

2 weeks ago I couldnt send a big email but not much happened. If I remember right the only exicting things that happened that week were I got bit by a dog and my companion and I got locked in our bedroom for 12 hours. Besides that though it was a pretty normal week.

This past week was a pretty great week! We were able to get a lot of things done and met some really great people!

Monday- It was a pretty normal pday day but at night our power went off and it was freezing!! 

Tuesday- Today in the morning we had to get up early and travel to go to a zone conference. The only thing was the power was still off.... Showering in the dark is actually more fun than I thought though.... Then we got back to our area in the afternoon and made some great visits.

Wednesday- We did service in the morning so that was fun! Then after that we had a big family home evening with several families and the other elders in the ward. It was super great. 

Thursday- Normal day. We met several great people

Friday- It was so cold in the morning!!!!! Luckily though in the morning we were able to find this great family that let us in and that we taught. For lunch we had tacos so that was pretty fun too!

Saturday- Another great day. We taught several lessons and visited a lot of people.

Sunday- Today we had a stake conference and it was great! It was awesome because I was in this stake over a year ago and I know a large amount of the members and I got to see all of them again. I even got to see some of my old converts there. I cant even explain how happy that made me feel. I got to snag a picture with one of them, Agustin. I dont know if anyone remembers him but over a year ago he was just this kid in the street that asked what my companion and I have in our bags. We eventually ended up teaching him and he got baptized. Today I learnded that every sunday he bikes 20 minutes to church by himself. He recently turned 12 and is reparts the sacrament. He hangs out and plays soccer with the elders in his ward all the time.... Seriously so much joy is found in missionary work.

Well I hope everyone has a great week! 

Elder Townsend

May 29, 2017
It was a pretty great week! We were able to get a lot of work done in our area and things are going really well!! 

I cant type too much today because I have to do some paperwork.

I took so many cool photos this week but when I plugged my chip into the computer to send them today they weren't there because some how last week my chip got a virus!! Don't even get me started about how frustrated I am!!! But hey I tried to send a lot of pictures this week! Its the effort that counts right?:)

Elder Townsend

May 22, 2017
Well transfers already came! Man everything just is a time blur. I get so confused sometimes. Sooooo..... I am staying here with my companion! And I seriously couldnt be happier because I am tired of packing haha. This transfer cycle though is only 3 weeks instead of 6 weeks because we are getting a new mission president so we will so what happens in the 3 weeks. My fingers are crossed...

Monday- It was really bad weather so we ended up not being able to do anything:( Pday still continues to be a challenge for me. I always am so tired and I need to use the time we have to rest but at the same time I can never sleep on Pday because there is always just so much on my mind after emailing,I guess that just is how it is haha. But anyway at night when we went out to proselite we taught several great lessons! Oh at night tonight  all four of us in the apartment were talking before we went to sleep and my companion seriously almost made me wet my pants. I dont know how the topic came up but the elders in my apartment started coming up with silly pick up lines I could use and my companion came up with this:

´Have you read your patriarcal blessing lately?´...´because you should go reread the part where it tells you that you will find your eternal companion at towns´-end´.... my goodness I thought that was so genious haha.... I dont know why I just included that in my big weekly email though... that is mainly just directed towards my brothers...

Tuesday- Today I did divisions and I had to go work in a different area. We had a pretty good day! Lunch was more of a challenge though. The gave us soda, and noodles mixed with oil... Let me make it clear I am always so greatful for all the sacrifices members make to feed us but I think out of everything I am excited about for going home, I think I am most excited about being able to have the liberty to decide what I eat and win haha.

Wednesday- In the morning we went on an adventure looking for baptismal clothes for another area in our zone that needed them. Then I finally got back to my own area we were able to have some great lessons. It was super cold today! And I dont know why but my body just cannot tolerate the coldness at all! It is always so funny because everyone freaks out when I shake their hand because my hands are super cold haha. 

