Feliz Navidad! :)

Feliz Navidad :)

Feliz Navidad mis Queridos Amigos y Familiares!

I can´t believe we are finally here at the week of Christmas! This year has gone by so fast! It feels like just yesterday I was in Villa España with Elder Garcia roasting my tail off in the hot and humid sauna of Buenos Aires. And now here I am a few days away from being here in Argentina for 16 months with a companion who is basically in the place that I was last year! Where in the world this year has gone I don´t know, all I know is it escaped before I even realized it. The months are just flying by so fast that I can´t even keep track! :) 

This we had a great week here! We have had some more great experiences sharing the ¨He is the Gift¨ video, and a really busy week in general. On Friday we had our Branch Christmas party and it was a lot fun. Only a few of the members from San Clemente were able to attend so tomorrow night we will be having one here, with our members! We were busy trying to make some souvenir type gift using the ¨He is the Gift¨cards and that night I didn´t get to bed on time, but they turned out great! We also had to travel to Pinamar (again...) so a nice 5 hours on a bus was a lot of fun... (not) I am getting sick of traveling haha. 

I have been thinking a lot about Christmas this last week, and also thinking about Christmas last year and I am so glad that I see things differently this year. Last year I was so caught up in how it was so different here, and hot, and just how it didn´t feel like Christmas that I really didn´t enjoy it as much I could have, the one thing I have to say though is that last year I didn´t really understand my purpose as a missionary and this year I may not understand it perfectly but I feel like I understand it a lot better then last year! This year I have committed myself to try to focus on the people and helping them out rather then thinking about myself, and I have to say so far I have enjoyed things a lot more this year. :)  

I realized what an amazing privilege I have to be a servant of the Lord as we celebrate his birth and to be able to commit myself to sharing his message and the true meaning of Christmas with the people of San Clemente. This Christmas the only thing that I truly want with all of my heart is that those that I have come to love so much here in Argentina (in all of my areas) continue on in the path of the Lord, and that I can be the missionary that these people need to get started or to continue on here in San Clemente. I wish there was a way that I could go and see all of the families that I was so close to this Christmas. I love them all so much and I miss them as if they were members of my family that I have known all my life. 

I am so thankful to be a missionary this Christmas, I want you all to know that I know Jesus is the Christ and He is our Lord and Savior. As we celebrate this wonderful time of the year I hope each and everyone of  you  can take the time to think about the wonderful gift that our loving Heavenly Father gave each of us. 

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 What more could we ask for. I am so thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ and for this time of the year when the rest of the world joins with us to remember the man who we remember everyday. May we use this time to enjoy the time with our friends and families, to help those in needs, and the recommit ourselves to being better Christians during 2015. I love you all, this Christmas you will all be in my thoughts and prayers. Have a very merry Christmas! :) 

Elder Hall 

 Christmas gifts that we made by hand for our members and investigators! 

 Missionaries at the christmas party! hahaha

I have found Papa Kenny´s argentine twin! Hermano Victor, literally he has the same personality as papa ken, humor, use of language, haha so many things!

Buenas Tardes! :)

Hey Everyone! 

Hope all is well, this week we are doing great here in San Clemente! Thankfully we have had a week of beautiful weather, (unlike Buenos Aires that has been getting hammered with all kinds of crazy storms!) I definitely am grateful to be here just because of the nicer weather it sure beats the horrible sauna that is buenos aires during summer! 

This week we have been working a lot with the churches Christmas Iniciative of Él es la Dádiva ( or for you all He is the gift) and we have had alot of success. We have been able to find quite a few new investigators and have received quite a few references as we have shared this short message with the people, it is a great video and really helps people to understand what is the purpose of Christmas. 

As we get closer and closer to my favorite holiday of the year, I get more and more excited and anxious to share with the people here about the Gospel. It seems like there is an international feeling of Christmas and everyone is just a little bit more accepting and ready to listen to a short message, or a testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am appreciating things alot more this year, I think last year at Christmas I was so caught up in how different the traditions are here I didn´t take advantage of the opportunities that this time of year provides for us as missionaries. 

