UPDATED INFO ON SENDING ZACH PACKAGES

To the families of our missionaries:

The Argentine postal service will no longer let us, as office workers, sign for and claim packages that are sent to your missionary. The person to whom the package is addressed has to show his or her passport and sign for the package in order for it to be claimed.

In order for your missionary to receive a package from home, it will have to be addressed to Sister Gulbrandsen. She can claim the package with her passport and signature. This will require that the missionary’s name appear in the return address area so we will know who is to receive the package.

We have several packages waiting to be picked up, and if the missionary to whom it is addressed cannot arrange his time to come claim the package himself it will be returned to the sender. Packages that have been sent to missionaries serving in Rio Gallegos, Rio Grande, and Tierra del Fuego will unfortunately be returned as they cannot fly here to retrieve their packages.

We are so sorry for this inconvenience to you and to your missionary. We have made efforts to resolve this issue with the postal service, but they will not alter the rule for us. So, beginning immediately, we ask that you address your packages as follows, noting that the name of the missionary needs to be listed in the return address.


John Doe (Elder James Brown)

Street address

City, and State





Sister Karen Gulbrandsen

Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

Gral. Lavalle 1828

1646 San Fernando

Buenos Aires

ARGENTINA

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter and we are sorry for those packages that will be returned to sender. Please inform all family and friends of this new development.

Thank You,

Sister Kroff
Secretary
Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission

General update #....mucho

Hello all.

This week was... interesting. Our 2 baptisms both bailed. Satan really worked hard on them and they weren't strong enough I suppose. Jorge was told by the people where he lives that he would get kicked out if he was baptized and so he backed out and Susana lost her job and is kind of depressed now. Lame. However, next week we have a sure baptism. The father of Hugo named José. He is a good guy and he has accepted everything. We are preparing Hugo to baptize his father. it is awesome. This week we are hoping to get the mother of Raul and Nicole baptized on Saturday. We challenged her last week and she accepted, we'll have to see if she read what we left. Anyways, not too much else about investigators, we need lots of new investigators really bad....

Also this past week- we had a multi zone conference with Elder Arnold of the 70. He is the Area President in the South America South Area. It was amazing and I loved all the changes he presented to the mission and the new focuses on things that we already knew but maybe weren't doing before. Awesome. He was a really powerful speaker and he added more to his conference talk and it was incredible.

This week I also was able to get to know my comp a little better and his style and tendencies. I have decided it is a little bit of a challenge to get him to work as hard with my as I worked with Elder Fernandez. It is hard for me to take the first step in doing some things just because I don't speak as well but I've really taken the initiative since Elder F. left. I just need to be an example in more things, but it is hard when there are so many things to remember. Haha. Oh well. Hopefully we'll be able to work a lot harder this next week. I'm gonna do my best, I know there are people waiting for me for me to open my mouth. Anyways, I love you all. Have a good week and I'll send the pictures of Hugo next week because I can't in this internet place. Read the scriptures and pray always! Love.

The Marriage and Baptism of Hugo and Miriam Robledo

Hello everyone!!

