When life is to hard to stand......KNEEL October 24, 2011


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The family and friends of Suzanna Sosa and her daughter Sabrina Guzman
at their baptism.
Elder Mathers, Elder Foster and Elder Gonzalez 

 

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 Susana Sosa has been paralyzed since the age of five from the effects of Polio.
I was able to baptise her on October 22, 2011.
She looked like an angel dressed in white,
 I was able to carry her in my arms into the baptismal font. 



Mosiah 27:25
And the Lord said unto me: marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindred, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters.

This week was one I will never ever forget. I know that God is aware of us as missionaries and the sacred work we are doing and that his angels are writing the conversion story of each and every one of his children.

We met Susana ten weeks ago reading her Bible enjoying a day in the sun, clapping doors like all missionaries do, she loves God and loves to learn and gladly excepted us to hear what we had to say.

She has been congregated in the Jehovah's Witness Church for the last 10 years and has only missed 6 days in her 10 years of assisting, we shared a short but very powerful lesson on the apostasy and the restoration of the only true existing church on the earth today, we shared with her the Book of Mormon and invited her to find out for hersel, and to be baptised when she knew. In her church you have to have about 15 years of study of the Bible to be baptised, so she was really confused how we could be offering this so sudden.
She prayed but didn't receive the answer we know comes through sincere desire, so we explained to her about the Holy Ghost and listening for an answer... she continued praying but still felt nothing.

We continued to pass by and teach her very basic principles from the Book of Mormon... faith, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end. She always did her studies and always prayed but never felt like she was receiving an answe.

One day we had a very power lesson on the need for a prophet in this day and age as well as the prophets existed in the olden days, we found something that really interested her, she felt that there is one God and one true church and if that church had prophets before Christ and Christ not only being our Savior but a prophet as well, then the church today should also have a prophet!

Susana has been paralyzed from the age of five when the effects of Polio took over her body, for this reason she has been really scared to come to church especially because her electric wheelchair has been broken for several months.  So all this time she refused to come to church, but when we saw her interest in the prophets it was a blessing from God because we were only two weeks away from General Conference.

We promised her an answer from God through his living prophet Thomas S. Monson and committed her to come and hear his voice.

She received her electric wheelchair and gladly managed her way 9 blocks on dirt roads to hear the prophet, she arrived there early and enjoyed the music of the Tabernacle Choir which invited the spirit nicely, she sat attentive for the next two hours without hardly blinking.

We had a prayer in our heart and knew she would find her answer.  I looked over at her during the talk of Dieter F. Uchtdorf and saw a tear falling from her cheek, I know that President Uchdtorf doesn't know me Elder Quade Foster personally or Susana Ester Sosa but I know that we are all children of God and that he knows us, I know that the prophet and his 12 apostles are called of men and through their words our prayers are answered.

We took Susana to the baptismal font and invited her to be baptised ( probably for the 15th time) and with tears in my eyes as I write this... she replied "How are you going to get me in and out of there"? So we had a Baptismal date for the 22nd of October!

We passed by every day and our relationship became deeper and deeper and her testimony then became stronger and stronger of the church, we enjoyed many laughs and very spiritual moments.

Her 15 year old daughter Sabrina Guzman has gone to church with her mom since she was a little girl and never wanted to listen to us but always came with her mom to church, she one day wanted to know everything because she loved how her mom was continually happy and wanted it for herself, so we taught her and she as well had a date for the 22nd.
Well this week the long waited day arrived...Susana had to have a special visit with our mission President for a few things but her desires to do what was right out weighed anything else, but Satan is real and knows what she was about to do, so he put one of her old friends from her old church into her path and made her doubt and doubt until the point she wasn't going to be baptised, she told us this the day of her baptism.

But as we all know our Heavenly Father has ALL power and has given us the gift of the Holy Ghost to change the hearts of even the hardest people, our Bishop, Bishop Moisko had a great chat with her and used his missionary skills to teach and testify of the simple things he knew to be true, she left his office ready to be baptised.

We got changed and words can't describe the way she looked in white, Susana looked like an angel, she is an angel! We had everything prepared and knew how we would get her in and out of the water... I took her into my arms like a little child, I took the steps slowly into the nice warm baptismal waters and sat her into a chair that was previously set there.

Elder Gonzalez my companion from Santiago Chile did the ordinance and together we baptized her in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,we enjoyed a 15 second hug together in the water and then I lifted her again into my arms... she held onto to me ever so tight, looked up at me with a huge smile and tear filled eyes and said nothing but " Thanks, I've been waiting my whole life for this moment".

At this moment I knew that I had a new spiritual born woman in my arms and she was my precious angel. I thank my Heavenly Father of the sacred privilege I have to be apart of this great work, I know that we are apart of the only true church here on the earth today, I know that the ordinance of baptism is special and literally like King Benjamen taught in his wonderful speech to his people just moments before his death, we can be born again of God!

Mosiah 27 25
And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters.

