Elder Thomas Steinkuhler

I never thought it would be this hard.

2010-07-26T12:55:00.001-07:00

It is such a temptation to not write anything this week. But alas, I assume that I should write SOMETHING. So more than anything I’m just sending a shout out. It was a weird week. It was full of weird days and lots of not work. I feel bad because I want to be clapping houses and teaching... but this week was full of meetings and traveling. It is all required things, but not what I want to be doing. But because of that it made the week feel really long. But I am all too often reminded how often I’m going home... which makes it feel even longer. I have this growing desire building up to just go home. It is amazing how much harder it is at the end of the mission... I never thought it would be this hard.

I taught my last workshop as a mission leader... that was weird. We had a really good district meeting that Elder Lucas and I taught. It was simple, but spiritual. We learned how to do better contacts. It is something that we had learned about a month ago and have been using to great success. It was nice to be able to testify of the power of such techniques. We have continued our crazy finding spree this week, even with all the traveling we have done.

One thing that I really enjoyed about this week was getting to know the President a little better. He didn’t know that I was going home so soon and when he found out he was kind of bummed. It was funny seeing him react in such a way. I’m used to the president knowing everything. It was just evidence to me that even mission presidents are just human. I love President Stapley... he will be a great mission president.

It rained again on Sunday, I was kind of upset about that. I hope it doesn’t rain anymore. I’ve already packed my bags and spare shoes... so I don’t want to get my current shoes wet... fyi we are asked to pack a week in advance.

I’m so not excited to write you all... I think I’m just going to stop wasting cyber-space and wait till I can tell you all in person.

This Saturday we get to go to Capital... or the city of Buenos Aires as a special treat for all that go home. So I’m looking forward to that. I also hear that I can call home when I’m in the airport. So I guess next Tuesday I’ll be calling you all bright and early in the morning... MAYBE. If not, I’ll just see you later when I get off the plane.

I love you all,

Elder Steinkuhler

Chè dos semanas... wow

2010-07-19T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone, this is your normally faithful writer Elder Steinkuhler here. I’ve just completed another wonderful week of heavenly labor and am now fully ready to give you a 100% account of all of my actions... the only problem is that I can’t. So we will take out a few key factors and hope that it suffices.

First of all, it is really cold. It feels like about 30º or so. The winds are almost always high in our area and there is always a lot of water, so if you get wet... it is REALLY cold. Sunday morning we woke up to rain... not happy Steinkuhler mood. We went looking for our investigators in the freezing rain/ice sheets and for some reason no one wanted to come with us, go figure. Ha ha, it was fun though. We had a great day in any case. We ended up finding some really awesome people, which brings me to my next point.

Two weeks ago we found a lot of people... families mostly. But none of them really wanted to have us come back... for one thing or another they were busy or didn't want us to come into the homes. Needless to say, they did not read what we left them. So that kind of got us down in the dumps. But this week we found wonderful people. People truly prepared for the gospel. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself....... I don't know how to tell all of this, so I’ll just start with Tuesday.

We had our zone conference with the new president. It was a great conference and we learned a lot of new things... but he also explained a lot of changes going on in the mission field all over the world. For example, our capitations will now focus on 8 lessons... there will be meetings for four days with the mission leaders... etc. I feel like I can share one thing the Spirit hit me with. I realized that although 75% of my teaching is focused on personal revelation, I was not doing enough to help people get their own answers. The conference really made me look at my teachings from the beginning of my mission until now. And I’ve realized that there are a lot of things that I can be doing better. I know that I am suppose to be like the best in the Zone because I'm the zone leader and have been in the field the most time, but I am not really that good at teaching. I realized that this week. I still have so far to go. So I started adjusting my teachings this week to great success. I focused my own personal prayers and prayers with others to help them feel the Spirit and learn how to get a true answer from the Almighty.

We had this wonderful finding experience this week with a young mother and her boyfriend. Last Sunday we did a few contacts during the soccer world cup finals... to our great surprise there was a nice young lady who talked to us for awhile but didn't want to let us in because her family was watching the game. So we set up an appointment to come back and we found not only her but this wonderfully intelligent boyfriend as well (I love teaching couples). It was right after the conference and I had my heart swallowed up in prayer, so when we sat down and started to get to know them, I felt inspired to read something from D&C section 9. We started reading and she told us that she has problems understanding new things and that she never understands things she reads. So we went slow and she understood everything PERFECTLY!!! It was amazing... and her boyfriend seemed to have already known the things we taught him, it is just that he never lived it. ANYWAY, we taught them lesson one very fast. We started with prayer, then why there are so many churches (apostasy), then Joseph Smith, then The Book of Mormon. It was phenomenal! They loved it and the Spirit was so strong. I was blown away, I don't know if it was just because of how well God had prepared them or because of the things I learned in Zone Conference... but that was one of my favorite lessons yet in the mission.

Yesterday we also found a wonderful lady who has a daughter with mental problems. She asked us to give her a blessing of health and I performed the sealing. I really have grown to love using God`s Priesthood. The daughter couldn't really talk, but I could see her pure spirit... I felt so much love for her and her family as we performed the ordinance. The funny story about that is that they were references from the lunch appointment we had. After church we had to walk about 30 minutes in the mud to our lunch appointment at the end of nowhere where this one member lives. The truth is that neither I nor my companion wanted to go... but we ended up going because the member wouldn’t take no for an answer. But what a blessing it was. We had such a wonderful spiritual experience that the member gave us about 35 references more... YEAH!!!!!!

Well, I pulled out my suitcases to start packing this week... and I found all the old stuff (or what I called "ish") that had been collecting up for two years. I felt somewhat like Harry Potter when he cleans out his trunk at the beginning of book 7... and yes, I still remember/love every part of the Harry Potter books. I found old cards, drawings, lesson plans, books, toys, keys, etc. It was sad looking at it all and thinking, "I really don’t want any of this ish, I should probably just throw it all away". It was a sad day. I feel like I threw away a part of two years, but it is a part that I just cannot bring with me. I still haven’t actually packed anything, perhaps today I’ll do it. FYI, I did not get my nap last week, and I doubt I’ll get it this week. All well, I’ll get lots of sleep on the plane.

So, it looks like everyone is telling me that I’m going home in two weeks. I don’t feel like it still, I know what is going to happen... but I can’t feel it happening to me. Life is just going on still... and I don’t see it changing, although I am excited to see the changes. I feel like I’m just going to get transferred again, but this time they told me in advance. Well, I will have one more pday left after this one. So if anyone wants to send me an e-mail before I get home... do it this week. If you want anything I MIGHT be able to get it, but with such short time there are no promises. Anyway, I’m off.... I love you all and hope to see everyone soon.

All a missionaries love,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS We played pool today and my companion whooped me 2/3 times. The last time I BARELY won. I’m going to miss Elder Lucas a lot.

how do sore thumbs stick out?

2010-07-12T23:19:00.000-07:00

Well family, I'm tired. I am so excited to write this and then go take a nap!!! That is right, Elder Steinkuhler is going to take his first nap in like 6 months!!! I’ve planned it into my day, and will fully enjoy it.

I’ve been slightly sick this week. Almost everyone in the zone has been getting sick... it is just missionary life, nothing big, but bothersome. Today is particularly cold. It is freezing outside, but we went to play soccer, volleyball and Frisbee anyway. I guess my knee is doing better. It hurts unnaturally much when I get hit there, but other than that it doesn't bother me anymore, thanks for the support and prayers.

So, let me start off with the sad news... Spain won the world cup... the good news is that it is all over. I'm so tired of being caught in the street with nothing to do because people are watching the world cup. By the way, I didn't really care who won... but Merry served her mission is Spain, so I was rooting against it. I guess her mission was just better. :D So, people still give me flack (a real word) about being German. I guess I just stick out like a sore thumb (how do sore thumbs stick out?). It is kind of funny because people yell at us asking if we are German and my companion always answers by asking if he looks German. They look at him and he laughs telling them that he is for Paraguay. I love Elder Lucas, he is just a stud! We are working good together... well sorta. Let me explain.

This week was a particularly hard week. I don't know why. Everyone failed on us. Our investigators, our members. It was just difficult. It put me to thinking why. I think God has a lot of things for me to learn in my time left. This week I have learned a lot about what is most important and how to overcome trials. I'm so glad that my trials have not stopped... because when they stop my learning stops. I love being here, things are just so much more meaningful. A rejection at home is just a rejection. Now I can see what God is teaching me by telling me to talk to someone who is going to reject me. I’ve really learned that we are not able of baptizing or changing people. They have to do it for themselves. I’ve learned so much this week that I don't know if I can really explain it all. And even if I were to explain it all you wouldn't understand because it is something that you need to live. But one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that I am a true convert. I’ve learned that my testimony is strong and that it won’t fail me in hard times. But as I stop doing the good things in this life, I will weaken my testimony. All of you who read the scriptures will understand me when I say that the scriptures have power.

One of my favorite parts of the week was Saturday morning. I was feeling kind of sick, but not as sick as Elder Shupple. However, Elder Jones had called us to see if we could do a service project for some members in the area of Claypole. It was a "moving" with the assistants, the elders of Claypole and us. Well, last minute the assistants couldn't make it... so it was just Elder Shupple, Roy, Lucas and me who went early in the morning. It turned out to be a mud/clay shoveling project. It was HARD labor. And Elder Shupple was sick so he did little and almost fainted... he is such as good sport, I love that kid. So they left early. Then my companion died out after like hours. So in the end I shoveled all the clay and my companion wheeled it away. It was interesting to work basically alone for an hour. My muscles were tired and my mind alive... My body turned into a machine and I was able to ponder upon many subjects. It did me so much good. I loved it and the members were so grateful. I had forgotten how good it feels to work hard and serve others. I loved it to death. I’ve been looking for reasons why God has called me to where I am. I know that I am in the right spot and often the only one who can do what I can do. It was so obvious in this day that God wanted me to be exactly where I was at exactly that moment. I look forward to finishing the job if we have time.

Well, I'm off to take my nap. I love you all. I'm working hard and truly, surprisingly happy.

Take luck, I love you,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I’m in a good mood, I hope you are too.

123% better

2010-07-05T20:52:00.000-07:00

I have no time... so let us start out with the good news; because I have a lot of news (not that interesting, but news), both good and bad.

I was able to do an intercambio with Elder Gaffney this week. He is the new elder of my new elder... or in other words (that are banned from missionary vocabulary) he is my grandson. He is a fun little fellow from Oregon. He speaks amazingly well and has a great desire to teach. We did a fun little change-up on Wednesday morning at 7:00. My companion and I went to another area and changed up with them.... then came back. Then in that morning we went out to work and found 7 people... a new family. Then we ate lunch and in the nighttime we round 5 more. It was a great day. We taught a ton of lessons and he got really excited for working and talking. He is a wonderful missionary and I had a great day.

Going off of that, this week we had better datos then any other week of my mission. I sent you all the standards of the mission some time ago. This week we were able to achieve or surpass all but baptismal goals. We found 31 new people this week... that beat my old personal record by like 12. It was a wonderfully hard week. We worked our tails off. I keep on getting people telling me not to slack off now that I’m at the end of the mission. But what the President told us about being the most effective at the end of the mission really hit me. So we decided to try and raise the bar even higher then what we had... although we almost died, we did it!!!! We had the best week of my mission this week. So don’t you worry, I’m focusing. Not only that but: (here comes the bad news)

Last Monday we ate at an all you can eat pizza place. I had about two entire pizzas... and almost died (they were big). I was already feeling somewhat sick... so that night after sending my update, I went home and couldn’t leave because I needed to be close to a bathroom. So we couldn't work on Monday. Which kind of sucked. But I’m better now... 123% better. However (more bad news)...

Yesterday while going to pick up investigators for church I fell on the train tracks. I was looking at the sky and well......... there was a hole. There was a place where people could walk underneath and I didn’t see it. So I hit my knee pretty bad. We were already running on a tight schedule, so I just brushed off the dirt and kept on going. But after our sacrament meeting it was killing me. Today it is a lot better, but still a little swollen. But it makes for a fun story.

Other bad news... President Asay is gone. He went home already. And President Stapley will not be in Argentina until this week. So we are a little bit without president for awhile.

Good news: It has been wonderfully warmer than normal. Still chilly, but not cold.

Bad news: Argentina lost to Germany. It was scary. We went out to try and teach during the game. As you walk down the street all you can head is a constant dialog from the narrator... Every house was watching it so it was heard in every part of the street. But we lost... and bad... and I look German. So people have been yelling at me for awhile. For a few hours I was really worried for my life, but most everyone knows that we are from the USA. So no prob Bob.

Good news: We discovered an inactive family this week. We started teaching them and he told us that the reason why they went inactive was because the Stake President had told him to cut his hair. I laughed and pulled out my driver’s license and explained what happened to me before the mission. We bonded for a time and they promised to return to the church. They said that their daughter is 9 years old and that they want us to baptize her. So I’m excited to work with them and bring them back into the church. It is really one of those moments where you just know that God sent you to that family. I have way too much in common with this brother that it is impossible for us not to be friends.

Well, I guess that is about it. So much happened this week, but I can’t explain it. We felt a strong desire to clap a house as we went by this week and found a family of 9... all brothers and sisters whose mother passed away 2 weeks ago. They needed our message so bad.

I promise you all that I’m not dying out. I’m working hard... I love the mission life and I love what we are achieving. Miracles are never tiresome. I’ll try and send some good stories next week. Thanks for all of your support.

I love you all,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS I’m excited to come home. Don’t get me wrong... I am very excited to have my interview with President Paxman. And I am even more excited to be able to be around for two of my friend’s weddings.

PPS The president told us to tell everyone that we have 6 months left... it is so fun telling people that and seeing their reactions. Some people believe me without a doubt... others tell me I should have less... others say that I’m already at home. It is fun to see what people think, but just like David has always told me... it is what the Lord thinks that is most important.

There is nothing more wonderful on the mission than someone telling you that they know that The Book of Mormon is true.

2010-06-28T12:57:00.000-07:00

First things first... I’ve been informed that I need to inform you all to inform President Tanner to be ready to release me when I get home. So I’m guessing you all know when I’ll be getting home. If not, it would be about 10:30 Wednesday the 3rd. If President Tanner could release me about that time it would be superbly wonderful.

I don’t have much to write about. This week was a lot of working and running around and little to write about. The World Cup is a killer here. NOTHING happens during the hours of the game. There is literally NOTHING to do during that hour and a half. But it is cool being here in Argentina while Argentina is winning. I hear a lot of new things about soccer here. For example, I didn’t even know that they play soccer in Germany... but I guess they are one of the best teams in the world. Go figure. It doesn’t help that I’m a German looking and sounding as it comes. I might be killed this week if Germany wins. Naw, I’m sure that nothing will happen... I’m actually just glad that the US lost. As much as I wanted them to win, I’m glad we are not going to play Argentina.

We had some really spiritual appointments this week. One of them was with Antonia. She is a recent investigator. We taught her the basics of The Book of Mormon and the family. We returned to teach her about Joseph Smith and we asked her if she had read and prayed about The Book of Mormon... very seldom do they do it the first time... and never have they told me that they received an answer the first time. She told us very quietly that she read. She explained how she read and prayed with her family right after we left. And that she didn’t feel anything. But that night she re-read and asked again and felt the answer. She looked up at me and I asked her how she felt. She smiled and said should couldn’t explain it. She said it was a very good feeling in her chest that came from somewhere else. That same feeling filled my frame and we were both edified. There is nothing more wonderful on the mission than someone telling you that they know that The Book of Mormon is true. After that the rest is just details. When a person really knows that The Book of Mormon is true, baptisms will follow and blessings will spring forth.

The same thing happened some time back with an investigator named Isabel. It was so funny because she reads really poorly. When she reads aloud she gets all the words mixed up and it doesn’t make since unless you are following along in your own book... but she understands PERFECTLY!!! She too quickly received an answer to the challenge we gave her.

We had a little meeting I like to call Jedi Council this week. It is a meeting with all the zone leaders of the mission. We go over trainings we will go through and all that good stuff. The best part was that the president asks everyone who is going home that transfer to give their testimony. So that means that I could give my testimony as well as all my close friends... but also the president. He leaves next week. His message was amazing. It was by far my favorite meeting in the entire mission. I would do it injustice explaining what was said. I don’t want to offend the Spirit and explain all the things that were explained to us through him... but I do want to tell you that it was a wonderful meeting. It truly gave me excitement to work hard this transfer. One thing the president told us last Monday is that we will not be judged off of what we did during our mission... but off of what we do this last transfer. That kind of put the heat on and motivated me to work hard this transfer.

I guess that is it for me. I bought some new shoes today because I want something nice to go home in. And... I’m kind of boring. Sorry. I’m just working. Work... as in work work is not that exciting to explain.

I love you all and will see you soon.

Tommy

PS My camera broke. It won’t take photos with flash now. Sad day. I don’t think I’ll be sending more photos home till I get home. Sorry... Um, just suck it up and deal with it.

He shared his great wisdom once again with me

2010-06-21T15:38:00.000-07:00

I’ve officially entered into my last transfer. I'M SCARED!!!! Today was a huge day! Let us start with today and see how far I get.

Today the president gave his farewell talk... along with his wife, a senior couple and a lot of beloved fellow elders. It was a wonderful meeting and my brief explanation of what they said would not do them justice, so I will leave it to this: "It was wonderful". Lots of people came because almost everyone knows the president. But the biggest visitor for me was ex-Elder Sagripanti. That is right, my trainer and papi. It broke my heart to see him again. We all left the meeting to take a picture of all the missionaries and while waiting for the picture I saw him. After the photo I ran up and gave him a huge hug. We were able to talk for a bit and he shared his great wisdom once again with me. I know that my group and I are the oldest people in the mission (including the president) but Elder Sagripanti was just so much wiser than us. I truly felt like a child with his father again. He is well. He is dating and continuing the life the way it should be. I didn't have my camera, so I hope he sends me a photo.

To go along with this, we had interviews with the president this week. It was weird going into his office and talking to him for the last time. We always need to recite a memorized scripture, so I did Luke 2:1-18... it took on new meaning with him. He liked it a lot.

Something else to go along with that... one of the elders I trained is about to train. They will both be in my zone this transfer, so I’ll be able to see them both. Elder Mortensen is going to train. That means that in the mission they would call me a grandfather if we were to still use such language.... but seeing as we don't... don't worry about it.

Cool experience... we went to get investigators on Sunday morning. And while walking with them to the Church I saw a man stuck in the mud with his truck. It has been raining here a lot and there is a LOT of mud. I told my companion we needed to help... he looked at me, and then at his freshly shinned for Church shoes, then at the investigators, then came with me. We pushed and pushed and finally got the truck out. We didn't even really get muddy (the shoes were not shinny). But we just waved at him as we walked past and continued on our way. About 2 minutes later he pulled up next to us and gave all of us a ride to church... saving us about 1.5 miles of walking. We did a contact with him and will be sending missionaries to his home... I LOVE doing service and seeing it pay off.

One more cool experience:
We did a map system to get references from members. We draw a map and have them write all the names of the neighbors that they know. We did this with a fairly popular guy and got a lot of references. Over the past few weeks we have been slowly contacting references from him with little luck. On Friday we were contacting the last of them and had one left... it was pretty far away, and we were thinking about going to another area to work. I meditated on our options and felt we should contact the last reference. My companion thought I was crazy, but we went anyway. We clapped and out walked a lady we had seen earlier that day. She is a friend of Karina (who got baptized a little bit ago). Earlier that day she had blown us off and we thought she didn't like us... but we started chatting with her and found out how much she was suffering. We shared a brief message about The Plan of Salvation and entered into her house to read a part of The Book of Mormon. It was a really spiritual lesson. It was good to help her and see the spirit touch her. We have a return appointment tomorrow.

One cool note for my mother:
We just changed our bishop. Bishops normally change every 5-8 years around here... and in the 4 wards I’ve been in... 3 of them have changed while I’ve been in them... but that is not what I wanted to share. Bishop Monaco is our new bishop. We ate with him this last week and chatted a lot about The Lord of the Rings. He knows elvish and basically everything about The Lord of the Rings. He is also really excited work with us because he has been working with the stake for awhile and hasn’t been able to help us much. So we will be working hard with him soon.

That is about it. I guess I’ll just finish with that and tell you all how weird it is having everyone tell me that I’m going home soon. I don’t feel like it. The president today told us that we all have 6 months left. And if we focus on that we will not begin to slack off. I suspect that with the change of president I will not have 5 seconds to think about home, but we will see. I know that I should be humble though and ask for your help. So, don’t let me get trunky please.

I love you all,

Tommy

PS I’ll send pictures soon... I promise.

PPS I know what I want for my birthday. If people want to chip in so that I can buy new scriptures that would be cool. I know what I want, so I would like to pick them out... but if you want to help me buy them I would love you forever.

They made me cut it and eat the head because it was my birthday

2010-06-14T17:50:00.000-07:00

This week was craziness. We did a lot of things and I’m beat! Where to start... TODAY.

I’ve had a lot of questions about what a zone leader does. Basically we do what everyone else does, but we also need to plan for everything the zone does. So we spend a lot more time planning and talking about our zone then our area. The truth is that we focus a lot in the area, but when we are at the apartment we basically call the other elders and focus on their needs. I feel somewhat like a father. For example, today we did a zone activity. We can do one every transfer and we decided to do ours today. We didn’t think that it was going to rain (which it is doing in abundance). So we were going to get together and cook an American breakfast and then play Olympic games. Well, we did eat an American breakfast... at lunch time. So here is what happened. Being the zone leaders we had to plan the activity, see what people wanted to do... decide who would do what and where and when and then verify everyone five million times to make sure it goes as planned. We also needed a plan B to everything. We actually didn't end up playing Olympic games. But we did play dodge ball and ping pong. It was actually really fun and we cooked a ton of food. We made pancakes, eggs and hash browns for 23 people (but like 30 ate)... WITH HOMEMADE MAPLE SYRUP! How cook are we? Two elders in the zone, a sister and I cooked everything. It was really good. We all had fun and got wet getting to the stake center. It all turned out good, but not as planned. So, that is basically what we do as zone leaders. We animate and plan for everything the zone is going to do. We also try to help the elders get to the zone or mission standards. We teach elders on exchanges how to do certain things and try to show them an example of what we are capable of doing as missionaries. We also meet regularly with the church leaders, including stake president to learn their desires for the zone. I don't know... we don’t really do much, we are just normal missionaries when it comes down to it.

This week was my birthday... it was a good one. I got an amazing jersey from a wonderful sister in our ward. It is a blue Argentine jersey. BY THE WAY, Argentina won their first game in the soccer competition... thing (I don't know its name in English). We are not allowed to watch, so we stayed in the pench to plan and heard people yelling and shooting off gun shots every time Argentina did something good. It was exciting and we didn’t even get to watch it. Anyway... my birthday was really tranquil. We didn’t do much out of the normal. The biggest thing is that we went to a members house at the end of our day because she had cooked us dinner and wanted to give me my gift. It was really a fun work day. As missionaries we celebrated it after planning on Saturday. While people were going crazy because we (I mean Argentina) won, we cooked up some genie-pig and ate them... long story. Basically an elder from Peru decided it would be cool to cook me up a Peruvian specialty for my birthday. It took some days to get it all worked out... I’ll try to send pictures. I felt bad, because he bought them alive and then killed them and cooked them. I only saw them alive and then dead... fortunately I wasn’t around for the killing, I would have freaked (this elder also wants to eat Tinkerbell when I leave... NOT going to happen). It was pretty good. They made me cut it and eat the head because it was my birthday... I tried the eyeball... not so tasty... and that is all I have to say about that.

For the lunch we bought hot peppers... REALLY hot peppers. One of the elders said he would give me his scarf if I would eat half of one of the peppers. I was brave and did it... And it was HOT!!! We are talking bigger and hotter than Jalapeno. But I won a scarf! The elders just looked at me with awe as I bit off the pepper. No one thought I would do it... I don’t even know why I did it, but it was fun and funny. The States don’t really have hot peppers.

Well, with all the rain we have a mud pit of an area again. I love it. I got my leather boots fixed so now I can walk around without using huge, bulky rain boots. I’ve learned very well how to walk, run, jump and slide in the mud without getting myself dirty. It takes a lot of skills and practice to be able to walk for 3 hours in 3 inches of mud without getting your pants dirty... :)

This week we had a really good experience with finding. We worked hard all week to find. We contacted more references then in any moment of my mission this week. We also did normal contacts a lot. But by Sunday we had only found 6 and we wanted to find 12 by the end of the day. So we went out to do our normal visits and decided to run by this lady we had found the week before. She wasn’t there, but her husband and other family members were. We had been praying to be able to find people that day because we had really been working our tails off to find and were not seeing the blessings. But once again the Spirit guided us and we found a wonderful new (big) family and accomplished our goal.

Also, we had this family that we have been teaching. We can only see them like once every other weekend. We took a fecha out with the two of them last week and this week we met up with them again. To get to their goal they need to get married. So although we want to wait normally to teach the Law of Chastity, we decided to do it early. We taught a really spiritual lesson about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We knew that the Spirit would be vital in this lesson so we did all we could to invite it. And it came strong. They felt it and when we asked them why they hadn’t got married until now they said it was a money issue... but now that we had explained the Spiritual importance they wanted to change. They made the decision for themselves and are going to make a plan on how to do it for next weeks appointment. I love how the Holy Ghost shows people what they need to do return to God... and I love it even more when people listen to that Spirit.

I’m off... I love you all and will try to send pictures next time.

Love,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS I’ve realized again how soon I’ll be home this week. I can’t believe it... I don’t feel trunky though... that is the good thing, I know lots of you are worried. No worries.

God put me here on Earth to do service

2010-06-07T13:58:00.002-07:00

I remember what shopping bags means...

I went on intercambios (or companion exchanges) last week and I tried to show forth the best example possible. Well, I have this thing, I’ve always wanted to help someone carry their grocery bags because in missionary pictures they are always doing that for service. The people here try to run away from you if you offer because they think you are going to rob them. Well, I saw a lady struggling with her bags and I stopped to help her while on intercambios. The part of town we were in was rather nice and fairly friendly. She looked up at me and I smiled at her. It was great to see her old wrinkly face crack into a smile and said she would love help. I grabbed her bags (quite too much for her) and we walked some 5ish blocks to her house. We chatted about things as we walked and eventually talked about the gospel and how she knew we wouldn't rob her because we are missionaries. She loved our little stroll and accepted a return visit the next day. It felt so good to see once again how the pure love of Christ gets to the heart of people a lot faster than a word of testimony. I learned long ago that I God put me here on Earth to do service. That is why I was blessed with a big body and lots of free time. It feels so good doing service. This week we also did service. We saw a young girl carrying 4X4 beams into her yard with difficulty, so I stooped down and started helping. I think she only accepted because she could see that I couldn't run far with her wood and therefore had nothing to worry about. By the end she was a good friend of ours.

This is a little thing for my father: We did a zone learning activity this week where we got together with the Stake Family History Specialist. She taught us a little bit about the services available here so that we can invite people to come in. It was good, but she got mad at me because I told her that my father is a specialist and that I knew little to nothing about it. So I guess I’ll be learning something more when I get home.

The other day while on intercambios again (we do a lot of intercambios) we contacted a wonderful lady. We were looking for this guy and he wasn't where he was supposed to be (on the top floor). So we went down a story and he wasn't there either, and then down another... and still nothing. So I asked some neighbors and this wonderful lady answered the door. It was hilarious because I was looking at the handle and as the door opened the first thing I saw was a huge cross and as I followed the necklace up it got lost in a nuns hood. I chocked back a laugh at doing a contact with a nun and started talking about The Plan of Salvation. It was a good chat and we set up an appointment to come back and teach her and her family more. I was really shocked. But then again, we do share the truth and the spirit can touch any heart. I won’t be there to go back, but I’ll try to figure out what happens and let you know. She was really wonderful though and interested.

Funny side note about the intercambios... I did one this week with Elder Mortenson, one of the elders I trained. He is doing really well. We had a really successful day and I loved to see how much he has changed in the past 6 months. He has really grown up.

We baptized again this week. It was a really lovely baptism. It was a bright sunny day with lots of people who came. The father is a member and was able to baptize his kids. It was really one of those "How perfect" kind of moments. I’ll try to send pictures soon.

One of our recent converts, Oscar, he has taken up this saying. We keep on teaching him new things about the Gospel and he says, "Ah, mirà... que lindo"... or in English, "How wow, look at that... how lovely". He really loves the Gospel and everything it brings. He can’t stop learning and doing things in the church. Hopefully his son and daughter-in-law will get baptized this next month if everything goes well with the marriage and everything. They are such a wonderful family and wonderful people.