This year I guess you could say I am a little more Argentine, and a little bit wiser and am just trying to do what I can to help others out, and be an example of Christ in the ways that I can. I invite each of you to watch the video of He is the Gift and then share it with all that you can. We all have a wonderful opportunity to show the world, and our Heavenly Father what it is that Christmas truly means to each of us. I am so thankful for this special time of year and for the opportunity that I have to be a misisonary this christmas! Love ya all! :) 

Elder Hall 

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video He is the Gift – Christmas Video – #ShareTheGift

He is the Gift – Christmas Video – #ShareTheGift

 So we were getting towards the end of the month last month, and didn´t quite have the money to buy empanadas in our wallets, so we changed to our change jars! haha a 100 pesos in change! The delivery  guy looked at us like a bunch of crazy! (Especially when he had to carry it all in his pockets on the motorcycle!! hahaha)

 Getting into the Christmas spirit with our planners!

 Alright so I gotta say this is some redneck ingenuity! My scale to see how much my package weighed (It was sorta accurate) using a curtain rod and a kilo of flour!

 Our district activity! (This may or may not have been the poker tournament that I talked about last week!) hahaha :) 

 With some great peruvian food! Elder Rios and E. Racchumi cooked, and Hermana (Not sure really hard brazilian name) helped! haha

See ya nice weather, hello summer...Que Calor!

(email from 12/08/14)

Buenas Tardes! :)

Man today I am pretty tired, we just got back from San Bernardo which is an hour away in a hot bus after having our District activity! The activity was fun we ate peruvian food, and watched How to Train your Dragon 2, which was pretty good, and I got a hair cut (and we may or may not have played poker as we waited for lunch haha) Lets just say Hermana Ostler (Utah) beat us all, it was like an international tournament between three americans, a colombian, a brazilian, with peruvian commentaries! (All for fun though obviously weren´t betting money or anything!) 

This week we had a pretty good week, we were able to find a few new people and have a few investigators who are really starting to progress we have 3 baptismal dates for the 3rd, and 1 for the 10th of January. I am pretty sure we will have to change some of the dates, but they are all people who if they put their minds to it have lots of potential, and could be strong members of the church in the future. :) 

A little update on Nelly tuesday we get a call saying her son fell from a high place while painting at work at severly fractured his leg, so she had to go to Buenos Aires and doesn´t know when she is going to come back to San Clemente because she has to help him with everything because he lives alone! Ugh... seriously it is always something!! But we haven´t given up hope we are praying that her son Omar gets better soon, and that all goes well and she can still get baptized on the 10th! We have talked with her a few times and is doing well, and her son after surgery on friday is making a recovery, so it is all in God`s hands. 

This sunday we had a whopping 12 members in church! 0 of which were from San Clemente. It was stormy and it is starting to gert busy with tourists so lots of people were working. The branch president told us that all of the active members go inactive for January and February because they work 7 days a week, but the church fills up with tourists. It is one of the trials that we are going to have here because almost everyone with exception to the retired people, make all their money for the year in these two months. Sometimes it is hard to have only 1 or 2 members from our side at church every sunday, but it is just one of the trials of San Clemente, I know that one day the work will start to progess and meanwhile my companion and I are trying to do all that we can too help strengthen things here. 

One of my favorite scriptures is from the Book of Ether in El Libro de Mormón,

Ether 12:6

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.

I know that right now San Clemente is in what would be the trial of our faith as missionaries, and a trial of the faith of the members, I also know with out a doubt that if we do all we can the Lord will show a witness of our efforts just in his due time. 

One of my other favorite scriptures is also found in Ether 12, verse 27 it says,

 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

As I try to become a better person, and a better missionary I have asked to be able to see my weakness, and to be able to overcome them just as it says in the scripture, and let me tell you all, when we ask the Lord to show us our weaknesses he makes it very clear what they are, very clear. haha But it is a good thing, because through our trials and our weaknesses, we test our faith in the Lord and we become strong, we become the people the Lord wants us to be and the people that He needs us to be.  