Sorry for the lack of length last week. It was crazy. We had the wedding of Hugo and Miriam Robledo. We arrived too late for the wedding, which was pretty lame, but here it's like just signing some papers and kissing so whatever. We arrived just as the were walking out and so we took some pictures, but I forgot to bring my camera with me today so I'll have to remember next week. Then that night we made it for the last 10 minutes of the farewell thing for missionaries that were leaving and so Elder Fernandez was the last one to bear his testimony before Pres. Gulbrandsen spoke. It was pretty cool. Then I was all chillin there in the gym behind the chapel and I met an Elder and then I realized that I had met him before at BYU. Haha. He was in my Book of Mormon class and I approached him after class one day because he announced his call to BA North. Legit. Then my new comp. arrived and found me. His name is Elder Ramey. He is from Eagle, Idaho and he is legit. Haha. He has only been in the south his whole mission until he came here. He has a little bit less that one year in the mission. It is a nice to change to have a new comp. Elder Fernandez was a little.... I dunno. Buggy. We didn´t get along very well. But it looks like Elder Ramey and I and going to get along great. He is a good guy and a good Elder. We will have success together. Right now we are hoping to have at least one baptism this Saturday, but preferably two. We have Jorge Alberto Rodriguez and Susana Estigarribia. Here is the story of Jorge. He was going to be baptized about 2 years ago in some city in the north of Argentina and had his interview and everything, but the day before his baptism his mother died and he never went to church again. Until a few months ago he moved here and he went to another chapel in our zone and so we received his info and went the next day to where he lives. He told us his story and how he remembered everything and that he was reading the BoM. Unfortunately we lost contact with him for about a month because he never came to church. But we went anew with Elder Ramey and we found him and he came to church yesterday and with a friend!! We put a date with the friend and told Jorge he could be baptized this week if we can teach/review everything with him before the weekend. He agreed and we put a date for his friend for the end of the month. Bonus. Then Susana, Elder Fernandez found her when he was in Congreso on exchanges. She was in the place that the church has where you look for jobs (I forget the name...) and Elder F. went there and they offered the people our message and she gave her address and everything and she has been coming for about the past month already and so she has always had a date for this weekend, but for some reason (that we don't know and we can't find her...) she didn't come yesterday. So if we can find her and finish teaching her, she should be baptized as well.

Anyways, this paragraph is a flashback seeing as I didn't say much last week. The baptism of Maria and her son Jose Perez as well as Sandy Lopez was incredible. Because Maria has diabetes and can't see very well and also has one prosthetic leg, we knew it was going to be an interesting task to baptize her. Anyways, here is the story. She came out of the bathroom (which is right next to the font) and we told her to be careful because she was like hopping on her one leg (and she is kind of a bigger lady) and she ended up falling onto the floor. It was the saddest thing ever. But she was a champ and she laughed it off! She ended up getting up and into the water. It was so inspiring. Then to baptize her, she ended up kneeling and being baptized forwards. When she came up it was so amazing. She just started crying and so Elder Fernandez and I were crying with her.... The Spirit was so strong. It was truly amazing. In that baptism I baptized Sandy and Elder Fernandez Maria and Jose. Then on Tuesday I baptized Miriam and Elder Fernandez baptized Hugo. Then we had 5 confirmations yesterday... Haha. I ended up confirming Maria and Miriam. It went well and my Spanish was better that it has been before. Amazing. As well as having those 5 in the church we had 8 investigators and so there were a lot of people in church and the members all were really happy and many bore testimony of the changes that are going on in the ward. With the baptism of Hugo and Miriam we have doubled the yearly goal for the ward. We have 21 right now and our goal is to triple the goal by the end of the year. It is awesome to be a part of this great change. Constitucion was known as the worst ward in the stake before and usually averages 5 or less baptisms a year, but we are working hard and the Bishop is happy and proud of his ward now. Love it.

Anyways, I've been writing forever so I should probably roll out soon. But Conference was awesome. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did. I liked the doctrine. Basics and giving thanks. I think sometimes it is as simple as that. For this I want to thank you all. Whoever reads this. First family. You guys are amazing. It is such a blessing to be a part of this family. Two older brothers that have been almost perfect examples... 2 sisters that have always supported me and have always shown me love. And best of all- my mom and dad. Dad, you've been such a great example for me. Just so you know, you still owe me that pizza party from when our basketball team went undefeated. Haha. You're the man. And mom. I don't know where I would be without you. You're a great friend and I've always been able to talk to you. Not to mention all the treats and the help you've given me to develope my talents. Thanks for always pushing me. Thanks family, I love you all. Secondly, any friends that read this. I am very grateful for my friends. Friends are very interesting. I found out who my real friends were with time. For those of you who read this who were a true friend to me, thanks. You changed my life. I was lucky enough to have the best of buddies in high school and then I went to BYU and made all new friends and you all changed my life and you all are my real friends. Love. Anyways, I gotta roll out now. Love you guys! Until next week!