One last note: Our zone is number one in the mission and has been for two weeks straight. That probably doesn't sound that cool to any of you, but it does to me because I know the history of the mission. We are in the zone of Adroguè... which has the office elders and assistants. They can’t work all day because they need to be in the offices until 6 at night... sometimes later. So Adroguè has never been the number one zone in the mission. NEVER! Until NOW!!!! I was so excited that I wanted to do something for the zone... because we are rated on an average of every area... which means that every area is working well and hard. Well, I was pondering upon it and what I could do... when I went to a shoe shop to get my shoes fixed. The man was very nice and started talking about all sorts of things (I think he was a little lonely). He off handed-ly commented that he had received two large bags of leather that he was not going to use. I asked to see them and he said sure... and that I could take whatever I wanted for FREE!!! So I rummaged through the bags and pulled out a large stack of hard forest green leather. He looked at me like I was crazy and I asked if I could take it... he said that he had no use for it and that I could take it and whatever else from the bag I wanted. So I brought it home and started cutting. I’ve learned many tricks from my parents and friends about making things with limited tools. So I cut out agenda covers and then cut holes in them with a metal pen tip so that we can bind them to our agendas. I made 42 tops (it took a lot of time... I didn't sleep much). But today I finished them off and gave them to the zone as birthday present from me because they are all working so well. They turned out really well. I like them a lot and the zone was ecstatic. I’ll try to send picture of that too.

Anyway I’m doing well and am really tired. I’ve got to get going to work now... I love you all.

Elder Steinkuhler

PS I don’t have plans for my birthday... I will be working I think. The truth is that I have no idea what will happen.

PPS The World Cup for Soccer starts this week... I pray that Argentina doesn’t loose and that the USA doesn’t win... because if those things happen we’ll be in trouble.

they almost broke the building down with joy

2010-05-31T14:10:00.000-07:00

So, last week I sent such a terrible letter that I thought I would try and send something a little better this week... so all week I wrote down little things to share with you all. Let us start with the weather, because it is always a good conversation starter.

I don't know if any of you keep track of the weather in the world (probably not... I wouldn't), but there has been a lot of rain here recently. So much rain in fact that the work is getting harder. This last Sunday we got caught in the rain with our Sunday clothes on and no preparation... let me explain. So, the church is like three miles from our house and our area is between us and the church. So we normally go straight to a member’s house to eat after church. Normally we leave our jackets at the member’s house and get them on our way home. Well, this Sunday we couldn’t. The member’s house was too far out of the way that we just went out in our suits, besides it was cold. We went to a new area to open it up... an area where there are no members and no investigators. Well, while contacting people it started to drizzle... and we found someone and entered the house. Right after leaving it started pouring down rain. So we took off and tried to find cover, but it was too late. We just went to the closest member (1.5 miles away) and then to the pinch because it took us so long to get there in the mud that we had to go straight home. The best part of the story is that the family we found is amazing. There was this lady that freaked out at the pamphlet we gave her and ran to a back room to pull out that same exact pamphlet. She said that she had received it like six months before and enjoyed it so much that she saved it waiting for us to come back. It was a wonderfully simple and spirit filled lesson. We taught and testified about The Book of Mormon and she and her family decided to read it together!

The photos are when I got home to the pinch. There was so much mud on me and I was so wet that I just jumped in the shower to wash me off. The difference between the photos is that one is from six months ago... when I wasn't in my suit... the new one is this week... in my suit.

Bad/good news... my shoes broke again. Don’t worry, I’ve fixed them... but anyway, here is what happened. About four months ago they broke, the stitching snapped. So I did a quick fix with the strongest thing I had... fishing string. It is plastic and I knew it would get old and break, but I had nothing else in the moment. Well, at a ward activity on Tuesday they asked me to play soccer for 10 minutes... during those ten minutes my shoes busted open. So I bought some good string and sewed them back up... no drama. But the coolest thing was that the members were all surprised that I could do it... so they started asking me about what I did before the mission and I was able to share my talents and help people in new ways, it was cool.

In my agenda I wrote down "shopping bags" but I don't remember why. I’ll think about it and get back to you.

Funny story, we went to a less active member’s house and sat down inside to teach them. Then someone clapped the house and the wife jokingly said, “Must be the Jehovah’s Witnesses”... turns out it was! So their father asked us to go out and greet them. With gusto I went out and we chatted a bit. It was funny seeing their faces. They were not expecting us to come out. We shared a bit of our message with them and them with us... then they left. It is always interesting being instantly recognized as a member of the LDS church. It happens here a lot, and I am glad to say that we do a pretty good job representing our Lord and Savior... If I’m allowed to say that.

One last thing: My companion and I have been working hard to do everything possible. We have been finding lots of new people and teaching lots of new lessons, but it all seems to be coming to nothing. We sat and talked about it and started thinking about how the Lord doesn’t always want us to do all these things just so we can baptize, but so we can be faithful. And then how sometimes when we do everything right, God just puts people in our paths. Well, about four days ago that blessing came. We went to visit a suffering member and their 11 year old son comes up from nowhere and asked us, “When can I get baptized?”. We thought he was some street punk because he is always dirty and never reliable. But we taught him and saw his sincerity and took out a fecha with him. Because of the rain we only had 8 members go to church. But this young boy that so willingly decided to get baptized got up early (without his parents) and came out in the rain with us to walk 2 miles in the mud to church. It is amazing the love people have for doing what is right and I love seeing the people be blessed for it. In about a week he will be baptized!

Sorry, LAST THING: We did a district activity for our district meeting. We went out of our church and tried to bring people into it to teach them. It was a really fun activity and in total we found 8 new people as a district. It was really cool! Oh, and our zone is doing really well... We have been all working hard and united-ly towards our goals and the assistants told me last night that according to our effort and efficiency scales in the mission... our zone is the highest!!! I loved seeing the other elder’s faces when we told them... they almost broke the building down with joy.

Okay, I’m gone. I love you all and want you to know that I am happy. I am working hard and looking fondly to the moment when I will see you all again. All my love again,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS Today we went bowling and I found out that I stink at it... There are a lot of things that need to be practiced within 2 years or you just lose your touch... like rock band.

putting our feet to the work

2010-05-24T15:34:00.001-07:00

Well, another long week down. We had zone conference and stake conference. They were both amazing. I cannot believe that President Asay is going home before I do. I can’t imagine the mission without him.

We had a cool meeting this week with the stake president. He meets monthly with the zone leaders to chat about the stake. It was a great meeting and I was superbly impressed by how much the church is run by God’s election.

One cool thing: we put some great zone goals some time ago and are slowly accomplishing a lot. We have 8 baptisms for next week and found about 22 people more this week. I don’t have time to explain anything, but we are really excited and working hard to keep the increase going so fast.

We had some really spiritual lessons this week, but the biggest thing was putting our feet to the work and finding new people. We have been doing better at talking to lots of people and have been able to increase our teaching pool greatly.

Okay, I’m lame, but this is all I can send today. I’ve got to go and get ready for FHE tonight. I love you all. I’ll let you know more next week. I’m sorry this is so short. Today is an Argentine holiday (no idea what it is) so everything is running slow and making us late today.

Love you all,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS We will be baptizing 2 this week.

I don’t cry.

2010-05-17T22:21:00.000-07:00

The Baptism of Karin

Okay, today I’m really pressed on time... sorry. But at least you have a few nice pictures to enjoy.

First of all... I’ve decided what I want for my birthday... If you want to send me something, send me sweets or American stuff I can give away. People here love that kind of stuff.

Funny story, I got a letter from my mother and she mentioned Elder Merrill of the 70. I think this is the only time in my life until now and into the future when someone can tell me the name of a general authority and I can see their face in my mind... go figure.

The Family of Oscar... And Elder Chatwin

Also... I’ve realized something. A lot of people like to send me spiritual experiences. I use to hate them, because I got a little bored with them. Now I still dislike them, but because they make me emotional. I can now relate spiritual experiences to my own life and things become so personal... and when it is personal the spirit touches people... and when I’m riding in a crowded bus I don’t like to get chocked up... even if I don’t cry. All the same, it is a good change in me that I’m happy with. The mission really changes you to think personally and spiritually. I love Alma 37:36 because it helped me realize how to be happy.

Elder Steinkuhler and Elder Lucas

Another quick thing: My new companion is amazing... we are working really hard. But one thing he said is that we should try doing a zone fast. So we talked with the zone and put some goals down. This Saturday we did a zone fast for our goals and that day we double our success in those respective goals. We are really focused now on what to do and how to do it. I feel so good working closely with people. Elder Lucas has really helped me see how to help other people through our calling as zone leaders. We have planned a stake baptismal day for next month. I’m excited about that. ALSO, we cleaned the pinch... it looks a lot better. One of the office elders took a picture of it before we cleaned it to show as a bad example of a pinch in the mission. So after cleaning it we sent him a clean pinch photo and he is going to use it in a mission presentation as a miracle job or something like that. It feels good to live cleaner.

Well, I’m off, things to do and people to see. I love you all and will see you all soon.

Love ya,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS Tinkerbelle is still in the pinch... HAHA

Tinkerbelle

A day of tears... mostly of joy, but also of loss.

2010-05-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Sorry, another quick one. I don’t ever have time on the first p-day of every transfer. What with all the traveling and meetings I don’t get to e-mailing until I need to be out to work... and I need to do my zone leader duties before writing you guys... sorry.

This week was great. There were a lot of things that happened and I can’t talk about all of them... some highlights:

We had 3 new people in church this week. And sacrament meeting was great! It started out with the confirmation of Karina who got baptized on Saturday (I’ll explain the baptisms later). I was asked to do it and it was wonderful. I said it wrong though. I did the whole blessing and she was crying and I wanted to cry and it was very tender... but then my companion told me that I only confirmed her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ... not The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. So we went into a room after the meeting and I did it right, but I was inspired to tell her things that I hadn’t told her, personal things... it is interesting how the Lord works.

After the confirmation we took the sacrament, Oscar (my last baptism) blessed it. It was wonderful to see this pure man bless the sacrament. Then my companion gave his testimony because he was leaving... Elders who finish the mission have so much power in their words. Then the bishop’s wife gave a talk and then I did. I testified of unity and Zion. I used a personal experience about a service I was once able to do and how it blessed me and others. As I got close to the end of the story I started to feel tears coming on... I hate crying. But as my voice trembled and I looked up to see who would witness me cry, I saw that most of the people were already crying. All of the 3 new investigators were absorbed in my words and had teary eyes. I finished my talk and sat down. I looked at my companion because he was suppose to play the piano and I was to direct. He was just gaping at me. Later he told me how he had felt and we both knew that that message that I was able to give was exactly what the ward needed to hear. It was a perfect day and all the investigators promised to come back.

Really quick, there was only one baptism on Saturday because of a lot of things that happened. But basically we just had to change the date and they will all be baptized soon.

Elder Chatwin is gone... for that I am really sad. His last day (yesterday) was really sad. I don’t want to go home. I don’t think I’ll be able to go through what he did. The people in this ward love us so much and have grown with us so much. The truth is that Sunday was a day of tears... mostly of joy, but also of loss. I will really miss Elder Chatwin. He is one of the best missionaries that I’ve known. I really respect him and will continue missing him for awhile.

I’m now with Elder Lucas, a great Elder from Paraguay... I’ll let you all know more about him when I can.

Love,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS I need to know what you all want from Argentina.

I’m so pumped.

2010-05-03T11:53:00.000-07:00

I don’t have much time...but I’ll try to keep this sweet and short. First things first... calling home. There is this little problem. Sunday will be my companions last day in Argentina. So I’m sure that we will be visiting people all day. What with church in the morning and the fact that I need to be off the streets by 8... I’m going to have to say that the only safe time I have to call home would be after 8 PM here. Instead of going to the pinch I’ll swing by the church and call you all for a few minutes. Which means I’ll PROBABLY be calling home about 4:15-4:30. I hope. The truth is that I’m not really sure, nor am I that worried. I want to talk to you all... but I’ll be seeing all of you soon anyway. So if things change... I ask for forgiveness in advance.

I’ve been asked a few times about birthday things. I don’t really know. I don’t really want people sending me tons of packages with stuff I just need to bring back home... nor tons of sweets because I’ve entered into the family weight loss challenge. Perhaps it would be best to wait 2 months and I’ll just have a belated b-day party. We’ll make it a party, my coming home/birthday party... After Alex’s wedding. Or if you want to send me something... send me a hand written letter about something good. And/or photos.

So I would like to see photos of Leah’s baptism if I could... I’m really sorry that I missed out on it.

We had a great week... we worked hard and were able to see lots of miracles. We found a guy who said in our first lesson that the day before we came over he was meditating and a voice came to his mind saying, "This will be your last chance." Yeah, that kind of freaked us out... but it was cool. At the end of the cita he said that he felt like crying... but because he was happy and not sad. He couldn’t explain it and we just said, "Well, that is the Spirit." It was a great day.

Then we watched the new Joseph Smith movie with an investigator who is getting baptized this week. She was bawling at the end, as were we all. It was another great day.

The only day that wasn’t so good was Saturday because it was Argentina’s Labor Day... so no one wanted to talk to us and we walked all day.

This next week we will be baptizing 5 people!!!! I’m so pumped. Elder Chatwin and I pulled out all the plugs for his last transfer and got a lot done. We’re pumped and need to set things up still.

Truth be told, I’ve got a lot more I want to tell you all... but I don’t have time. I’ll just try to chat with you all on Sunday. FYI... everyone is invited who wants to go. (Cough cough, Alex). And anyone else in town.

Anyway... Queen just came on and I need to leave the cyber before I burst with worldly joy.

I love you all,

Tommy

PS Tink is so adorable!!!

showdown between the towns people and the cops

2010-04-26T22:28:00.000-07:00

This week has been crazy! I was a good little elder and wrote down things to tell you all about. But truth be told this week was super interesting, so it would be hard not to be able to write something. First of all, thank you for all of your ideas... it really has helped me to get an outlook of what I am writing. I’ll try to include them in my next letters. But all in all I’ve decide to be a little more explanatory about our dealings in the everyday world. So I might be including some more interesting and colorful details... but I do so believing that no one will worry about my health. :)

There has been this slight problem going on in our area for the past few days. There is this huge field in the middle of our area. There are a lot of people who decided to take that field for their own and put houses on it (which is obviously illegal). We were returning home late one night and saw a ton of people out in this dark field putting up lines and burning grass... so we asked what was going on and they told us that people wanted to put up homes there. Turns out that they got caught because the next day there were a ton of police and everyone was sitting around the field waiting for the police to leave. Well, they are still there. It has been like a week. It is this showdown between the towns people and the cops to see who will leave first. People have basically set up a little city there with a soup kitchen and tents and fires and everything. The area is totally unrecognizable. Every time we go by there people yell at us and stuff. It is so weird... the middle of our area is just SO different. But hey, what can you do?

This week was our ward conference... the relief society president was in charge of putting together about 35 little wagons. Well, I went over and helped her sew and glue and get things ready. It turned into this big problem, but it was nice to help and use my talents.

Speaking of talents. My companion and I were asked to help with the ward choir... so every night this week we had to walk to our church and practice (so we’ve been getting home like an hour and a half late every night this week). I started out with the melody part to help them... then I was moved to the Alto part... then Tenor, then Bass.... The choir was small and needed a lot of help. In the end my companion sang tenor and I directed! It was so weird teaching people how to sing and then directing them... I am so not a director, but we got a lot better with me directing. No one knew how to direct or sing... so I was like a music king within the members... it was funny. And on Sunday they sounded pretty good. Not as well as we had practiced, but good all the same. It could be that they were all in shock from seeing a train wreck on the way to the church (I’m telling you... we had the weirdest week). There was this dumb person who tried to beat the train and lost... No offence to the people here... but they don’t know how to drive.

It is super cold! All of the sudden it got really cold, especially at night. It was really hot one day, then the next we needed coats. Go figure.

We are teaching some amazing people now. We were praying to be able to find someone to be able to baptize this transfer but we were not able to find anyone super ready until recently. Two Sundays ago this inactive member and his family just show up in church. I sit with him thinking he is an active member (because I’m still new) and find out that he was inactive for like 4 years and felt called back. He has twin daughters of the age of 9. So next week we will be baptizing them and another wonderful lady by the name of Karina. Elder Chatwin really wanted to baptize his last transfer and it looks like we will have at least 4 this transfer. YEAH!!!!
We also found this other lady named Mari who is just super ready, but she needs to get divorced and then married. I don’t know if I’ll be around when she gets baptized. But we found her and she is just GOLDEN! She came to church yesterday and loved it. She has 9 kids and stays home all the time. She loves reading and has already read a lot of the Book of Mormon... she read all of Moroni between visits because she liked the book so much. I love her, she is really great. She wants all of her kids to get baptized and become like the members of the church. She is just so wonderful.

I had a question about marriages. Here is the deal. Most people don’t get married here. And if they do, they get separated quickly and getting a divorce takes upwards of six months to a year with a cost of 1000 to 3000 pesos... which is what most people make in 6 months. It is really hard to get divorced and with everyone wanting divorces, people always think that it is just better to live together without any legal attachments. People don’t see the importance of marriage. They all say that they are married in their hearts and that is all that matters. Well, before the eyes of God they are in sin... so the people we teach really need a strong testimony to get married before baptism... because if they are living together and not married they can’t get married... that whole law of chastity thing.

I also had a question about what the standards (or goals) of the mission are... so here is a quick overview:

1 baptism weekly
8 overall fechas
2 new fechas
5 investigators in the sacrament meeting
10 lessons with member present
30 other lessons
10 lessons to inactives/recent converts
12 new investigators
2-3 divisions (depending on companionship)
20 references contacted
50 contacts

That all probably doesn’t make any since... but if you read Preach My gospel it will make a lot more since.

Okay... I need to dash. But I’ll work on my next weekly update for you all.

I love you,

E. Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I’ll be calling home for Mother’s Day. Probably after church here... at like 1 PM here... or perhaps later if it would be better... let me know. The thing is that mother’s day is my companions last day on the mission... so I don’t know if I will be able to call at a reasonable time. So let me know what you want and I’ll think about it and let you know.
PPS I’m happy.

We’ve only had Tinkerbell for 5 days

2010-04-19T19:50:00.000-07:00

las fotos de la zona Villa Elvira Bis

We have had a really long week... and I don’t know why... perhaps it is because Mother´s Day is around the corner, or because I’m going home soon... but I don’t have any desire to write home anymore. I’m sorry if my letters are really lame, but I just don’t feel it anymore. For that very reason I wrote down a few things this week that I wanted to share with you all. But none of them are very good.

We were supposed to baptize again this week, but she got super attacked by her family and ex-pastors. She had a really rough week and on Saturday when we went to fill the baptismal font, a member met us there and told us she had decided to put it off. BUMMER!!!! But we talked to her and everything is good again. In a few weeks she will be going through with it. It was really cool though because she asked me to give her the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We asked her who she wanted to baptize her and give her the Holy Ghost. She doesn’t know many male members... so she looked at me and said... you seem to have a lot of experience with the Holy Ghost, will you give me the Holy Ghost? I laughed inside but was really highly happy.

A little note about the church... it is in the middle of the most ghetto city ever. It is funny because on one side there are these old smelly houses and the other side is a construction cite... and in the middle is a house of God.

Sorry... no time this week. Next week more.
Love ya

__________________________________________

Turns out I do have more time.

Here is a tidbit more about what we are doing. My life has been so overwhelmed with the mission standards that I don't do much else but focus on getting the standards. We put the goal to get all the standards this week... we were so close. I don't know why we call them standards, because they are so high that only one area in the entire mission has gotten them... and only once! We of course want to be cool too... so we are working for it. But with all the meetings we have as zone leaders and all the other... "ish" we need to do, it is hard (is "ish" used in the states?). So we are super tired. It is funny because at the end of the week we just can’t do anything because we are so tired. It is obvious with our words. We are often found teaching on any Sunday afternoon in a weird Spanglish slur that people don't understand. We mix up words and don't get doctrines across right. That is why God sent us out two by two. Elder Chatwin and I are having a great time together.

This week we were able to find some really super awesome families. We found this one lady who has 10 children... 9 girls and one boy. She is just waiting for the truth. She was a reference from one of the members. We simply asked her what her neighbors names were and what she knew about them. This member is not very social but had lived there in that house for about 10 years. So gave us a list of names and we visited a few. Some were good, others not so much... but this one lady is simply prepared. Her name is Mari. She lives in humble circumstances and works diligently to keep up their home of 15 people. We’ve only visited her twice, but she is wonderful. She already believes the Book of Mormon is true and wants to go to church. Not many people are that prepared in one week. She is just lovely. The truth is that finding people like her and so many other prepared people is really what keeps the excitement of the work up. We love our work because the people here love God. It is hard to explain, but I'm really happy to see so many of God’s chosen children become closer to him through what the true church has to offer.

I’ve also got some other news. Some interesting news. It all has to do with animals. Our pinch here is huge! And has been rented by missionaries for forever. There are some things that go so far back no missionary in the mission knows where it came from. For example. There is a dog that lives in the yard. Her name is Margarita. She is a short, long, fat, deaf dog with few teeth. Everyone assumes she is the house owner’s dog. But we don’t know. All we know is that we don’t feed her, and no one ever has... but yet she lives on... fat¿! She is funny. She knows not to enter the house and is truly a nasty dog, so gets very little love. But she is always around when we get home. Also, people here don’t get their animals fixed. So there are a lot of unwanted animal pregnancies. So there are a lot of unwanted animals in the streets. Most die... it is the sad truth of South American countries. I’ve often found kittens or puppies in the street and helped them out. We clean them up and find them a nice home before anything weird happens to them. This week we found the cutest little kitten. So we brought her home and cleaned her up. We even named her... Tinkerbell. We have been trying to find a family for her, but 3 member families have recently had kittens in their homes and don’t want them or any other cats. So, I don’t know what to do. We have a precious kitten that we can’t let outside because of the dog and we can’t find a home for her... I’m totally unsure as to what we are going to do with her. I’ll keep you updated. The truth is that she is adorable and super friendly. We’ve grown really fond of her. It makes us happy to come home and see her there waiting. The more time that goes by and we can’t find a home for her I get the feeling that the same thing happened with Margarita... but we’ve only had Tinkerbell for 5 days... so I’m not too worried yet.

I finished The Book of Mormon again this week. I then re-started Jesus the Christ because I’ve only read a few chapters. It is good reading. I wouldn’t say that it is as good as the Book of Mormon, but it is good.

Well, I’m out of here.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS Like I said earlier... I’m dying out on my letter writing. Can you please send me some suggestions. Like questions or whatnot.

We’ve been running and running and running (or, speed walking)

2010-04-12T13:47:00.000-07:00

I’ll be honest with you all... I have no desires to write home. This week was too complicated. We have been working the very skin off of our feet. We baptized this week and made a lot of other progress in the area. The President has said that all the Zone Leaders need to be getting the standards of the mission. One of those standards is baptizing every week! I know that the Lord is making it possible and working for us, but it is killing me.

We took out a baptismal fecha with this family we found a few weeks ago. But they need to get married. So last night we went by and told them that if they wanted to get baptized they needed to get married (a usual problem for us missionaries, so we know how to resolve it). We asked them to pray about it and tell us what they think. The mother was all for it... the father was iffy. He told us that he would pray and tell us in the morning. Well... that would be this morning. BUT to have them get baptized by the goal we have placed... they need to take out the marriage date today. So I woke up at 4 in the morning... took a bus to Varela and got in line with another Elder. At 7 my companion and another elder went to the house of these investigators... I wasn't there, but apparently he said no. So I’m tired and bummed out today. We’ve been working craziness like this all week. It is really wonderful and spiritual, but I’m tired. Every day this week has been like that, we’ve been putting our faith in action and have seen a lot of success. We took out 51 references this week, baptized, did intercambios, and 3 new fechas. I know that is all nothingness to you all... but it means a lot of work to me. We’ve been running and running and running (or, speed walking) and seeing a lot of success.

The baptism we had was super chill. The man was totally calm and happy, even though his family didn’t come. Elder Chatwin and I were talking about him this week and noticed something. We both noticed that he has pure eyes. We looked into his eyes and saw pure humility and charity. He is full of pure light. I have had the blessing of seeing changes in people... but even more than the changes, the thing I am most grateful for is being led by God to prepared people. There are some people who have been so prepared that when we find them they basically jump into the water. Then again, there are some who need to be given a tranquilizer before baptism. This week we will be having another baptism. She is one of those really prepared people. I’ve grown to love her a lot. Her name is Karina... I’ll try to send pictures next week of everything. The computers here are really slow. And I want to take a nap before leaving to work today... I’m really tired (HA sometimes I do tell you all when I’m not perfect).

Along those lines, I should probably apologize for not writing all of everything in my life. I’ve been reprimanded by quite a few people in the past few weeks for not "telling the whole truth". I’m sorry. If you have any questions... I’ll be happy to answer them. Feel free to ask.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS I’m not depressed... just super tired. I think I came off as bummed out... sorry.

Did you realize Im a Zone Leader? I went to my first Jedi Council EVER! It was fun.

2010-04-05T12:27:00.001-07:00

This was a way long week. We did so many things that I don't know where to start. Hmm... let me explain some more about my companion and the pinch (apartment). Elder Chatwin is one of my favorite people ever... he is fun and crazy all at the same time. He teaches and testifies powerfully and has a strong desire to share the gospel. But at the same time he is totally wak! We laugh almost all day. Our personalities blend perfectly together. In our pinch there are four elders. One of them is brand new and on his second day in the country (my third day as companions with Elder Chatwin) he asked me how long we had been companions. He was shocked beyond words to hear that we had only been together for 3 days. The truth is that it feels like a month ago that I last wrote you... but in that monthly-week, Elder Chatwin and I have become great friends. I respect and love him until the end.

Our pinch is a huge old dirty house. It has two levels. They are separate and the only way to get from upstairs to down is by the stairs on the side. The upstairs hosts 2 elders: Elder Day and his new companion Elder Taylor. Downstairs we find the Zone Leaders and a mess of old objects left by all the missionaries who went home. The Zone Leaders have lived in this pinch for about 5 years straight... and never have time to clean or anything. Elder Chatwin has lived in the pinch multiple times and said that he has never seen the place cleaned. Needless to say I’ve spent long hours scrubbing and washing EVERYTHING. I thought about taking pictures to send you all but then realized that I don't want to scare you... nor do I want memories. The place is fairly clean now though. We have a couch too!!! I would not call it sanitary though, but there is a couch. OH, and a dog! She belongs to the owner of the house. My first question was who feeds her... and my companion told me that he has wondered that for over a year. She is cute and small and deaf. She reminds me of an uglier Violet.

This week we really started to pump up our work. The elder that I replaced just went home. And his last transfer he wasn't able to baptize. Elder Chatwin said that he didn't want to go home like that... so we have been working our tails off to baptize every week. We couldn't do it this week because of conference, but next week yes and the week after also. I love the ward. Our area is TINY. It is about 10 square blocks. It is so small, but full of humble people. WONDERFUL and humble people. There are no large buildings or restaurants or anything. We can’t live in our area because there is no place to rent. There is also this huge field that is technically our area... but there are only cows. The members are great and want to help us. It is obvious that they all have their problems as well... but they all want to help. I love righteous people!!! (not to say that I don’t love the non-righteous people).

Conference was amazing also. It was the first one I could watch all 4 sessions of during the mission. I loved it terribly. Elder Holland was wonderfully blunt again. Elder Bednar spoke to my soul again. And all the other talks were perfect. A lot of hidden talent. I was surprised at the family theme that was apparently not planned for according to Elder Anderson. I was able to watch most of it in English too. In Spanish it just isn’t the same. Some of the speakers do their talks in Spanish beforehand and we can hear their voice... but it isn’t the same. I love to hear the expressions and feelings of the people.

I had someone kind of give me bit of grief about not being straight up with you all. I am not only with the Zone Leader... but I am one too. For some crazy reason the President has asked me to be a Zone Leader... It is craziness... but I’ve accepted and am working hard to be the zone leader I always wanted. So I’ve been somewhat scatter brained recently. I apologize if I’m a little out of it from now till the end of the mission. I’ve got a lot on my mind.

In any case... I know that I love you all. I miss you and pray for you. Have fun this week.

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS It is getting cold.

I am now in El Triangulo (The triangle)

2010-03-29T16:02:00.000-07:00

So, this week was fun. We did a lot of things in preparation for a talent show we held on Friday. But before I talk about that... you should all know that I got transferred again. I’m no longer in Villa Zula. I am now in El Triangulo (The triangle). I’m really excited about this transfer, but terribly scared. The President kept me as junior companion... so I guess I don’t have to be District Leader anymore. And I know I will learn a lot this transfer because my companion is about to finish the mission. This is his last transfer and he is Zone Leader... so I’m sure I’ll learn a lot with him. His name is Elder Chatwin. I don’t have a picture of him because my camera is still packed up. But he was in The RM... so if you want to see what he looked like like 5 years ago... watch the movie. He is one of the twin brothers of the main character. The twin of my companion is in the Buenos Aires North mission. He is really cool. He was in my first zone. So I already know him a bit. The truth is that I’m super excited. I hear that our area is all villa... or ghetto. So we will be teaching humble people. That is a cool idea for me. No more city-ish areas. I’ll probably finish my mission here in this area.