If you are wanting a better life, take Moroni´s challenge and ask the Lord to show you your weaknesses. I promise it will be tough, but it will be worth it. As we change our lives little by little, we change the world around us, and we help  to ¨hasten the work¨ of the Lord. I share my testimony that the Lord will make us strong, and that His grace truly is sufficient for all those who wish to come unto Him. Have a wonderful week! :) Love you all! 

Elder Hall 

Feliz Diciembre y 15 Meses! :)

Hey Everybody! 

Well I hope your all finishing off those delicious Thanksgiving left overs! I could go for a cold turkey sandwich right now! haha :) We had a really good week this week, and I know alot of it came from all the prayers that were said on our behalf! I have to say that Thanksgiving day was one of the best days that we have had here in San Clemente, and since then we have felt a special spirit here, and have a rejuvenated hope for this little town! 

We also found out on Saturday night, that E. Racchumí and I will be together through out this next transfer! Crazy to think that today more then 63 companionships of missionaries are changing areas all over the South of Buenos Aires! I am happy that my companion and I are staying here for a couple of reasons, 1. He is getting to be a good friend, and we are working really well together, 2. San Clemente is an absolute maze, and I need 6 weeks more with someone who knows his way around, and 3. We will be together for Christmas and New Years! 

This week we have had some pretty spiritual lessons, and have had the opportunity to find some new investigators! One of the best things that happened is that on Thanksgiving night we had a big Noche de Hogar (Family Home Evening) with some members, the branch pres. and his wife, and our investigator Nelly! Nelly is amazing, and a crack up she literally is a crazy little old lady (but crazy in a good way! She has quite the personality!) she has been a super active catholic for all her life (75 Years) and spent over 30 years as a Catequist teacher. She has been an investigator for about 6 months now and over these last 6 months she has gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon, and of the Restoration of the Gospel through the Prophet Jose (Natural spanish reaction...Joseph Smith.) but has been a bit unsure if she was ready to commit to be baptized. Well I can say that all of your guy´s thanksgiving prayers truly helped us out. Nelly agreed to be baptized  on January 10, and honestly we all felt a special spirit as we selected that date. She expressed her testimony of the truthfulness of what she has been learning, and the way the spirit had manifested it to her. It was a special moment for all of us, and our hope is that all goes well as she can be baptized on the 10th. During the weekend at an activity she was going around telling everybody she was going to get baptized, and was super excited. 

I am thankful to be here in San Clemente as I have gotten to know the members, and our investigators here I begining to love them all, and feel that really God sent me here for a reason. As of right now we still do not have an official place to have our church meetings, but we have spoken with the Mission Presidency, and they have talked with the Area Authorities. They still arent sure if they want to commit by renting a place because of the small amount of members that we have here, but it is an option if we can´t find a member´s house to use. They said that if they rent a place that it is very likely that they would make an official branch here. As always I ask for your continued prayers for my companion and I, and for the people of San Clemente, I have faith that very soon things are going to change here, they already are starting just requires lots of work, patience, and trust in the Lord. 

Have a great week everybody! Love you and miss you all! 

Elder Hall 

 Our District! :) 

 Holy smokes these have taken me forever to write! About 24 letters this year! :) (all of them are not shown!)

 One of our Seminary students who her and her family recieved certificates for participating in Seminary and Institute! The missionaries started the program here, and so I got to reap the benefits and travel to Pina Mar on saturday night for the graduation! :) 

 When we were coming back from Pinamar we got caught in a HUGE storm that came in off the ocean, and we had to pull off the road and wait for 30 minutes it was so strong! We had alot of fun laughing, and spending time with the members as we came back! The grandma aged lady is Nelly! 

Alright so I made a traditonal Argentine Dessert, it is called Pasta Frola and it is amazing I love them so I asked a sister for the recipe! Starts with pie crust dough! And then you buy what they call membrillo, I dont have a clue what it is in english (i am not sure it exists) it is a type of fruit. Then you have to mush it up! And then spread it all over the crust! Then you do a sorta latticed top, and throw it in the oven! Let´s just say everyone was super impressed because it turned out so good!! :) haha 

Feliz Día del Pavo! (Ya sounds better in english, Happy Turkey Day!)

