APRIL 17, 2017: WEEK 25

Êlder Tracy comin´ at ya from Cúcuta, Colombia! 

CUCUTA, Colombia

I passed the Holy Week here, and all the people here on Thursday and Friday were walking the seven churches. I guess it is a tradition here. Also they just recently built a big statue of Christ carrying his cross. I'll get a picture with it soon! Cool week.

Preparation Day Bowling

Elder Tracy side of the road in Cucuta, Colombia

So my ward is called Atalaya. There are four of us here in this ward, we share it with the Hermanas (Sisters) Juàrez, y Arias. We live about five minutes walking from the chapel so we are in a cool spot for now.

The Family Benitez is my first one here! They are like sixteen people who gather together in one house to listen to us. Six of them are actually Benitez, the rest are neighbors. The Benitez dad is less active and he passed us the reference of his family. Awesome. The picture of me holding green birds is in their house, and also the one where there is a ton of people in the picture.

The Family Obregón. They are cool too, they live in a part of my area called Los Estoraques, but I call them the projects. It is basically like that, super poor and super full of people who want to hear the gospel. The problem is they are like about an hour from the chapel walking, but they still came to church! (Took a taxi, and my companion then made me pay for it.) So I guess there wasn't too much faith involved.

I was in a lesson with the Obregòn family, and in the middle a lady walked in. We started again and taught her also, and at the end of it she told us that she loved it, and that as we were teaching she felt something special, and wanted to come to church with us. She has been searching for the true church all of her life. She told us also that she was just sitting in her house, but felt an urge to leave and come to their house. Well she is in luck because she found the truth!

My Companion Élder Berrú is pretty fun, and I hope that we will be able to change this area. There has not been a baptism since October, and before that I think since March. So in one year they have had one baptism. We will see what happens.

Cúcuta to explain it a little bit, is basically like the game --  Hill Climb. You just keep going up and then down and then up these GIANT hills. My feet hurt so bad after just six days, I can't wait to be here for the next four and a half months. And everybody is always in motorcycles. It's so crazy. I feel like I'm gonna get hit by somebody like every thirty seconds (because we also walk in the street because the sidewalks are garbage).

My testimony this week is over The resurrection. A scripture I found that I really liked this week is in 2nd Tesalonicenses 3:16. 

2 Thessalonians 3:16

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

The Lord of Peace. It is a cool time to be a missionary, and I have been trying to help others learn about His resurrection, and how we can change through Him. We may have sinned, or we may have not cared about God before, or actually tried to keep His commandments, but that all changes when we just start to have faith. Because He lives, we will live also. Because He lives, we can be healed. I know it is true and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the face of the earth. It isn't that the rest are all wrong, but that they are incomplete, neglecting all the truths of his gospel. I baptized a catholic priest here, so that's also been a great testimony builder. Christ lives, so why focus on the cross? Focus on making our lives be what matters, not any other object, or thing. He lives. 

I am going strong in the mission, and I'm loving every minute of it.  PLEASE WRITE ME PEOPLE, I AM SOOOOOO BORED during my writing time. 

My email address is connor.tracy@myldsmail.net!

Élder Connor Tracy

APRIL 11, 2017: Week 24 (Cúcuta!)

I just got transferred to Cucuta, Colombia. 

I'm with. . . Ëlder Berrú, from Piura, Perú. 

My ward is Atalaya, and it is very hot in comparison to Bogotá. 

I had a fun last week in Cedros just taking pictures with people to say goodbye, and also having lunch and dinner every day was really nice.

de una to the testimony

I know the church is true. I will strengthen it here in Cúcuta just like I did in Bogotá. I am super excited to finally get transferred. I love the work of the Lord, even though it is hot as HECK here. Good luck to the other dudes from my group who got transferred. See ya!

Élder Tracy

APRIL 3, 2017: WEEK 23

APRIL 3, 2017





I actually did go to Monserrate this time!

I walked up, and it took about 30 minutes with tons of breaks because we went up with the Hermanas (Hermana Melo and Hermana Acuero). It was super hard and in the path there were some wild llamas. Weird. Then once we got to the top just found a TON of white people. I haven't spoken that much English in 6 months. I found a girl who started talking to us from Dayton, Ohio, who knows Jansen Morby (a guy from my home Stake) which was weird. Cool experience though.

Anyway, this week we had some pretty cool experiences. I was walking up in the mountains, and we came up on this dude named Jainer. He told us that he served in the army for 2 years and that he's willing to learn from us. He's got his wife, and he's 25. He is from La Guajira or something like that. Cool.

I want to share a quick story!  Whenever my comp, Aguilar II came into the area, in the first week, 8 families dropped us. It just demoralized me so much, but now I'm feeling better than ever, because the families that dropped us, we could free up our time to really focus on finding new people, and it´s happened! 