In other news... I am changing my e-mail. The rules in the mission have changed. I can no longer use gmail. So please e-mail me at thomas.steinkuhler@myldsmail.net from now on. I’m not sure if that is the real address. So just to be safe, e-mail me at both from now on... please.

This last week we had a lot of success. We taught a lot with the members and took out a wonderful fecha. It feels so good leaving an area in good conditions. And the talent show we did was a blast. It was like going out with a bang. I did some magic and my companion read minds. We were the magicians. Others sang, some danced or drew. The truth is that I really enjoyed it. The saddest part about the week was saying goodbye to everyone again. But it was good because I said goodbye once and could see them again... perhaps God will grant me another chance.

I’m doing fantastic and will send more information next week. But right now I need to go and find my new pinch. Sorry this is a short one again.

Love you all,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS I’ve visited my new pinch before... it is HUGE!!!! :)

amazingly I don’t have anything to say

2010-03-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

Well, this week was basically lame. It was a great experience, but no good stories. I don't want you all to get me wrong. Because I am not bummed at all, I just had a weird week. You see, we are trying to become a ward... and not just a branch. But there are so few members that we need everything to be exact. There needs to be so many Melchizedek (FYI that word is known by the spell checker) Priesthood holders for every member. It is complicated... but here is the deal: It just so happens that I know almost all the members here because I was here for so long. So the Branch, Stake and Mission Presidents asked me to go by every member on the list within the week. We had Stake Conference last week, and they needed to know who was still within the ward boundaries before the conference. So my companion and I went around like crazy men trying to contact every member and teach them a short little message. It was CRAZINESS!!! It was also hilarious seeing people again and them looking at me dumbfounded-ly and asking, "Your still here?" It was fun, but a lot of walking and little teaching. We worked really hard, even though we were (past-tense) both sick and through with the rain. I’m proud of what we did this week, but it is little to report on.

Anyway, amazingly I don’t have anything to say about this week. I’m happy to be a missionary and I’m working hard. I am reading like crazy in the Book of Mormon. I decided to just read as fast as possible. I’ve read from Alma 20 to 3 Nephi 8 this week and I love it so much. We also did some great invitations to a FHE we will be having this week with the ward. We will be doing a talent show and my companion got into the invitations a little too much. They look good though. I can’t really think of anything else to say. Sorry... this is a super short/lame update for you all. But, um... I’m good. ☺ :)

I hope everyone at home is doing good too. Oh, this is like a good time for you all to e-mail me about things you want from Argentina before I come home. I need to go looking for things, so tell me what you want and I’ll see what I can do.

I love you all,
Tommy

PS I’m happy. I’d like to sing you all a song: "I feel pretty, I feel witty, I feel gay!!!" I’m in a good mood.

we didn’t break any rules

2010-03-15T23:29:00.000-07:00

I’ve got like 0 time today. We went to an island as a zone and we just got home. We all got on the boat and then realized that the schedule said that he wouldn’t be returning until 4 hours later. So... we had a lot of time to play soccer and Frisbee on the beach... and have a picnic. It was GREAT!!! But, our p-day time has been sucked away. It was super fun running around without shoes on and getting our feet wet on the walk in. Don’t worry... we didn’t break any rules. It was our zone activity... so we had a great attendance and time. I might have burnt my legs because they NEVER get sun... but I’m kind of happy about that.

We baptized this week!!!! His name is Aureliano Sànchez. He is a wonderful old man of 75. He is the youngest 75 year old man I’ve seen. He reminds me a lot of Patrick Stewart. He looks old, but acts young. He jumps from buses and runs after motorcycles to get on. He is really cool. His baptism was amazing too. We had dirty/cold water again (It is a Villa Zula thing), but he didn’t even notice. We were able to visit him with a member, so they became great friends. It worked out perfectly! So the member was able to baptize him. For all of you who served missions... you’ll understand that it is way better that way. Anyway... in his baptism... 6 of his 15 kids came. When he came out of the water he raised his hands into the air in praise and bowed his head in prayer. It reminded me a lot of the Alma father story... and Joseph Smith’s baptism. Then during the confirmation he raised his hands up and said "Yes" after we told him "receive the Holy Ghost". It was amazing see someone so close to God receive such amazing ordinances. Elder Villarroel and I found and taught him together. He loves us and the gospel... and his family has seen him change and his desires to do good. Saturday and Sunday were GREAT days.

I also went on intercamios with the Zone Leaders. I traveled really far to the Berisso apartment... a whole 5 blocks away. Our areas share the same church building. They are both branches and the Stake President wants to make them one ward. If that happens (this transfer) there is a high possibility that they will shut down Villa Zula as an area and make it one with Berisso... That might mean that next transfer I go to Berisso... and finish there. Our Zone Leader thinks that it will happen. If that does happen... I’ll have a total of about a year and a quarter in the same area. HAHA, how funny and wonderful would that be.

Anyway... I’m off... I don’t have much time... but know that I’m happy. I’m working hard and doubling the work that we’re doing here. The mission has a goal to double the baptisms... so we are doubling our work... and we have already doubled it this transfer... and are still going up. I’m excited to see so much success.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS I know some are asking.. I’m not trunky. I admit that I think of home often... but I am not stopping to breathe. My feet are killing me and my body hurts a lot. But my joy is full.

my brother from another mother

2010-03-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Lots to say, no time.

I have a picture or two to send, but the USB doesn't work here... I’ll send it next week. So, on Wednesday we had interviews with the president. I went with my paper informing me of my return day home. I placed all the needed information and told him I was certain... I wanted to extend. I knew it was something I had to do... so I did it. But as I did it, I felt this feeling like, it didn't matter. I don't know why. So I explained everything to the president and told him that if this one elder would not be able to extend with me, I wouldn't be able to extend. He said it was okay and that he would talk to that elder the next day. He signed my paper and everything. All I needed to do was send it in. I held onto it and thought I’ll just see what happens. Then I get a grand notice... Alex, my brother from another mother is getting married! And on the 7th of August! WHAT!!! My paper says I'm going home the 31st. Well, I pray and think about it again... and feel like I need to call this one elder. So I call him and ask him if it was all okay that we were going to stick around together the extra month. In a very sad shameful voice he says he can’t. Well, I’ve given in the towel. I won’t fight it anymore. I’m coming home like planned on the 2nd of August.

That said... I’ll return to my week, which was wonderful! The best part was the end of the week. Right before I left this area, I helped to reactivate a wonderful member by the name of Americo. He went inactive about 10 years ago. When we got to church, the branch president asked he and I to bless the sacrament. It had been 10 years since he had done it. It was a pleasure to break and bless the sacrament with him by my side. I would never have had that experience if I were to have stayed in my other area. I love this member and he has changed so much. He gave his testimony as well and it was amazing to look at who he was when I found him... to the worthy priesthood holder that he is now.

Another wonderful note. Someone in my last area will be getting baptized this week... well, married too. I won’t be able to go, but I’ll be here baptizing a wonderful old man that we’ve been teaching. He literally throws his arms in the air for excitement at some things we teach him. It reminds me of the Book of Mormon stories. He is about 80 and has more energy than I do. I love him to death.

We are teaching a lot of people who are just wonderful. I am growing in joy with them daily. Most of them were friends from long ago who have accepted the offer to learn more. One thing I love is that all the work I did here before, although it did not spit out baptisms... it was well worth the efforts. There are lots of people here ready for baptism, because of what we’ve brought to them. I love this work!

Quick explanation: that photo of us in the water is when it rained really hard here and we were on our way home walking in this river/street when we came upon this area of deep deep water. So we took a photo and carried on. It was fun. There was a lot of water that day.

Well, I love you all... take care this week,

E. Tommy Steinkuhler

PS Don’t forget to smile and have fun.

I felt like I jumped into Mission Impossible

2010-03-01T16:05:00.000-08:00

Elder Steinkuhler with his new companion Elder Villarroel

So, I have some bad news... well, kind of. I got emergency transferred out of my area. But before you all get excited and start thinking that I'm a bad elder... let me explain what happened.

On Monday I'm working with my companion to get our daily goals. It was raining and dark and we were in a rather obscure part of town. My phone rings and I pick it up. It said that the president was calling me... I didn't understand why, so I answered somewhat hesitantly, "Hola?" (If I had known what he was going to say... I might have reversed that salutation). I heard President Asay answer back, "Hello Elder Steinkuhler, are you in a secure location, can you talk?" I felt like I jumped into Mission Impossible. I replied, "Yes president. It is raining, I'm in the middle of the street and there is absolutely no one around... what do you need?" He continued to explain to me that an elder had broken his leg playing soccer that day. So he needed my help. There was a rather crazy mix up of everything. Here goes... An elder in Villa Zula had been doing some things that he shouldn't. So he got emergency transferred out 3 weeks ago and Elder Villarroel came in. Then a week later a new elder went in to replace his companion named Elder Pulgar. A week later the old companion of Elder Pulgar broke his leg... so Elder Pulgar had to go back to his old area... which left Elder Villarroel in Villa Zula alone with 2 weeks of experience in the area. So the president called me up and said, "Who knows Villa Zula better then Elder Steinkuhler?" So, I’M BACK!!!! I’m going on my 8th month here in Villa Zula.

Cool and just funny

We did planning like this one day... it has a long story... but I dont want to explain it all

It is weird being back in an old area. Everything is new... but different. The apartment is new and the area is still the same. But all the investigators have been left behind... without reason. So this week we have been going around activating all the old investigators who still wanted to hear about the gospel. It is weird! I can really see the changes that I’ve left with the people. A few members still have the goals we set together up on the wall. The strength of the members has doubled. Everyone was really really happy to see me again. It feels like coming home again... but not. The President said that I’m here to teach my companion the ropes of the area and then I’m out. Elder Villarroel is great, he already knows a lot. He is a stud! He has about 6 months in the mission and speaks really well. He is from Mendoza Argentina, so I'd hope he'd speak well. He is really into the work and excited to get things done. I’m excited to be with him. I’ll send you all more about him when I can... if I don't get emergency transferred out again. Elder Gubler and I got along great for a week... we were both really sad when we got the call. We were looking forward to working hard together for a time. But then he found out that one of the assistants was going to be his companion and he calmed down.

So, earthquakes... I’ve heard a lot about them. My companion Elder Villarroel lives near Chile and was worried about his family... but I believe they are fine. I also heard that California was falling into the sea again.... true or not? Here in La Plata everything is chill. I didn’t feel a thing, I didn’t even know it happened till Sunday when everyone was talking about it at church. As far as I heard, everyone in the mission is fine and didn’t feel a thing.

I don’t really have anything else to say. This computer is running slow... so I can’t send the audio file I made for you all. It'll have to wait for next week. We had some cool experiences this week... but most of them were experiences with people seeing me again and freaking out. I was really surprised at how many people remembered my name. The most spiritual encounters this week were with this family I found about 3 weeks before leaving... I loved them and found out that they got married and everything... then the elders dropped them??????? We taught a great lesson with them and the spirit was so strong. We taught about Christ's importance with us. I asked if they could feel the Spirit that was with us and the wife said, "You two are not going to make me cry, but yes." I loved it!!! I love seeing the changes in people. I love seeing people who were once sad be happy. I am terribly sad to have to leave the people I was teaching in Mayol. But I could talk with a few and it was hard leaving. After getting the call we RAN over to Adrean and Veronica to say goodbye. It was SO sad. I will miss them terribly. She gave me a drawing she did a long time ago of a father holding his son. On the back she wrote, "For Tomy (she can't say my last name), thank you so much for teaching us what the family really means and how to have true love within our home. You arrived at just the right time, and we will never forget what you've done to help us". I look forward to seeing their progress.

Well, I’m off. I love you all and hope to hear from you all soon... If anyone wants something... like a letter or what have you. Let me know.

Take care,

Elder Tomy Steinkuhler

PS Villa Zula says hi

I get called Elder Burke a lot.

2010-02-22T13:39:00.000-08:00

So this week was really rainy. I sent some photos home so that you`ll all be able to enjoy the fun I had in the rain.

So let`s start with some fun stuff... from the photos. This horse was wandering around our apartment when we got home one day for lunch. We had some apples that none of use wanted to eat, so I went out and fed the horse because he looked hungry. Then I gave him some water and he fell in love with me. He wouldn't leave me alone. Everywhere I went, he followed. So we took care of it for a bit and then we mounted it. So there is a photo of me on the horse. It was fun. We took a stroll around the street and my companion followed me around with my camera. Then we went inside and he went home to his owner. We see him every once in awhile.

Another little note. That tie I`m wearing is a tie that I made. I had this blue bathrobe I found in the MTC and it got old/torn. So I cut it up and made a tie. It is actually pretty good, if I may say so myself. I love it. It is now one of my favorites.

There is also a photo of me and my companion... with another elder. The elder on the left is Elder Burke. EVERYONE confuses us here. All the people in the stake think we are the same. So I get called Elder Burke a lot. Elder Gubler is the one on the right. He is really cool. We have spent hours getting to know each other. We’ve had to run home in the rain a few times and change. With all that "free time" we have come to know each other. He actually knows a lot of people I do, here in the mission and out of it. One the teachers that taught him in the MTC was Spencer Salmon! I yelled when I saw the photo. It was cool.

The work here is amazing. That couple who went to church last week came again. They are really progressing well. I’m happy about their success. As well as many others. One of my goals has been to baptize a family. I’ve never been able to baptize an entire family. So I’ve got high hopes for all the couples I teach. We are teaching a lot right now and I’m excited to continue teaching them. I don’t have a wonderful story this week. I wish I did. But I don’t really have time anyway. I’ll keep this short because I sent home photos. I don’t know if Windy will put them up, but I sent some home of the skies here. I will miss Argentine skies. Ever since I started taking photos of the skies here I can’t stop. All of my companions think it is weird because I’m colorblind... but they never knew my mother.

I have some saddening news. I told everyone I was going to extend. It is not for sure anymore. I need to stay with an elder, and I found one. But he recently told me that he might not be able to do it. So if he can’t, neither can I. We’ll see... but I’ll keep you all posted.

Love ya,
Tommy

PS Send me some photos sometime. I would love to see home and how everyone is doing.
PPS Write me too... A REAL Letter. I’ll reply if you ask me to.

my onset of baldness

2010-02-16T12:02:00.000-08:00

I'm late as usual. I changed companions again... and when we got home we only had 45 minutes before an appointment and so we ran to the cyber only to find out that they had one computer... So I let my companion write his family and we took off. It is a good thing too... because although the appointment failed on us... we found a family of 5. So I'm happy, but that means I'm writing you all late. A little funny side note... there are always accidents with the trains when all the missionaries of the mission need to be in one place. So everyone always gets there late.

Well, this week has been an interesting one. A lot of things happened and I have no time to explain all of it. But here is a basic run through... I'm going bald. My companion left. We saw miracles and I'm dying from lack of rest. Let`s go through and explain those somewhat.

I cut my hair this week. I decided to just whack it all off because it is REALLY hot. Little did I know it was going to get colder later on. Anyway, I get my hair cut and run my fingers through my hair... I hate to say it, but I'm basically bald already. My hair is SO thin. I always wanted to be a white haired old man. Well, that might still happen, but only in the back. The top of my head will soon be a shinny white spot. I talked to some people down here and all of them told me the same thing... I'm stressed. I’ve put myself through too much in too little amount of time. Whatever the cause, I'm coming to grasps with the reality of my onset of baldness. I guess we need at least ONE in the family. YEAH YEAH... REPRESENT!

Side note, lots of people wrote me this week. About 3 times more than normal and this is the only week I have literally 0 time. So I’ll reply better next week.

The president told me that I still have things to do here in Mayol. He seems to be confident that I’m the elder for the job. So he left me in Mayol and took out Elder Roy. Now I’m with Elder Bugler from Saint George (like Elder Mortensen). He is really cool. A little too like me. I’ll send photos next week. I love him already. He was actually taught by Spencer Salmon in the MTC!!!

Some of the miracles that we saw this week were from the changes in the hearts of the people. We are teaching this wonderful couple who are just awesome. Some of the weirdest people I’ve ever known. But I know that I was sent to find them because they and I fit together perfectly. I love them so much. They came to church this week and liked it. They went home early because they were worried about their kids, but they came! Afterwards she was asking me questions about whether her son would be able to be a missionary like us if they were baptized and all that stuff. I was so happy when we talked about that. They understand things so well. Their only problem is that they are really intelligent, so the answers come slowly to the heart. They are a strange folk. She is super intelligent and first grade teacher looking. While he has piercings and tattoos and always wears Slipknot shirts. Haha. I don’t think anyone will understand me. But it is for people like them that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to go home.

I’m tired.

I guess that about explains it all. I have some wonderful questions that I’ll try to answer for all.

I have a few questions, Tommy….I always want to know about everyday life. So I can picture you in your proper surroundings. Like, what kind of apartment are you in now? Windows? Shower? Private door? Kitchen?
The apartment is smallish. We have 5 rooms. 2 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, and study room. We have changed things up a million times because we get tired of things they way they are. Currently things are separated, but they use to be all together. There is one window per room, a shower and basically no working doors. The bathroom door is the only one that closes all the way. Oh, and the front door. But basically none of them are closed ever. Imagine it.

Where do you study? Kitchen table? Bed?
We have a desk for the two of us. We don’t have a kitchen table really. There is a small table in the kitchen, but it is about 2X3 feet wide. So we study at a desk full of books and papers and whatnot.

Where do you sleep?
In a bed.

Hot, hot…do you have fans?
Very hot. Air doesn’t come in... and when it does, it is dirty. So we keep 2 fans running all the time. When we move rooms, so do the fans.

What do you eat for breakfast?
I know you all will tell me I’ll die of the scurvy, but chocolate milk...... nothing else.

Lunch on the road, so to speak? Or at home?
Lunch is normally with members or in the apartment. We normally don’t have time/supplies to cook... so we order out a few sandwiches or something.

Dinner?
We don’t eat dinner. If we are hungry when we get home we snack on something. But people here don’t eat dinner, so neither do we. Just a large lunch.

What are you studying now, during study time? Surely now Spanish!
I don’t study Spanish... shame on me. But I’m reading the Book of Mormon more than anything. I crack open Jesus the Christ every once and awhile.

I’m not sure how the southern hemisphere goes…are you up before the sun, or after?
We get up right about when the sun comes over the house tops. We’re gonna try running soon, so I’ll be able to tell you better later on, if you remind me.

And are you in the city or the country? Actually, have you ever been in the country?
Kind of yes/no to both. Country COUNTRY no. But there are fields and stuff. I’m not in the city though. More like the suburbs bordering the country.... in all my areas.

How far do you think you walk in an average day?
Probably about 5-7 miles. More or less.

Love you all,
Elder Tommy

I’ve felt very much like a father

2010-02-08T10:11:00.000-08:00

I'm super tired. We woke up at 5 this morning to get into the city early and get in line to take out the marriage papers for a few investigators. On the 12th of March they will be married and the 13th they will be baptized!!!! I hope I'm still around. Yesterday their youngest son came up to me in sacrament meeting and asked me if I would accompany him. I asked him where he was going and he pointed at the pulpit to give his testimony. This young, precious child is 6 years old and has never borne his testimony. So I smiled and went with him. He said the church was true and then talked about his parents a bit. It was cute. I then gave my testimony and felt like a father figure. I shared a testimony of the pure in heart and the blessings that come from them, especially children. This week and last I’ve felt very much like a father. All of the young children I know act as if I'm their father. Hmm... let me explain.

Most families here are not very organized and/or separated. So when we teach, we act a lot like a caring father... or uncle or whatever. So a lot of the kids look up to us like that. It also helps that everyone thinks I'm like 30 (My baby face is not working for me anymore). Last week at church one of the girls I baptized came to church with a lip piercing. She couldn't even look at me. When we went over to her house she was so ashamed that she took it out. She even said I was acting like a father. Life is weird as a missionary. The weirdest things happen and the weirdest thoughts go through your mind.

I’d say that my major joys from this week are that this girl took her piercing out, the couple took out all the paperwork to get married, another couple stopped smoking and one of our investigators stopped gambling to be more like Christ. That certainly makes the week great! I’ve been thinking that I should put my highlights of the week in every e-mail so that you all know that I'm happy and feeling joy. I don't know if you can imagine all of these things happening to you in one week, but it is great!

In other news, I bought one of those super noisy and annoying alarm clocks to wake me up. You know the one with the hammer and two bells on top. It actually wakes me up. I don't need to rely on my companion anymore. I bought it in a flea market last week. It works great and is a stylish fire truck red.

I’ve been taking more photos of the skies here and of people. I’ll try to send them next week because I forgot my cable today. I’m planning on making a tie today too... so I’ll let you all know how that goes. If there are any requests... PLEASE send me them. I don’t hear anything from anyone. What do my faithful listeners want?

Love ya’ll (for the Momas)
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

I write in books

2010-02-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

teaching a family

Question: How’s your weight? Are you fat from being fed well, or skinny from starving and walking everywhere?

Answer: I'm getting skinnier. I've walked a lot more and the members have basically stopped feeding us... and I don't cook much anymore. I also drink a lot of water, so I'm not very hungry. So I kind of just drink milk and eat bread/empenadas. Don't worry... I'm healthy. I won’t die of the scurvy.

Well, this week was long. I managed to stay away from all kinds of metal trashcans and bawling fits. However, I did almost die in the heat and my pants don't fit me very well. I also managed to re-sew my shoes and take some fun pictures. I’ve been taking more photos recently. Especially photos of the sunsets. I’ll try to send some home today.

Bad news... people have been getting mad at me. I know that NORMALLY we shouldn't write in books. But when we give away books of The Book of Mormon, I write in them. I write how to pray and where to read. Well, until a few weeks ago... no one has got mad. For the first time ever, this lady blew up at me. And ever since then my companion likes to bring it up when I write in other people`s books. So people have been making it known to me that I should not write in books. And when they see my scriptures, they almost faint. I think it has to be the people I'm teaching right now... not all people. Most people here don't care about books... they are normally dirty and shredded. So a few arrows and words should be okay, no? All well...

teaching a family

Funny little story. Last Sunday we went to a member’s house to eat. They were watching Harry Potter 6 the movie. It killed me a little, but I asked them to turn it off. They saw the sadness in my face and asked me why. I explained how much I love Harry Potter and how much I have been waiting for all the movies and books. They were all excited that I knew what was going to happen in the 7th movie. They asked me what happens, and I explained it... sort of. After doing that the youngest wanted to read the book, but didn't have it. I happen to have a copy in Spanish... that I can’t/don’t use. He wanted to borrow it, so I told him he could... but only after he finished the Book of Mormon. So he grabbed his book and started reading. He is 9 years old. I expected it would be a joke and he’d give up. He said he’d read the book in one week, so that the next Sunday when we ate with them again, I would bring Harry Potter 7. Well, I brought it by but he hadn't finished the book. He was in Heleman 11!!!!! For those of you who know the Book of Mormon, Heleman is REALLY FAR! He said he didn't understand it all, but he will finish it to read Harry Potter 7. BUT WAIT, it doesn't end there. We were telling another family about it and their son (12 years old) got jealous and said... and what about me? I asked what he wanted and he told me a dollar. Well... 1 dollar is nothing, even here. Not to mention I have no 1 dollar bills. So I told him I’d give him 10 dollars if he read the Book of Mormon in one week, and 5 if it took him 2 weeks. I know I'm kind of paying people to read the scriptures, but I don't feel bad at all.

This week was especially hot. I am no fan of the heat, but we will make it through. I need to cut my hair, but I'm afraid that when I do I will burn my scalp with the heat.

Other than that, I don't have anything to say. Because I need to go. Sorry this is short.

I love you all,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS could someone please do me a favor? I would like to write President Richardson, but I don't know what mission he is in. Can someone find his address for me?

PPS No one asked me to write them a real letter... so I'm not going to write anything. Don't complain if I don't send you anything.

My hair is amazing

2010-01-25T13:01:00.000-08:00

The first two questions:
How are your shoes? My shoes are good. I just got a pair re-soled. They had some holes on the bottom about 2 inches in diameter, but not anymore.

How is your hair? My hair is amazing... and really blond. It got tinted in the sun so now I'm really blond... and I decided to start doing my hair about a month or three ago... so every day it is parted, and blond... and amazing. But I need to cut it.

First of all... I had chocolate pizza today. Both dark and white chocolate... as well as a pizza with coconut and another with pineapple with black sugar... good times. There are a lot of all you can eat pizzas around here. I didn't eat much this week, so I got my money´s worth.

I’ve got two bits of bad news from this week that Ill share with you... first of all... Trash in Argentina is put into large METAL trash boxes that hang over the sidewalk. I’ve never had a problem until now. You see, I normally glance over at my companion as we walk... they normally are ABOUT my height. Elder Roy is not... So I look down... very down. TWICE this week I hit my head on those darn trash reciprocals. The first time it cut my nose open (don't worry... I healed fast). The second time I grabbed it right in the corner with my forehead. It might have given me a concussion... it hurt and I was bleeding... and this 14 year old young member girl laughed at me because my Spanish got REALLY bad. But there is something about Argentina... all harm done to the body heals REALLY fast... for everyone, it is amazing.

Bad news number two: I'm sickish... my other problem I had when I called home for Christmas has gone away... but now I'm sick with something else... Hehehe oops.

This week was kind of blah... We worked really hard. We had some really good appointments. We are teaching some golden people. All of our lessons are full of the spirit. We are helping people convert themselves. There is just one problem... no one is married. So we will hopefully be getting 10 couples married and baptized here within a few months. We had some really spiritual experiences this week, but I would like to only share 2. Those that The Spirit indicates...

We went over to a family’s house this week. I love this family with all my heart. The father always helps us and the wife is kind of inactive. They got into a debate right when we got there... I shared a bit with them and then got kind of mad. I started saying things that were very harsh. I did not feel like myself, so I stopped talking and listened to the Spirit... it told me I had to stand up and hug the father... and apologize. I didn't want to... but I did it. And I just started bawling. I’ve never cried cried in a lesson. The occasional tear is unavoidable, but I’ve never broken down crying. I apologized and asked if we might do a prayer. The father was praying and started to call us servants of God and asked God to bless us... I lost all control and started sobbing. I couldn’t control myself... and just cried there for a bit as they all worried about me. I don’t know why it happened or why it had to happen to me... but it did. And I felt God`s love strongly with them. Then we left. I didn’t want to stay there because I was just crying, so we left. That Sunday they both came to church and I felt good again. I don’t know what happened... but it was good. I believe and hope I was the tool God needed that day to bring something into their home. There are other parts of the story, but that is all I feel I should share... if you want to know more, ask me.

The other story is this appointment we had at an investigators home... The girlfriend wants to get baptized REALLY bad... but needs to get married. The boyfriend is kind of flaky and wants to make changes, but wants it to be easy. Anyway... we went over and he was sick and didn’t want to talk. So I told him he didn’t have to talk, we would talk and he could listen. He chuckled and sat down. We taught a great lesson about the family using lots of personal experiences and lessons we’ve learned from our parents. The Spirit was strong and we ended on a great note. He then thanked us because he felt great... he always notices the difference there is when we come over and teach. It feels so good to hear that. Simple words of thanks are so good to us.

Anyway, I’m over time and I wanted to just say bye. I love you all and hope all is well. I know I’m well and a lot happier then I was. This week was tough, but thus is life. I hope you all had an even better week then I did.

Love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS So, who wants to write me a letter? And who wants a real letter? Let me know and I’ll try to be a better letter writer.
PPS I love you all.

So I climbed up the tree

2010-01-18T20:45:00.000-08:00

Well, I’ve got a funny story. So last Monday we did service in the morning. We took the roof off the house of an investigator and left right when some of his friends got there to help him. That night as we were going home we walked past this bag (common article of the street) and my companion heard a cat. So we returned and found a kitten next to the bag. I picked it up... but still heard a cat. I looked up the tree and saw another little cat in the tree. So I (in the dark) climbed up the tree and saved the cat. As I hopped down a group of girls pasted by. They stopped and goggled over the cats. The last one grabbed the cat I plucked from the tree and said it was precious... and left with it, not even talking to us. So... we were left with a kitten. We brought it home and bathed it. The next day we gave it to a member as a birthday present. BUT... the reason I tell you all this:

So that night there was a HUGE wind storm and two really good things happened... the house we did the service for was okay, but if we hadn't helped them they would have been really wet that night. And we saved 2 little cats from certain death. The houses here had their roofs ripped off by the wind. We had 3 investigators loose part or all of their roofs and one investigator that had their whole house fall over (fortunately they were away on vacation). There were a lot of people terrified for their lives as huge plates of metal went flying through the air (that would be their roofs)... but no one in our area was hurt.