(email from 11/24/14)

Buenas Tardes! :) 

Hope you all have had a great week! This week was a good one for us here in San Clemente! We had the opportunity to help out lots of people with service this week, and had alot of fun! I always love getting to do service for members, for one it relaxes me to be able to work a little with my hands, (it is strange to think that this was something 3 years ago I hated, and now something I miss doing!) and to be able to help people out on another level! With it being Thanksgiving this week, I had to have a special themed letter this week commemorating for one, the start of my favorite time of the year, and for two to express how grateful I am for all that I have! There is a scripture in Psalms 100:3-5, that I really like it says,

3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
 4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 5 For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

I thought it was a pretty fitting scripture for this weeks theme, and this week I will definitely be trying to focus in on the things that I am grateful for. (Alright I have a problem I am not sure if it is greatful, or grateful...ugh.)  This year I imagine it won´t be as hard for me to be away from home and let me tell you I am thankful for that. It is something that brings me a strong sense of security to know with out a doubt that the Lord is protecting, and blessing my family and loved ones while I am away, and to know that during this holiday season I will be able to enjoy the time that I have with the people that I have come to love here. 

This Thanksgiving, words can not describe the feeling of gratitude that I have for my Savior and the amazing opportunity that I have to help others come unto Him. I am grateful for my family and for how they have supported me through out my life, and especially during this time as a missionary. I suppose this year I am thankful for alot of things that maybe last year and the year before that I might have taken for granted. I hope that during this next week all of us can take the time to ponder over the things that truly are important, to throw the things that don´t matter to the side, and make time for the things that truly matter, forgive those that we need to forgive, and take time to give thanks for the blessings that we receive each day. 

I hope that this year when your all stuffing your faces with the food that I love that you can take a second, and just offer a little prayer to bless all of the missionaries and the people who are waiting for the gospel and that we will be able to find them. I am thankful for each and every one of you! Love you all, Happy Thanksgiving! 

Elder Hall 

Ok so this is disgusting but our water has been super gross lately, and the sink leaks so it turns everything rusty orange, well today I had enough and went super clean on it! Really the whole apartment my companion and I deep cleaned! Finally a companion who knows how to clean good! :) 

 Alright so you guys have all seen the evolution of my cake skills! This week was the best! IT turned out soo good, and everyone was impressed! haha if only I had a better tray to present it on! 

Mis Queridos Amigitos :)

Hope everyone has had another excelente week! Here in San Clemente we had a truly memorable week, mainly because we weren´t actually in San Clemente and we had the opportunity to meet and listen to Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles, and Elder Jorge Zeballos of the 70. What an amazing experience to get to listen to one of the 12 Apostles in person, and to be able to shake his hand. There were many teachings that we learned during the conference, too many to share but there is one experience I would like to share. 

Before the conference started as I sat there pondering I said a little prayer asking God to give me a confirmation of the testimony that I already had that Elder Nelson truly is one of His chosen servants here on the earth today. I thought I would receive it as I shook his hand, but it didn´t come at that moment, but as he began to talk and l listened to his words I truly felt the spirit testify that what he was saying was true, and as he finished his talk something truly remarkable happened. He paused for a second, and then said, ¨I would like to leave on Apostolic Blessing upon you all, invoking the keys of the holy apostleship that are invested in me I bless you...¨ and as he said those words the spirit was like fire in the room. It was so strong it was tangible in the air. We all truly received an apostolic blessing, and since that blessing was placed upon us there have been miracles that have happened in the lives of other missionaries, and truly a special spirit over the entire mission. 

I would like to add my own personal testimony that the head of La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Úlitimos Días is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and that below Him he has a Prophet Thomas S. Monson who leads and guides the church, and that we also have 12 special witnesses of Christ who walk the earth today who hold the sacred keys of the Priesthood and of the Holy Apostleship just as those great apostles of old. Some might say that as a missionary I have to say that, but I can testify that I have felt the Holy Ghost witness the truthfulness of these things in my life, and I have seen the affect of these things in the lives of others. What a marvelous blessing to live in a time of Prophets and Apostles  and to not have to live in the dark days of apostasy, and that anyone who wants to can receive the light of  the restored gospel in their lives. 

