Bible Study with Diego

¡Hola! Carnival Baby!!! It ain't just in Brazil! Sad news the missionaries can't participate Jaja. It's all good. I'm doing something better, saving souls. 

This last week was good and went by fast. I did an intercambio (Exchange) with Elder Wood in Villa Madero Wednesday. It was fun to be back in a villa since my first area in Acevedo (Lanus). The Ward Mission Leader in Elder Wood’s ward bought us pizza and we had a good time catching up from when we in the CCM together and since we have arrived in the mission.

We also did another "Tormenta Blanca" which is when all the missionaries in the Zone come together to one area for 3-4 hours and just get a bunch of new friends of the Church to teach. It was done in Villa Madero but the other side of the train tracks which was Very Cheto (Rich)! It was fun and we found a bunch of people!

The next morning, I went, with my comp, to a Hermana’s house. Because I'm a White North American (Yankee) I can teach English Jaja! I am helping Hermana Laporte every week with BYU Pathways and one of her assignments was using Excel Spreadsheet in English. It was great to see something familiar. 

The Hermana is an accountant, so she was also familiar with Excel, but she is sharing the assignment with a return missionary from Mexico. It was funny to see Hermana Laporte get frustrated with how the girl from Mexico was doing everything by hand on the Excel sheet and not using the formulas! Hermana Laporte had the assignment in the bag, she just needs to work on patience. Jaja

This week by companion and I found ourselves on a street that was flooded with not the cleanest of water, and the water was up to our waist. Some of the water was moving quite quickly and my companion asked to link arms with me so he would not fall. I would have liked to take a picture of it, but you do not pull your camera out in this neighborhood. 😬

Elder Mariño and I found a gentleman named Diego who literally I feel like knows the Bible memorized but is still looking for the true church and wants evidence that the Church is true. He is great and knows a lot, but that sometimes is a bad thing. 

Diego has been watching a lot of videos on YouTube about Mormons and other churches talk negatively about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He showed one to us and it was very hard to watch. We prayed for patience and finished the lesson with a prayer and left him feeling The Spirit. We plan to return and help him to look at better resources than just the Bible and Pastors on YouTube. Diego, our friend, wants the truth and we were put here to help him. Elder Mariño and I have a lot of studying in the Bible to do and some backing up to do with Diego. Take it once principle at a time.

This Friday we also have a friend get Married and Baptized the same day! In that order! So exciting and the ward is planning to make a lot of Empanadas and Pizza! Kill 2 birds with one stone!

I'll wrap up this week’s email with a little thought. In my personal study this week I have been reading in the Book of Mormon and the Sons of Mosiah preaching the gospel with Diligence and great Power. 

Aarón is preaching in a synagogue and asks a question. In Alma 21:7 he asks, "...Believest thou that the Son of God shall come and redeem all mankind from their sins?" I believe that is a question we all should ask ourselves every day; and not only if we believe, but are we doing what we can to show our gratitude for our beloved Savior and his atoning sacrifice? 

When you have a moment this upcoming week, I challenge you to have a discussion with your Father in Heaven through prayer; and ask for guidance to personally find answers to these questions. I promise He will answer you and help you develop a deep love for Him. I love you all and hope you all enjoy your last week in February!

Les amo,
Elder Hadley 

(Hang Loose!!!)   

Elder Wood and I chowing down on Jamon y Queso Pizza! 

No Heart Shaped Pizza this Valentines

¡Hola! Hope you had a great Valentine’s day! I did! My comp and I stayed far away from each other that day... we did an exchange to get as far away from each other. Jaja 

No it was all good, I ordered a pizza to make it special but not like Papa Murphy's heart shaped pepperoni pizza but hey, I'll take it. 

This week was a low week. Not too much exciting news, but we did confirm the 3 Vallejos children from last week so we ended the week on a good note!

Also had Entrevistas (Interviews with the President) I learned a lot on how to be more direct and to keep it simple with my contacts. It was good to learn more from President Fernandez and his Assistants.

I was going give a talk yesterday in church but in the last minute they told me I will give it the following week. It took a bit of time to do three confirmations, The Sacrament, and a member from the Stake needed some time. So ya, Guess I have more time to prepare. jaja

I'll finish this letter up with a scripture I found in my scripture study this week. I felt the Spirit and the Love of Christ when I read this Scripture. In Alma 7 they talk about the life of Christ and some other details. Verse 11 stood out to me and stuck. When you guys have a chance (Today) look up Alma 7:11 and think about how you can use that to build you up for when it is hard. 

Alma 7:11 “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.”

Every day I talk with people with hard things in their lives. Here in Argentina it is a little bit more visible, but each of us have hard things in our lives, we all do. I like the simple and direct scriptures because everyone can understand it. I share this with you all, with my love and care here in Buenos Aires. 

Have a wonderful week and hope the Jazz is doing great!  