And that is about all I’ve got for the entire week. This week has been a running circus ride. A lot of things have happened to us and all of them were weird and/or sad... so I don’t really feel like talking about them. We did have our Zone Conference though and that was great! I love our president. He animates us a lot and gets us going. He also teaches us in these pure spirit lessons that just edify everyone. It is wonderful. I wonder if people ever feel that way when we leave. We’ve had a lot of people tell us that they feel the spirit when we teach and they want to make changes in their lives. We have lots of people who want to get baptized, but ALL of them need to get married. About 20 of them. It is kind of a bummer. But I love seeing the people change and the inner light start to come out. The best part is seeing the appearance of the person change. These people are often dark skinned and dark haired... but when they turn to God, I swear they are whiter and brighter then I have ever been. I love this work and I love being here.
I’ll be honest with you all... I’ve been rather trunky lately, but I have also never been so happy to be here. The feelings of love and hate get stronger no matter what direction you go. As I love the people more and desire more to stay so do the feelings of hate and desires to grow stronger. I know I’m in the right place and I know I’m happy... I just hope you all can see that too.

Sorry this is a short one, I’ve got stuff to do. I hope and pray that all is well.

All my love,
Elder Steinkuhler

he was a very angry little man

2010-01-11T22:26:00.000-08:00

The gang and our Bishop Pohl

Elders Coats, Sasanuma, Yo, and Roy

Well, I'm lame... I never leave enough time to write all I want to. So let’s just jump back into this thing about my companion Elder Roy.

Elders Roy y Steinkuhler

Elder Roy started the mission a year ago here in Mayol (my area). It was his first area... well, he came back. He is a funny little fellow. I love working with him. He makes me laugh a lot, which is kinda funny because people told me he was a very angry little man. He has a lot of funny qualities that I’ve touched upon and almost fallen over laughing. For example, he is always tired. So what with the heat and all... he often finds it hard to stay awake in lessons. He often does drastic things to stay awake. The only weird thing about our companionship is that he knows the members and I know the investigators. I almost never go by the members... active or inactive. But he said it was almost all they did when he was here. So every once in a awhile we are walking along and he claps at a house. I think he is doing a contact, but out pops some random obscure member. Ha ha, good times.

Well, the temperature here is murderous. I remember seeing movies about people dying in the heat with bugs flying around their heads and sweat dripping off their faces. I remember thinking that was so weird and only happened in the wild jungles in Central America. Not true! As I whipped sweat off my face and swatted at a fly before clapping a house, my mind returned to that thought and I realized I'm in one of those places. I hear there is lots of snow up where I live. Well, the thought of snow is quickly melted from my mind with the heat here.... IT IS HOT!!! And HUMID!

Well, we found a bunch of really great families recently. One of them is a couple who were taught by the missionaries about 3 years ago. They are great. They know lots about the gospel and are excited to have Elders back in the house.

Another is a couple that lives in front of the last. They are wonderful and interested in finding answers to their questions.

Another is another couple that was also taught by the missionaries... but about 10 years back. I’m not sure if the father can read. But they are wonderful. I’ve fallen in love with their daughter. Her name is Jennifer and she is 8. She and her sisters are complete dolls and have put in a lot of effort to learn my name. They are wonderful!

One last thing... we are teaching a wonderful lady who has been listening to the missionaries for about a year now. She cannot get baptized because she needs to get married. Well, last night as we were heading home, we crossed paths with her. She looked really unhappy. We stopped and asked what was up. She started to expound upon the fact that she separated from her boyfriend that night. They were going to get a marriage license this week... so this was somewhat of a shock for us. We chatted for a bit and then headed over to the chapel. We prayed and as she explained what happened, I prayed and opened up the scriptures. I just randomly picked a scripture and it was perfect. It had her name in it and everything. We read it and she went home feeling a lot better. We are going to go to her house right now. I am so glad that we were where the Lord wanted us to be at just the right time. I hope you were all able to talk to someone this week as well... be that instrument in God’s hand this week. If you were, or had an experience this week... write it to me.

Love you all,
Tommy

I slept through all the fireworks

2010-01-04T12:29:00.000-08:00

Another week down... another transfer down... another companion down. The 6 weeks have passed, and a new companion has arrived. Elder Roy is my new companion. He is a wonderful sterling young elder from Nicaragua. The funny thing is that he is RETURNING to his first area. So this is going to be interesting. At least I won’t need to train him in the area. He is a fluent Spanish speaker... with little English understanding. I’d put him at about 5 foot, 110 pounds. Dark skin, black hair, great smile... I feel awkward now. I honestly don't know anything about him... He seems great, so I’ll give you more details about him next week.

This past week was... blah. Everyone was traveling for the vacations and those who stuck around, wanted to spend time with the family that came to visit them. It was rather a slow week for us. Full of hypothesizes about transfers and rain and walking and parties. The end was really sad... it is always so sad to see people leave an area. The investigators always cry and don't understand. The members understand and try to tough it out. I’ll admit it is nothing like home. I don't remember any of the elders that passed through our ward. But everyone seems to remember us... photos are taken and tears are shared... It’s just a sad day. I’ll miss Elder Mortensen.

Well, something cool I wanted to share that just happened to me. I’ve always wanted to give The Book of Mormon to someone while they were reading another book. Today on the train I saw a woman reading a book and just knew it was my opportunity. So I sat down next to her and began to chat. She was reading the first Twilight book. It was too perfect. I explained how it was written in my home city, by a Mormon... I asked her why she was reading it and she said that her friend suggested it. I asked her if she would read a book if I suggested it and she happily agreed. I pulled out a copy of the Book of Mormon and gave it to her. I taught her a little bit about it and took down her information. I’ll be sending some elders to her house tonight. It is so wonderful to see the power God has. He turned my righteous desire into a wonderful experience.

This Saturday we did service for some orphanages. We put in a new floor so that they could sleep in more than one room. We also fixed the fence outside so that strange things don’t come in at night. It was fun to help them out. There were a lot of really cute little kids. The service was planned by our Zone Leaders... but due to weather and other things, it got delayed. Everyone was kind of cold hearted toward the activity when we left, but when we got there and saw the kids our hearts melted and we began to work. We got almost everything done in about an hour because of our desire to work and get the job done. We didn’t teach anything... we didn’t even wear ties... but it was good to serve the Lord in that way for a morning.

I have new goals for this year and new hopes. I’ve talked to my friends and connections and The Lord. It looks like I’ll be coming home in the first week of September. I’m sorry if you wanted me to come home earlier, but it looks to me like the Lord has other plans. I’m excited. I know I’ll really need you all to keep me excited too. I’m so grateful for all the prayers that I get from you all and support in various ways. I’m doing very well and my sickness is basically all gone. I’m excited and ready to go.

I hope that all of you take this opportunity to put goals down for the year. I never understood why we put goals down after new years. Then I realized that it is the best time of year, because we are all still focused on others after the Christmas Season. Now would be a great time for you all to get some goals down on paper and look at your lives. I know personally that it helps.

I love you all and keep you constantly in my thoughts and prayers.

Elder Steinkuhler

PS I slept through all the fireworks... :D

I played the part of Santa Clause

2009-12-28T12:02:00.000-08:00

Well... I feel old in the mission now. Every missionary will call home 4 times and see 4 general conferences. By those you can see how much time they have left. I only have one call and one conference left... It`s all over man... I'm basically home. How sad is that?

Christmas was GREAT! I love talking to all of you. I'm sorry I couldn't talk to all. I had to leave early because my ride home was taking off. But the good news is that the car worked fine this time and we got home easily. Well it has been two weeks since I’ve written anything. I guess I should fill you in as to why and then what happened the week before.

My companion got sick... really sick. So we basically didn't leave the pench for 4 days. So... I didn't really have time to write. But I'm here for you all now. I know that you were all waiting with baited breath for 2 weeks to hear about me. I know that you still haven’t opened your presents and all, because you are all still waiting by your computers for my update. So here it is:

Two weeks ago... nothing happened...
Just kidding. We had interviews and also a fun trip to the offices. On Tuesday we woke up at 4 to go out to the offices and get my companion`s paperwork done. That was fun... NOT. I'm still tired from that trip. The really great thing about that week was finding these two great families:

Maria and Cintia are sisters. We showed them the Book of Mormon and taught a really great lesson about why it is important. Then we came back a few days after. Cintia had read the book and felt something. Maria had felt good, but nothing powerful. We taught them about Joseph Smith and what he did for us. Then connected it to the Book of Mormon and what our feelings mean. We asked Cintia to pray. As she did we prayed for her that she might know the truth. She asked God for a surety of his will for her. She stopped for a moment and then quickly finished the pray. The Spirit was so strong with us. We waited a few moments and then I asked her how she felt. It was one of those questions I knew the answers too. Everyone in the room had felt the power of the Spirit and Cintia took notice of that in herself. It was a wonderful chat.

Adrean and Veronica are a young couple. He looks like a metal rocker and she looks like a kindergarten teacher. They are an interesting mix. They had a lot of questions and we have answered many of them. They don't believe in God really, but they know they need something. So they are looking and trying to find the truth. I don't know how to explain this one, but just know that we found a wonderful family who is interesting and growing spiritually.

We also had the Ward Christmas party. I played the part of Santa Clause. Believe you me, I am a great Santa. We also stayed up way to late... a big regret of mine.

Well, this week was craziness. My companion was sick and I was stuck in the apartment all day. Now that everyone knows because my mother had to go and tell everyone... I was sick too. But just sick enough to make me sound sick. Anyway, I got board in the apartment, so I started writing a book with my companion about Dragons. It has been fun. With all the time we spent in the apartment we have got pretty far with it. We needed to be inside the entire time he was sick... then in by 6 PM on the 24th and 25th. We played a lot of funny card games with my Uno cards, and grew together as a companionship. It is weird how when you are together working and together sitting you learn different things. Elder Mortensen is a wonderful elder... but also a wonderful friend of mine now. I really appreciate the opportunity God gave me to learn and grow with him. I often forget who I’m with as I focus so much on the people. It was nice to get to know the man who is always with me.

Just so everyone knows... it has been really hot. I’m dying from the heat. It was a crazily hot week. My companion and I are back in full steam. Life is good and I am happy. I now miss everyone back at home a lot more... but there is nothing I can do about that. I just hope and pray that everyone truly is as well as they sound.

In this letter and especially this time of year... I send you all my purest love. I miss you all and love you all. I am extremely glad to have you all behind me supporting me and cheering us on.

All my love,
Tommy

PS Happy New Years!

I'll be calling home

2009-12-23T11:21:00.001-08:00

Well, no update this week... I'll be calling home. It was a complicated week. My comp got sick and I have no time. I'm sorry, I'll try to do better. I love you all... 2 PM home time is when I should be calling home. I'll try to make that punctual. If not... 2:30 at the latest. Love you all.
Tommy

We eat and call a taxi.

2009-12-14T12:32:00.000-08:00

This week was CRAZINESS!!!! I hope you all got the photos... there are photos of my new favorite flowers... they are double layered!?!?!?! The coolest dumbest dog ever. A few baptisms. My friends. And the new edition of the Bible that my father sent to me... and I changed a little bit. Well, I got board and gave it a covering (I want to meet the person who looked at a toilet and said... that needs a hat... or furry seat coverings)

So, the baptism was great. HORRIBLE, but great. Let’s just go through the steps. First of all, our bishopric promised to come, but none of them showed up. Well, we went to the church to start filling up the font at about 10:30. I know it takes about 2 hours... so the OTHER elders were going to turn it off at 12:30. We get to our lunch appointment and sit down to eat when my phone goes off and the other elders are screaming that we need to get back to the church (not an easy feat). The member offers to drive us in his car (one of 3 members with cars). We hop in and drive off... then break down. So we get out, try to fix the car... but eventually take a bus and get to the church. There we find that the other elders got there later then we were expecting and the water had overflowed. Fortunately all Argentine chapels are made out of tile floors... so we clean it up and take off back to the lunch appointment about an hour later. On the way back we see the member pushing his car home, so we jump out and push it all the way home... a lot longer then I remembered. We eat and call a taxi. That taxi never showed up... so we run over to a taxi guy and he brings us to the house of the family that is to be baptized. By the time we get there we were suppose to have started the baptism already. They get in the car... and fill it up. So my companion and I RUN back to the church and almost died on the way. We showed up about 2 minutes after the taxi... We get the baptism underway and at this point we notice that the bishopric is not there... so we go on anyway. While we are changing our clothes, we were going to watch a movie... but the controller was locked in the bishoprics office... so Elder Coats sang instead. The funny thing is that NO ONE in the room knew the songs, except Elder Coats... so he basically sang like 4 hymns all by himself. HAHAHA. But it all got done and we were very tired by the end of it all. Baptism days are SO hard.

new apartment mates

the OTHER apartment mate

Fun little story. We went over to an investigators house and she was being visited by a few friends. They were all drunk, but we had already sat down... so we chatted for a bit. We shared a bit with them because they had a lot of questions. They straight up told us that they were not in the condition to receive us, but that they wanted to learn more. So we set up an appointment with the wife of one because she wasn't drunk. On Sunday we came by and she came out with this puzzled look on her face. We asked to chat with her and her husband... and she just says... wow, you came. I didn't think you would come. Anyway, they didn't have time. So we are going back another day. My favorite part of this story is that they told us where the house was by the fact that they have two pigs in the front lawn. Ha ha... I'm teaching pig people. Go figure.

flower power

One last cool thing... we went to church one Sunday and see this man dressed up and looking alert. I figured he was with the other elders... they thought the same. Turns out he just passed by in front of the chapel and walked in. He was amazing. We gave him a Book of Mormon and are going to go by later this week.

Well, I don’t know when exactly, but I won’t be emailing next week. Our p-day is going to change for the next two weeks. I’m excited for Christmas. I don’t know when Ill call... we are going to do a service project as a zone, so I’ll let you know when I find out when the service starts. But for anyone who can or wants to go... I’ll be there... I hope you are too.

Next week I’ll have more time to chat because I won’t be sending photos again. So Ill try to write more spiritual experiences. I love you all.

Tommy

baptism from last transfer

We are the Friendly Giants of Mayol

2009-12-07T11:50:00.001-08:00

I’ve been informed that I’ll be completing day 500 of the mission this week. Hiza for Israel. This week was a wonderful one. We worked really hard and got a lot done... but there is still so much to do. It is SO hard to get up in the morning. But it is just as hard to turn around at night and return to the apartment. I find the hardest rule for me to follow is to get home on time. We almost never make it within the right time frame. I talked to the president about it and he told me to be careful. There are dangerous people out at night. Fortunately they all come up to the bottom of my elbow... and everyone knows us... and loves us. Okay, not EVERYONE, but the majority. It is so funny. Elder Jones (from the MTC) was in Mayol for a long time as well. So everyone thinks I'm him, because I'm huge and lovable (and humble). We are the Friendly Giants of Mayol. It`s good being me.

Well, I had some wonderful questions asked to me that I would like to share with all. First of all... I had inquires of how Argentina really is. Well... the baptismal pictures are all taken from within church walls. The churches are not that different from the states. They are a little smaller and have no carpet (carpet is almost non-existent in Argentina). But the homes are mostly huts or small cement boxes. It is very humbling. The roads are mostly dirt and flat. There are often mud holes, and dirt holes... and animals, or carcasses. It is a different world. Some day I’ll come down here again and take pictures of all the... different things. Until that day... imaginense.

Speaking of which... fun little update, I’ll be speaking only Spanish after the Christmas phone call home (ET phone home (Elder Tommy) it just fits too perfectly). Which will be taking place about Christmas Day... mas o menos. Be there or be square.

So, next question: How do you "train"?
I don’t really train. I just kind of be a good example and guide us to do the right things. I teach my companion the rules and how to follow them correctly. I explain any mission specific rules (like no matè). I invite him to be the best missionary possible and then leave him to experiment for himself. I know that sounds a little weird, but it’s true. One thing I’ve learned from all my teachings and all my learnings is that teachers suck! Teachers don’t ever do anything. They can explain new ideas or what have you. The real teacher is the self, accompanied by the Holy Ghost. So I explain and INVITE... then leave him to pick his own path. I try to guide him to the best path if at all possible, but it’s not always possible. So, I’d say training is more of a guiding process. Never should a trainer try to crush what is already good. So I just push here, or pull there. I don’t do much.

All I can think of to say about this week is that it was crazy. We will be having 3 baptisms next week... so we’ve been working our tails off all day, every day. It is kinda like running on a roller coaster, you just try not to get hit by the train as you run around in circles. Hey, that is a good analogy. I feel like I’m running on a roller coaster track. YEAH!!! IM BRILLIANT!!! Anyway, it was a good week. My companion is amazing. He is getting better and better every day. We are working harder and harder every day. We are teaching better and better. My father sent me a bible recently and I’ve been putting it to use. I haven’t taught from the Bible in a very long time. I took an hour to get some numbers back in my head and I’ve been trying to use it daily since. I love the Book of Mormon, and it is hard for me to pull away from it. But I need to help people understand all of God's words.

Noche de Luz was this week. It was the Nativity choir from the mission. It was great!

And... I’m gone. I’ll send photos next week. I couldn’t do it today, computers here suck.

Love you all,
Tommy

I was swimming through the roads

2009-11-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

This was a really long week. It rained almost every day this week. Personally I think that any week where you lose your P-Day is a long week. Fortunately this week we have our p-day. However, there is nothing too cool to report on. We have a lot of people we are working with. God has really blessed us, so we`ve been running between house to house to just teach the people who will be baptized this month. We should be having 6ish people get baptized this month. And the majority live in different sides of the world. We`re running around like mad men. I know many of you will be upset with me, because you always tell me to get more sleep... but I’ve been really tired this week. My companion and I went out with a member one day and they told us we were basically falling off our chairs all day. We had one appointment where my companion and I basically passed out waiting for an answer from the investigator. I remember asking a question and looking at them... they looked at their book and so did I. The next thing I knew, I was grabbing my scriptures before they fell to the floor. I couldn't have been out for more than half a second... but it was funny. The whole week was like that. The only thing that kept us awake was the weather and "our dog".

The weather here has been crazy. Every other day we get rain... the days in between are HOT and MUGGY!!!! So every other day I use my rain coat and every other day I use short sleeves (not much that can be changed). It has been fun.

But whatever the weather, Hooksy the dog has followed us around. He follows us every time we see him (basically daily). The only way that we can get him to leave us alone is by going to his owners and asking them to restrain him until we get at least 3-4 blocks away. Yesterday my companion and I did exchanges to get investigators in the morning. The dog followed us around and my companion took drastic moves to make sure he didn't follow us to church... again. I’ll tell you the story, but first, let me explain the situation.

Sunday we basically had a monsoon come and attack us. I literally felt like I was swimming through the roads to get investigators and to get back to church. My companion was wadding through this rain with the dog hot on his heels. We talked to the owners who were suppose to come to church, but decided not to because of the rain (it was a long walk in a torment). They also didn't want to restrain the wet dog. SO... my companion yells over the thunder for the dog to stay... he didn't. So my companion throws a rock in the general direction of the dog. It stops and just stares. As it starts to follow again, by companion throws a chunk of brick at him which splashes in the mud next to him. Sadly Hooksy looks at my companion and then runs off home. My companion is a very big hearted, animal lover and it almost killed him to have to scare the dog off like that. He said it reminded him of Air Bud and he wanted to cry. We`ll see if he continues to follow us. I love that dog, but he really is a problem in the missionary work.

Other than that... nothing that big happened. We've had some really interesting appointments and some really interesting things happen... but there isn't time nor cause to tell you all. Just know that I'm good and thinking of you all. I know that this week contains many birthdays and many special memories for me. I hope that all of those pass well for all of you and that you all know that I love you.

You are all always in my thoughts and my prayers.
Love,
Tommy

A story added later...

2009-11-24T01:14:00.000-08:00

I was in a taxi this week and I tried to teach the driver. He said that he wasn’t religious because "church" did call his attention. I asked what did he mean and he said "girls". We laughed and he said that obviously church called our attention and for that reason we were out on the mission. I thought a moment and replied... "No. Church doesn’t call my attention. What calls my attention is the family". It was interesting how the words came out and I didn’t understand them. Then my brain caught up to The Spirit and I explained that he was my brother and I wanted to save him in the eternity. He thought it was odd that we leave our families for 2 years if the family is what calls our attention.... but it made sense to me. We gave him a pamphlet and he now has the opportunity to act upon what he felt when we spoke.

I love it when that happens.

2009-11-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

Well, we just finished another transfer. I get to stick around with Elder Mortensen. This will be the first time in about 7 months that I get to have a second transfer with my companion. I'm excited to be working with him. We have at least 5 baptisms planned out for next transfer. Things have just been falling into place for us. We have been listening to the wise counsel of our leaders and have been blessed greatly for it. I know this means nothing to any of you... but it is something that surprised Elder Mortensen and I... according to the new missionary system that we are using in our mission... Elder Mortensen and I are the number 7 companionship in the mission. We have no clue why that is or how that happened... but we are happy about it.

This week was really interesting. We had a special visit from Elder Bednar. But I’ll explain that later. We were not able to work in our area much this week because of a million things. I was asked to do two baptismal interviews which were amazing... but took a lot of time away. All of Thursday we were with Elder Bednar. My companion was completely sick on Friday, so we didn't leave the pench. The fact that we were not working every day in our area made us focus every second of every moment we were able to work. We made some really good visits and found some really amazing people. We have been trying to change our teachings so that instead of teaching the lessons we know so well, we teach the people we don't. It is amazing how the spirit of the lesson changes when we focus on the people and teach with love and understanding. We took out 3 baptismal goals this week. We also found and taught some great people. All of the lessons were wonderful and had a powerful impact on all of us. Let me explain 2

There is a companionship in my district that was having problems with one of their investigators, so I was asked to lend a helping hand. I taught this person 3 times this week. The first time we cleared up the problem. The second we got them to read and pray... and on the third visit we were told that they had received the answer they looked for. So we set up a goal for them to be baptized. Every lesson we focused more and more on the Spirit to guide us and this person. In the end they felt the true love of God and for that reason they will be baptized.

We found someone last Monday. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she read it. Our second visit she had questions so we were not able to teach her the restoration. But at the end of the lesson she asked us... why are there so many churches and how can I really know which one is true. So the third visit we taught her the restoration. It was probably the most powerful lesson I’ve ever had. She felt the Spirit as well as we did. I personally was taught by the spirit the truths of what we were teaching. I love it when that happens.

Okay... There was so much that happened, but I don't have time to tell it all. OH!!! Good story:
There is a sort of inactive member of our ward who goes to church every once and awhile. She is having problems so we taught her about the celestial kingdom. We explained that we need to live a celestial law here on earth if we want to live in a celestial world some day. She understood the lesson very well and at the end we committed them to make a list of 5-10 things that they needed to change to live a celestial law. That day she took out her tongue piercing... and yesterday she gave us her nose piercing as well. It is interesting sitting down to study in the morning and seeing body piercings covering the table with an occasional package of cigarettes that we've confiscated. Oh the interesting things missionaries get to do.

Okay, Bednar. I really can’t tell you anything about what he said. I made a promise not to pour all of it out to everyone. But one thing I will share is how he started. He explained how well we are at taking perfect notes of what every speaker says... but that we shouldn't. He asked us if we ever re-read any of those notes... or if we even knew where they all were. He told us to only write down what the Spirit indicated. Well, I came to that conference with lots of questions... I left with even more, but all the original questions were answered... although Elder Bednar only talked about one of them. I can truly testify to you all that David A. Bednar is a true Apostle of God. That he is guided by the Holy Ghost and that he has helped me in more ways than one. I hope that all of you take the time to read the conference talks from the prophets and apostles of these days. I know I used to take General Conference for granted. Don’t do the same thing I did.

I’m over my time. Take care. I love you all dearly and look forward to Christmas. Thanksgiving is a non-celebrated holiday in Argentina... so I’m really not that excited. But Christmas is this transfer and I will be calling home. And after that call I will not speak English until I talk to my family again. So I’m going to enjoy this time of language freedom while it remains.

Again, I love you all,
Tommy

and they want to get baptized

2009-11-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Well, the biggest news is that we baptized this week!!!! I'm trying to send pictures, but the computer kinda sucks. Maybe next week.

Anyway, we had three wonderful people get baptized. They have a really long story, and I don't remember if I told you all about it yet or not. So... I probably won’t tell you at all. HAHA!!! You`ll just have to wait till I get home. My favorite part is that two of them were studying with the Jehovah's Witness people. I love how true the church is, that we literally receive revelation from God. No other church really does that. It is amazing to watch the people as they change their lives and relieve the answers they look for. I love that feeling as you look them in the face and they tell you that they got their answer and they know the Book of Mormon is true and they want to get baptized. We have been working really hard recently and been able to see these kinds of changes on a regular basis. The problem is that people always need to get married or something like that. So, baptismal dates are pushed off into the future. My companion and I mapped it out and we are teaching in over 40 houses. About 10 of those houses have people that want to get baptized already... but about 9 of them need to get married. HAHA how ironic, no?

Well, I’ve got a fun little story for you all. It has to do with us and a dog. We are teaching this lady named Eli... as in Elisabeth. Her dog has been following us around for awhile. At first we didn't know who he belonged to. There are about 5000 dogs in our area, so we didn't really know who it was from. We started calling him Captain because of the eye patch he has and the fact that he always walks out in front of us... leading us. That turned into Captain Hook... then to Hook.... then to Hooksy. So, Hooksy follows us around all the time... normally all day. He will start in the morning and wait for us outside of houses... or the church. And when we go to bed, he waits for us until the next morning. He is really cool, kind of annoying sometimes, but cool. The members and investigators all think that we have a dog now. I guess we kind of do. Anyway, our captain leads the way for us.

Cool story. I’ve decided to put more focus on Christ in my teachings. Instead of just including what he did in lessons we teach... we now teach lessons based only on what he did. One of our lessons this week was just that... it was amazing. We had a member with us who always comes out with us. We explained things very clearly and powerfully using all sorts of examples and scriptures. The Spirit was very powerful and clear. It was a very good lesson, not that the others aren’t, but this one sticks out in my mind. I remember saying that we want to work as hard as we can here on earth to make up for what Christ did for us. For that reason we came on the mission and for that same reason this particular member helps us. The member was touched, and explained later that she felt she understood better why she came out with us after that lesson.

A desire that I have had ever since I got on the mission is to help the missionaries after the mission. I hope that you all have the same desire. Please go give them a hand this week. Don’t just feed them a meal and nothing more.... go out of your busy day to help them by finding someone or going with them to a lesson. I know that is what God wants us to do. This was a great week. I hope all is well in Zion.

Love,
Tommy

PS I got a few packages and letters this week. Thank you so much. I was able to wear a WHITE shirt to the baptism instead of a yellow one.

PPS This Thursday we get to hear from Elder Bendar... in person. I’m excited.

Christmas is Coming --> Mailing Packages

2009-11-14T00:45:00.000-08:00

For those of you mailing Tommy a little something for Christmas here are some tips.

1. Always mail the package "Express Mail".
2. Keep in mind it will take longer than USPS says it will to actually get to Tommy. Plan on at least a month to get to him.
3. Tommy once suggested writing "Dios sabe todo y Dios vea todo." on the side of the box. It means "God knows all and God sees all". It seems to help it so that people don't rob from the packages.
4. Review this post for a letter sent from the Mission Office on sending packages.

Address:
Elder Thomas Steinkuhler
Quintana 447
1846 Adrogué
Buenos Aires Argentina

Please keep Tommy in mind this Holiday season, letters and packages from home really help to keep a missionary going. They need it. (I know, I've been there). ~Windy

this work is going forward with power and authority

2009-11-09T11:34:00.000-08:00

Well, a lot has happened, but there really is no time to explain all. My computer is not working well and my time is almost up, so I need to get going. Let’s just start with the week then, shall we?

We WERE going to have 3 baptisms this week, but it is kind of hard to do baptisms if there is no water in the church. So, we put the baptisms off for next week. So next week we will be baptizing 4 people... in the sanja if we have to (someday I’ll send a picture of a sanja). We got everything ready and then... it just didn't go through. So this Saturday was kind of a bummer. We had fun though, chatting with the zone leaders and working with the bishop to fix things. Unfortunately things here are not like home... there is a baptismal font in each chapel because it is too hard to travel between chapels. Pretty much everyone just walks... so we couldn't change places... nor get enough water... nor nada. So, next week.