It was a pretty great week, still trying to find investigators and help those that we have progress. The coast is proving to be a bit of a challenge, and it is killing us not having the meetings close by. We had one member who came to church from San Clemente, luckily we found a house to have the meetings now we just need the leaders of the District (Stake) to approve the location! I ask for your prayers that we can get a place here in San Clemente, and just a general prayer for those here in this area! Hope all is well! :) Enjoy november, it is my favorite month back home! :) 

Love,

Elder Hall  

 Navajo Tacos Argentine Style! (With Lentils!) Delicious! :) 

 Traveling to Buenos Aires to listen to Elder Nelson! 

A beautiful view traveling! :) 

La Carta Semanal-10 de Noviembre 2014

(November 10, 2014)

Hello Queridos, 

Hope all is well this week! :) We are doing well, and have had a week of beautiful weather! I remember this time last year, thinking that if Argentina was like this year around I could come to like it! Unfortunately with everyday that goes by we get closer and closer to the dreaded hot and humid sauna, that they call verano here! The one thing that I have noticed here on the coast is the wind! It is outrageous some days! And it blows from every direction! Like there is no ryhme nor reason to the direction it blows! Sometimes you feel like you are just in a tornado! haha

We had a pretty good week here in San Clemente, it was a bit slow teaching wise because we have had a hard time scheduling appointments with people, it seems like the whole world told us they were busy this week, and if you all know anything about missionary work, when there isn´t anybody that you know available, we turn to the favorite missionary past time, that´s right, knocking doors! (Well actually we clap houses here, you don´t knock! haha) One of the goals that I set with Pres. Thurgood in my last interview was to listen and follow the promptings of the spirit better, and so having that in mind my companion and I set out to look for new investigators. Truth to be told I had numerous experiences where I know I was guided by the hand of the Lord to find the people He had been preparing for us. 

One experience was saturday morning, we were riding down the street and we passed this lady, as soon as we said hi to her, and she replied I knew that we needed to talk with her, but I ignored the feeling doubting it a little. Well a few hundred feet down the road we turn the corner, and before we get half a block up the road I feel a very strong prompting that we needed to talk with the lady. So I told my companion we had to go back. So we went back, and started to talk with the lady. Turns out she was baptized a long time ago, but moved and had been inactive for a very long time. She asked me why we came back to talk to her, and normally I don´t like to tell people that it was because I had a feeling (they give you a look like who is this loco!) but I explained to her, and she told me she had the same feeling, she knew the instant we said hi, that we were going to come and talk to her! It was pretty crazy, and she said that she has been thinking alot about looking for the church here in San Clemente because she has wanted to come back for awhile.  

I am greatful that the spirit insisted and gave me that extra nugde, and that the Lord is patient with us as his children when we don´t listen the first time! It is an amazing feeling to see, and feel the Lord using my companion and I to help others, this was just one of the experiences we had and I truly can say that the Lord and His spirit has a very active role in our work as missionaries, and He truly leads and guides us. I am thankful for the opportunity that I have to be one of his servants, and it makes me want to put all that I have into these next 9 months! Love you all! 

Elder Hall 

Una Buena Semana Más en la Misión!

Well Amigos here we are again another Monday! In case you guys were wondering time still gets faster and faster every transfer in the mission! I did something this week, that I shouldn´t have done. I believe it was my companion who asked me about my release date as a missionary (August 10, 2015) and I counted how many months until August 10, and it is only 9 months away. Yikes........ It made a knot in my stomach, I always tell people that I have been here 14 months now, I never do a count down, and I know why now! haha 

 It got cold again this week, and we have tons of rain. In fact tuesday night after watching 17 Miracles (A movie about Mormon Pioneers and all of their hardships crossing America.) for a family home evening we got caught in probably the hardest rainstorm I have ever been in! As we rode home my companion and I just died laughing because of how outrageous the wind, and water were. Riding on our bikes, we had water above our ankles riding down some parts of the streets, so really our bikes turned into half boats that night! It made me laugh even more because I shared my testimony about my 5th Great Grandfather who was one of the mormon pioneers that crossed the plains, and just telling the family about how we don´t have anything to complain about these days! 