I´ve been thinking a lot also on how to improve my blog. It gets kinda hard when you have been out for so long and you just get kinda bored of writing. I think I'll just shorten these up with less stuff that happens in the week, and take more pictures! But I still don't know. I'm sorry if I've been boring these last couple of weeks.

My testimony this week is still about #PrinceofPeace. The peace that the Lord gives us transcends anything we will experience in this world. Alma the Younger described it like this Alma 38:8

And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

He found peace to his soul! These messages are true, and I just love learning more about the Lord. There are times when we feel down, or out of the game. I've even felt that way in the mission, but there's somebody who will listen. It's Him! The prophet testified of Him, and the apostles witnessed of Him, and we had a very special opportunity to have these same things revealed unto us in these modern days through a living prophet, and apostles. It was a very sweet opportunity that we had to listen to them during LDS General Conference.

Ronald A. Rasband's talk gave me the most to think about. He spoke about first promptings. Joseph Smith said about them that if you ask on them 9-10 you'll get it right. I was in the bus today, and there was a man who kept looking at my missionary tag. He looked, and then looked again, and then looked again. I dismissed it, but about 5 minutes later I felt a prompting to talk to him, but now I didn't know how to talk to him! I prayed for help, and just tapped him on the shoulder. I asked about his job, and the bus route we were taking. I asked for direction to get to Monserrate, and a little woman that was standing very near to us began to talk to me. She gave us some advice, and so then I started talking with her also. Her uncles are Mormon. She knew a lot about the church but didn't really feel interested. At the end of the day, I got her phone number and address, and the man who I first talked to slipped away. But, the Lord worked in a mysterious way today. I felt so prompted to talk to this man that I started a conversation in a bus jam packed full of people. and it ends up the girl standing next to him was the one I needed to talk to. The Lord knows his sheep. John 10:16

I have experiences like that often, but for some reason or another I don't write them, but I'm going to be a better missionary in the field, and out of it. Pray unto the Lord, and he will give you this peace, this guidance, and these promptings. Watch General conference talks over again, and learn more from these inspired words of God. 

Next week I'll write better! See ya nerds

Élder Tracy

MARCH 28, 2017: WEEK 22

MARCH 28, 2017


I went to Monserrate. . .Almost!

Monserrate (after Catalan homonym mountain Montserrat) is a mountain that dominates the city center of Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia. It rises to 3,152 metres (10,341 ft) above the sea level, where there is a church (built in the 17th century) with a shrine, devoted to El Señor Caído ("The Fallen Lord").

We have been preparing all of our investigators for GENERAL CONFERENCE! It is going to be really cool. This will be my first one in the mission field, and I hope it has a good effect on the investigators that I have.

So we went to the Bogota LDS Temple today, and to do that we had to change our P-day to a Tuesday.  It was cool, and when I walked in, I found Andrew Skinner, another guy from the Kansas City area. The temple is always an awesome experience. Then we finished, and the Hermana (Sister) from my Ward, who works in the temple, snuck us some breakfast. I also ran into a girl from my Ward named Erika Zabala, and one of her friends, some dude from Germany. He served his mission in Britain, so he could speak English. He said he is moving to my Ward, and that this Saturday, after conference he will take me to eat wherever I want. I am now searching for "best restaurantes en Bogotá"!   lol.

During the rest of the week, we have just kept on working in the mountains. Look up on Google Maps -- Cerro Norte. It is like 2800-3200 meters, depending on how high up the mountain you go. It is super tiring to go up and down but it is also worth it because the people there are very receptive to the Gospel message.

I have been doing a lot of stuff also to try and help my companion. He is a cool dude, and he has got more time in the mission than I do, but he is still struggling to learn how to contact, teach, and to figure out how to navigate throughout the area. I will be a blessing to him, and not a maldición (curse)!

Elder Tracy, Elder Aguilar and friend.

I know that I have got two weeks left in my area, so I am trying to work my hardest to leave it at a point where the next guy who gets here feels like he rolled a cool area. It is really been an amazing time here, and I will be sad to leave. I remember also at the beginning of this transfer saying I couldn't wait to leave.  Haha. Funny how things change.

This week I testify of Easter! I will start with the initiative of the Church, It is a season of peace! Jesus Christ, in the scriptures is called . . The Prince of Peace . .. And that we can take his yoke upon us, and he will give us rest. He loves us, and he really does work within us, and in our lives. Sometimes we might not be that good at recognizing it, but another scripture in Revelations 3:20, says that he stands at the door and knocks. 

 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

He will give us this peace, when and if we want it, asking humbly with real intent. I know He lives, and that He is just waiting to give us peace! Let everybody know, that He lives!

Happy Easter Season, and I can't wait to see what they do here in Colombia for it!