I’ve got a fun little story for you all. A week-ish ago, my companion and I were waiting for a bus at night. It was too far to walk at night... so we were waiting for a bus. It was already 9:25 and it takes about 30-45 minutes to walk home from where we were... so we waited for a bus. This drunk guy came up with a branch and started telling us to chastise this other guy because he was a sinner. I politely told him to take-it-to-himself (tomatèla) and leave us alone. He left and a young girl came up. When the drunk came back and started harassing us again, she stuck up for us and not so politely told the guy to get the heck out of there... explaining that we couldn't do anything and he knew... so, "stop being a bum". I was laughing my fat roles off because a little 22 year old girl scared off a 35ish year old punk. So, I decided to talk to her. I thanked her and did a contact. We ended up talking for about 25 minutes because a bus didn't come. During that time an investigator came up and started chatting with us. Once the bus finally came, we got on and I asked if we could come by some time to teach her family. She said, "sure, but no one will listen to you." So last Monday we pass by and the mother answers us. She looks at us and says, "no, sorry boys". I explain that we are looking for said girl, and she looks at me weirdly. I explain what happened and she laughs, saying that it was definitely her daughter. Before I could open my mouth to teach, she tells me she doesn't want to know anything. I smile at her... and teach her anyway. I’ve found that a "no"... really means "I have no clue what you believe". She told us no about 5 times, but I persisted... We eventually come up to her with the Book of Mormon and I explain what it does for us. She became all excited and accepted us. We testified powerfully and handed the book over after a prayer.

After leaving my companion just stared at me and said... how did that happen? I didn’t even think twice about it. It has happened to me so many times before that it just seemed normal. It felt good to reflect on the power of a testimony and the power of the Book of Mormon. This transfer we are focusing on the two most important tools in the missionary handbag. The Spirit and the Book of Mormon. Believe you me... this work is going forward with power and authority. I’m extremely glad to be out here. I don’t want to come home... so I’m sorry for all of you who are waiting for me. I’m sure they will send me home some day, but until that day comes, I’ll work as hard as I can. I hope that all of you are working hard at home as well.

I’m excited for the changes happening here. I love you all and hope that you are finding joy in sharing the gospel at home like I am here in Argentina. Take care... and write me sometime.

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

I’ve broken in my new boots

2009-11-02T13:37:00.000-08:00

Sorry but this one will be really short. This week has been crazy and there are a million things that went down, but none of them are worthwhile to tell you about. We are working hard and doing a lot... so right now we need to get going. We have three baptisms this week and some in the upcoming weeks. So we are running around like wild men.

There has been rain all week, so I’ve broken in my new boots pretty well, a little too well... We got wet almost every day. It has been a little dampening on the work. For some reason people here don’t want to let two wet boys into their houses when there is rain. SOMETIMES yes, but not this week. We have however been working amazingly hard and have done fairly well.

Here is a little fun story to share with you all about a comment my Mother always tells me. She tells me to "shine". Well, it is funny she says that because I try. I’m a pretty smiley person, but not always. It is amazing how much effect a smile has with people. So, I smile a lot to cheer people up, even if I don’t feel like smiling. Anyway, this week we had a meeting after church. Everyone was hungry because it was time to eat and everyone had been fasting. Also tired because we all drudged through the rain and mud to get to church. So I started smiling and enjoyed the effects of it. Then the ward secretary who is Uncle Dursley`s twin brother (mustache and all... from the movie) starts giggling. I normally don’t get that... from men, especially a fully grown and serious man. Everyone looks at him of course and he points at me. So everyone looks at me too. I smile back and everyone in the room just smiles. It was a fun moment. But the best part is that the ward secretary says, "You have this friendly face. I’d bet you have a lot of friends, I’d bet your friends with everyone you talk to". That just made the moment even sweeter. It was nice to see such a wonderful reaction from the people I work so closely with. So I hope I am finally able to report home that I am shining.

Christmas is coming up... so I thought I’d put a list together of all the things I would like from the fam and friends. So here it is:
1. A letter... HAND WRITTEN... and more than one page
2. A current photo... with the letter. Just one is good enough
3. For all that can... be home so that I can talk to you.

And that is about it.

All the stores around here have their Christmas stuff out and it makes me long for snow. Unfortunately there is only heat and muggy rain. Perhaps a miracle will happen.

I love you all,
Elder Steinkuhler

through prayer she received a powerful witness

2009-10-26T13:05:00.000-07:00

Well, I will start this out with an apology. We played soccer this morning and I took a direct hit to the face several times. And scraped off about all the skin on my left leg (for those of you who know me well, you`ll know it is nothing new). But that means my brain is still kind of running on low brain power. So, sorry if this is really random.

This week was amazingly weird and long... but great! According to the mission standards we are still one of the best in the mission. I’ll stop telling you all what number, but we`re doing good. It feels good knowing that we are doing well. We are seeing a lot of hard work and success in our area. I’ve written down a few things noteworthy to tell you all about.

First of all... this Saturday something weird happened. We had a meeting early in the morning and almost no one could go. We are trying to train the ward missionaries. Well, two showed up... two ladies. We sit down to teach them and one of them had a seizure. She started shaking and spluttering up water. It was pretty scary. But my companion and I pulled out the good old oil (no joke on the old part) and gave her a blessing. It was interesting because my companion had never done it in Spanish. All I had to say to her was... Sleep. And she slept. The other lady said she`d never seen it so bad before. After awhile she came to her senses and went home to sleep more. But that was a fun early morning wake up call. I'm glad we are both worthy Priesthood holders.

Well, about 6 months ago my shoes died and I bought new ones. It rains here a lot, so the souls basically just died. And when I step on mud (unpreventable) it gets into my shoes. I got tired of it, so I went out and bought a new pair of shoes this week. I bought some nice ankle high boots with WOODEN bottoms. So much cooler and funner (FYI=Funner does not get caught by spellchecker). I’ll try to send pictures. I now have two pairs of shoes with wooden bottoms. I like them a lot more. They don't wear out and are actually pretty comfortable. I admit it is like walking around with a piece of tile strapped to your feet because they are so hard... but I don't walk that much. However, I do walk around in the mud a lot.
On that note.... it rained a lot this week. Like 3 times and the last one was a mini storm... some people had their houses ruined because of the strong winds. It was pretty fun. And my companion and I got all muddy and wet... fun times.

Something I am just bursting to tell you all. Last Sunday we found this family. It was Mother`s Day here and so I told this lady I had a Mother`s Day present for her and we walked into her yard. The whole family was outside chilling in the shade. We taught that God is our Heavenly Father and what the Book of Mormon is. Also that we can pray to know if it`s true. We set up an appointment and left. We were going to come back on Tuesday, but there was no time because the Zone Conference went long. I had the lady in my mind for a long time afterwards, but there was never time to go by. Finally on Saturday someone stood us up so we had a little bit of time. We booked it over to her place and found her there with her kids. She was washing clothes (by hand... as is normal) and just leaves everything to come talk to us. We sit down in her house with her kids. They were watching TV and I always find it distracting so I asked them to turn it off... but they only turned off the volume. So we start and pray. My companion still has troubles speaking... so he helped me with the lesson part (we taught the Restoration) but then got lost when we started speaking fast and about specific needs. So he tried to tranquilize the kids as I taught. MIB 2 comes on TV and that TOTALLY distracted me. I asked her if she thought the Book of Mormon was true and she said yes. That surprised me and so we read the last paragraph in the introduction page to the Book of Mormon. While she was reading I was looking at all the kids running all over the place and the movie going and a thought entered my mind. It was a quote from Preach My Gospel about someone that had a similar experience and the thought entered his mind to pay attention. I looked at her and focused all my energy on not loosing concentration. I asked her if she believed The Book of Mormon was true... again... then if she thought Christ was our Savior... if Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God.... and if The Church of Jesus Christ was the true church of God. She said yes to every question. The spirit filled the room and I forgot about the kids and craziness going on. I looked deep into her eyes and saw that she was completely and honestly sincere about all of that. I invited her to get baptized and she said yes. I love seeing the power the Book of Mormon has in the lives of others. She knew nothing, but through prayer she received a powerful witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. That is just one of the many times this has happened to me. The difference was how the Spirit pulled my mind out of the world to focus on the needs of this lady when no one else was listening to her. It was great!

Well, things are going great! I’m working hard and enjoying it. This was a rather rough week, but we pulled through with flying colors. I’m loving the work and don’t want to go home. Sorry, but I think I’ll probably stay out here as long as possible. I hope no one is missing me too much. But I also hope you know I miss you all dearly. What more can I say?

"I’m good family... Had a great week... tell you about it next week. Love ya"

I love you all...
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

Easy come, easy go.

2009-10-19T12:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I have to admit, I want to brag it up. We started a new system in the mission. The President is listing the top missionaries of the mission every week. Every key factor of the mission is weighed and then totaled. Of the 125ish companionships, we are ranked at number 20. And that is without baptizing or anything... WE ROCK!!! Sorry... I’ll stop.

Well, Elder Mortensen from St. George Utah is my new companion. He is an amazing elder. He speaks a lot better than I did when I got to the mission, and he is a lot better of a missionary then I ever will be. He really is an example to me. We have been working our hearts off this week. We ended up finding 19 new investigators this week... that was like 3-4 new families!!! I must admit, I’m quite enjoying the new missionary rush. You know... that rush of success you have from the missionaries freshly out of the MTC. Those elders who explode with the Spirit simply because they are so packed full of it. I love it! JUST LOVE IT!

We have had a pretty interesting experience week 1. Normally I don’t tell you all about this, but my companion already wrote home about it, so you can all find it out if you wanted to. We saw a drug deal this week. Day 2 on the mission and we walk by some drug dealer and his client... "just keep on walking elder". Later that day we found a guy who was obviously just doing drugs... HAHAHA... SURPISE!!! We also had a few drunks come up to us for various things. One of them wouldn’t leave us alone, so we gave him our apples an investigator gave us. Easy come, easy go.

The coolest thing about this week was finding. We really have been blessed to just find. We are bold and just walk in... it works out great! I must admit, this was a very powerful week for us. We got a lot done and I feel good about what we did. I don’t really know what all to say. Most of what happened was really personal, so I won’t tell you all. Let us just say that investigators are progressing. We took out a few baptismal goals this week, as well as dropped a few. Easy come, easy go. Some people just are not yet ready. But we also met someone who was just perfectly ready. A bunch of people actually. This week was AMAZING!!!

I’ll write more next week. I’m not really sure what to say this week and out of time all the same.

Love ya,
Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I’m sun burnt now and really blond again.
PPS We cleaned the pinch all morning... it looks pretty good.

Green

2009-10-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

This picture just arrived from President and Sister Asay. Tommy is training again and here is his new companion, meet Elder Mortensen.

the true power of the Book of Mormon in connection with the Spirit

2009-10-12T15:51:00.000-07:00

Well, it looks like things are going to change for me again. It is interesting to me that of my 10 transfers here in Argentina I’ve had 8 companions. That means I’ve only been with 2 companions for 2 transfers. Every other companion I’ve been with has stuck around for one transfer and nothing more. Elder Acuña has also left me. But that was somewhat expected. I just hope the Elder I receive will stick around with me a little bit longer. I`d tell you his name, but I cannot. I will find out tomorrow, because I’ll be training again. It feels weird not knowing the name of my companion again. I am currently with Elder Schupple. He is also going to train. He was in the MTC with me. Elder Hodson, my MTC companion is going to train also. YEAH!!! Elder Jones, the other Elder who came with us, left me to be a zone leader. I will miss that big Teddy bear.

Well, I am doing very well. I had a whole lot of things to tell you all. I even wrote some down, but then I changed agendas and now I don't have anything I wrote down... oops. But I have at least a few cool stories to tell you from what I remember. But before I start, I want to explain again that our focus is finding. So when we find, it feels great! It feels like we are completing with our calling as missionaries and will our calling as missionaries working under our great president. If that makes any since to you at all.

We got a reference last week from our zone leaders. They had no clue where it came from, just that it came. We went off to contact it the one day we had time. We got lost because they changed all the numbers on the street. We were walking down the street and I saw a lady sitting on a fence with her baby and I decided to do a contact. The Spirit just told me to ask her about the person we were looking for. She said, wow... that is my Mother. So we chatted and set up a time to come back when her mother would be around. It just turns out that her Mother is the daughter of an inactive member. She knows the missionaries very well and even cleans the churches. When we returned we asked to gather the family and explained to them just The Book of Mormon. It was very easy to feel the Spirit. It was strong in the room and all were impressed by the power it had on us. We invited them to pray and read. They promised they would... and the next time they would invite others as well. We found part of the family that day. There are about 15 in all, and we found 7. They were excited to see us return and are truly waiting for what we have for them. When we finished with the lesson, we asked the son in law to kneel down and pray to find out if what we were teaching was true. He and the family bowed down and he offered his first prayer. The Spirit was strong and I believe many received answers that very day.

A few days after we were walking down the road on our way to an appointment. I felt the Spirit pull me toward a house. I clapped and out came a nice lady. She smiled and said, ‘Hello Elder’. I laughed and said, ‘you must be a member’. We chatted and I walked into her house to meet her family. We sat down and began to learn. She was baptized when she was 12 years old, but stopped going because they moved and then she "didn't have time", that was about 20 years ago. Two days before we clapped on her door, she was talking to her husband about religion. She still says she is Mormon. Her husband is Catholic. The majority of her children are Evangelist. And one of her daughters is studying with the Jehovah`s Witness`. We called the family together and explained The Book of Mormon again. The Spirit washed over us again. We told them they could only know the truth by getting answers from God. We explained clearly and with power. All promised to read and pray who were there in the house. The mother offered the prayer. Something she hadn't done in many, many years. She cried softly as she communicated with her Heavenly Father again. The Spirit down poured on us and we left that house feeling full and edified.

Sunday I went out with Elder Coats, who got here about 6 weeks ago. He doesn't speak well, but has lots of power. We found 3 more. Those and every other person we found this week were just ready. They were all powerful lessons and great memories to me. If there is one thing I learned this week... it is the true power of the Book of Mormon in connection with the Spirit. We need to read from the Book of Mormon every day if we want to feel the Spirit. It is a clear and powerful way of feeling what God wants for us. I'm grateful for the time I have to read daily. I'm grateful for the opportunity to train again. New missionaries have such power, even if they don`t speak Spanish. I'm expecting to receive an American this time. So I’ll be able to learn all over again the Spanish language.

I love you all and expect to hear from you soon. Don’t leave me hanging high and dry.

Don’t forget that you are loved, at least by me.

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS Argentina is going to mundial!!!!

We explained that feeling as the Holy Ghost

2009-10-05T16:22:00.000-07:00

I feel like a broken record, but I swear this was the longest week in history. We did so many things. As most of you know, conference was Saturday and Sunday. So we spent all the week trying to prepare ourselves for it.

Wednesday we had interviews with the president. I got a package!!! I say this not to offend, but to help you understand my joy. I really don't get many letters or packages... So when something does come it is the thrill of a lifetime. Who was it from?! What does it say?! What is inside?! Needless to say, it is amazing to get things from the other world. So thank you mystery person. You know who you are... it`s great!

Anyway, interviews went well. I always expect the president to drop the cane on me... but he always just tells me I'm doing great and to continue doing it. So, I guess I get to stay in the mission for at least up till next interviews.

Thursday we did a Family Home Evening in the church with a whole lot of investigators to teach them a little more about the Prophet Joseph Smith and what a FHE really is. We watched the majority of Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration (which none of you have seen because it hasn't come out yet... hehehe... only missionaries have seen it). It turned out great... with lots of kids. You see, we are teaching a young couple who have 4 kids between the ages of 2 and 6. They are a handful. And we want our investigators to focus, so we normally play with the kids to keep them quiet while the parents learn. I’ll be honest... I still have a headache. Babysitting is something that I can do... it isn't ever easy with 4 kids... but even less easy as a missionary with 1001 rules pertaining to the child-missionary permitted conduct.

Friday we got a lot of people together to finish the movie and play volleyball (which doesn't really exist around here). I again was on child entertainment duty.

Saturday and Sunday during conference I was also on child duty. I basically only heard Priesthood and the last session of Sunday. Which were AMAZING by the way. I fought with kids for hours and then sat down to hear Elder Holland bear pure testimony about the Book of Mormon. It was extremely wonderful. Priesthood was off the spiritual hook as well. I took a million and one notes and only saw 2/5 of conference. I’ll be honest, I was starting to wonder if it was all worth it and then saw the change it made in the 5 investigators who went. DEFINATELY WELL WORTH IT!!!!

The young couple who went have had a very deep change of heart. The wife sat down for the first session on Saturday and during the talk of some lady leaned over to me and told me she had heard the talk already. I looked at her with a puzzled look and she asked me why I look so bewildered. I explained again that conference was happening at this very moment. That she was in fact giving that talk for the first time at that VERY moment. She stared at me and then clutched her chest. Soon tears were forming in her eyes and later she explained to us how she felt. We explained that feeling is the Holy Ghost and she looked at us as if she finally understood. The husband is a little more hard-headed. He only came to one session and loved every minute of it. Hopefully this week we will be able to take out a baptismal goal with both of them.

That wasn't all that happened. A lot more went down, but I can’t really explain how or why. Here is a cool little thing though.

Every day we need to do 5 contacts. Conference makes that hard. But we decided to do it anyway. Between sessions we returned back to our area to find more people. We did divisions with a few young men to get two groups. We took 15 minutes to do contacts. The only thing is that when we do contacts we don't just give them a pamphlet and leave. We try to find them at that very moment. Well, God always blesses us for being faithful and doing what he asks us. I decided to clap a house where a family was working on cleaning their clothes outside. The member that was with me said, "Hey, I know them. I just never thought we had time to stop by, so I never told you." We entered and taught them about the Book of Mormon and left all within 15 minutes. It turns out that they normally are not together, but that day they were because we took advantage of every minute of the day... God helped us find a family of 6.

There are just so many things that happen like that. We go a little bit more and God goes miles ahead of us to prepare our paths.

I’ve been thinking that it has been a long time since I have given my family/friends my testimony. I assume all of you are alright. But I know that there is something I’ve learned here on the mission that I want to share with you all. And it just so happens to be what Elder Holland talked about. The Book of Mormon really is everything. Every person we teach needs to gain a testimony of that book. They often ask us questions and the answer is always simple and findable within the Book of Mormon. We have been asked to divide the wheat from the tariffs more. The best way to do that is find out who is reading from the Book of Mormon and who isn't. It is amazing that every person who reads is progressing. Every person who doesn't gets dropped within a week. Many people have asked me why I don't use the Bible to teach. Well, it is simple. Everything I teach can be easily found within my triple... ESPECIALLY The Book of Mormon.
So I would like to add my testimony to that of Elder Holland. I am not as great at word choice as he, nor am I as powerful of a speaker, nor am I an apostle. But I want you all to know that I know The Book of Mormon is true. It is "the most correct of all the books on earth." I love it`s pages and glory daily in the power it has as I read and share with others what prophets have written to us. I love that book and will continue to read from it every day until the day I die.

Now is that dreadful parting we all hate. The moment where I go back into the Spanish world and leave you all to wait breathless for one more week (I doubt your breathless, but I`d like to imagine so). If anyone wants anything from me... let me know. I think I can find at least 20 minutes to reply to you all. I’ve learned one thing here on the mission. If you want to do anything special... you need to take sleeping time. I basically don't sleep anymore. So, if anyone wants anything... I now know how to find time ;) But in all seriousness... Is there anything I can do for my loyal listeners?

Love you all,
E. Tommy Steinkuhler

Elder Horse Whisperer... that is me

2009-09-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Well, this week was huge. I promise you, God has changed the time continuum or something. I know that the days/weeks are getting longer. There is no way I can tell you all of what happened this week.... but we`ll try. ("Do or do not, there is no try" -Yoda)

First of all... a funny little tid bit about missionary life in Argentina. The majority of members are converts. So they are used to the missionaries knowing more than them and being prepared to do anything. So every once and awhile they just ask us to do something last minute. Last Sunday, 30 minutes before Sacrament... they asked me to give a talk. I was with investigators and had no time to prepare, so sacrament meeting roles around and I sit down to write a quick talk... when the music director comes up and asks me to direct the music. So I go up to the stand and try to plan a talk in my mind. NOT ENOUGH TIME! As I was directing the music I realized I was doing a solo and that the reason I was directing was because no one in the audience (music director included) knew the words or melody. So I gave a talk about music and the power it has. I talked for 15 minutes and sat down. During the last hymn everyone at least tried to sing. It was really cool. The best part is that all the members gave me compliments this week on my wonderfully well written talk and all of them want to learn new music. I guess it was a success... and I guess God knew what he was doing.

Funny story: There are 4 elders in my ward. We went and ate together and were walking in some back roads when we saw in the distance a kid untie his horse. The horse bolted down the road right at us. The other 3 missionaries I was with screamed like little girls and ran for cover. I don't know why... but I jumped out at it and whistled. The horse skidded to a halt about 7 feet from me and took off like a rocket in the opposite direction. It was pretty funny. Then Elder Jones called me Horse Whisperer. Elder Horse Whisperer... that is me.

FUNNY STORY 2!: We went out one morning to contact a few people and put ourselves to do contacts. We saw a few kids in the yard of someone and a few adults, so we went to talk to them. As we are approaching the fence, we hear them call us and realize it is a bunch of ladies. Well, we decided to do the contact anyway. This lady comes up and we start to talk to her. Within about 2 minutes we realize she just wanted to talk to two young men from other countries. She started asking us how old we were, guessing I was about 25 and my companion 24. So we decide to finish talking with her and ask her when her husband would be around. She told us she didn't live there but would give us the direction of her family’s house. As my companion is writing her address down, she looks at me and blatantly says, "Sos lindo"... or in English, "You`re cute". Hmhmhmhmhm...Awkward. I just said thanks and goodbye. And we walked away. I’ll be honest, that kind of thing has happened to us before, but never has it been so blatant and hilarious. One thing I like is when they ask us if we`ll bring them back to the States with us. HAHAHAHAHA NO, soy un misionero!

Okay... now that we are done with all that fun stuff. I would like to talk to you all about a little more serious thing. The temple. It just so turns out I went to the temple again this week. Our ward was going so we decided to provechar (no clue how to say that in English anymore). We brought as many investigators as we could. In total we had 15 investigators and about 5 recent converts that all went with us. We could not go into the temple with them, but we walked around the temple and taught them all. It was a gorgeous day and I might have got a tan. I doubt I’ll be able to send photos today, but I’ll try to get some out. I spent a lot of time thinking about it and I would at least like to describe the investigators who went to the temple.

Damian/Nora: These wonderful people we found doing contacts my first day here in Mayol. They have 4 kids who are just adorable and cry every time we leave. He welcomed us into his house saying, "Yeah, let’s talk. But just so you know.... I don’t believe in God." He started to read The Book of Mormon and I think he is 2nd Nephi. The other day we taught him about Repentance and at the end he asked us, "Who are the gentiles?" It was great! They are some of the most wonderful people I know. They invited us to eat at their house this week and they ended up cooking all day to give us dinner. We had homemade ravioli with fish inside (WONDERFUL!). I’ll try to keep you all updated on big events with them. Just know that they are wonderful and I truly find joy with them.

Gloria: This wonderful lady is the mother of Juan who got baptized my first week here. She is beyond wonderful but can’t get baptized because she needs to get married (difficult here in Argentina). She knows more than most members and befriends every person we teach. I love her to death and all of her family. She is so patient and willing to serve.

Noelia: Also needs to get married. But she received an answer to The Book of Mormon my first week here. Ever since she has done everything we ask of her. The only problem is that she is REALLY pregnant. So it is hard bringing her places (like the temple). But she loves it to death.

Okay, there are a lot more, but I’m out of time. I´d just like to send you all my love. I worry for you all and pray for you all. I’m very happy. I’m working as hard as I possibly can and staying relatively healthy (always a problem for me). Something I learned this week is that children really are innocent. I saw it in the eyes of the children we teach. 3 Nephi 17 really had a powerful impact on me recently. Read it, love it. As for me, I’m off to the wild again. Love you all.

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS Conference is this week!!!! Who is excited? IM EXCITED!!!!

They call us friends

2009-09-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

Well, it looks like another week down. I can’t believe it has passed. I figure I’ll tell you all what time seems like for me, because everyone seems to mention it so much.

They say that the first year is hard and long... but the second is fast and easy. I fully disagree. I`d say that the people who say that are people who slacked off and didn't work their last year. Most people compare the mission to a mountain. At one year you reach the top and start to descend. I feel like I just climbed a mountain... yes. But instead of going downhill I started rock-climbing. But trust me, it is a lovely ascent. People say that "Days are like weeks and weeks are like days" on the mission. I kind of agree. The days feel like weeks, but the weeks feel more like months. Fortunately I think I’ll get my full 2 years out of my time here.

Another little thing about the mission right now, I feel like I owe you all apologies. Every Monday I receive e-mails that say that you are all praying for me... and that night I pray for all of you. I try to keep it up, but honestly... by Sunday I'm just praying for my investigators and that they all make it to church the next day. I’ll try to do better and be more consistent. Sorry.

Okay... that all said, don't take me wrong. I am doing wonderful. I love being here on the mission. We are working with some of the best people around. We brought a family to church this week that had never gone before. The husband wasn't able to come last minute, but his wife and 4 kids came. It was about a mile...ish walk to the church from their house. The kids range from 2 to 6 years of age. I know it is against the rules... but with the permission of the mother, I carried the smallest. We had a great time and the kids loved being in church. As well as the mother. When we brought them home we turned to leave and all the kids started yelling, "Come back!!! Don't leave us!" It was heart wrenching. The family has come so far. We clapped their house my first day in the area. The first time in their house they told us they didn't believe in God... or Christ. Now they are reading and praying basically every day. They have desires to change, get married and want to feed us. It is amazing to see the changes in the lives of people as we teach them. They call us friends and wait expectantly for our visits. I know it will take time, but we have surely found some "wheat" as opposed to "tariff".

We have the goal to find every day and as a minimum 10 people every week. We've been fulfilling this challenge, and then some. But as our President has taught us... we now need to start separating the wheat from the tariff. With so many found in one week and so little time to teach, we drop investigators all the time. If the Spirit doesn't tell us they will progress, we drop them. It is hard to tell good people that we won’t be coming around anymore... but it gives us more time to teach people who are ready for baptism. The mission is an interesting lifestyle. Full of it`s grand joys and small pains. I’ve learned so much since I’ve been here and continue to learn every day. Well, my reasoning for telling you all this is to explain a little more about why I don't write many stories anymore. With all of the sifting we are doing, I don't know how things will end. Just so you all know... we have 7 people who are ready for baptism, they just need to do this or stop doing that... and they will be baptized. That battle goes well here against Satan.

Well, I haven’t heard from a lot of you recently. I hope all is well and that all the birthdays are going well. I have everyone’s birthday written out on that calendar I got last Christmas, but I always forget to say happy birthday when the Monday comes around. So... HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all. I love you all and have faith that all is well. I’m doing great here!

Talk to you all next week,

Elder Steinkuhler

PS It got hot again.

I’m going to burn 90%

2009-09-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Well, this has been a rather long week. I'm writing you all on Tuesday because today is when we took our P-Day. We went to the temple for the last time today. The temple here in Argentina will be going under serious changes... so it will be closing down for 2 years... in October. So we went as a Zone and will probably not be returning. I did my last session in Spanish for a very long time. Very sad, but a lovely experience. My old companion Elder Kushlan leaned over to me as we were finishing up and said, "The next time you`ll be in the Lord`s house you`ll be at home". Scary thought!

This last week was a crazy mess of events. I did exchanges for the first time with my district. We baptized 2!!!! I’ve been trying to send you photos of these people, but it is really hard. Computers here don't run the same. But trust me, we baptized the 2 cutest little girls in history. We reactivated the family and then baptized the little girls that were too young to get baptized with the family. It was a fight though. A million and one top things that can go bad in a missionary week... went down. But it was fun, and a challenge. We ended up baptizing the girls and Elders Jones and Coats baptized a young man all on Saturday. Right after the baptism we gave them the Holy Ghost because the next day was Stake Conference. It is always an interesting experience telling someone: "Receive the Holy Ghost". But I’ll admit, I love using the Priesthood.

So, here are some cool things about my new calling as district leader: I ran my first district meeting yesterday. That was interesting. I planned it all out and then we did it. It was pretty straight forward... definitely time to improve. We also did exchanges. That was fun. I went to another area and we found 5 people and took out a baptismal goal. I’d say it was successful. Not to mention I got to spend some time getting to know my district. I went on exchanges with an American... so we talked English the entire time we were in the apartment. Really weird after spending 6 months only speaking Spanish in the apartment. We quoted Brian Regan to celebrate our new found English freedom.

We had Zone Conference this week. The President talked about the 12 tribes of Israel and how we need to separate the wheat from the tariffs. I always love listening to President Asay, he is simply amazing. There is no way you can know how amazing mission presidents are without meeting with them. They are simply amazing. We now have the goal to baptize EVERY WEEK, and find at least 10 new investigators every week. All of you ex-missionaries might understand how hard those two things are... but hey, it`s happening. We`ve baptized 2 weeks in a row... and not just one person, lots.