The Baptism of Maria and Jose Perez and Sandy Lopez

Hello all! Today I don't have any time because I am going to the wedding of Hugo and Miriam and afterwards their baptism and then the farewell of Elder Fernandez. But the baptism last week was amazing and hopefully I'll be able to email tomorrow or something but here is the photo! I'll read and respond to your emails later! I love you all! P.S. my new comp is named Elder Ramey and I meet him tonight! Until next week!

The last full week of Elder Fernandez

Hola,

It appears that my second transfer is ending. Haha. So here is what is going down- This weekend is general conference so all of us missionaries in the stake (Congreso) are going to have our baptisms together on Sunday night. We are going to have 3 baptisms. We have Maria and her 10 year old son Jose as well as a young woman (17 almost 18) named Sandy that are going to be baptized. Maria is an amazing woman and we finally settled her doubts about being baptized last week when I was in divisions with Elder Aguirre from La Boca. She told us how she was worried about being baptized because she has a prosthetic leg and how she would have to remove it and also her fear of falling backwards. So we reassured her and told her we could baptize her going forwards and have like 3 people in the font to help. She agreed and is very excited. Her son, Jose is also excited and he is a stud. Because Maria has diabetes, she is losing her vision and so her son has to read for her. He helps her with everything and is just a great kid. Sandy was an amazing blessing. I don't know how much I told about her but she is a friend of Flia. Cordova and she has accepted everything and even came to church alone yesterday with 2 young nephews. It is crazy how well prepared some people are, even before we meet them. My testimony has really been strengthened that there are a lot of people ready to accept the gospel and be baptized on any day. We have just been blessed a lot lately in finding them. Also on Tuesday, Oct. 5th we have the marriage and baptisms of Hugo and Mirian. I unfortunately will have to go pick up my new comp in the morning and so I will miss the wedding, but at least I will be there for their baptisms. Then that night is the farewell of all the missionaries that are leaving so I will have to head back to San Fernando (mission offices, about an hour and a half of travel....) again for the farewell of Elder Fernandez. Although it has been a roughish journey with him (especially last transfer...) I have learned a lot and I bet that I am going to realize all the things I have learned from him throughout the mission. I am excited but nervous about getting a new comp, but I know President is inspired in his decisions and so I am confident that everything will be fine. Anyways, nothing much else this week.... We are going to Puerto Madero today for the last P Day of Elder Fernandez and a nice Parilla (Rodizio ish). Puerto Madero is the nice part of Capital with the tallest buildings. Should be fun. Anyways, I love you all and I hope you are doing well. I am doing just fine and learning a lot here. Keep safe and keep it real!!! Haha. Until next week! Pay attention during Conference and keep notes! Love!