Thursday- Today it rained super hard but luckily we were able to avoid it by entering some houses at the right times haha We went out with our new ward mission leader today and that was great too. He is a convert that basically was in this gang before he got baptized. Walking around with him was so interesting because no one would mess with us haha.

Friday- Today was the day. The glorious day I have been waiting for for so long. We finally went back to the house of the old lady that made us lemon pie several weeks ago. It was glorious. This time not only did she make lemon pie but brownies too. She is a saint. 

Saturday- Today we had a mini MTC activity in our ward with all of the youth! It was super awesome. It went from 9:00 in the morning to 6:00 in the afternoon and man I was completely exhausted afterwards haha. It was a super special experience. 

Sunday- Ok so for some strange reason members down here really love to know how much time missionaries have in their missions and how much time they have left. It{s somewhat annoying. But the worst part is they use it against us. I have developed a fear of going to the classes in church because it seems like everytime there is an opportunity I am asked and assigned to give the lesson. And the topic is always marriage and eternal families! And they do it in an attempt to make me uncomfortable because I am finishing my mission reletively soon. Its like a form of gospel bullying!!! They know that is definetly the last thing I want to be talking about!!!!

Well I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather because I am already freezing down here!

Elder Townsend

May 8, 2017
I think I am going to make this week a little different. I guess I really am just kinda getting bored of writing the routine of how my week went. I thought I would spice it up a little bit and do a detailed recap of just and average day. I think this would also be cool because I have realized so many people dont even have the slightest clue what missionaries do haha

Wednesday May 3rd:

6:30=7:00  We woke up and did exercises just like everyday. For excercises I guess I would say I just do prison excercises. Hey but that is really all we have haha 

7:00=8=30 We got ready for the day. I showered and then got dressed into my proseliting clothes. It takes a long time getting dressed as a missionary because there are seriously so many wardrope options to choose from... Then after I decided which tie to wear, I ate breakfeast. For breakfeast every morning I just eat oatmeal and the whites of 3 boiled eggs. I hate the yellow part so much, gross. I think the yellow is also bad for you to so maybe its a good thing I dont eat it. 

8:30=9.00 My companion and I went through our plans for the day. We use an agenda to schedule appointments with people and where to go. We also have a map and a binder with information about people that have talked with missionaries before. 

9:00=10:00 This is the hour of the day we personally study. So basically we read the scriptures or other church books to help prepare us for the things we are going to teach during the day and to just keep learning in general. Today I read the Book of Mormon and then I studied a little bit about prayer and fasting. Cool stuff.´

10:00=10:45 We walked a good distance and met up with a church member to go to an appointment. We finally got there and our investigator wasnt there. Story of my life haha. But anyways it was  good because we set plans with the member for her to invite our investigator to church later in the week.

10:45=12:00 We did a lot of walking going to a list of adresses we had written down of people that talked with missionaries before. When we do a lot of walking to we are always constantly talking with people in the street and trying to meet new people. We give out cards and pamphlets to people that have interest

12:00=12:30 We met this lady named Juana and quickly taught her about the Book of Mormon. She has a lot of interest and we will see her next week.

12:30=1:00 We walked to lunch while meeting a few people on the way

1.00= 2:00 We had lunch with this 26 year old in our ward named Leo. He is so cool. He was basically a drug runner before he was baptized 5 years ago. We had lunch with him and the other elders we live with. He made us noodles and chicken

2:00= 3:30 We headed back to our apartment and did more studies we have to do. We study spanish everyday and then we studied together as a companionship for our appointments for the day

3:30=9:00 Yeah so this is a super huge gap of time but I dont have much longer to type so I am going to have to summerize a lot haha. So basically in this time period we walked probably several few miles (which is average), taught a few lessons that we schedules with people we already knew, we found a great family that has a lot of interest, we probably got lied to about 10 times, we set several appointments for later in the week, we probably contacted about 30 people and I would say a good handful of them have interest, and our appointents for the night time werent home

9:00=10:30 We got back home and made some phone calls. Some other elders came to our apartment for the night from one of my old areas and they brought me some letter from some of my converts so that made my day. We talked and messed around with everyone. I am always just completely exhausted after everyday so I normally dont eat anything and just go to bed.