Um, there is not a whole lot of cool new stuff to report on. I explained to my dearly Momas this, but I’ll tell you all the same. Most of the stories I have I can’t share now. They all include private information that I don't feel comfortable sharing to the Internet world. Needless to say, wonderful people are making breathtaking leaps and bounds of faith. I love watching it happen... but you`ll all just have to wait about a year to hear the best stories.

Good news: I bought new garments at the temple today... I’ve decided that before I go home I’m going to burn 90% of my clothing because it is just not worth the effort of bringing it home.

Well, I hope all is well. I know lots of things are going on that I don’t know about... and even though I don’t know what they are... I hope they end well. I’d like to think that I’m still going strong. I feel good, I feel Great... I feel WONDERFUL. Baby steps, ya know.

All my love,
Elder T. Steinkuhler

PS It`s hot again. I’ll have blond hair in no time.

That threw me off guard and I politely turned down the request.

2009-09-07T16:25:00.000-07:00

Well, what an interestingly awesome week. First of all to the questions.

Tell us about your new companion? My companion is a 22 year old child of Chile. He is short but stalky. He has a LOT of energy and loves working. He is an amazing example of desire and faith. I am his second companion... and he is still in his first area. But he already has major aspects of the mission mastered. I love him a lot... it is great to serve with him.

And how long were you a trainer? I was a trainer for 6 weeks (one transfer). I had already been in Villa Zula for 5 transfers... so the President basically had to move me out. Normally trainers train for 2 transfers (12 weeks). But my talents are needed elsewhere... But I´m not worried... with any luck, I’ll be able to train again. I love it.

Tell us about your new district, and the Elders there. My district consists of 4 elders. There are two Latin’s and two Yankees. Um, it is pretty good. I don’t know too much because I still haven’t gone out with them personally. I’ll let you know more when I do.

Tell us about your new area. It looks like city? It isn’t really, its more like the outskirts. Lots of mud... And the area is really small.

And the ward? Large or small? What kind of building? The ward is amazing. We share it with another set of elders. So there are 4 elders in total that go to the ward... and two more that meet with us for a branch on Sundays. It is pretty big. There are about 125 people in church every Sunday... here that is huge. The building is new and really nice, a typical Argentine chapel. I’ll try to send photos. The chapel is right in the middle of our ward boundaries (which would be our area) and right next to the apartment... so we go there all the time.

Your new apartment? Upstairs or down? 2 Elders or 4? The apartment is really a small house. There are 4 elders. Me, Elder Acuña, Elder Kushlan and Elder Hernandez. Elders Kushlan and Hernandez can’t find an apartment in their area, so they bunk in with us... it is really quite complicated. ANYWAY... It is a small house. We have 2 rooms for studies and a large room where we keep all 4 beds lined up. The kitchen is small and has no table. But we did just buy a new fridge!!!

What do you eat for breakfast…it can’t be American cold cereal. To tell you the truth, we try to find American cold cereal. The majority of the missionaries here eat that. But it is a little too expensive for me, so I make pancakes every morning. Which the other elders normally chow down on as well.

What are the holidays like in Argentina? There are almost always holidays here. Argentina is very Catholic. About 2-3 times a week there is a holiday. Normally for Saint Jo-schmoe... or whathaveyou. Everyone just takes the day off and does whatever they want. Really weird, but hey... what can you do. Basically the only corresponding holidays are Christmas, Easter, New Years, Valentine’s Day and Fathers day. Here Mothers Day is in the middle of October. So if you want I can call home the 16 of October instead of next May.

Well, that out of the way... let me share some of my week, although I have no time.

This area is very different. We go out with members almost all the time. The members here all were surprised at how open I was... they all thought I would be a square or something, anyway... they like me... so we go out with them a lot. That helps us baptize A LOT!!! This week we had a baptism. Next week we have a baptism... Our goal is to have baptisms EVERY WEEK! We don’t know how... but we have faith, we will try our hardest. The ward is split, so we share everything with two other elders. It just turns out the other elders are Elder Jones (from the MTC) and a new elder who JUST got here from the MTC named Elder Coats (who doesn’t understand a thing yet). Wonder to work with. Anyway... there is some background info.

As a district leader I have the opportunity to do baptismal interviews. Fortunately Elder Jones is a District Leader as well, so we can just do interviews for each other. He asked me to do one this week and so I got the opportunity to do my first interview with Celeste. She and her sister got baptized this Saturday along with Juan, the kid we baptized as well. During the interview I got to know Celeste. More than anything the interview is to help them feel secure and find out if they are ready for baptism. At the end I asked her who she wanted to baptize her. She asked me to do it. That threw me off guard and I politely turned down the request. I told her that it would probably be better to have someone from the ward do it or Elder Jones. She had Elder Jones do it (which I’m happy for). But I thought that was an interesting first interview experience.

The 3 people baptism went great! I’ll try to send photos. Baptizing days really are the best!!!

Well, it has been raining all week... so I’ve been all muddy all week. Just so you know. But the members still went out with us... They really are amazing. There are a few return missionaries here and preparing missionaries. One of them went to California, the mission next to Carlsbad.

It is interesting getting to know a lot of new people. I decided to just be bold and follow the Spirit in a bold way. During my first day we took out 2 baptismal goals and we found 12 people this week. It was an amazing week. It feels like every time the Lord asks me to do something new, fill a new calling of some sort... he makes me better, whether I want to be better or not.

Well, there is a lot more, but I’ll wait till next week. I love you all. Thanks for all the messages and love.

All my love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS take it easy up there

Somehow I’ve been called to be a District Leader

2009-08-31T14:57:00.000-07:00

QUESTION TIME¡¡¡¡
-Mate: Maté is a drink here in Argentina and some other South American countries. It is basically a tea, but you put the herbs in a... maté. You pour hot water on it. Then with a straw with a strainer on it you drink it... basically. But they refill it A LOT! So, everyone just shares the same straw. As missionaries we are not allowed to drink it, but I bought a matè. So when I get home I’ll try it out.

-Do you contact on the bus and train? YES!!! We talk to everyone. I didn't do it when I got to the country... nor did anyone else. But now it seems like the cool thing to do.

-Do you carry an umbrella? or just your raincoat? First of all... I'm from WASHINGTON. We don't believe in raincoats or umbrellas. Besides, normally we get caught out preaching. There really is no easy way to go back to the apartment, so we just get wet and hope the people have pity on us.

What do you carry with you?.... BOMs ? tracts? planner? lunch? ...in your yellow backpack, I guess. do you have a phone to keep in touch with the DL? I use my shoulder bag. When I go on long trips I use my yellow bag, but normally no. In my bag I have my Book of Mormon, planner, pamphlets, books of the Book of Mormon to give away, pocket hymnal, notes, and pens. Sometimes a movie or two, and always plastic bags for the rain. And no, I don't carry the Bible. I don't use it anymore. One of us has the cell phone. We use it to call appointments, leaders, etc.

Now... let’s get to the big news. I got transferred. I am no longer in Villa Zula. After 7 months there... I left. It feels SO WEIRD!!!! We get the calls Saturday night... so Sunday I said goodbye to everyone. A very sad day. It was like saying goodbye to my family, except I'm not sure if I’ll ever see them again. In any case, we finished strong. I figured... hey, I need to teach this new elder what working is all about. This week we found 5 new families and ended the week with 65 lessons in total. The elder who replaced me is all set up for GREAT success. I loved Villa Zula with all my heart, but it almost killed me. It is not an easy area. But it seems like in return for my hard work... the president has sent me to one of the best areas of the mission. Here I will baptize a nation. I'm in the area of Mayol... in Florencia Varela. My companion is Elder Acuña... from Chile. I live in another apartment of 4 with Elder Kushlan again... my old companion. I know none of this really makes a difference to you all... but to me it is huge. So... Here I am. Happy, sad, content... ready to work.

Speaking of working... The Lord has asked me to do a little something more. Somehow I’ve been called to be a District Leader. I don't know why... but I’ll do it the best I can. So... no, I don’t use the cell phone to call my district leader... because I don’t have one.

As for my request of the whole no-kisses thing... Not sure it worked. I did come here, so I guess I won’t get anymore. But last week I was averaging 5 a day (my companion kept count).

As a mission we set a new record. We baptized 49 in one month. The old record was 46. As a mission we are getting better and I as a person am more and more excited to work for God. I hope everyone is doing well. I’m trying to send photos this week so that everyone gets to see how I am. Don’t laugh at my yellow shirts. It just means I work hard.

As of my current state... I am good. Thank you all for the wonderful prayers that I know are coming my way. Thank you all for the love I receive from you all. My Father was wonderful enough to send me an e-mail with little notes from a lot of people. I want to let you know it was one of the best things I’ve received in the mission. I love you all and admittedly... miss you all as well. I hope the photos go over well.

Love love love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS This is me walking in the wilderness finding a small peopling of peoples.

PPS This is me and Elder Acuña

PPPS This is how much my shirts dont fit me... HAHAHA

Protect me from the kissing people

2009-08-24T14:02:00.000-07:00

So, I wrote down everything this week so I wouldn't forget what happened. Hopefully I can write you all a more complete letter, especially since I have a lot of time today.

First of all... I have a few requests. I really don't like asking for things, but I would like a few things from the States that I can't really buy here. For example: shirts. All my shirts are.......... old. And shirts down here don't normally have front pockets. That and I've been wearing HUGE shirts for the past 9 months...ish. If anyway wants to send me some light weight material long sleeve white shirts... I would love you a lot. Also, church movies. Not like "Finding Faith in Christ" or "The Restoration". Movies like "The Other Side of Heaven", "The RM", "The Best Two Years", etc. Something I can watch with the ward for a church activity. Oh, and NOT Singles Ward... please.

Also, I would like to know if any of you have ideas for cool activities to do with members. Cool ward activities that are low budget but fun.

Sweet... so this week started out on a bit of a bummer streak. Our baptism got cancelled on behalf of an early baby. It looks like 7 months is not the expected amount of time to be pregnant. Funny thing is... she got pregnant right after I got here... shows how long Ive been here. Anyway, she and her baby daughter are doing fine. But her son (the kid we were going to baptise) wants them both to be there. So we have to put it off.

Then there is Ariel. Some... people came and beat him up this past Tuesday at about 3 in the morning. He is a member of about 2 years. Not a pretty story. They injured his intestines and he had to have emergency surgery. The next morning our Branch President and his son-in-law gave him a blessing. Oh the miracles of the Priesthood. He is already sitting up and everything. No one has ever seen someone heal so fast. It is great!

Fun little story to express how long I've been here. At the beginning of my second transfer we found a nice lady by the name of Daniela. We taught her one time, but dropped her because she was never home. But this week we walked by and I had the impression that she might be there. So we clapped and sure enough, she was there. She invited us in just by looking at me and asked me a question. I answered her and she dropped her jaw and said, "Oh my goodness... you can talk Spanish now!!!" Turns out Ive become a little bit better since I got here. Turns out she is learning to sew now. Turns out I know more then she does and she wants my help. Interesting how old talents come in handy.

Speaking of old talents, I cook a lot here. Today we all got together and I made pancakes for everyone. Oh, and we watched LORD OF THE RINGS!!!! The first one. For some reason it got approved by the presidents wife and so we watched it. AMAZING, especially after seeing The Restoration 5000 times. The Restoration just doesn't have enough heads being cut off to satisfy all of a young mans needs.

So, Sunday we went to the top of our area again. Only this time we walked. Don't worry, it was only like 10km. Not a biggy. We decided to head out into the wilderness and low and behold... we found the long lost people of Los Tores. There is an entire group of people up there who have never heard anything from the missionaries. We plan on heading up there lots of times this week. I'll try to send photos when I can... I don't think this computer can do it.

Side note... I know I've mentioned this before, but I don't think I've ever been kissed so frequently in my life. For those of you who pray for me, could you ask the Lord to help protect me from the kissing people. Men AND women alike.

I guess that is really about it. I don't know what else to say to you all. I'm out of time anyway. I hope all is well at home. I miss you all terribly. I might be transferred next week. We will see. Um... Are there any questions?

Love you all,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I'm doing good.

PPS So is my companion

PPPS How are you all? Long time no talk.

I like to be semi-white.

2009-08-17T12:44:00.000-07:00

**question … where do you teach most of the time? And how? I don’t think you use flip charts either. Words and Spirit alone?

I GOT A QUESTION! I GOT A QUESTION!
Answer: We teach in various places. Like I said, we basically just walk in now. People here don't really have chair sets. Normally we sit down on logs, bed corners, rickety stools, etc. The houses here are sometimes just one small room. So we sit around whatever center piece they have... or just stand there. Whatever works. We really can’t sit on the floor, because it is often dirt... and I like to be clean. I know my shirts are not white anymore, but still... I like to be semi-white.

Every missionary teaches differently because we don't have a written lesson plan anymore. We really follow the Spirit with every lesson. Normally I use a few photos I’ve collected from magazines and pamphlets. When I teach the Plan of Salvation I draw it out in the back of their Book of Mormon. But normally we use words and examples and physical object to prove our points.

So, I’ve realized recently that I don't write as much as I use to. I started taking notice of it about a month ago. Since then I’ve realized how hard it is to write now. I was severely concerned for many days, until I realized why. It is so hard for me to switch from Spanish to English. Spanish spelling is so much easier. Not only that, but I speak Spanish almost all day. So the word order is very different. When I do speak English, it is with other missionaries who speak a mix of Spanish-English like me. So when I want to send a formal letter or formal anything in English... it is REALLY hard! So, I’ll try to practice my English a bit more so that you`ll get some better letters.

So, the weather has changed up a bit here. It was amazing how it went from freezing one day to SUMMER! Then a few days later it rained and everything felt like ice again. This Sunday morning it rained cats and dogs. People here don't have cars and taxis are expensive. So we only had us, the first councilor and the secretary in church. Four in total... a difficult couple of hours. Fortunately we all were prepared to teach and pray. Anyway, with the warm weather, everything has changed. New smells are in the streets and people act completely different. I`ll admit, I don't like the heat, but it brightens up things a bit. I'm sure I`ll be tired of it in a few weeks.

I have an experience to share with you all. More like a command. NEVER GO INACTIVE!!! We have a wonderfully terrible appointment this week with an inactive man. He ended up yelling at us more than anything. When we get baptized we get baptized for the right reason. Or at least I believe. Don't forget that reason. There is nothing sadder in this world then a person who abandons God because of sad things that happen. It has been some time since I wrote home a "call to repentance" letter. This is my plea to all of you: Read your scriptures, pray and go to church. If I get home and you are not doing these things... we are going to have a seriously long talk. I won’t forget.

Ha ha, anyway... it was a rather nice week. Rather difficult, but rather good. My companion is getting used to teaching, so that makes me as happy as can be. He is still really energetic and new. But it is amazing working with someone like that. Don’t worry about me. Things are going up. And from what I hear, things are going up for all of you as well.

I’d like to send a Happy Birthday and a Congratulations to all of you with Birthdays and big events in your lives. You know who you are. Chloe, Aaron, Zerr, Father, Jamo, Becky, Alex, David, etc... etc. Know that you are never far from my prayers and heart. I love you all with all my heart. Thanks for your support.

All my love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS We should have a baptism this week! But we might change it because his mother just had a little baby daughter!!!!

I joined "The Gentleman´s Club" this week

2009-08-10T15:41:00.000-07:00

What to say, what to say? Every week is so full that it feels like a month, yet when I get to the computer I cannot think of anything to say. I can tell you all about the wonderful p-day I'm having. But I bet you don't want to hear about that. Actually, I will tell you a bit about it.

Saturday the 8th of August of 2009, my loyal and once trusted shoes died. I have photos of the sad event. The sides ripped open about 4 months ago and I sewed them back up. Then they ripped open again, and I didn't fix them. Then the sole on my right shoe started falling off. They were only about a millimeter thick anyway, but still... they fell off. Well, they were falling off... so I just ripped them off. I decided re-soling my shoes would not be the best option. So today I went shoe shopping. It was something I had planned for quite some time now... but today was the day. You may all be wondering what I am wearing in the mean time. Elder Trent lent me his shoes. But today I bought some nice no-lace shoes AND a cool polo hat. Because the store was just amazing and the hat just called my name. That and I was wearing a green sweater-vest, so it just went along. I might admit, I feel somewhat sophisticated.

As for the week, it was a rather long one. We had interviews and intercambios (companion exchanges) and all sorts of stuff. It was a really eventful week. We dropped the cane on people. We worked with members. We did everything we should of... except baptize. We focused as hard as we could during the week and by the end I realized that I had taught more lessons this week than any other week on my mission. Which is interesting because we basically lost a day doing interviews. That was one of the reasons I bought the hat. I joined "The Gentleman´s Club" this week. Teaching more than 40 lessons in one week. So I bought a gentleman`s hat. We took out another baptismal fecha for this amazing kid. So hopefully in a few weeks I’ll be able to see another baptism!!!!

We have a new focus in our mission. We focused for a long time on teaching skills. For anyone who wants to see the data... here is what WAS happening. For every 30 people we found... one would get baptized. Now we are at about 15. A little lower than that. So we are focusing on finding people now. And to do it we have some new techniques. Basically we just say hi and then walk into the house. We have been praying for help doing that and this week we found about 7 people doing that. I was really scared doing it the first few times, especially since 90% of the people have metal bars in front of their house... and because I’m training. But it works well. I found an entire family just by saying "Is this your family?" and walking in shaking hands. At one point in my life I could have said I was fearless... Now I know I am.

Now that I have a year I feel the pains of a year on the mission. I’m loving it, but I’ve decided that more than a year like this will actually kill me. I told you all I wasn’t going to come home. Well, I think I might. We`ll see in a few months.

My training-ness is going pretty good. I’m enjoying training but it is really hard. We both started loosening up this week and enjoying it. But there were a few weeks there that were pretty uptight. Needless to say, I’m very thankful for all your prayers and concerns. As for the great missionary update: "I’m doing well. Keep the letters coming. I love you all. -Elder"

I don’t really have any stories I would like to share this week. But I would like to tell you all again... it is amazing to teach someone and feel the Spirit. To be in the middle of a lesson and the Spirit is just running out of you toward the other person. To say just want they need and to see the change in their face as the feel God`s love. And it only comes through complete and perfect obedience. I’m sorry if I have been rather cold to any of you. I’m sorry if I haven’t written in a long time. I’ve been really focused lately. I’m going to try and find time to write people. I know that a lot of big things have been happening to the people I love most... and I’m sorry that I haven’t said anything to you yet. My apologies for not being there for you all. I’ll try to do better.

In case I don’t see you: Good afternoon, Good evening and Good night (for the next year). Hugs and kisses to you all.

All my love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I hope you like the photos.
PPS Are there any questions?

It works like a charm.

2009-08-03T10:03:00.001-07:00

Well, this week seems to have gone by slowly. So much happened, but at the same time not much at all. First of all, a few pieces of news:

The "pouch" system does not long come to Argentina. So all DearElder letters or letters sent to me via Utah will no longer get to me. It seems to be a problems for the church and with the whole raising the bar thing... we are trying to cut down on ineffective use of missionary time. Which is great... but means we won’t be writing as much as before.... but eh, whatever.

I’m still training Elder Gallardo. He is an interesting fellow and I found training a real trial at first. But the majority of the corners in our relationship have been rubbed out and we are doing fine. We have been working really hard here in Villa Zula. I don’t have any fun stories this week, so you`ll just have to settle for something more spiritual.

I’ve been trying out a few new techniques we learned from Elder Aidukitis. One of them is basically just walking into the person’s house when doing contacts. It works like a charm. We do a contact and then tell them we are just going to explain it and walk in. They are normally just like.... um...um... okay. And we find people. This is really good because I feel like I’ve talked to almost everyone.

We also took out two more baptismal dates this week. We taught this girl I’ve been teaching since I got here. She and her boyfriend finally agreed to a set day to be baptized. It was a huge experience for me. And I’m sure that when she gets baptized... it will be the best day of my mission.

We also taught this lady who started off the appointment telling us, "look, I don’t plan on going to your church or being baptized. I’ve already been baptized and I’m Catholic". I explained to her the Holy Ghost and she felt the power of my words. I testified of how I feel the Spirit EVERY DAY. How it puts Spanish words in my mouth that I’ve never learned. How it helps us find and teach. At the end of the lesson you could see the change in her countenance... She found the desire to pray and receive an answer. We`ll see. I love teaching like that.

I also had a few "drop the cane" appointments. Those are great. It really was an amazing week, especially since we doubled the attendance in sacrament this week from a few months ago. And we re-activated a 17 year old kid... who started visiting members because of what we taught him. It was amazing.

That and so many more things... that I don’t have time to explain. Just know it was amazing.

I hear Jamo and Becca tied the knot. Congrats. I hope everyone else is doing well... know I’m great.

Love,
Elder Steinkuhler

PS I’ll admit, I’m tired of the cold.

The coldest thing I think I’ve ever done

2009-07-27T14:51:00.000-07:00

I’ll just be honest with you all. This was one of the longest weeks of my life. So many things happened it was crazy.

Well, Tuesday we woke up to LOTS of rain. We had to travel to the mission headquarters by boat almost. Every street was about a foot deep of water. So we trudged over to the train, and from the train to the chapel. We were taught a little bit and then went to the mission home (or, in other words... where the mission president lives with his family). There were 4 Latin’s that came in and 9 Yankees. My companion turned out to be Elder Gallardo from Chile. He is 19 and really excited to work. Once we got home we dropped off his bags and took off. We swam down the roads again to a few appointments. He handled it like a pro. He really is a champ. He has some great new ideas and some interesting outlooks on life that will really spruce up our teachings. It is odd looking back at when I came here. I wonder what my trainer was thinking.

The terrible news is that on his first week we just happen to not have gas in the apartment. That means we can’t cook or shower. There were a few details about the apartment that no one told us about. We ended up being without water for 3-4 days. Let me just tell you, I had the coldest showers of my life. The water tank is outside and it got to 0º a couple nights in a row. It was really the coldest thing I think I’ve ever done. And my poor new companion just went a few days without showering. He also didn't have a sleeping bag... so I lent him mine and we went out and bought him one Thursday. Oh my poor poor companion. The first week is always the longest... but even more so when there are problems like this.

Well, before I write you all again I will finish my first year as a missionary. Yup... I’d like to say that I should be finishing 2 years already... but at the same moment I feel like I just started. There is something interesting that happens to missionaries around this time. We seem to just forget and loose all connections to home. I can honestly not remember what it is like to be a normal person right now. My life seems to be a blur of baptismal dates, old shoes, scriptures, Spanish words, ties, etc. I'm sorry to inform you all that I probably will NOT be coming home in a year. I don't think I can make the change back into a normal person.

Well, from what I hear, everyone is doing well. Jamo and Rebbecca should be getting married this week. My congratulations. Save me a napkin or something... Or just send me a photo... that might be better. I hope Alex got home safe and sound... I'm kind of worried about him going to the beaches of Hawaii right after the mission... tell me he got home in one piece. As for the rest of you... I hope and pray you will all stay safe until I see you again.

Love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS I am having fun... for all of you who worry.

Email from the President

2009-07-22T21:14:00.000-07:00

Tommy is Training a new missionary! His President sent the following to the new missionary's family and added us on the email to see the picture.

_____________________________

Estimada Familia Gallardo,

Es con placer que les informamos que su hijo llegó bien a la gran Misión Argentina Buenos Aires Sur. Está muy contento con su nueva área y tiene un entrenador Buenísimo! Gracias por criar a un hijo tan bueno. Aunque hace poco tiempo que lo conocemos ya lo queremos.

Cordialmente,

Presidente y Hermana Asay

Staying in Villa Zula for my 5th transfer and TRAINING!

2009-07-20T17:37:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! WHAT A WEEK! I'm changing companions again... the president came for a day... miracles have been working their way into my area... I cannot express to you all how grateful I am for our Savior Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven.

Last Monday was long and Tuesday seemed even longer because we knew that President Asay was going to come the next day. Really, just one of those feelings like you are waiting for your death sentence. When we got home on Tuesday President Asay was already waiting for us. And it started!!! The best 24 hours of my life.

On Wednesday we woke up on time and the president was already showered and dressed. We then got ready and studied like normal. We planned and everything. Then took photos and left. It was a really spiritual morning. There is something about being around a man who knows the majority of the quorum of the twelve. The whole day was really a spiritual experience.

We taught a few less active people in the morning and then investigators in the afternoon. All went really well. It was amazing to see how he reflected EVERYTHING back to The Book of Mormon and prayer. It was amazing how powerfully he spoke and the influence he had on people I’ve been teaching for 6 months. He changed those people in 10 minutes more than I’ve done in 6 months. It was amazing. Truly a humbling experience. He complimented us on all the things we do well and helped us improve ourselves in the things we lack. From the way he was acting, I was expecting us to stay together for a long time.

Turns out that on Saturday... when the phone rang and we received the transfer news, it was nothing like we though. My companion, Elder Villagra, who is probably my favorite companion so far... left me. Well, he left very reluctantly. And I am staying in Villa Zula for my 5th transfer and WILL BE TRAINING!!!! I still don’t believe it. In some MTC in the world, my next companion is getting ready to come here. I’ll find out who it is in about 24 hours. Currently I’m companion-less and walking the streets of Argentina solo. Well it is either that or Elder Bogarin and I are chilling together for a day. He is from Paraguay and came into the mission with me. We`ll be rocking it up in his area because mine is an 8 hour round trip and his is about 30 minutes. I figure we can find something constructive to do with those 7 and a half hours.

That is really the big news. I don’t know what else to say about my week. It was a wonderful week. Absolutely wonderful. I learned things like I was in the MTC again AND applied them. We had an appointment yesterday with a family I’ve been teaching for 6 months. The daughter is inactive and is 20 years old. She loves the missionaries but has never said anything kind to me. After a lovely appointment that included a little bit of cane dropping, she told me thanks... and that I was a capo (roughly translated to stud). By the end of the lesson she not only had the desire to read for the Book of Mormon every day and to pray... but also to pray about whether or not a mission was the right decision for her. I love what the president taught us. Now I just need to teach that to my new companion.

I don’t know if you all can tell... but I’m kind of freaking out. As much as I don’t like asking for it, I could really use some prayers.

I almost forgot, I had some questions about the food here. The food here is NOT like Mexico. There is no spice whatsoever. The most common foods are meat, empenadas, pizza, pastas and MATÈ. Empenadas are kind of like burritos and matè is a type of tea that everyone drinks. Anyway, I’m out of time... but if anyone has more questions about culture or what-have you... ask me.

All my love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

It got me dirty, but hey... that’s the price we pay.

2009-07-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

So much to write... not enough time. Sorry... to say everything, this will be very random and confusing and unorganized... so probably just normal. We`ll see.

Story: One of the members in our ward visited the Branch President. His dog came with him but did not follow him home. When we passed by later on the wife of the branch president explained the situation and when we left the dog followed us. We decided to go out of our way and walked the dog home. It was pretty funny because it isn’t that big of a dog and got scared a lot... so I carried it some of the way. It got me dirty, but hey... that’s the price we pay. He was happy to be home though.

Another act of service we did this week was when we went to visit some inactives... they have a long story. Let’s just say it was interesting to see them in the same house, let alone happy in the same house. He was working on the floors, so when we walked in and saw the commotion, we dropped our bags and just started buffing as well. It felt so good to do a little bit of service.

Last Monday I bought my first matès. One is a part of a cow horn... the other is a wooden one. If anyone knows anything about Argentina it is that a matè is required to be Argentine. Now I’ve got two.

As missionaries we get to know the most interesting people. One member has sons who went down dark paths. They are now in jail. We work with her when we can. Anyway, we were sitting in another member’s house teaching and I glance over at the TV to see her face staring back. Turns out they did a special on her and she was on the news. Que tal.

Another funny thing is that when I was in El Cruce we found this man who looked golden. Later on I heard he wanted to get baptized but couldn’t because of past things he did. Elder Villagra told me all of what happened. Turns out he is like a leader of all the robbers in El Cruce. Needless to say, he has some things to fix. Also, he told them that if anyone ever tried to do anything to them... that they should tell the person that they are friends of his. I love crazy stuff like that.

This last week we went to a members home to talk to his sister-in-law (not member) and they asked us for a blessing of health. We did it. Then they asked for a blessing on the house, which I did (interesting how we receive our first experiences). Then the mother (member and not all there in the head) wanted one and kept on talking all throughout the blessing. THEN... she was like "Thanks, and the heater is broken to... can you bless it as well". Needless to say, the point of Priesthood blessings was lost to her... but she had the faith to be healed. It is things like this that remind me of how we must become as innocent children.

Well, I’m WAY out of time. So I’m heading out to do some good. We had fun today. I played Frisbee and we watched Kung Fu Panda for the 10th time. HAHA... all well.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS the president is coming on Tuesday.