Les amo,
Elder Hadley 

(Hang Loose!!!)   

Mom Note: During our conversation with Elder Hadley he told us how hot it is and that the mosquitoes are out in full force. Every night at 2:00am he has a routine. 

Parker gets out of bed, sticks his feet in cold water to cool his body down and get the mosquitoes off, then puts his head under the sink and runs cold water over it. Then he can go back to sleep. Whatever works I guess?

Also, he is doing his laundry in a bucket. Parker puts all of his whites in the bucket with water, soap and chlorine. He mixes it up with a broken broom stick and lets it sit overnight. The next day he rinses the clothes and hangs them to dry for the next THREE DAYS!!!

This is the only picture we got from Parker this week. He was asking us if we knew why his big toe is changing color.
Do you think this has anything to do with his 2:00am foot bathing routine?! 😆

Ease the Burdens of my Brother

¡Hola! ¿Como están? First off, I want to apologize for not writing a letter last week. It was pretty hectic getting used to my new area and with me talking with my favorite brother on his 16th birthday! Hopefully this weeks letter will make up for last week! Jaja 

This last week was a good one! Elder Mariño and I had three kids lined up for baptisms and with doing all the exchanges for Baptismal interviews was a little tricky, but we were able to get it all worked out. 

We are very happy to say that Arturo (11), Tchenae (10), Estephani (8) Vallejos were baptized yesterday (2/9/2020). We have never seen anyone as excited as they were to get baptized. Sadly, they have to wait to get confirmed in front of the ward this next Sunday so keep them in your prayers this week so Satan or anything else doesn't get in the way of receiving the Holy Ghost.

I had a very unique experience this last week! I, Elder Hadley, could have paid 300 pesos to have someone cut my hair or I could ask a Hermano in our ward if I could borrow his haircut machine and ask my comp to cut my hair....FOR FREE!!! It is quite an experience to have a comp from Ecuador cut your hair. "¡Sí, Sí, Yo cortaba pelo antes!" (Yes, Yes I cut hair) so I let him do it. Jaja

I had a really cool and spiritual experience I would like to share with you all. On Thursday of this last week Elder Mariño and I decided to pass by a less active member that I have never met before. We got up to the house and Elder Mariño, the Chabon he is, told me you share a scripture. In this moment I was thinking why me? I have no idea what is up with this guy and have never met him before. Of course, he has two Pitbulls; I didn't want another "Ezeiza Scenario" so kept my hands close Jaja 

As my comp relaxes in his chair to listen to Elder Hadley do this whole lesson, I begin to talk, listen and pray at the same time. This Big Gentleman told me about his family situation and how his whole family is in Paraguay and he has to be here in Argentina because of paperwork and legal problems. 

I could see the frustration in his eyes as he told me the details. It reminded me of a time in my life where it seemed that no one understood all the problems I was going through in my life. As I remembered this feeling once again, I started to explain to this gentleman about my experience before the mission and shared my favorite scripture. 

The scripture of why I am here in Buenos Aires in the heat of 95 degrees and in an extremely humid summer; to share with everyone that someone else knows and has felt your pains and trials. I shared with him Mosiah 24:14 hoping and praying it was what he needed to hear. As I read it carefully, I felt The Spirit confirm that that was what he needed to hear. 

Mosiah 24:14

And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

I looked up from my Libro de Mormón and I saw tears roll down the face of my brother, Marcos Sacos. I invited him back to church and he said he will come. Walking away from his house, I was extremely grateful to have the Spirit in that moment.

I would like to invite all of you this next week to try and listen a little bit more closely to the special Spirit that we have and to act on it. Some of us forget the Holy Ghost is a member of the Godhead. He has the power and knowledge to help guide us not only in the Mission Work here in B.A.S. but also all throughout our lives to return back to our Heavenly Home with our Father in Heaven. 

I love you all and want you all to know that I have a testimony of the Spirit and feel it throughout my body each day. Stay safe and have a wonderful week!

Les amo, 

Elder Hadley 

(Hang Loose!!!)   

Second Saturday building a house para Willy!
Elder Hadley, Elder Marino, Brother Willy

Helped Willy and his family move an engine out of their car with a 4X4 board!

Fideos con Tuco (Spaghetti with chicken) y Porotos (Refried Beans)

Selfie with Amazing Haircut from Elder Marino! 💇Jaja

The Finished Product!

3 Elders for 3 Baptisms and 1st counselor (Willy's Dad)
Arturo, Elder Gilmore, Tchenae, Elder Hadley, Elder Marino, Estepheni, and Willy's paps

Elder Hadley with the 3 Vallejos Children!

Tchenae and Elder Hadley

Tchenae's Baptism

She was so excited! 💗

Mom Notes for the WIN

Hola Friends and Family of Elder Parker Hadley! We are able to video call with Elder Hadley once a month and because Monday was his brother’s 16th birthday and we were having such a great time talking, we stayed on a little too long and he was not able to write a letter but did send some pictures! 