This week we had a little bit of a harder week as far as teaching goes! It has been super hard to catch the people in their houses! Little by little we are losing investigators who have chosen not to continue learning, but we are also finding new people who want to progress. So it is eveing out. We are really trying to work with the members thgis week,and especially the leaders of our little group so that we can get things progressing. It is hard having such a small group of members, but as one of my favorite prophets in the Book of Mormon says in Alma 37:6-7, 

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

 7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

Like my phrase, ¨poco a poco¨ things will begin to change, and I am sure that with the help of the Lord, we will be able to lift our little group up! :) 

We had interviews with President Thurgood saturday, and then afterwards he spoke in the District Conference and once again I was reminded of what an amazing man he is. Seriously I hope that one day I can be half the man that he is. He is probably one of the most humble men I have ever met, and just wants to do the very best he can to help us as missionaries, and the people here in Argentina!  

Well my time is just about up! I love and miss you all, and would love to hear from you guys! Have a great week! 

Elder Hall 

 Elder Rachhumí cooking up some fish! (And he made some awesome peruvian rice!) 

 Our Pension! One of the nicest I have had! It is great because it actually has couches and furniture! 

 Alright this was a strange flashback to my first area! My companion walks in to the bathroom, and finds a random frog that some how made his way in!

 So we changed some US dollars over for a really super great exchange rate, and bought pizza and empanadas to celebrate!

 Alright this week, we got flipping soaked.....It was the strongest storm I had ever been in here in argentina and we were on bikes! 

 So we are the seminary teachers here so I thought, ¨hey, why not make a cake to share!¨The first picture it looks normal, and then after that I am not sure what happened! So weird! 

After District Conference on Sunday! 

San Clemente says hi! :)

Hola Queridos! 

Well we had a good week this week! La Costa is a lot different, but I really like it! Before I get into that though I have to talk at least a little about my last weekend in Spegazzini! 

Alright so I am not going to lie it was hard to leave (Surprise right?) I was pretty sure that I was going to be leaving so I had been preparing myself as it was, and explaining to the members and our investigators that I would probably would be leaving. Even with all  of the preparation in the world, it still hurts to say good bye to the people you love. I was able to bare my testimony on Sunday, and during the Sacrament I sat thinking about what message I wanted to share, and really just taking a second to thank my Heavenly Father for sending me to Spegazzini, as I sat there I just felt a peaceful fulling of love that came over me, knowing that the Lord was happy with what I had done there. When I gave my testimony, I didn´t cry but I was choked up. I wrote in my journal that I didn´t know my heart had so much room for so many people, and that it was possible to love others as if they were my family. I felt like the grinch, where they put the little xray machine to his heart and they say that it grew 3 sizes that day! haha It was hard to say goodbye, but what was interesting, and I can´t explain it but there is still a big space in my heart, and I still know that there are people waiting for me that I haven´t met. 

Which brings me to the beautiful town of San Clemente on the Coast! Few things about it, it is a HUGE tourist destination during December, January, and February because there are beaches and it is home to Mundo Marino (Argentine Sea World) as well as a few other things, most people only work during these 3 months of and make the money that they need to survive during the rest of the year. A few years back San Clemente had it´s own branch. but because of lack of members it had to be closed, and it merged with Santa Teresita which is about an hour from here in bus. Recently they started to have meetings here in San Clemente again in the house of one of the sisters. This Sunday we had 9 members, 2 investigators, and then us missionaries. We blessed the sacrament, gave the talks, and taught a small sunday school. There is such a small group that we finished with church in an hour and a half! (Alright to some of you that might sound nice, but it is weird trust me! haha) We are trying to get some more priesthood holders, and to get our attendance up, there aren´t too many members here so honestly we have tons of work to do. The thing is, it is slow and hard work lots of working with members trying to motivate them, lots of contacts in the streets, and a whole lot of prayer and fasting! San Clemente is going to be a challenge but I am looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me here! 