It sounds like the week in the life of the Fosters isn't any less interesting on the other side of the world!!! Seriously I'm so so proud of Tate and how his game turned out.. thanks mom for your letters so detailed I got so excited and was just about jumping out of my seat here thousands of miles away,  I really hope you enjoyed the first email I sent... it was a very amazing for me... very spiritually refreshing... but I also wanted to tell you a few other crazy things that happened.


Tate Foster's Senior Night for high school football.
Pictured with his parents Ross and Cheryl Foster
Played the game of his life with scoring three touchdowns
 the last one being in the last seconds of the game.
Winning the game 41-40 and sending his
Shelley Russet team into the playoffs.
QUADE WAS A PROUD BROTHER IN ARGENTINA!



I received a letter from Elder Huntsman and he sounds like he is loving life... I sure miss the kid, he helped me a ton right before the mission.

I also got a Dear Elder from Zach Morgan... if you could please get his email somehow I would love it.  He is doing great and sure appreciates our example and said we are doing enough good to make up for his bad doing... seems like something he would say.. I sure want to help him figure things out.

I love you all so much and I wanted you to know of a saying that I am becoming known for here in the mission...

Before it was... Keep it real, clean and sexy

Now it is:
When life is too hard to stand... KNEEL
When your in a rut... REPENT
When life gives you lemons... MAKE LEMONADE!!!

Hope you enjoy your week and I just want you to know I'm happy as they come over here!!!

Love Elder Foster

 

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WELCOME HOME ELDER JOHNS - OCTOBER 17, 2011

McCray Foster, Elder Johns, Tate Foster
So crazy to meet Elder Johns and feel like we were talking to Quade,
they are so much alike we knew why they were such close friends.
  He made us miss Quade a ton and hope he will come visit us in Idaho!

WELCOME HOME ELDER JAKE JOHNS
McCray, Tate, Elder Johns, Cheryl, Ross, Shad and Delanie
Quade and Jake were only together for six weeks but became such close friends
Our family traveled to Utah to listen to Jake report his mission

Hey Family!!!

Wow what a week! OH MY HEAVENS I CANT EXPLAIN JUST HOW AMAZING YOUR LETTER WAS.... I LOVED IT!!! The feelings I have looking at the photo of all you together just brought tears to my eyes, the two best parts of my life... my family and my best friend from my mission together at the same time.

 I'm so so happy that you took the time to go and spend time with Jake... Literally the kid is something special and I know that you felt of his spirit, the friendship that we developed in the short six weeks together is one that will last for eternity! I will make sure to write him and thank him for spending time with the most precious people in my life, and as far as his girl situation goes I know as Jake knows that the lord has his hands in all things and I know he has learned to accept the trials that the lord gives us, I know if things don't work out with Morgan, there is someone

 SO PERFECT FOR HIM!!!!

I don't have much time because we went to Merlo to get a few things, it's like a three hour bus ride, but I wanted to let you know that we worked really really hard this week and as humbling as it has been here in Catan we were humbled even more.

  We have 11 people with baptismal dates in the next month and I know that if we continue planning and following the spirit and putting our trust in the lord that they will all arrive to their dates.  I don't know why we are continuing to be blessed as imperfect as we are the Lord still looks at the desires of our hearts and allows us to be literally his hands in this work.

This week I studied a lot about the gospel of Jesus Christ... I had an analogy and I hope it makes as much sense in English as it does in Spanish (haha its weird to think that its now easier to talk in Spanish, never thought that would happen) but the gospel of Jesus Christ is like a company.

We have a CEO, God, and a vice president Jesus Christ, they have a purpose to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man, but they can't do it all by themselves so they have hired other leaders, the prophet and the 12 apostles, who then delegate and train other leaders all over the world.

 The training is given from person to person until it gets down to the very bottom of the list, they have given us every tool necessary to complete the goal that they have but cannot do it for us personally, we are given faith, repentance, baptism, The Holy Ghost and expected to endure to the end.

 I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have been given to be a little messenger boy who has the great blessing of bringing people the greatest news that they will ever need, that there is a way to complete what seems impossible as long as we follow the guidelines that our leaders have given us.

I consider it a privilege and a sacred honor to be here and to dedicate this time to help my Father in Heaven complete his goal to bring to pass the immortality and life of all his children, we all have a small part to play but every single one of them is important.

Susanna is doing great she will be baptized in five days, it's going to be such a special day!!! I would love to type for hours and hours but I really have to go, I am so thankful mom for your time to write me about every week...

Shad I know how you feel buddy, I too lost my championship game, but I can promise you as hard as life gets, the sun still shines and life is so much better with a smile.

Tate good luck this week, I'm so happy for your success both spiritually and physically.

McCray I am so thankful for your example to your friends and I hope you continue to shine.

Delanie your a doll

Love you all so much I really have to go...

Elder Foster!!!!!