Parker asked if I would post the pictures and write about a few of his experiences we talked about! Parker you owe me one, but I am mostly doing this because I have a feeling your missionary journal is going to come home with blank pages but good news, we can hand it down to Logan. 👍

Elder Hadley wishing Logan a Happy 16th Birthday!
His church has computers so he does not have to go to the internet cafe!

Elder Hadley really loves his new area in Ciudad Evita. It is named after Eva Peron the wife of the Former President of Argentina. Remember the movie “Evita” with Madonna, I made the whole family watch this movie before he left on his mission. I give the movie 2 stars because Madonna did an amazing job singing “Don’t Cry for me Argentina” and Antonio Banderas does NOT know how to sing. 

The city boundaries are shaped like the profile of Evita! The Argentina Buenos Aires Temple is also in Cuidad Evita but Parker is not able to go to the temple until the last week of his mission. He said only the Hermanas are able to go and serve at the temple grounds. 

These are pictures of the Argentina Buenos Aires Temple that he took from the car window while a member was driving him and two other missionaries to their new areas.

 Elder Hadley really likes his new companion Elder Marino from Ecuador. They both arrived at the same time in the mission, so they are helping each other. 

Parker also told us that they do not have hot water and their apartment does not have A/C or fans so it is hard to sleep when it is 93 degrees at night.

Elder Hadley’s area is mostly people from Paraguay. He said the people are amazing and the ward members are very faithful and strong. He also loves Paraguayan food and thinks a lot about his cousins Shawn and Kyle Condie who both served in Paraguay for their missions. 

This week Elder Hadley built a house! Parker said you can build a house for about $250. The house that he helped build was for a counselor in the Bishopric, Brother Willie. Everyone calls him Brother Willie because they cannot pronounce his last name. 

Brother Willie has only been home from his mission for one year and is married. His job is mowing the lawn at the temple which is a very coveted job to have. Brother Willie’s new house is going to be an addition and the second floor to his parent’s house. This is how families live in Argentina. 

The parents are on the first floor and his brother built his house to the side of the parents. Elder Hadley and Elder Marino helped with the cement floor of the second floor.  

Parker said a cement truck did not pull up with all of the cement already mixed. Instead of gravel Parker had to break up old used bricks with a hammer for the base. Then he packed up 60 lb. bags of cement and 5-gallon buckets of sand and water up the stairs to the second floor. 

They did this all day on Saturday and it was 100 degrees in the house and very dusty. He said his back was sore but good thing he has titanium rods in his back. 😂

Brother Willie, Elder Hadley, Elder Marino and Brother Willie's Nephew standing on some of the bricks they broke up for the cement floor they just poured. 

Parker said that for work many ride around on bikes with weed eaters and clap in front of houses and ask if they can cut their grass. They get paid 60 pesos which is about a $1 and people do not have lawns it is just a yard full of weeds. 

Parker walks through this field everyday and through the weeds in back to get to his area 

Elder Hadley said his area is very humble but also dangerous.  There are robbers that hide in the weeds and they are usually drunk. They come out of the weeds and ask them for their money. 

Parker said they tell them, “Look at us, we are dirty and sweaty and ugly. We don’t have any money, all we have are these cards with Jesus on them. Do you want a card with Jesus?” Then the robbers go away. 

He said they have made friends with some of the robbers and they are actually teaching them.  We asked he if he felt safer with having a Latino Companion and he said ABSOLUTELY and even better if they know how to play soccer!

Elder Hadley always ends his letter with a Spiritual Thought. Well, I will share this Spiritual Miracle with you. 

Elder Hadley told us that when he was at home in Kaysville it was difficult to read his scriptures because he would fall asleep within a couple minutes of reading. On his mission after a long hot day of walking you would think he would still fall asleep, but he has been able to stay awake and comprehend what is happening in the scriptures! 

This is a huge miracle for Parker and it is very exciting for him. He knows that Heavenly Father is helping him as a missionary read and understand the scriptures! 

Parker told us that he is enjoying his mission and it is starting to go by fast. We asked him if he wanted to see our countdown app because February 3, 2020 was a pretty cool day on the countdown, and this is what we showed him! He reached Angel Moroni! 

We are recognizing so many blessings in Elder Hadley’s life and thankful for the opportunity to pray for the wonderful people of Argentina! Thank you all for supporting him and he feels all the prayers and love from you!

Les amo,

Elder Hadley’s Mama

Hang Loose!!! 😂

Sunset from his apartment in Ciudad Evita

Elder Hadley's first and last trip to Burger King, because his meal was $4 which is expensive for Argentina! Since they just got their allotment of money for the  month he is hoping to get a haircut, but worried because his long hair helps so his forehead does not get sunburned! 😂