Ëlder Tracy

MARCH 20, 2017: WEEK 9 + 10 = 21!!

March 20, 2017


9+10=21. Hello!

This week was really cool. I had TWO baptisms! Ohhhh yeaaah. Samuel Acurero and Yuzara Carpio. 

Also, the Mission President showed up to the baptism along with his wife. It was super cool but also I felt a little bit under the gun.

Isabel (la Mama de Yuzara) is still preparing for baptisms, and she will get baptized on the 1st of April, and it is not a joke!!!

Something else we have just recently started to do is go up into the mountains in my area, which is kinda dangerous but worth the risk. The people are super willing to listen to us and are prepared. It´s Called Santa Cecilia and Cerro Norte. Edgy.

This P-Day we went to the Temple for the 7 o'clock session and it was cool, then I bought a bunch of pictures of Jesus and a breakfast. Breakfast was 1 dollar and 30 cents and it was really big and tasty. I wish it was that cheap in the states. Then we climbed up the mountain as a District and took some pictures. It was cool and we climbed the whole thing in one hour (it is paved too, so just imagine how big the mountain is.)

I testify of the importance of Physical Health this week! Something I have learned throughout the mission is that physical health is very important for every aspect of life! It makes us more self confident, more able to do the things we want to do, and we are able to know that we are taking care of the temple of God that He has given us.

1 Corinthians 3:17

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

But, we should not try to push our bodies to the extremes and drive it ragged. We just need to do what we can. I remember when I started the mission that I walked very slowly because my feet hurt, but as I walked and walked and walked and walked and walked (like the pioneers), my feet got adjusted and I was able to support it! 

Mosiah 4:27

And see that all these things are done in wisdom and 

order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster

than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he

should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize;

therefore, all things must be done in order.

Take care of your bodies! Something that helps us as members is the Word of Wisdom, which is a commandment of God, which promises us blessings if we abstain from a few things. It is "Vale la Pena!"  "WORTH IT!"

Overall just a cool week. Write me nerds.

Élder Connor Tracy

Colombia Bogota North Mission

March 13, 2017: WEEK 20 (1/4 OF THE WAY DONE!!!!)

Hello! This week we went to the temple with Samuel Acurero (photos to come).

So, this week at the temple we had a good lunch.  $2 bucks is the average lunch cost here, which comes with juice and a big plate of whatever food they are selling. 

Samuel is going to get baptized this Saturday.  So I think that we will have a lot of pictures to send the next week. 

Isabel and Yuzara are still bringing people to the chapel. They brought Yuzara's brother and his family.  They came from two hours away JUST TO GO TO CHURCH!  IT IS NOT HARD PEOPLE.  You can do it also.

I am doing good. I think I can officially say I am fluent in Spanish!  It has been a cool six months in the field.  I can now say also that I am starting the mission length of a Sister missionary (they serve 18 months). Should be cool. I have 18 months left to serve.

Next week I will have a super funny video to share but for now it is not complete. . .

Anyway.  This week I bear my testimony on repentance again.  We can always change when we do something wrong, and we can always have a new turn. I am grateful for the opportunity I have to repent, and that Jesus Christ really did die for us. He paid for every one of our sins to the point that he bled from every pore. 

D&C 19:16-19 

 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;

But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.

He is real, and I have been in Colombia for six months trying to spread this good news!  I know He lives, and that He personally knows us. Get to know Him. 

I can't wait to see what has changed when I hit the one year mark. But yeah, OFFICIALLY 1/4 OF THE WAY THROUGH! 

Élder Tracy

MARCH 6, 2017: WEEK 20

Elder Tracy JUMPING!

This week was super cool. We found some new people who seem ready, and the week overall was cool.

Samuel Acurero found a new work without Sundays, and he is gonna be ready for the 18th to be baptized.

Isabel e Yuzara Carpio brought a friend to church on Sunday.  Isabel bore her testimony that she knows the church is true! We are going to move her date forward to the 18th or this Saturday, we will see what they think!

Nisleydis Chirino is trying to find a work without Sundays, and she is progressing well. Baptism for the 25th. 

My new companion is very open, but he still got a long ways to go! He is from Arequipa, Perú.

This week I testify of Fasting! 

When we go without food or water for 24 hours or more, we can show ourselves willing unto God that we truly are trying to change or to be better people, or receive some answer or help from Him.  In Isaiah 58, it shows us the purposes, and the benefits of doing so! I know that fasting works, because I have seen miracles in my life as I have fasted. If any of you have problems, and you haven't been finding much success in changing them, fast!

I love the gospel! I am so glad to be a Missionary of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints! The Book of Mormon is true! 

I hope it is all going well now that it is starting to warm up a bit. If you are reading this, you should also write me! Thanks!

Élder Tracy