WHO KNEW THAT SHOVELING POOP COULD MAKE YOU SO HAPPY - MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2011

We had to go to capital to do DNI and we took this sick picture
Elder Gonzalez, Elder Foster,  Elder Jimenez, Elder Claiter,
TAKING ON THE WORLD1

I had to shovel the poop shoot....
When you flush it just goes outside and you have
 to make a little canal so it flows.....YUCK!
But I love to serve :)

This is a cabinet we built for The Salinas Family
Walter, Elder Gomez and Elder Foster  

Elder Foster at Capital

Hey Mom I don't have any time today to write because we spent the day with investigators but we will have time tomorrow to write, Mom thank you so much for doing my blog I'm sure it looks amazing. It is just one of my many journals! I'm really glad the Huntsman family got my letter.

I'll send you more photos of the MTC with captions for you to add to the blog too! I'll make sure to send photos every week then and put a title on my email! You can look for my email tomorrow.

We spent the day with Susanna in the wheel chair we cooked and did service for her, we are actually typing this on her computer because none of the cybers are open because its a holiday here, Day of the races.
It was a very amazing week. I'm so so so so glad you got to talk to Jake Johns and I really hope you'll go down to see him.
I cant explain how happy I am!!!! LIFE IS NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT WE MAKE OF IT!!!!!

I'll send you my photos of our P day with Susanna.

Hey you guys!!!

Sorry I didn't get the chance to write yesterday things got way busy and I ended up going on divisions with an elder named Elder Dayhuff from South Jordan, Utah.

I loved the experience it was awesome, they are struggling and didn't have any baptismal dates so we went over and worked really hard, talked to everyone, followed the spirit and we have a baptismal date with one of their old investigators Pablo for the 5th of November.

I love helping other Elders enjoy their missions! It is something that is hard for me to understand why sometimes they just don't take it all in and LOVE IT!  But I am glad I have the chance to help some of them out.

Just wanted to start off by saying WOW!!! Tate looks like a hotty with a naughty body, I wonder if he took it from his older brother jaja jk jk.   I definately have some work to do before I can say something like that, but really he looks like a model.  Cole did an amazing job and really is talented and would be smart looking into a profession.

This week I found out something really crazy,  an Elder in my zone named Elder Perez from Chiqawawa,  Mexico knew Elder Luke Chapple because they ate at their house on a regular basis, he told me Elder Chapple is a stud and works really hard, nothing could have brought me greater joy so you'll have to make sure and tell their family about it.

This week we went into capital and it really is a whole other world, people are clean, they have jobs, they have hair appointments and I even saw some clothing brands that I am used to. While I was there I took advantage and bought myself a few jerseys and have tucked them away for after the mission.

So I honestly haven't used hardly any personal money maybe 200 dollars but I don't know what my card situation is, are you putting money on it monthly or how is that working? Would you please make sure there is some money on the card because I am going to start preparing a small package to send to you guys for Christmas... I'm sorry it wont be anything big because it is REALLY EXPENSIVE TO SEND PACKAGES.

I will spend about 100 dollars or like 400 pesos just to get it to you, but I'll make it filled with Argentina stuff! Speaking of packages Mom, I received yours and I love the shirts.  Thank you so much for being so thoughtful, I actually gave my companion the yellow spud run shirt as a gift and he loves it and sends you a kiss.

Wow I was impressed with the letters and the drawings of Shad and Delanie... they are developing their skills rapidly.  I have a list of things that other missionaries have said are needed when you hit a year in the mission that would be nice for Christmas and my birthday, but the problem is it would cost so much to ship it, so you could  do one of two things.

If people want to send me something you can tell them what it is that I need and they can send it... or they can give you just cash and you could put it on my card and I could buy what I need here.

Packages are faster than letters, I honestly don't want much... mostly just good hygiene stuff, but I would like to buy a new suit and shoes for my last year, but  I'm not to worried about all that now.

This week was will be hard to forget - President Carter has focused a lot on diligence and planning since he has been here. Well we have been diligent and found lots and lots of people to teach but we have faulted a little on the planning part, so we took the time to plan for the 30 investigators that we have.

We made specific plans for everyone of them and their needs and how they could come to church and who would bring them, who would sit by them, and how we could meet their needs. It was well worth it, we had 11 of the 30 come to church this Sunday and we have baptismal dates with all of them, I honestly don't know why we are so blessed... but I do know that as we make our deepest desires the desires of the Lord he is bound to guide us.

We have the goal to baptise every week, but sometimes our pride or feelings of scared or tired don't allow us to really complete with our desires, I have prayed and prayed that the Lord will strengthen me to act according to the desires that he has placed in my heart, I know that he is giving us the strength of mind and physical strength to complete his work.

Mom I pray nightly for my future spouse that she will feel my love and the love and support of the Savior when she needs it, I don't know who it will be but I know as you said mom... that she will be perfect for me.

This is all the time that I have for right now but I'm excited to here about your week with Jake Johns! I hope Tate will go and hear and see what a returned missionary has to offer, he is as good as they come! I love him and hope you enjoy his spirit, smile, and love of the Savior that I once enjoyed just a few weeks ago!

