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