So that was a normal day of my life! I guess towards the end it wast very detailed but I blame my slow typing.

I hope everyone has a great week!

May 15, 2017

Monday- It was a super rainy day! So for our pday we just had to stay inside and that was a bummer. At night, due to the rain, all of our appointments fell through:( I swear mother nature has it out for me sometimes.

Tuesday- Today for lunch, my companion and I bought two kilos of meat and had a barbecue with one of our investigators named Ramon! It was super fun!  We recently helped him overcome an alcohol addiction and he is progressing great towards his baptisms! I seriously just love meat so much haha

Wednesday- At 6:00 in the morning we ran to our chapel and played soccer. It was super cold and dark but pretty fun because there were six of us because another companionship had to spend the night in our apartment. Then later in the day we did service for a less active member in our ward that is starting to come back and then after that it was basically just a regular day.

Thursday- It was a pretty normal day. We had some great lessons and nothing to crazy happened

Friday- Today we did divisions but luckily I was able to stay in my own area. I am getting so tired of doing so much traveling haha. It rained all day but we actually had a prett productive day! At night we had to do some traveling though to do a baptismal interview. 

Saturday- Another great day. We got a lot done. We even had a very lovely interaction with a drunk man. Did you know our church is called the ¨The Church of Jesus Christ Universal of the Universal days´´ ? That was something completely new to me...

Sunday- Mothers day! We got to skype and it was great to see my family again! Moms are the best! 

Well I hope everyone has a great week!

May 1, 2017
Monday- I have gotten to the point where pdays arent even that enjoyable for me any more... I think I would rather have it just be a regular work day. I guess you can say I am failing to get satisfacion out of it haha. But any way, today we cleaned, emailed, got ice cream, played soccer, and then went out to work at night. 

Tuesday- My goodness it rained sooooo hard today. It absolutely just poured the whole entire day. I still dont understand what happens when it rains in this country because no one goes out to work or school but at the same time no one is home. We had about 5 appointment in the afternoon and night today but all of them fell through.

Wednesday- Today we did service in the morning. Argentine construction never fails to amaze me haha. We had to move a lot of brocken brick and rock to another location and we saw some of the biggest spiders I have seriously ever seen in my life. I didnt even know God made spiders that big.... crazy stuff

Thursday- Today in the morning we had interviews with our mission President. My mission is getting a new mission president at the beginning of July so this was his last interview with all of us. It was a little sad but kinda crazy at the same time because it just reminded me how time has seriously just blurred by. Its hard to explain.

Friday- In the morning today we had to travel a bit because we had a meeting. Then the rest of the day was pretty normal. The only thing is that there are seriously so many mosquitos lately. It is so ridiculous. I have never seen anything like this. People down here are going crazy about it. They are calling it an invasion haha. It is even effecting missionary work because no one is wanting to be outside. My poor companion is getting eaten alive no matter how much repelant he is putting on haha.

Saturday- Today we quickly did service in the morning again for a less avtive member in our ward. Then after our service things got a little hectic because the members coordinated our lunches wierd and we ended up having several families prepare to give us lunch today. But hey, I am not going to compain haha. 

Sunday- Pretty normal day at church. ummm I am trying to think about anything that happened.... oh so in the afternoon we tried to visit this very humble bolivian family we met earlier in the week. So the mom let us in their gate and their dog started to go a little crazy. It was actually pretty freaky. I had never seen a dog like that. My companion and the lady were kinda freaking out because the dog was acting like it was totally going to eat me and I was trying to stand as still and calm as possible. Luckily the mom yelled at one of the kids to get bread and we were able to distract him while all of us quickly got back throught the gate. I think the dog was just really hungry because the family didnt have food for it. So that was all pretty exciting. 

I hope everyone has a great week!

Elder Townsend