I love you all and wish you the best of luck in all that you do.

Thanks for updating my blog mom I'm sure lots of people will love it, Mikel and Kelly already looked at it and emailed me.

Elder Foster

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SALINAS FAMILY ON THEIR WAY TO ETERNITY - OCTOBER 2, 2011

Yeah Baby - P Day
Soccer and pizza
I love my Argentina soccer shirt.

The Salinas Family and Susanna at General Conference
Susanna is ready to be baptised just nervous on how we are going
 to get her and her wheelchair in and out of the water 

The entire Salinas family is now baptised and on their way to eternity.



Baptism of Walter and Mica Salinas

Hey Family!!!

Wow what a week I have the pleasure to report to you this week. I don't have much time because we took the P day to enjoy ourselves and went to a pizza joint and played soccer,  it was a type of fun that I haven't had in a very long time!!! Well needed!!!

But wow can I just tell you how much I love the conference time of year,  general conference honestly just gave me an energy I cant explain, I wanted everyone I know to enjoy the blessing of hearing the voice of the "Moses of our days" Thomas S. Monson. We ran around contacting everyone that would give us 25 seconds to explain his importance, we prepared a sweet home evening to explain to all out investigators the importance of a prophet in the world today, we had a great turn out, I'll send a picture.

Oh I forgot to mention that as of this transfer I am now a zone leader. It is a honor and a privilege to serve and help other people...there is no time for anything, I love it though... it is really great to work with other missionaries and learn from them, I do have to mention that it is really hard to write in my journal at night, but I am still going strong and haven't missed a day in what now is my nine months in the mission (I can't believe how fast time flies!)

We had a goal of 100 investigators in the zone to attend conference and had everyone working hard and pumped up to meet the goal, we worked hard and had very specific plans with 20 people, but as you know you have to invite double who actually come, and it worked out about like that, we had 11 that came to hear the words of the prophet.

 

Things got really complicated this weekend as we had to go look for investigators, worry what they were thinking and feeling and in the midst of all that we managed to baptize two people between the sessions, Walter and Mica.

 

The Salinas family are all dunked and ready to start their path to eternal life, Walter and Mica who had complications this last week were baptized and looked so good in white,  Walter is way excited to receive the priesthood so he can baptise his son Claudio on December 7th when he turns 8.

The most exciting news of all is that Susanna the lady in the wheel chair I have been talking about has been praying and reading and doing all that God has asked her to do to receive an answer, but she hasn't received an answer yet, she is scared to go to church because of her wheel chair. We promised her that if she would use her faith and go to hear the prophet of  God she would feel something that she hasn't felt before, we went to look for her...and she came!

 

Susanna 100 percent at attention and didn't hardly blink, at the end of the conference when they sang How Great Thou Art... I looked over and she had tears running down her cheeks, the members were so amazing to her, we ran around and asked everyone to say Hi to her and I swear over 60 people personally gave her a kiss and welcomed her! It was incredible!

 

We then took her to the baptismal font and showed her and explained to her that Christ himself was baptized and we help people follow his perfect example! I hold back tears asI tell you the only question she had was " How are you going to get me in and out of the water if I'm in a wheel chair"... We have a baptism date for the 22nd of October!

 

I too have been praying and preparing for the conference for almost a month and some of my deepest questions and desires were met in almost everyone of the 5 sessions!

Tate, McCray and Shad... you all have better been in the Priesthood session, and if not, you should pray and repent! Dad I hope you did your part to make sure they were there like you always did for me, I sat in a room alone and listened to the session in English and I know that those talks were not only for m, but that he answered my prayers and were there for you as well, I would really love to hear your comments on what you learned.

I was hit really strongly with a 2 phrases from the conference!

LOOK UP, and take the actions to STEP UP, and you are guaranteed to CHEER UP! I know that as we look at the best in every situation, and do that which makes the situation better we will find a happiness we have never had... I have seen this in the hard times of my mission!!!

We often pray for patience, but we want it NOW! I know that patience is the key to happy, healthy, relationships... especially in the family. We can all work on our patience levels and be much happier!

Well this is all the time that I have for today but don't worry I'll be writing in no time! Tate and Shad good luck in your football games.. and Dad keep on working hard big guy! I love you!

May you have the faith to make the changes that God would have you make in your lives!

 

Elder Foster

 

BEST DAY OF MY MISSION SO FAR - SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Can't believe another week has come and gone, feels like just yesterday I was writing you. COMO PASA EL TIEMPO NO? jaja just a little Spanish for ya! Wow what an emotional week, full of adventure, laughs and smiles, happy tears, and the rich joy that comes from preparing, loving, watching and participating in the baptisms of Family Salinas

We spent the week focusing on them and their goal of being baptised as a family, the best way to develop a true love for people is through prayer and service. Every day we passed by with little gifts or treats to help them stay excited that had to do with the lessons we were teaching them, for example one day we brought home made flags that they could write their own standards of liberty as we read about Captain Moroni and his standard for his people... and how the Lord asks us to make covenants with him such as baptism.