I hope all is well at home, I imagine you are all enjoying cooler weather, while here it gets hotter, and more humid every day! Love you all! :) 

Elder Hall 

Video of Elder Brennen Hall-Spegazzini Oct 2014

SALUDOS DE LA COSTA! :)

Alright well, I couldn´t write yesterday because I got transfered! After a 7 hour bus ride, I have made it to San Clemente, in La Costa! Just a little about my area, we live 3 blocks from the beach, there are 5-10 active members, and we don´t even qualify as a branch yet! (emphasis on the yet!) My new companion is Elder Jared Racchumi from Peru! (Woohoo, another peruvian! haha), he has the same time as Elder Mortensen, and seems really awesome! So I am excited! 

Love you all! :) 

Elder Hall 

 La Familia Vaccaroni!

 My District! Elder Lopez, E. Mortensen, E. Wilson, Hermana Tolman, Hermana Ortiz!

 Our Zone! 

 I love them so much! :) This is our Patriarc and his wife! Pedro y Ramona Barli, some of the best members I have met in my entire life, they have been like grandparents too me, and they fed us every week (Its hermana Ramona´s fault that I started to get fat again!) haha 

 Alright I am starting to get pretty good in the kitchen as well, garlic potatoes, with pork chops in the oven! haha 

 Hermano Ismael, y Hermana Carmen Duarte, members that were always so great to me! :)

 Flor Silva got baptized! WooHoo! :)

 All of the family, and Flor´s Cousin! This family is amazing, I worked with them for 6 months, and finally they are back active again, and they have started the process to enter the temple, and get sealed! So in one year, I hope I am heading to a sealing! (Will work on travel plans later! haha) 

 Argentines literally have some of the weirdest things in their butcher shops, Armadillo anyone?

 Two awesome young men who will one day be great missionaries! The one on the right is Ivan (whose mom passed away.) and then on the left is Rodrigo (Hna. Elizabeth´s son) 

 Obispo (Bishop) Manzanos, and his wife Mary! He has been the bishop for 8 years now, and was branch president for a long time back before Spegazzini was a ward! haha poor guy... Really great people though! :) 

 A going away lunch Sunday! :) I just love them so much. They all are like family! 

Alright, I caved, I broke the rules and picked this cute little girl up for a picture! I have known her since she was a tiny little thing, and now she is about to turn a year! Nylah is the granddaughter of Elizabeth! 

 I will never forget this family, I can´t lie we all just started crying when I had to say good bye, and hermana Elizabeth was bawling, I could never share, or express all of the good, and hard things that my companions and I have passed through with this family, it was so hard to say goodbye. To make matters worse it was mother´s day here on sunday, and seriously Hermana Elizabeth has adopted me as her american son! But I left them knowing that their lives are going to be better, as long as they keep on the right track! 

 Kiki (KeeKee) (her real name is Victoria!) This sweet little girl is the best! Her mom told me that she spent a week writing me a letter, and just cried every night! She is 9, and will alwasy be another argentine sister for me! 

 Familia Gimenez, another less-active family who came back, and are making plans to get sealed!

 This is an active family who fed us every Wednesday while I was there! They are awesome! Familia Manzanos, he is the old bishop, and the bishop´s son! 

Hermano Claudio Blanco and his wife Carolina! He has been a member for a long time, and was menos activo, but he is back going strong, and his wife is starting to listen to the discussions! She is a gypsy! 

The Morales Family. Wow. Words can not describe the change that happened in this family. I think this family is a testament to me that these things are true I have never had people where we taught the commandments they started obeying them, and then wham! the blessings just came pouring out. Poor Bruno the minute we walked in sunday night, he ran up gave me a hug and said, ¨Hall, don´t go!¨and then just started bawling. Ugh.. but we talked and I explained that we would still keep in touch, and we ended the night happy, and I just had an amazing feeling of love, and peace knowing that I had done literally all I could to help this family! :) They all wrote me letters, and the parents are setting goals for the temple as well! :)))