I have the answer to everything

2009-07-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness... huge week! Where to start... Gripe A.

My mother so kindly berated me for not informing people about being sick. I will now explain why I didn't... because if I don't, this week will make no sense to anyone. I have no clue what it is called in the states... here it is called Gripe A. I believe back at home it is called Swine Flu or something like that. It has gotten big down here. People have been dying down here because of that. No one I know... but people in the city I'm living in. I BELIEVE... not sure, but believe we got sick with this sickness. We all had the symptoms and everything, all 4 of us. And I did not want to worry people with this because it passed... I'm not going to die. AND I'm sure people would have told us to stay inside... which we just can’t do. You`d understand if you were a missionary. Staying inside is not an answer, even if you are sick or dying. Sorry... not going to happen. Here it is being called an epidemic. Okay... so THAT is the reason I did not tell anyone. I don't want people freaking out about poor little Tommy... because I'm fine. OKAY!!!! Good.

Well, so what happened is that because everyone is sick... no one really wants us to come in. Also, there was a mandate sent out saying that Berisso (the city in which I live) is not allowed to have meetings of any kind. Schools, clubs, Churches… Everything has been shut down. If anyone knows the Articles of Faith... they´d know we follow the law. That, above other things, means that we did not have church Sunday. But, God`s church cannot be stopped... so we as missionaries went to the house of every member and gave them the sacrament. Let me tell you... it was a long day with rain and all sorts of horrible things. But it was also one of the best days of my mission. Going house to house giving the sacrament to people is a blessing rarely heard of.

Well, that isn't even the biggest event of the week. On Saturday we had a baptism of Jorge Alegre. It was amazingly wonderful. As a church we normally give the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sundays, during the sacrament meetings. But this week we had no sacrament meeting so we had the opportunity to do it right after the baptismal service. It was amazing. We spent all day boiling water in the church`s kitchen and dumping it into the font because the water wasn't warm. And something in the font tinted the water greenish. And all of these things were working against us, but it turned out to be one of the smoothest baptisms I’ve seen here. Very wonderful.

Anyway... I had a million things to tell you all... but I grabbed the wrong agenda. Let us think...

This Monday the power went out in Berisso. We ended up doing contacts in the pitch black and teaching people in their homes under candle light. I really felt like the old school missionaries who taught like that. Houses here have not progressed and are much like what they were back in the era of Joseph Smith. It was an experience I won’t soon forget.

It has been really weird weather here. Raining hard one day and then the next is like summer. Then the next is like we stepped into Antarctica.

I’ve been teaching my companions how to fence in any free 10 seconds we have.

We also had interviews this week... we learned a lot. It is amazing how much we learn now adays. There are so many techniques out there at our disposal. The President also thought about sending me home... but then didn't (just kidding).

I'm sorry... it was the biggest week of my life. SURELY the longest. And I forgot my agenda and don't have anything to tell anyone. My apologies.

Oh, I hope everyone got that e-mail our mission sent out to us concerning the packages. I have not received anything yet except a few things from my mother... letters, photos and ties... para que sepa. I’ve heard that a lot of things are on their way... but I didn't receive anything. I’m a patient man though. I’m sure it`ll come. I have faith. Something cool though that I’ve seen people do is: Write "Dios sabe todo y Dios vea todo." on the side of the box. It means "God knows all and God sees all". It seems to help it so that people don’t rob from the packages. Um, I guess that is all. I hope the photos I’m sending make it to you. I’m sending one from my roof of our yard and one of Jorge... I’ll try to get some of my face... but no promises. I will send one of my shoe (that I have since fixed).

Well, I love you all. I hope everyone is doing well and not dying of the gripe. Let me know if there is anything you want or need from me. I have the answer to everything... or at least the means to find an answer (whether it is the right answer or not... we`ll see).

All my love,
Tommy

Updated Information on Mailing Packages

2009-07-06T12:21:00.001-07:00

Missionaries…please read and then FORWARD this email to your parents!

Dear Parents of Buenos Aires South missionaries;

As some of you already are aware we are experiencing a growing problem with the Customs and Postal Offices here in Argentina. Until just a couple months ago we were recommending highly that you send all packages “Express Mail” through the US Postal Service. They arrive safely and come directly to the Mission Office within 6 days. All “Priority Mail” packages are still a problem as they go to the Capital until we can get them picked up (an all day event outside our mission boundaries) and there is a fee to retrieve them.

However, the new problem is that the customs office in our region has decided to impose a huge tax on all “Express” packages arriving from the United States. They take the cost of the items inside the box (according to the value you place on the customs form) plus the price of shipping, divide it by two then times it by 3.7 to get the price in Pesos. That will be the C.O.D. charge placed on the package when it arrives at the Mission Office. We also noticed that most of the boxes with values less than $10.00 dollars were not charged anything. Others with values less than $20.00 were random…some charged, some not.

We are not sure why this has suddenly changed, but we still feel that the best method to send the packages is “Express Mail”. We would suggest that you write on the customs form, “Missionary Supplies”, but keep the written value as low as possible. If you send clothing take all tags off as they could think they are items for resale. We have had missionaries be charged as much as $250.00 dollars to get their packages. This money comes out of the missionaries personal account, so the parents end up paying twice for the package.

Another suggestion would be to hold off on sending any packages for the time being. We have some very nice stores here where the missionaries can purchase new clothing and shoes, and for usually less money than they cost in the US.

We are so sorry for this problem. If you have any questions feel free to email us at 2014459@ldschurch.org or call our office at 54-4293-5392.

Sincerely,

Sister Fitch
Secretary
Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission

Imagine it in Spanish

2009-06-29T23:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm sorry to report that the baptism did not go through this week... but happy to say it will be going through THIS week. This Sunday was Election Day. Here in Argentina, everyone has to vote or send in a good reason why they are not voting (like my companion). So we decided to push the date back to a more tranquil day. This Saturday we will be baptizing Jorge and he will receive the Holy Ghost on Sunday. It really has been amazing to see him progress the way he has.

Well, now that things have settled down... I’ll tell you all the complete truth. Last week when I said that people were getting sick... I really meant to say that EVERYONE was sick, including all 4 elders that live in our apartment. But we are all better now. Well, not perfect, but better. People keep on telling me I sound like Christian Bale as Batman. I started doing some of the lines and people were freaking out. Needless to say, my voice is a lot deeper right now and my wheezy laugh is back in full force.

Due to that sickness that everyone had, we needed to work twice as hard to meet our goals... and we did. It really is amazing how God takes care of you when you are doing what he wants. When you put the faith out there in full force... he always completes. We have been helping people progress and have been finding people... even in this cold winter land (which I love). Today it rained even... I LOVED IT!!!! It started last night with lightning and thunder. It is a lot warmer... but I can sacrifice that for a little taste of Washington goodness.

Great story... more like lesson I learned: We did divisions this week. Divisions are when two priesthood holders go out with us and we "divide" ourselves and double the work. We try to do it at least once a week... this week we did it TWICE!!!! Anyway, we went out with a return missionary named Mariano Mariani. One of my favorite people here on the mission. He is currently working as a pizza delivery man on his motorcycle. So, he brought his motorcycle to divisions. We got out late and had a million things to do. So he was just like, "Dude, let’s just go on the motorcycle. It will be way easier that way." I didn't really have time to consider everything and trusted in this return missionaries knowledge of the rules. It wasn't until we got back to the apartment and asked the Zone Leaders about it that I found it we can’t do that. ANYWAY, since then I have repented and will never do it again... but: IT WAS A BLAST! I have spent very little time on a motorcycle in my days, but it was amazingly fast and efficient. Personally I think every missionary COULD profit from one. (Now is the time where you pause and imagine Elder Steinkuhler riding on the back of a red motorcycle in the dead of winter... :D)

Another cool thing for Melanie... We found an inactive member who works as a barber. He was giving us a reference one day and when we passed by his shop he was sitting there practicing how to put in extensions. He taught me and... I´m now a pro. Too bad I have no reason to use it during the mission. He also cut my hair (which looks good) and with this extreme cold, I'm regretting cutting is so short. But all the same, I look styling.

I would like to thank Sister Ranck and Jamo for sending me that cookie recipe. We have done them a few times during the week and I’m sure I’ve gained 10 pounds. We also did a fudge pie thing... another 10 pounds. But people here have never had them and love them. Needless to say, I need to cut back on the sweats.

Today we got together as a Zone (we just split our zone, so we are only 10 elders). We played Mafia. For those of you who know how it is... imagine it in Spanish. WAY FUN! And we ate cookies (thanks again Ranck Family). One of the coolest parts is that we had two members come along as well. One is just now reactivating himself. All 4 elders in our pench have been working with him and he is progressing amazingly. He came and loved the game... we should be doing a Family Home Evening with his family tomorrow... playing Mafia. Cool, eh? We are also planning on doing an activity in a few weeks with the two branches around here. We want to do bobbing for apples... does anyone have any other cool USA activities like that?

As for everything else... it`ll have to wait for later. Until that day, stay safe and do well. I know I am.

All my love,
Tommy

PS I’m sorry there was nothing spiritual in this letter. I’ve realized the worth of spiritual stories. I try to only send them when I feel like someone needs one. But needless to say, they happen.

PPS For all of you who know me well and advised me in this before the mission... I will admit to you all: I really miss video games and movies. HAHAHA

"Look, when can I get baptized?"

2009-06-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

Well, life has been crazy this week. I swear it has been 3 weeks at least since last I wrote. I can’t even start to tell you all how tired I am. I have so much to tell you all, let me start with Tuesday:

Here in the mission we do something called "contacts". It is supposedly the most inefficient way of teaching and finding. Well, we only have 15 members in our ward... so we don't have many options. So, we do LOTS of contacts. However, some days we are just teaching and don't have time for contacts. We ALWAYS try to do 5 a day. It is amazing how sometimes it is the 5th person that lets you come back after 4 rejections. ANYWAY... Tuesday was one of those days. We did contacts and on our last one... we found a man by the name of Jorge. Wednesday (the next day) we came back and took a baptismal date out with him for 1 ½ weeks later. Saturday we went by with the Branch President. Sunday he walked 50 blocks to come to church. And on THIS Sunday he will be baptized!

I would like to take the time out and say that this was all due to great leaders, great RMs, obedience and faith. Jorge has been pre-prepared by other missionaries and it was due to them and faith that we found him. We came in for our first appointment and he was sitting there with his Book of Mormon, Bible and a smile of his face. We started out with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the middle he stops us... basically explains everything in his own words and asks, "Look, when can I get baptized?". You have no idea how wonderful it is to hear those words. Now that I know we are going to have a baptism here I will tell you all a little bit about Villa Zula (my area).

Villa Zula has the reputation in the mission of being the most dead area. There are few members and no ward support. When I got to this area there were no records or investigators. It was like opening an area. I’ve worked as hard as I can (I think it is due to this area that I'm losing my hair). When Elder Villagra came I decided to tell him we had the best area in the mission. I boasted up every good point of our area. We started to work hard and the mission president here told us to "take the tops off our areas", as we put our faith in our leaders words... miracles have happened here. Villa Zula is now one of the leading areas in the Zone. We have exploded with success. In fact, so much that we don`t have time to handle it all. I cannot tell you how wonderful the Lord is to his missionaries. Blessings are at every hand. I want to tell you all that miracles exist today. Faith, obedience and hope are the keys to finding those miracles.

Another great thing has happened to us this week. Elder Aidukitis from the 70 came to speak with us. He told us all what we are doing bad and showed us how to do it better. We got to take a photo with him. It was an amazing talk that he gave to us. We did a few practices and he called on Elder Villagra and me to help him. In the practice he threw a Book of Mormon at me because I wouldn't accept it (as a joke). It was pretty scary to see a church leader throw a Book of Mormon at my face. He encouraged us though. He promised us we can double the work we are doing. He also promised us we can baptize EVERY WEEK of our missions.... regardless of where we are. It was that same day that Jorge asked us when he could be baptized. What a great week!

Well, things are cold down here. The majority of the people and missionaries are sick. A dear friend of mine kindly reminded me that if I want to stay healthy I should ask for prayers. So just letting you all know... there are sick missionaries down here who could use some prayers.

Other than that things are great! I got my birthday present from my Mommy. She included glow sticks and it turns out glow sticks don’t exist here. So my companion had a grand old time playing with them. He thought they were the coolest thing ever and asked if they had batteries. Then how to turn it off... it was a good night. I hope the pictures of that also make it through.

Well, I hope you enjoyed this week`s presentation of "A week in the Life of Elder Steinkuhler". Things are going great! We are all having a grand time down here.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS ¿Are there any questions? - (mother should get that quote)

I ate more wax

2009-06-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, sorry this will be another short one. This week has been wonderfully full. We worked our tails off and have seen the rewards. Elder Villagra is an amazing elder. He has less time than I do… but is teaching me more than any other companion I’ve had.
Some cool things that have happened to me this week are:

We took out 3 baptismal dates this week. A young couple I’ve taught for some time. And a man who has been taught for about 2 years off and on... and need to get married. It was an amazingly hard week, but with lots of blessings. Having the Zone Leaders in the apartment is amazing. I love seeing their examples all the time. They have helped me become a better missionary. We also had Elder Trujillo in the apartment this week. He left this morning and I’m man enough to say... I’ll miss him. He was never my companion, but I feel as close to him as I do a brother. He has helped me a lot as well. Yup, now that I’m writing it I realize how much I suck on my own... I’m glad I’ve got people to help me on the mission.

This Wednesday was my birthday (don’t worry if you forgot, no biggy). We had a wonderfully hard working day. Elder Trujillo came with us in a companionship of three. With three missionaries we were able to break even the hardest of cold hearts. A wonderful return missionary here made me a cake. It looked like a $100 professional cake. So I asked where he got it and he was all like "oh, I baked it". WOW!!! Then that night the other 4 elders in the apartment made me a "cake" out of an alfejor. It is a tinny little chocolate cup-cake thing they sell around here. ANYWAY, they ended up getting all 21 candles on it. GOOD TIMES! I think I ate more wax than chocolate though.

Today we spent all morning cleaning and cleaning and cleaning. Elder Audukiaus (spelling?) from the seventy is coming this Wednesday. He will be inspecting the missionary apartments (or at least a few). So I cleaned up as much as I could today. It is also a holiday down here... so basically everything is closed and no one wants to hear from us. But the work goes on and God provides a way. We are seeing some real progress in this area right now. I cannot tell you all how excited I am to see this kind of progress going on. I’m sure that my current hair loss issue is due to the "strain of being a missionary" problem going on around the world. All well, I’ve always wanted to be bald anyway.

It is getting rather cold down here and dark rather early. Winter will start Sunday of this week. It is weird to think that everyone is about to go on summer break back at home... and here we are hoping for it to snow this year. All well... what can you do?

Well, Happy Father`s Day all you fathers... especially you Daddy and David... and Ryan and Jonathan and Aaron... and so many more. I’m glad you`re out there fighting the other good fight.

Well, I’m out of time. Hope everyone is doing wonderfully. I’ll try to send some letters soon. I know I’m terrible at that.

All my love,

Elder T Stein

Crazy changes are happening to me on all fronts.

2009-06-08T23:59:00.001-07:00

Well, things have changed! Transfers were today... and things have really spun me for a loop. I am still in Villa Zula... but now I am with Elder Villagra... a Latin (more about this later).

Ill be honest, I will miss Elder Kushlan very much. But I already love Elder Villagra... we are going to be tearing this place up.

But wait... that is not all. BOTH elders from Berisso (the other elders in the apartment) are leaving as well (Elder Trujillo will train them in the area for a week). The Zone Leaders will be coming in into a "white wash". It is something crazy that happened here... but Ill grow to like it. I feel like I need to be even more of a straight arrow. BUT WAIT!!! THERE IS MORE?!?!?!

Every transfer the President of the mission goes out with ONE companionship for one day. There are about 100 some odd companionships of elders in the mission. So we all have about a one in one hundred chance of getting a full day inspection with the president. Well... yup, turns out 1/100 is a lot smaller for me. I had 16 chances at getting my name picked... and today it got picked. Naw... really I’m excited about it. It should be really cool. I just hope he doesn’t send me home or something.

SO, about this Elder Villagra. He and I have something HUGE in common. I started the mission in El Cruce. Three transfers later I left for Villa Zula... this place. When I left my ex-companion trained a new missionary... by the name of ELDER VILLAGRA! Who just happens to be from Cordoba... the same as the elder who trained me (elder Sagripanti). Well, now 3 transfers have passed again... and the same Elder Villagra shows up on my door step. He filled me all in about El Cruce and all the people he baptized. About 10 people had been baptized during his time there... and EVERY SINGLE ONE was someone I found and taught. None of you can know how much joy that has brought my soul. So much has happened, and I am happier than ever.

Not much has happened this last week. Sorry to make things really boring. But I’ve just been working a lot here. I feel more at home here than anywhere else. I’m just going to try and be the best missionary possible. I feel like the Lord is asking a lot of me right now... and I have it in me to give it. But that I won’t if I don’t work my tail off. I’m in the same apartment as the leaders here. I’m senior companion to a Latin. The President is coming to watch us. I’m in the most dead area of the mission (I bet you didn’t know that). Crazy changes are happening to me on all fronts. I’m happier than ever and also more focused than ever.

Thank you all for keeping me up to date on home life. You all keep me sane... and help me practice my English. I miss you all terribly. Ill fill you all in about all the details in about a year. Until then take care and don’t let the cold get to you.

Love you all,
Tommy

PS I got bite by a dog for the first time. Nothing happened... my leg was too big for it to even get its teeth around... oops. It was also a members dog... so I didn’t do anything.

BIRTHDAY!

2009-06-08T00:25:00.000-07:00

For those of you emailing Tommy this week please remember to wish him a Happy Birthday!! Tommy turns 21 on Wednesday.

The bathroom is pretty sweet.

2009-06-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

Okay... first to the questions:

Q: what kind of place do you live in? I assume it's an apartment...one room?...upstairs?...bunk beds?...what are the wash facilities?...and the cooking facilities?
A: We live in a 4 elder apartment that is behind the house of the owner (not member). It has 4 rooms. Every apartment, or pench as we say, has to have: Full Bathroom, Kitchen and Sleeping area. The mission is trying to get rid of all the 4 elder penches. So we are looking for a new one currently. But for the meantime we live in this one. It is outside our area, so we are looking for one inside our area. ANYWAY. It is a one level apartment. There is one set of bunk beds that the other elders have... but they don’t use them like bunk beds. The "washing facilities" would be a bathroom. Oh, and a large sink outside if we want to hand wash out clothes... but we don’t have time, so we bring them to a cleaner. The bathroom is pretty sweet. You can basically use the toilet while showering... pretty cool if you think about it.
The coolest part is that there is an area outside the door with plants and a little grass. Over the years elders have planted a lemon tree, pomegranate tree, onions and a few other things I don’t know the names of. They don’t give us a lot of food... but it is good food.

Q: Do you eat often at members? or not at all?
A: We do eat with members. We have a set appointment every Wednesday and Thursday to eat lunch. On Tuesdays we eat dinner with someone. On Sundays our ward mission leader gives us food at church to eat at home. Every once in awhile we eat with someone outsides of these appointments. But basically this. Our branch is pretty small... Basically all the active members give us food.

Q: You walk everywhere...so how do you figure travel time between appointments and clapping houses?
A: Well, we take a bus every morning and travel to our area. Then we walk. We measured it once... we normally walk about 1-2 miles in the morning and 9-10 in the night. It sounds like a lot... but isn’t too bad. You have to remember that we talk to about 20 people for every mile. Anyway... we normally go to an appointment in the morning. After that we travel to another appointment or plan and while traveling we clap houses. Basically whenever we are walking we clap houses. It helps pass the time and progresses the work. If we are in a hurry we just speed walk and skip the clapping. Our area isn’t that big, but big enough to make things difficult.

ANYWAY... this week:

We worked hard this week, but it has just been a bad week. We kind of got thrown off with the activity we did last Tuesday. Then we had interviews the next day. Then an activity the day after. It was just like boom boom boom. We`ve been working hard... and for that reason the week seems forever long. People say that when you work harder the time seems to speed up. I’ll be honest, that is a huge lie! Well, for me at least. The "harder" I work, the more things I have in my mind... the day never seems to end and the weeks feel like months. When you talk to 500 people a day and know half their names... when you are constantly thinking about addresses and people who need help today... it all seems so long. BUT that means we get 5 times the work in. I don’t want to sound like I’m complaining... I’m just telling you so you understand. It is kind of like that story in the scriptures when God gave "the good guys" a little more day light to finish the battle. Well, God slows down time so we can do what he wants (we don’t work as fast as him).

We have had the wonderful fortune of finding and teaching all sorts of people this week. We have a solid list of people we teach and lists of others. It is wonderful when we can strengthen people. When people move from the "other investigators" section to the "progressing investigators" section. We have a lot of people who are progressing and becoming THAT much closer to being baptized or coming back to church. Our baptismal dates are still going strong. The weather has not been the best, so that has slowed some things down. I swear, one little rain cloud and everyone is sick. All well... at least it passes with the bad weather. PS I love muddy roads. It makes walking a lot more interesting.

Well, sorry this is a shorter one. But things have been crazy. I’m doing wonderful though. We played soccer today and I feel great. Going out and running is fun. I’m staying active both spiritually and physically. My beloved friends here are progressing as well as the Elders around here. I’m becoming more obedient every day... all is well. I don’t know what else to say. Sorry no crazy cool stories again. Next week yeah!

Love you all,
Tommy

PS This is the last week of the transfers. It could be that next week I’ll be in a new area.
PPS SMILE!

What would the world do without missionaries?

2009-05-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

Well, one week down. 64 to go... not that I’m counting or anything.... my companion is though. This week has been the most packed and longest in history. We played soccer... talked to a million people and worked like there is no tomorrow. We finally have everything running smoothly in this wonderful little branch. We have a wonderful lady by the name of Hercilia that is going to be baptized next month. We have been working a lot with her and others. The blessings are starting to pour down from all the work we have done. It really does feel wonderful to see the Lord`s hand in action as his work goes forth. If there is one thing I’ve learned out here it is this: We are doing the Lord`s work. We are actually guided by the Lord and he will force us to do it the right way if we are doing it wrong.

Well, this was a very un-eventful week to write about. But this one funny thing did happen. My companion FORGOT HIS PLAQUE (name tag) on his shirt when we washed our clothes. How, I don’t know... but he thought he lost it. The next day it falls out of the laundry.... all messed up. It has some of the letters gone and doesn’t close anymore. So last night we boiled it to try and fix it a bit. If we damage a plague it takes about 7 months to get a new one.... so we have to use this for now. See photos for reference. The boiling process worked fairly well... it made the plague look old and faded... but at least it closes.

Today (being Tuesday) we are going to do a zone activity... so we switched our p-day again this week. But don’t worry... it isn’t a usual thing. Next week we`ll be back on the Monday schedule. Today we we’ll be watching a movie and eating Argentino BBQ.

We had a cool dance this week also. A young lady is getting married in our ward... so they invited us to the wedding reception. It was in the church, at the same time as the stake dance. Well, none of the youth were dancing. So Elders Kushlan, Trujillo, Vargas and I busted it up. We looked in the rules and it actually says NOTHING about dancing... so we went out there and started acting like clowns. Everyone thought it was hilarious and joined it. By the time we left, it was a real dance. What would the world do without missionaries?

All right... that is about it. I’ll try to think of something more interesting for next week. Sorry this is so lame. I’m excited for all that is going on at home though... Of what I know about.

Take care everyone, I send you all my love,

Elder Tommy S.

they look at my smile and break down

2009-05-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

I had a QUESTION!!!! What is the country like...? They say that our mission is "the armpit of Argentina". Whenever we tell people where our mission ends and starts, they tell us that we happen to be in the ugliest part of Argentina... geographically speaking. There are no mountains, one river (that I still think is the ocean), no hills and lots of trees (you can just throw seeds out your door and the next day have a garden). It is not Washington, Utah or New Hampshire... that is for sure. And currently it is VERY cold. I don't know how it changed on me like that... but I like it.

ON that note: It rained here a few days ago... and with the cold I wore my long trench coat (I’ll send pics). Dogs naturally hate missionaries and this one in particular. It came up to us and I started whipping my coat at it (if you play with the dogs they like you more). It started acting like I was a bull fighter and he was the bull. It was pretty fun for awhile. He`d lunge at my coat and I’d pull it out of his way... we played for awhile as we walked... until a girl took a few kicks at it for the noise (she missed).

ON that note: The day before we went out trying to find someone late at night. It was dark and cold and we were thinking about just going back to the pinch. I pulled out the name of one last member and we headed off. The house did not exist. So I clapped another one to ask what happened. A boy came out and I asked him about this member. He asked us to wait and took off back inside. THEN... it started to rain... HARD. My companion always, ALWAYS, has his umbrella.... except that day. The kid looked out the door and yelled at us to come in, we would get all wet. We entered the house and found a young family. We chatted a bit and they wanted us to come back... so we set up an appointment and left. As soon as we walked out the door... the rain stopped. Oh... how amazing the mysteries of God.

Elder Trujillo received a package this last Tuesday and inside was a bunch of balloon animal balloons. None of us have a clue how to do it... so I picked one up, practiced and ended up going with a monkey (I’ll send pics). It was awesome. I want to call him Jerald... el mono. I found that I like balloon animals, go figure.

Something EVERYONE always says is to keep smiling. I would like to once again comment on it. My first baptism (Martin) sent me a letter this last week. It was dearly wonderful and I got my animo back from it. He commented, "I’ll never forget your great smile that you always had." There, my friends, is proof I smile. I like people watching when we travel. People here look like missionaries feel... tired. Everyone is frowning and glum... like they are afraid of something. I now understand why. But I find myself smiling every time I see that. I find myself smiling all the time. When I don’t... people mention it. People have let us in because of my smile. People think I’m a lot younger then I am and have pity on us. So they look at my smile and break down. I’m glad God prepared me from the beginning for my mission. He really is a wonderful father.

Wonderful news... we took out two more baptismal dates this week. We are really tearing up the area. I probably won’t be around to see all of the fruits... but I feel it now as I look back. I’m glad to finally report that I’ve made an impact here in Villa Zula. Here I was thinking I was a failure, but... go figure.

Last note... I probably can’t send it, but there was a kid juggling on the train today. HE WAS AMAZING. I videotaped it and will try to send it with the other pictures next week. Sorry. But he was AWESOME. I love traveling in trains here. I think people could live on the trains if you want. Food, comfort, and entertainment.

Well, I’m out. Sorry this is short. We played soccer as a mission today. It was fun, but it took all our time. Just so you know, I was the goalie and kicked some trash... And I now have a sweet Argentine jersey.

All my love,

Tommy

I think it was unanimous

2009-05-11T14:31:00.001-07:00

This week has almost killed me. They say that as you get farther out in the mission... time gets faster. If this week is a sign of the next year... I’m done for. I will admit that I am tired, hurt and want to sleep. I am happy though. I’m glad that I’ve done all the work I have... I feel good about that. We have really exploded this area. We have taken a dead area and turned it into a smooth running machine! But it certainly does drain ones energy. But talking to the family yesterday was certainly an uplifting experience. I’m glad to hear that everyone is doing so well.

Well, a little heads up. Next week we are changing our P-Day to Tuesday because we are going to play a huge mission wide soccer game again. It is Zone vs. Zone. So today we practiced and I was asked to be the goalie. I think it was unanimous... so I guess I’ll do it. The only problem with that is that I have NO time today. My apologies. I did just talk to everyone yesterday... so I hope people won’t be too mad. I’ll give you one quick story though.

I did a contact about 2 weeks back. She said I should come back... so we did... and she told us to come back again. Some people say that so that we just lose interest and they don’t have to reject us openly. But I felt good about it... so we went back a third time. She invited us in and we taught her and her son. They were very open people and very receptive. She had even been to church before. Well, we taught them lesson one and she said that being baptized by someone who actually had power from God would be a good thing. So we are working hard to help her get that blessing. We have already taught her twice and we are returning today. She and her son are reading the Book of Mormon and praying about the message it contains. This next Sunday they should be at church again. I love the way the Lord works. We really are being blessed here for our labors.

Well, I’m off. Sorry this is short. Know that I send my love from Argentina and that I’m safe and sound. I’ll try to get something more interesting out next week... but with the championship and all... we`ll see.

Take care until I return at least.

All my love,
Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

Truth is really the only weapon we have

2009-05-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

This week has been a rather long one. I would like to make a few corrections about my previous e-mail that seem to have been misunderstood. First of all... I know I said that the transfers were not that exciting and I want to clarify that I meant the changes... not the fact that I was staying in Villa Zula with Elder Kushlan. As a matter of fact, I love being in Villa Zula and cannot think of a better person then Elder Kushlan to work with. We are the perfect team. We compliment the faults of the other person... so together we are a powerful force of bringing the gospel to the good people of Villa Zula.