It was a fun week that took a lot of preparation and planning, but it was so worth it! My studies in the Scriptures and PMG just seem to get deeper and deeper and I love it, I feel like I have no time to study because 1 hour just isn't enough.  It will be really nice when I have the time to just sit and read for a few hours or something... HAHA IN 2 YEARS!!!!

If I could have some body record one of my days in the mission, I would have them record Saturday September 24, 2011.... We started the day off with a ward service project to clean the church at 9 a.m., its amazing how incredible this ward is, it reminds me off one in the United States! SO ORGANIZED! We cleaned the inside and outside and all of the church grounds and finished at about 1 to have empanadas and pizza for lunch.

After a good quick shower we headed off to make plans for those investigators who wanted to see a baptism, we ran around like crazy taking old rigidy buses and speed walking until we visited and had plans with all that wanted to come  - 12 people.

We went to pick up our family to go to the baptism and we had a few difficulties, Walter the dad had to go to the hospital cause his dad had a heart attack, so we had to go with out him in hopes that he would show up, we got to the baptismal service and had a surprise visit from PRESIDENT CARTER, he came with his wife and daughter to his first baptismal service, along with family Salinas.

The Zone Leaders Elder Johns and Mather also had 3 baptisms - a deaf and mute 16 year old, a blind man, and a pregnant lady.... what a combination and story for every one of them. We asked President Carter if he wanted to baptise and he said THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR ELDERS... So he baptized the blind man of the zone leaders! jaja such a great man.

We had another complication, Mica the 16 year old girl was on her special time of the month....( In Argentina they say... She is having a date with Andrus) and was too scared to get into white.... So we are going to have another service this next week with her and her step dad Walter... But wow what a sight it was to see so many people in white clothes.

After the Baptism it was pretty late but decided to stop by Gabriella's house.... ( the lady a few weeks ago who bore her testimony her first Sunday) to see how her and her husband were doing... Well GOD IS A GOD OF MIRACLES!!!! What seemed impossible he made possible, she couldn't get baptised because she was married to another man other than the one she was with, and the papers take literally years to complete! Jose her boyfriend is an alcoholic and abusive...they got in a fight and are done for good and he moved out! Through her tears she told us she feels lonely but knows its for the best because now she can be baptized. 

We have a baptismal date with her for the 9th, I had a great talk with my Father in Heaven that went deep into the night thanking him for what he has blessed us with and asking him to guide us to keep helping his children progress, A PERFECT day in the life of a missionary.

Faith isn't that everything will turn out okay, faith is being okay no matter how things turn out!!!   I know that the Lord has his hands in each of our lives and if we just allow him to guide us through his Holy Spirit he will lead us to what he wants us to do.

Elder Johns finished his mission today... I love him a lot. He is an amazing kid who has a lot of power. I am going to miss him. But he worked till the very last minutes of his mission and I'm excited for him to see his family again. I feel like we have been friends for our whole life but can't believe it was only 6 weeks.

Mom and Dad it would mean a lot to me if you could take the time to at least call him, or go visit him in 3 weeks for his homecoming in Ogden. Dad has his number in his email! Or Jacob Johns on face book.

I hope your all stoked for General Conference this next week. It's always a great way to share the gospel, I would like to leave you with the challenge to look for an opportunity to share the gospel with somebody by inviting them to here the MOSES of our day... THOMAS S. MONSON!!!

What an opportunity. Next week I would love to hear what you all thought about conference... And another little challenge - write down some questions and we are promised an answer.

Con mucho Amor

Elder Foster

Our beautiful ward building that everyone is so grateful to have.

I see things like this everywhere, thought I would take a picture just to always remember that an old car turned on it's side in the middle of the street isn't normal in the United States.

Baptism of the Salinas Family
President Carter was surprise visitor

Empanadas and pizza for everyone after our ward service project.

Service project with our ward.

Zone Leaders Elder Mathers and Elder Johns with myself and Elder Gomez after ward service project.
Just pointing out our mission goal of 200 baptisms per transfer.

INTERVIEW WITH ELDER AIDUKITIS - Sunday, September 18, 2011

Elder Aidukitis, Elder Foster, President Carter

Hey mom I will write you tomorrow we went to capital today and got back really late,  I have a killer week to tell you about, I'm really loving it here mom - I cant explain how happy Iam, I just can't.

 I loved the photos you sent me and I'll be sure to send some tomorrow as well and I will be sure to write to Elder Long,  wow how I love the kid. I'm really bummed out to hear that about the game but I know Coach Richins wont let it happen again!!!!

I love you all so much! I have full heart and teary eyes as I write this letter... I LOVE EVERY FIBER OF BEING A MISSIONARY!!!