El Bautismo de Nicole y Raúl Povea

Hola todos,

Soy yo, Elder Trayner. Esta semana tengo buenas noticias. Haha. This week I have good news. Not only was Nicole baptized this past week, but her little brother Raúl had a change of heart and told us he wanted to be baptized (he's 9). So we prepared them both and they were both baptized saturday. Then Sunday I was surprised when they announced that I was going to confirm Nicole (13 yrs old) and so I went up to the front and I was so nervous during it that my legs were shaking. Haha. But it went well and I only noticed one time when I messed up the Spanish. Haha. But the service and the meeting Sunday all went really well. Now we are just working with the mother (Milagros) to be baptized, but she keeps saying a couple more months (she said that 2 months ago...) and yeah. We'll see what happens. She is really the only prospect for this week which is really lame because we have baptisms that are certain the following 3 weeks. Oh well. Some people just need more time than other people. Also this week- Zone Conference on Tuesday which I loved, it was really good to see Pres. Gulbrandsen and to learn some new things. We talked a lot about asking inspired questions and listening. I liked it a lot. Also, I just looked and I don't think I sent a picture of the baptism of Nahuel... somebody update me if I did or not and if I didn't I'll send one next week. Haha. Also this week, we're still trying to resolve the doubt of Maria and her son Jose so they can be baptized the 3rd. She is a really special lady and we always feel the Spirit really strong in her home, and so it is hard for her to recognize that those feelings are an answer that our message is true and that the BoM is true. But we are confident she will recognize the answer this week. Also excited for Hugo and Mirian to get married the 5th and baptized and also this week we had another miracle. A friend (Sandy) of one of the daughters of Flia. Cordova decided that she wants to be baptized. We taught her once, but she wasn´t interested because she knew her parents wouldn´t give her permission, but as Yarine Cordova talked to her about what she was doing with the young single adults and her testimony Sandy started to read the BoM this past week and now she tells us she wants to be baptized asap and she came to church on Sunday. It is amazing to see how the Lord is preparing people for us. We are doing our best and it is weird that the investigators that we find from this week on are going to be baptized after Elder Fernandez leaves. But yeah, I´m a little bit nervous about all this change, but everything is going to come out just fine. I love you all and I hope you are doing well. I would also like to extend the challenge that we received from Pres. Gulbrandsen to anyone who reads this, to read the Book of Mormon by Christmas as a present to Christ that we realize the importance of the book. So.... Do it. Haha. I've really had my testimony of the Book of Mormon strengthened while I´ve been here. It really is the key to those that are strong in the church and those that fall away. Anyways I love you all and I hope you are doing well. Oh. Also. Mom, I received the package on Tuesday! Thank you so much! The batteries are 500 percent better than my chinese cheap ones. Haha. The peach rings were also delicious and made me think of Rach. Haha. Love you all! Have a great week!

The Baptism of Nahuel Aponte!!

Hola!

Hope everyone is doing well this week! Sounds like you're all pretty busy, but doing well. This week we had the baptism of Nahuel Aponte (the really smart 22 year old who is studying law). It went really well and what was even better was that we had 12 investigators in the chapel and a bunch of less actives that we had visited. It was awesome to see. It's always really nice to see that your labors are paying off. Also this past week- Elder Fernandez left from 9 AM until 6 PM Tuesday, W, and Thursday. I was with 2 missionaries that had just started their 3rd week in the mission. Haha. Elder Gardner and Elder Christensen. One of them spake hardly any Spanish and the other.... decent for a new missionary. It was interesting to be in charge for 3 days, and all three days went really well. It was really a test of my Spanish and of my knowledge of the area. Hahaha. We had to use the map and addresses for everything, but it didn't really affect us. What affected us was not knowing the busses. Haha. But I'm going to try to pay attention to the busses we use more often for when Elder Fernandez leaves. This week we have the baptism of two young people. Nicole and Raúl Povea from the family of Amarú Povea. He was an inactive member, but the missionaries have been going to their house for about a year... and finally his 2 children want to be baptized and he is trying to get his life in line. It is nice to see them finally change, but it is hard to see how reluctant the wife is still..... She still wants more time.... Months. But we think when she watches her 2 children be baptized she will want to be baptized soon as well. The problem is just that she studies and works so much. She needs to realize the importance of her family, but they are progressing. Also this week. We found a couple named Hugo and Mirian about 3 weeks ago (a Sunday night) next to where Macario lives and they have come to church 2x now and we went and made a date for them to be married the 5th of October (one day before Elder Fernandez leaves!!!), they really are a miracle family. They have a 7 year old and a 3ish year old daughter. They really have just accepted everything and are reading everything they can get their hands on. Haha. They are really funny.... He also committed to quit smoking and she committed to quit drinking coffee even though she sells it on the street each morning with other drinks and bread stuff. They're amazing. Another amazing investigator this week in the capilla for the first time- Maria! She is 50ish and has diabetes and so she is losing her vision and she lost a leg and so she has a prosthetic. She also has one son who is 10 living with her and a 22 yr old daughter who lives far away. She is such an amazing woman. So strong. Her son (José) has to read for her and he helps her a lot with everything. It is amazing to see. Anyways, they should be baptized just before Elder Fernandez leaves as well. We really are seeing a lot of blessings.

Anyways, I love you all! Sorry this email has no order. Haha. This week remember to read the Book of Mormon! Do it! Keep strong! The gospel is true and it is the only way to be truly happy! Until next week!