I would also like to clarify one other thing... um, we do not have bikes anymore. I know I wrote that we bought them. But after discovering a few problems with having bikes in Argentina... we have reverted back to the good old walking method. Sorry to disappoint.

Well, now on to our extremely odd week. We had transfers last Monday... which means we did not get that day of rest. So all week we`ve been dragging our feet. It is hard giving up the one day of rest we have for an 8 hour bus/train ride across half of Argentina. So, I'm sorry to say that Monday and Tuesday were not that effective. By Wednesday we had picked up our game again and taken off. We found a lovely lady named Elvira who accepted our message warmly and we have a return visit to talk to her whole family. Actually, I would like to point out a funny side note. My companion keeps on calling us "Villa Zula- the finders of women". We can’t seem to get any man in our area interested in our message. So we have a huge long list of ladies we visit. Which is hard because we can’t enter their houses when they are alone (fortunately you don't have to enter the house to teach them). We`ve found that most people in our area are single women with kids. We`ve also found out that of the ones that are not single... all their husbands work away from Villa Zula. This makes things particularly hard. That is one reason it is SO IMPORTANT for the members to help out the missionaries.

Anyway, we have been going out trying to literally talk with everyone. I think that I’ve never talked to as many people in my life. We end up getting rejected a lot. But if we can actually share something with the person before they shoo us off we can normally come back. In our agendas there are pages for contacts. In this last week we have already filled up half the pages. We still have 5 more weeks to go. We have been doing so much walking and talking that I finally busted through the side of one of my shoes (Don't worry... I’ve already fixed it up). There should be a picture of that. We ended up finding 4 people this week who all have great starts and real interest in the gospel.

Good Story:
We have a couple that we are teaching who are not married... but she is pregnant. They are reading and praying... And this week we read the Family Proclamation with them. We dropped the cane on them for doing what they were doing when they knew it wasn`t good. The good young sir understood and accepted the fact that changes needed to be made. But the young lass was a little harder to get the message though to. My reason for telling you this story is because it was a wonderful experience for me. When we have the opportunity to preach the truth... the spirit often testifies back how true the things we are teaching are. This particular time I felt the truth rushing out of us and hitting the investigators hard. It really doesn’t matter how hard hearted they are or how much they don’t want to change or how much fear they are... the Spirit still has power to testify. Which is wonderful, because two 20 year old kids don’t know all THAT much about the Law of Chastity. We really don’t know all THAT much about marriage or eternal relationships. It is moments like that when the Truth is really the only weapon we have (the SWORD of Truth).

Not much else has happened. The weather is chilly at night and super hot during the day. We speak a lot of Spanish in the pench with our Latin friend Elder Vargas. My white watch died. We hear about a plague in the states all the time... what is up with that?

So... I’ll be calling home on Sunday. If you are wondering when... I would be too. I’m guessing about 3-4 again. But I’m not sure. I’m not sure when church is. Actually... probably later. I’m not sure at all. There is a 4 hour time difference. So if we call when we get back to the pench at 8... it`ll be 4 at home. But there are 4 of us and we have about an hour each. So... I don’t know when we`ll call. I’ll probably call home in the morning to tell you all when I’ll be calling home. Don’t worry. One way or another... I’ll call home this Mother`s Day. Sorry that things are not so sure... but hey, life isn’t sure.

Well... I would now like to turn the time over to questions or requests. I NEVER get many questions (except for you... and you know how you are). A lot of people ask "How are you" or "How was your week"... well. I promise Ill answer both of those each week. Any other questions? Actually... I have this WONDERFUL camera and LOTS of space for photos... I just don’t know what to take photos of. Any requests? What part of Argentina would you like to see?

I love you all! Hasta Lunes,

Elder T

PS This Labor Day we realized that EVERYONE in the world was not working... EXCEPT US! It was good for the work... but rather a drag. HAHA

I went up.

2009-04-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

Well, for those of you who actually follow the whole 6 week mind set... you`ll understand that I just had transfers! YEAH!!! I’m staying in Villa Zula with Elder Kushlan (not too exciting). But the exciting news is that not only is Elder Trujillo receiving a Latino companion in our pench... but I went up. For those of you who don’t know what "going up" is... it means I "went up in the missionary power scale." I don’t know. It sounds like a whole lot of tish tosh to me. Pero... para que sapen: When a person goes up they first become senior companion, then district leader, then zone leader and then assistant. Somewhere in there there is training and going to the offices. Most people don’t make it up to Zone leader or even district leader. I just got moved up to senior companion. What does that mean... NOTHING!!! But it made me feel cool. Of the 20 some odd people I came here with only 2 have gone up. Elder Jones (he also jumped to district leader because he is amazing) and me. Really, I’m just excited about it because Elder Trujillo and Elder Kushlan were getting me all excited about it. The fact that I’m "going up" so young could mean X, Y or Z. It is pretty fun to try predicting the future mission life of missionaries. Well... now that you all know the gossip, we`ll return back to our program.

This week was amazingly... um... amazingly... a week. I don’t know how to give you a one sentence description on this week. It was a little all over the place. We worked a lot... and by a lot I mean a lot. We talked to more people this week then I’ve ever talked to in one week. We also taught more "other" lessons than any other week in my mission. We also bought bikes and took out a baptismal date. Things have not really been "oh my gosh did you feel that spirit crush over us" but more of... "We are working so hard that the spirit is the only thing keeping us alive". For those of you who know me well... you know I am loving it to death! I’m not so sure about the bikes yet. I’m surely not use to it in the rear area... if you know what I mean.

I’ve got some more stories though because I know you`ll all dying to hear them.

When I got here I looked through the ward list to find some likely people to go by. One named popped out at me and I read the description written next to in put there by other missionaries. It said "Sons have assaulted/robbed the missionaries and will do the same to you". That didn’t bother me one bit, so I mentioned it to my companion who flat out refused to go. The same thing happened when Elder Kushlan came. But the mother`s name kept on coming up and I just put down my foot and said we were going by... "Don’t worry, I’m big... just stay behind me (unless we are running away). So we went and found the mother. She talked to us for an hour at her door. It turns out her sons (all 3 of them) were taken to jail for supposed murder. Needless to say, she wasn't exactly in the happiest moods. We warmed up her heart and came back a few days later. We gave her another Book of Mormon and when we did she said, "I’ve been praying to God that he`ll send me his Church. That he will send me whatever church he wants me to have." We sang and read with her. She said that she`d pray and has been doing a little bit better every day. I love when God sends ME to places marked with a "you will be assaulted" sign on it. That`s why I’m here.

We`ve found some really wonderful people this week. People who have read what we`ve given them because they have been searching. People who know the truth without knowing where it comes from. People who just want us to come by. I don’t know. I’ll be honest. Things are getting exciting around here. But I really lost all ability to convey it to you all. I’m getting lost in the work... or at least I hope I am.

However, one thing that is pressing on my mind: The 10th would be Mother`s Day. That is not this Sunday... but the next. I’ll only be writing home once more before then. So... um. Just don’t worry about it. Don’t call us... we`ll call you. I’ll give you more details later. I’ll probably be calling home sometime around 2 and 8 here. So that`d be like 8am-2pm at home... SOMETHING LIKE THAT! I don’t know. Just letting you know. Oh, and another scary thought that hit me this week is that at the end of this transfer I’ll turn 21! SCARY!

Well, I love you all. I’ve really got to go though. I’m short on time... as usual. I’m sorry I’m writing so short. I’ll write more when something more firm happens

Take care of yourselves,

Elder Tommy

I got my socks knocked off me in Spanish Scrabble

2009-04-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

This feels like the longest week in history. So many things have happened... but they are really nothing that would interest any of you. Sorry. I mean, you don’t know who any of these people are and it would take too long for me to explain it all. Not to mention, it would be rude of me to put personal information in here about people I love. I think that is why so many missionaries don’t send much home to their families. Oh, and the fact that the fun things we do really shouldn’t be known by the world... if you catch my drift. But I do have a few fun facts for you all.

This week we went out into our "villa" or ghetto area right by the edge of our area. We saw two little kids in front of us with a slingshot. One of the kids picked up a rock and pulled the sling back (being his size made it so that he was basically spreading his arms out as far as they would go). He aimed up and released. We saw this poor bird just chilling about 30 feet above him just have its head kick back and fall. The other birds on the line didn’t move at all. And the kid just picked up the bird like nothing happened, like he does it every day. I was very impressed. I’m sure he would be a great hunter if he tried... I’m just glad he had a homemade slingshot.

We planned an activity this week for the two branches that attend our building. It wasn’t huge, but it was fun. We are going to start doing that more and more. We got inactive people to come as well as investigators... more like investigator, but still. It was cool! We watched Wall-E again (I’m glad I bought it). I crushed some people in chess. I got my socks knocked off me in Spanish Scrabble and ping pong. We`ll do it again sometime soon. I’ll get a little better every time.

I bought an MP3-4 player last weekend. But it is kind of cheap and I’m not sure how I feel about it. But it has been fun to use for one week (with 3 CDs on it... I need something new). I can also download the photos people send me and put them on it... so that`ll be nice if I end up keeping it.

We are also going to buy bikes soon. We got them picked out and everything. The bike guy just needs to put them together. I’m really excited because my shoes are getting a little thin. I take great care of them... but the bottom is just not steel. And the fact I basically only wear the black ones.

Um... that`s about it. Life is good though. I’m working really hard and trying to do my best. I’ve recently realized how sucky my Spanish is... so I’m making a new effort at perfecting that. I’m making a scarf because it turned into late fall over night (literally... over night). I found a cool sweater vest in the old fridge outside the apartment. OH! OH! I taught myself to cook burritos today! The only problem with them is the corn. I made a bad move with the corn idea. Um... Um... yeah, I’m out of news. Sorry.

I can however tell you all how glad I am to be out here. I’ve realized recently that it really is a blessing to be out here. I’m not terribly tired or anything anymore. One gets accustomed to things. I just haven’t realized until recently how blessed I’ve been over my time here. I’ve also realized how long I’ve been out. It feels really long ago that I went to the MTC. But my trainer Elder Sagripanti is about to go home. He has one week left. Wow, how weird is that? I like looking back after a long time and seeing all the ways God has put what I need in my path. I’m honestly in love with being out here. I want to be the perfect missionary, but I’m not. So I want to stay out till I am. Sorry family. I might not be coming home for a few more years then you were expecting. We`ll see what I can pull off.

I want you all to know how much I love you. It is such a blessing knowing that I have people rooting for me and praying for me every day. That I have true friends and family concerned about my welfare and trying to help me out. That there are people who listen to me and have gone out to help the missionary work. Thank you all. I love you more than my feeble words can describe.

All my love,

Tommy

PS I’m luckly still fat... for those who want to know.
PPS I finally broke a shoe lace too. They were the first things to go.

"Winging it" is not a missionary term

2009-04-13T23:53:00.000-07:00

Well, this week was interesting. We had a lot of success... but also a lot of hardships. But thus is life. I really don´t know why this week impresses me like that, but it feels like one of the longer weeks of my life (but not the longest). Well, let’s start at the top.

Monday we were not going to go out and teach because we had preparation day and then a meeting with our district. But that meeting got cancelled, so we went out anyway. It was interesting working without a plan. Normally we have plans and go with the plan. "Winging it" is not a missionary term... but we did it anyway.

Tuesday we went to the temple. That was a trip! For those of you who have ever gone to the temple... you know that the feeling is amazing inside the temple. Well, the feeling was the same and I understood the Spanish better. But for some reason it felt even more wonderful to go and feel that peace. It had been so long. The best part was visiting the sealing room and seeing two huge mirrors reflecting each other. I just stood there and felt like I was seeing forever. I love the power of mirrors. I’ll send picture later.

The rest of the weekdays passed fairly uneventfully. Not to say that things didn't happen... I just mean that all the days run into each other, so I can’t remember exactly what day things happened. I just know when "p-day eve" or Sunday is... then P-day. Every other day just runs into the other. Haha... thus is life.

Some great stories for all of you out there wondering what we do.

The man that looks like me (I sent pictures). He asked for a blessing some... months back. And his daughter also. I gave the daughter hers. I felt impressed to tell her that her arm would heal, so I didn't argue and just said it. We left and I didn't hear anything about it until this week. The Hermana told me what happened. It turned out that after we left she returned to life and about a week later told her "ya know... I haven't had a problem with my arm since those boys came". I love hearing about how the priesthood has blessed people’s lives... especially when I was there to witness it.

There are a few people around here who are not having the easiest time. We sometimes randomly visit inactive people on the ward list. We had been trying to go by this one lady for some time. We finally got her number and called her. We set up an appointment and went over. She had just broken away from her abusive husband and was still struggling to get on top of things. We shared something briefly and she told us that she had thrown away everything from the gospel... Book of Mormon, folletos, all of it. So we set up another appointment to come back. When we came back she was upset and asked us to stop coming by. I think it was the next day that someone failed on us, so as we were going by her house on the way to another person... her husband ran up calling us over. We came over and he said "My wife isn't doing so well. Can you stop by?" We swung by and she was bawling her eyes out. We came in and sang. She felt the Spirit once again. So we gave her a Book of Mormon. We read and she felt really good. When we left she was basically giddy with joy. The next morning we came by again and watched the Restoration and sang some more. She was radiant with happiness. So we set up an FHE to come back and teach the family. And all of this happened in one week. Talk about a crazy roller coaster she must be going on. But in reality... she is doing great. We have learned that some people receive the Gospel... get baptized and then the missionaries get changed. Then they never hear from the missionaries or members again. It is SO important that they have the three required things (nutrients from the good word, a friend and a responsibility)... and continued visits from the missionaries.

We are also working with a member who is having troubles coming back to church. This week we went by and found her arguing with her mother. We heard them outside and clapped anyway. They let us in and we could tell they were in bad tempers. We read and prayed with them. We tried our hardest to bring the gospel light into their house and finally, right before we left, they felt it. They cheered up and started laughing. Oh the power of the laughter. Then on Sunday she came to church... for the first time in who knows how long. Dressed in her Sunday best too!

The funny thing is I'm almost out of time to write about all the others. Basically this is what we did all week. We went to people’s houses and brought the Spirit back. Especially to in-actives. We as missionaries are called to "invite others to Christ". But really, we are supposed to teach and baptize. But in some areas, the members are the ones who need the invitation. We work just as hard here in Villa Zula with the members as we do with the investigators. This week many more have realized the need to come back to church and have committed to come. People who have stopped going to church for years and years. People who have almost lost the light they once had. Though it doesn't look as wonderful as baptismal photos, it certainly does feel just as wonderful.

Little note about Easter. Here Easter is really Catholic based. A lot of people fast and stuff... and the whole Easter egg thing is kinda weird. They have chocolate eggs full of little candies. I actually learned how to do them... but it really is a lot more work than it is worth. I don't know why people do it. One interesting thing about Berisso (the actual city I'm in) is that they do a fake Crucifixion every year. We missed it because we were helping the other elders prepare for a baptism. But apparently a guy goes around town all day dressed up like Christ and carrying a cross. Then at night they tie him up to it for a few hours. Not exactly what I call fun... but interesting no...

Anyway... I’m off. Take care everyone and remember the REAL importance of why we have Easter... please.

Love you all,

Tommy

PS I’ll send picture next week.

I’m so glad I can be here.

2009-04-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m um... tired. This week was crazy. It FINALLY got cold enough to make me feel cold! For the first time in about a year... I got cold. I’m loving it. I’m assuming that is the reason for why I’m so tired. The cold gives me more energy and so I’ve been working harder (in truth I don’t get more energy... I just feel more energyful).

Well, this week we worked our little tails off and found a whole ton of people. We also went around and taught with members! Really, people can’t get baptized or have a true desire to stay active if they don’t know members. So, we have really helped our investigators this week. The best part was when L. Tom Perry dropped the hammer on all the people in conference about how they need to find. I loved that. And also the part when we looked around and saw all the members squirming in their chairs. I think we`ll be getting more references and lessons with member from now on... ¡Ojela!

Well, I must admit... I didn’t see much of conference this time. We were not allowed to see anything on Saturday because we didn’t have any investigators with us. We did however see priesthood (Sunday morning recording) Most of Sunday morning and all of Sunday afternoon. It was so cool. We had a lot of inactive people come. We had a lot of success and a few really long days. I’m really trying to lose myself in the work now. I’ve realized that I can actually speak Spanish... so I’m working more and more at teaching and committing. So far... it really has been good.

Quick story because I’m short on time.
April Fool’s day... we went out tracking like always. Someone failed us... so we went to my brilliant back-up plans... which also failed us. So we were left with nothing to do for about 30 minutes. We were heading off to do contacts when we passed by an inactive members house. I had never talked to them... but I knew they were members anyway. We clapped and heard something that sounded angry. So we said thanks and started to walk away. Then we heard it again... and asked him to repeat himself. It turns out he was saying "Here"... so we came in and started talking. He is the son of a very old lady. She is a member, but he isn’t. He was sitting at a table in dim flickering lights... smoking and drinking mate. He looked like a wreck. We started talking and he told us about his problems. One thing I’ll always remember is him saying, "I’m closer now to my gun then my guitar". We taught him and gave him a Book of Mormon. We came back the next day... the day after and the day after. He progressed every day just a bit. He has not mentioned suicide in a while and is really interested in the gospel. He wants to stop smoking and change his life. We`re heading back soon and will teach him about baptism. I believe there are just some times when the Spirit calls you to a house where someone just needs a friend. Sometimes they just need someone to save them. I’m glad to be the one to come and do that for them. I’m so glad I can be here. The Spirit constrains me to say more... but know that I am loving helping people. This week I’ve realized what a sacrifice it is to be a missionary. And I’m glad to do it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

I love you all. I really hope everyone is doing well. Staying safe and keeping close to the Spirit. The Spirit is our only way back to real joy.

Take care... And don’t forget I love you,

Tommy

Lead and I will follow

2009-03-30T11:30:00.000-07:00

Okay... I know this will be the worst weekly report ever... because it will be completely random. But I’ve just got a lot of good stories to tell. So listen up.

Lightning Bug: This Tuesday I was on intercambios and we basically got rejected all day long. BUT we had a dinner appointment that night, so we had something to look forward to. Well, it gets dark really early here now, so about 7 we were walking around trying to do contacts in the pitch black darkness of Argentina. We passed by a large black field and I saw a light flicker off in the distance. Then again. So I told my companion and we ran out into the field to discover what it was. He could not see anything and was tripping all over the uneven ground. But because of my colorblindness... I see really well in the dark. Long story short. I caught it (when it was not light-up). It was the coolest catch I’ve ever done. It involved me jumping off a hill and snatching it out of the air way above my head... good times.

I received my packages this week!!! So all of you who have sent me packages... thank you. I finally got them. And Meghan, I love that music. We have been listening to it non-stop in the pinch. And people around here love the Japanese candy. Not to mention... Nasty homemade root beer never tasted so good! And the letters where just what I needed. Thank you all so much. I’d give you a hug, but with the way things travel around here... you won’t get it until I get home anyway... so just wait.

Update on "grandpa" or the guy who looks like an older me. We went over to his house to talk to him this week and he explained to us a few problems he was having. And so we set an appointment up to come back. When he was explaining his problems a thought entered my mind... you see: Last week an angel sent me an e-mail. This beloved Child of God sent me the "Message from the First Presidency" in English. It struck me as something to share with this family. So we returned and read it together in Spanish. His wife started to chock up and Hermano Huarte (my twin) really stopped and listened. It was amazing to see the Power of our first presidency at work within the lives of these my dear friends. And all I can say is thank you to my angel, the first presidency and God.

Every once in a while I go through the list of ex-investigators and pull out a few names of people that look like we might be able to teach them. Some papers say "Left on vacation, go back in 3 months-2004". So we swing by and the people who were once ready for baptism had completely forgotten about the Book of Mormon. I had a name in my lists that was kind of out of the way. But this week I just decided to go. They reason for dropping him was as follows, "drunk-2006". So we swung by looking for his house (we didn’t have the exact address). So I clapped a house and a man comes out with long hair and a scruffy beard. I said, "Hi we`re looking for someone... is this *address XYZ*"... Yup... "Do you know Mario"... Yup... "Are you Mario"... Yup. So we come over and he pulls out some chairs. The man was basically dead drunk but he still wanted to listen to us (when we left, my companion and I both agreed that he was the smartest drunk man we`d ever met). He pulls out a Book of Mormon in a white case with pictures of Jesus all over it. Right on the top it says in English, "Please Baptize Me!!!". We opened up the book and he read a chapter to us. Afterwards he says... I need to change. So we take out a baptismal date right there and then... The next day we come back and the man had not only shaved but got rid of all his alcohol and cigarettes. We taught him about the Word of Wisdom and he committed to follow it. So hopefully in 2 weeks we will baptize him. Lead and I will follow, right.

We are also teaching a girl named Mikaela. She is wonderful and we should be taking out a fecha with her soon as well.

Also, a nice mother of one of our recent converts told us she wanted to get baptized. We taught the member about temples and The Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the lesson, this lady told us she really wanted to be baptized. Then she came to the ward activity and church the day after. We had invited her there... but she then came all on her own... without her daughter. She reminds me a lot of my Grandma. Full of energy and always improving herself. I am really looking forward to teaching her (she is just afraid of Water... we`ll see how that goes).

Well, I’ve got more... but not more time. It is fun working here with my companion. We both drag each other around all the time and we really get the work done. We get rejected 10 times more and walk 10 times farther.... but we have about 20 times the success. I love it here and really feel like I’m making a difference. I’m so glad to know that I’ve got everyone of you behind me supporting me. It is great to have people to rely on when times are hard. Thanks for reading. Don’t forget to pray.

All my love,

Tommy

PS This weekend is conference. The wonderful thing about that is that I’ll know exactly where you all are during that time. And you`ll all know where I will be. So... see you at conference.

Yup... Beach

2009-03-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone... I’m sorry that this will be so short today. I have a rather busy day ahead of me. But believe you me, this week could take weeks to explain. I don’t know why, but this week seemed like at least 3. It seems like everyone has said that to me as well. Hmm, well, I don’t know what God is doing, but I think it involves slowing time down for some reason or another.

Well, one reason might be because they changed the time this week. Now we work in the dark for an extra hour. It is weird. They changed the schedule for all the people who work early in the morning (all 5 people in Argentina)... but that means that by the time we go home at night... we were in the dark for about 2-3 hours. It really is odd.

Well, Elder Kushlan. A lot of people want to know what he is like. I’ll tell you, he is like a missionary. I like him. He is from Utah, sadly. And really likes to work. He can’t waste five minutes of time... so as annoying as that can get when you need to pee... it really is good. We have been getting a lot of work done in our area and I can already see the area getting better. We have been working our tails off to find people and to reactivate people. We really are getting a lot of success and are planning on taking out a few baptismal dates this week. A funny side note about him... Elder Trujillo was with him in the MTC. So when I found out I was going to be with him, Elder Trujillo yelled out "HAHA, the Russian Assassin". I was totally lost... but now I understand. I’m not sure why it fits him... but it does.

An interesting story about our area. We have an area that is about 20-22 kilometers long... or about 12-14 miles long. We took a bus this week to the end of the area to see if there was anything there. It turns out... there is very little. Well, the bus driver basically told us, "well, you`re already here. Might as well take a look around. I’ll be back in about an hour." So we took off and still found nobody. But there is something very interesting about our area. It runs right into La Rio De La Plata. For those of you who don’t understand what that is... I’ll explain. There is a river between Argentina and Uruguay. It is the widest river in the world. It basically all runs into the ocean. So basically it looks like the ocean. ANYWAY: We chilled at the edge of the area (the water front) for awhile... then went wandering around. It just so happened that our friend/investigator was life guarding there. So we sat down and taught him and his wife. Then they gave us a ride home and we continued working. That night a missionary who is done with his mission came to visit a family with HIS family here in our area. So we went over there and chilled with a Californian family that speaks NO English. It is interesting to see how far I have come when I have to translate for others.

Another cool thing... That crazy contact I did with Elder Harmon right before he left... well, when we returned his daughter in law was like... Hey, I’m leaving right now... when are you coming back. So we came back and taught her. She is very receptive and progressing nicely. AH!!! I’m loving it. Progress feels so good.

Um, my companion got sick this week so we spent some time chilling in the pinch. I’ve played WAY too much chess and it turns out no one in the pinch can beat me. :D My companion used to play in state competitions... just goes to show that my Dad and I could take on everyone in Utah without breaking a sweat. Well, except Ryan of course.

Okay... I’m jumping off now... Take care everyone. I’ll write more soon..

Love,
Tommy

PS the weather here is super hot again. I hate it. It cooled off for like 2 days. Now we`re back to sweating up a storm.

"You Mormons?" "You betchya!"

2009-03-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

Well, this week had been a load of fun... but also a load of work. My companion Elder Harmon is at this moment waiting for his plane to come so that he can return from 2 years on a mission. Yes... that does feel weird. I am now companions with Elder Kushlan. He has about 4 more months then I do and is RUBIO!!! Sorry... blond. Um, we will be staying in Villa Zula and working here harder then ever before. He seems like a cool guy and I like him (again, VERY IMPORTANT). Well, because my companion left today... my last week was somewhat odd.

Monday I went to a little out of the way area and slept there for the night. I was with my Zone Leader Elder Smith because Elder Harmon and the other Zone Leader went to Capital. We didn't get together again until after district/zone meeting on Tuesday. Elder Harmon and I then returned to our area to work. We had the goal of doing 30 other lessons this week to help him finish strong. An "other lesson" in our mission is any time that we teach a principle from Preach My Gospel, leave a challenge and they promise to do something (in our area, buses and stuff don't count). 30 is about 3 times what a normal companionship does in our zone. To top it all off... it was raining almost every day (I loved it... Elder Harmon hated it). Anyway... we worked until Thursday night, when we took off and switched companions again. I went to the Zone Leaders area this time and the leaving elders took off to the temple... a special treat because we don't get to go much. We got together late Friday night and worked again Saturday. Then all of Sunday we traveled trying to find old investigators/members again before Elder Harmon left. We spent all day traveling around our mission and visiting people. When we finally got home we both just crashed. Then this morning at 5 we took off again for the transfer meetings. Needless to say, I'm tired. We didn't quite get 30 other lessons... but in only 3 days, we did get about double the norm. Well, I'm sorry if this message is a bit crazy. I blame it on the tiredness.

Cool stories: On our way to church from the train station... a man called out "you Mormons?" I stopped, realized we were in front of a Catholic church... turned around and basically said "you betchya". It turns out he had recently found a Book of Mormon and wanted to be baptized. So we invited him to church and he started walking with us. We started teaching him about what he needed to do before he could get baptized. As he was smoking, we told him we don't smoke or drink. At which he threw his cigarette on the ground and chucked his package of other cigarettes. "Fine, I’m done" he stated. We got to church and he stuck around almost the entire time. He was really cool and the Elders there will be going to teach him soon. So, that was cool.

Cool Story 2: There is no form for contacting... you have to realize that before I go on. Well... we contacted this lady who told us to come back. So we were coming back to our "finding appointment" and she wasn’t there. So we turned around heading to another destination. I turned to my companion and said, "I think we should clap here... Good people live here". My companion just laughed and said, "Sure, but its yours". So I clapped and a man came out. I said this in Spanish, "Hi, we are representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ and we pass by your house all the time. But today we want to talk to you and share a message about prophets. Is that okay?" The man just stared at me for a second and I could feel my companion already starting to turn away... at which is said "Bueno, passen". Or in other words... cool, come on in. So I walked in and turned around to see my companion standing with is mouth slightly open staring at me. We came in and taught him. Cool guy, good family. We`ll go back soon. Sometimes the simple words work best.

Cool Story 3: Transfer meetings are basically a huge gathering of about 250 or more missionaries. About half end up taking one train and the other take another. We all have it timed out as to how long it takes to get to the mission house. So, we normally all end up on the same train... even if we live miles apart. Anyway. We got on the train at about 6 today and had a 3 hour ride to the mission house. During the ride an elder pulled out his Ukulele (little guitar from Hawaii... I can’t spell). Because of the fact that there were about 100 missionaries on the train... we started singing and passing out pamphlets. Five of us were doing it and because of that... about 1000 people on the train all got to hear a little of the gospel and all the other missionaries had people coming up to the asking them about the gospel with a pamphlet in hand. It was amazing. I felt good. Oh the power of a few tired, bored kids with a message and musical instrument. :D

Okay... those are just some good stories. I’m not sure what else to say. Any questions? It has been some time since I’ve got any.

Well, I’m going to get going and start the long trip home. Wish me well... Sometime when I get home I’ll tell you all about traveling in Argentina... it is pretty fun stuff. But alas, there is no time today... nor will I remember next week. That is, unless someone ASKES me about it.

I love you all. Keep your Spirits up,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS Boom Digidy.