I finally have a few minutes to write you about the amazing week we had last week! It was just another week engaged in the work of the Lord, we have lots of people that we are teaching - I am just loving teaching,  I love helping families be happy through the teachings of the Savior, as they complete with what we ask them to do the Lord promises us in D&C 82 verse 10 that he is obligated to bless us as we do whats right. I love the family Salinas, they are so great and are progressing a lot

I for the first time in my mission should baptise a complete family this next week. The four girls and their parents love the changes that they are experiencing and are just now realizing that its the Holy Ghost! Silvia is like my mom (in Argentina) and takes really good care of us. She wanted me to tell you mom that as far as she can tell I'm behaving myself!!!

This is Elder Johns last week here in the mission and we both feel like we have known each other for such a long time and we know we will keep in contact after the mission,  we have spent a lot of nights talking about just how amazing this experience is and the amount of love and confidence the lord has for us as 19 to 22 year old kids.  I really look up to Elder Johns and really hope I can develop myself to who the lord wants me to be.

 Elder Johns has a girlfriend waiting for him ( who he converted, and his dad baptized) , a new step dad, and lots of new little babies, he really loves the work and isn't looking forward to all the change. I don't blame him. Mom it would be really really cool if you sometime could get hooked up with him or his mom and talk a little.

Now I finally get to tell you about my favorite experience of my mission thus far.... Elder Aidukitis of the 70 came to our mission and we had a conference with him in our church on Thursday.  He is one of the counselors of all of Argentina and I guess last year he dropped the Cain on EVERYONE! He told Pres. Benton to shut up and just made everyone feel like they weren't doing anything right, but that he did it with love... He is from Brazil and talks with a crazy accent.

Everyone was really scared and looking forward to another Cain dropping, but we got the opposite, he completely brought with him the spirit of love, thanking us for our work and all that we have changed this last year, he told us as the presidency "they are happy, but they aren't satisfied" and the lord feels the same way.

He talked about the importance of weekly planning and I realized just how bad our weekly planning is, we should be taking 4 to 6 hours every Sunday to receive the revelation for our investigators, he brought with him a goal for us to reach - he wants us to be baptizing every week!

When we were asked who had baptisms every month for the last 6 months I was very surprised to see that only 9 people in the entire mission could say they had...(again i hope you can understand just how blessed and humble I feel) he talked about our desires and numbers, he hates the numbers but the numbers are necessary and don't lie, he said our numbers will show our desires and how much we really love the Lord. 

He did drop the Cain on some elders that just gave dumb answers and were very disrespectful. I loved what he taught us and how we could feel his spirit.  After the meeting I was very very very surprised when Pres. Carter asked for me to stay back so that I could have a personal interview with him and Elder Aidukitis.

I had a 10 min interview with the two of them that was probably one of the most scary, exciting, happy, and spiritual experiences of my life. We talked about what I have learned in my mission, what I learned in the conference, what were the desires I had in my mission and in my life.... Pres. Carter said some really good things to Elder Aidukitis about me that I really didn't deserve... I learned just how much the Lord, Elder Aidukitis and Pres. Carter expect of me and made me think of the scripture D&C 82:3 that says where much is given much is required and about how those of us that know what is wrong and still sin... our sins are bigger.

I sure have been blessed not only in my life, with my family, school, sports, and friends... but even more in my mission with knowledge, a testimony, great companions, the ability to love and understand.

I can't believe I had a personal interview with a 70... over all of South America!!! An experience I'll never ever forget, even better he came to our house to see the apartments and I had a picture with him... the USB drive isn't working so I can't send it to you but I will.

I have gone to bed just sore and tired every day this transfer, I was laying in bed late at night because my body hurt when I had the funny realization that the mission is like growing pains... if it doesn't hurt then your not growing... So I am so thankful that I'm sore cause I know I'm growing spiritually and having the experiences that God has planned to help me grow and raise an eternal family!!!!

I'm so glad to hear that all is busy at home... cause if your not busy and your minds not thinking about other things all the time... that is when satan has a chance to work! So stay busy and don't give the little -----  a chance to even work on ya!!!!

I love you all so much but forgot to pray for you this week...But I know the lord is blessing you and wants me 100 percent focused on my people here in Argentina!!!!

Love Elder Foster

BLESSED TO HAVE SO MANY INVESTIGATORS - Sunday, September 11, 2011

What a week you guys had, I love you mom and dad so much, you inspire me to be so much better! You guys are always so busy and willing to do whatever is asked of you,  I sure hope I can grow into something you guys are.

I am so glad to hear that Shad and Tate are just tearing it up, did you mean to tell me that McCray is thinking about playing football next year? Wow that would be so so sick, do it, jaja! I'm also glad to hear that Delanie is behaving herself... She is so cute!!!!

Wow that is so crazy that Cole got his mission call, I'm excited for him and I know he is prepared to leave... and will be a great missionary, he is a dedicated kid and as he puts his time and talent into his mission he will see the success!

I also had a very good week ,we are teaching lots of people here in Catan and I am just humbled at the success that we are seeing just for being diligent and obedient.

This family we are teaching is so awesome! Mikayela is 16 and is such a happy bubbly girl, Florencia is a little timid but has opened up and loves to just talk about girl stuff she is 14 years, Ludmila is very smart and is the only one that likes going to school, she is 12 years, then there is Yamilla who loves to complete all of the homework we give her and is the most excited to be baptized, Claudio is 7 and is a little bummed out he cant get baptized yet but prays every night that I'm here in December so that I can baptize him jaja he is my little buddy, Walter is 28 and is such a positive happy man who has taken on the responsibility of being a father to all these kids who aren't even his... He is such a good dad and wants whats best for his family!

 Salina is enjoying seeing her family change and really likes our visits... The family is all gangster!!! All of them have tattoos.... even the 10 year old Yamilla,  they are super awesome and wear the gangster clothes and all! P.S.I bought some of the gangster pants and hope you enjoy the photo.

Gabriella and Jose are other investigators that we have that are super excited to get baptized but this week we found a little problem.. when they told us they were married they really meant they were both married before to other people but have been living with each other for the last 10 years and have two precious little girls!

Funny story, the little two year old Juliana was climbing all over me in sacrament and as you know its a rule we cant touch little kids, which kills me by the way cause you know how much I love little kids. So I was doing my best to keep her away and stay by her mom and still be reverent, and she just thought it was so funny and just laughed and laughed,  her cute little laugh just made me smile and everyone was looking at us, it was super funny and reminded me just how much I love litttle kids... It made me miss Delanie a lot!

We are teaching a really great little lady named Susanne who is paralyzed from the waist down and is in a wheel chair, she is 52 and loves our visits.  She has been studying with the Jehovah Witnesses but really likes our visits, she is confused of who is right and only needs to pray to know.

What a blessing it is to know that we have the Holy Spirit of the Lord on our side, we as missionaries can count on 100 percent that if our investigators ask with an open heart and with faith that they will receive their answers.

Mom I used your brownie recipe to make her brownies for her birthday, she was going to come to church but sent us a text and told us that her electronic wheel chair broke and when we went by it was true and we tried to fix it but it didn't work.  She told us this was either a sign from God that she shouldn't come to our church... or a sign from the devil trying to keep her from finding the truth!!

Such a great lady, I honestly love so much talking with people and joking around with them making them feel good and comfortable! haha she told me I could win any girl I wanted with my brownies, haha I made the joke and told her yeah all of them except a diabetic and she was crying from laughing so hard.

We visited an old man named Pedro who got baptized like 6 months ago and he is SO sick, his body is slowly shutting down, he tells us the doctor's don't know what is wrong with him but that his whole body just hurts, it is something to do with his muscles, he gets really tired really fast and he can't even do the littlest things, it is hard to understand him because he gets tired from even talking and has to spit every minute or two because if not he drools cause he can't feel his saliva, so he just sits at home all alone all day. His wife died a year and a half ago.

Any way we visited with him and helped him put a smile on his face, we gave him a blessing of health and then taught him how to pray again so he can pray for himself, he gave the most humble pray I think I've heard on my mission, he just pleaded with God to take away his pain, he wanted to go to church but can't get there, he was in tears because he was lonely and missed his sweet heart.

He hates being alone, his prayer left me so humble and grateful and crying like a little child! I understand that sometimes we have to suffer to learn and to progress in this life but I don't know what else the lord wants from this poor man, I sure hope the Lord will give him the strength and take away his pain or not leave him to suffer and die!

Just a few of hundreds of experiences that have become so regular on my mission, but everyone leaves me just a little more humble than the other. I pray that I personally and that you as a family can count your blessings and thank the Lord for his tender mercies.

I love my mission so much and it makes me sad that the weeks are just getting faster and faster, I have so much to do and to learn and I just want to take advantage of each and every day that God allows me to wear the name of his only perfect son Jesus Christ on my chest! What a privilege!!!! I love you all so much and pray that your found good this next week in all that you do.

Keep it real, keep it clean, and keep it sexy!

Elder Foster

The gangster pants that are really common here.
The crotch hangs down to your knees and they come in the craziest colors.
They are so ugly but so Argentine - so I bought some green ones for myself.

Family Salina
Mikayla 16, Ludmila 14, Yamilla 10, Claudio 7

The Sanja
Drainage from the bathrooms and all the household trash.

I MISS YOU ALL - BUT I LOVE MY CALL Sunday, August 28, 2011

Mom I had another amazing week in this earthly paradise! It has been really hard being in this white wash (two new elders in the same area) we are working really hard, we are being 100 percent obedient, we are talking to everyone, and are loving life!

 Mom I was again humbled more than ever this week, everyday we start the morning by looking for old investigators in the area book, but it has been 17 years so most of them don't live in their houses anymore.  My companion and I get along really great but both got frustrated after two weeks of looking and not finding anyone, after three hours of passing by old investigators I didn't feel good and needed the spirit... Elder Gomez felt the same way and we decided to kneel right there in the dirt street and pray for the guidance of the spirit.

 After a sincere simple prayer from Elder Gomez we got back to work and had a little boot in our step and a smile just a little bit bigger, we began teaching little lessons to those who were found at home in their little humble houses.

As we were walking down the street I can't explain the incredible sensation of the spirit that I felt to enter into this little alley way that looked really dangerous as a homeless man was passed out drunk with cheap wine in his hand.....we acted and the blessings were poured out upon us.

We found Mercedes who had been watching us from the distance praying we would come by her house, she talked to the elders a year ago but they never passed by again, she loved that I was from the United States and was so thankful to have a North American in her house, jaja. She lives in a 1 room shack with her husband Carlos and a 20 year old son names Lucas... She has read the Book of Mormon and asked us straight up about baptism, we have a date with her for the 16th!

It all just seemed to good to be true.... Saturday we passed by to verify our plans for church and she was more drunk than I've ever seen somebody in my life!!! She came out yelling I love you Foster, your a yankee, I want you, I missed you - just a lot of nasty stuff.

She is like 50, her son was in tears because he hates when she drinks and the dad was just trying to keep her in the gate and to go to bed.  I cant explain to you how bad I felt, it hit me like a brick how real satan is and how bad he hates what we are doing.

It made me sick that Lucas never is at home because he hates being there when his mom is drunk, Carlos drank before but stopped 6 months ago because he realized how bad it is through his wife. I  had a great conversation with my Heavenly Father that went deep into the night begging him to help her and their family and thanking him with all the energy I had for the family that he blessed me with... WITH A MOM LIKE YOU!

Needless to say they didn't come to church because she was passed out and Lucas was working, but we had an amazing spiritual lesson about the devil and his temptations and all 5 of us were in tears. They want to change so bad and we are going to help them! I was so humbled and love my family more than anything!

Lindsey surprised me and told she came to visit you,  how was that? what do you think of her? Mom you need to keep a good eye out... cause who ever is good for you ... is good enough for me!!! What are the other girls up to... have you heard?

The girls I have had the privilege of dating are so valiant and amazing - all of them, it's a different world here in Catán.  Mom this place is super crazy... it is bad! I have never been talked to so dirty in my life, the kids my age spit and yell at us all day... and the girls yell the nastiess things.

Three times this week I was super embarrassed of what they said, one girl yelled jump on mi papi... another told me I could teach her with out clothes any day I wanted... and the last was a really bad experience... we were in a lesson with a family and the 24 year old daughter opened her bedroom door and told me to come in.... " pica mi loro" which in English means " my parot itches" which translates into " I'm horny"! We got up and ran, it is another world here and I am so thankful for the trails I went through in my life to prepare me to be strong.

I didn't receive a letter from you only the little article of the news paper! Tate is such a boss and I am really excited for him! I really wanted to know how the game went of Shad! But as great as that all is I'm focused here and loving life! I miss you all but love my call!!!

Good luck this week

Love, Elder Quade Foster

Behind the houses is open sewage and where everyone dumps their household garbage.

CULTURE SHOCK IN CATAN - Sunday, August 21, 2011

Hola Familia Mio!

Câtan is really crazy! I woke up three 3 nights to gun shots, watched 5 fights, and we are living super cramped out of our suit cases! But you bet your bottom dollar we are having a blast and I'm still living my sacred dream as a missionary!

 

 We found a little house that is right in front of the zone leaders to live in but it wont be finished for another 2 weeks so we are going to continue living with them! ITS SO MUCH FUN!!! We spent this week with them getting to know our new area!

 

What happened was the missionaries got in a fight about 15 years ago and when that happens in an area like this you have to leave because everyone knows who the Mormons are and the next elders got robbed and robbed and robbed... so they took them out to let things settle down and now Pres. Carter feels its safe to open it up!

 

I feel safe for now but we have to work differently! We have to knock doors and do our contacts all in the morning and from like 6 to 9 we have to be in homes for appointments whether it be investigators or members... because it just isn't safe! Catan is known for being dangerous because it is the hood and rich people don't exists! But it is also know as the heart of the mission because this zone always baptizes more than other zones!

We are in the same ward as the zone leaders Elder Johns and Mathers from Utah and Colorado.... But the object now is to divide the ward... We went to visit my new Bishop Miosko who honestly was impressing! He had a mission plan set and was ready to call a lot more ward missionaries to re teach those who are being baptized to keep them active!

 

 Pres. Hinckley taught that the most important time for a convert is their first month after baptism! He has goals and plans to meet the goals, he expects a lot from us and we are here to help him 100 percent! The overall goal is to split the ward and get them their own church! If all goes well in the next 6 months we should be up and rolling!! The members here are INCREDIBLE.

 

Elder Johns is on his last transfer and I love the kid so much! He told me you will not find a better ward in all of the mission! So I feel blessed! Elder Johns and I get along really well... He has taught me more than any other missionary so far... except Elder Quackenbush! He has a way with people to make them feel comfortable that I am trying to develop and I am excited to work more with him! We were together 2 days just doing short lessons finding new investigators.

 

 The people are so humble, but rough! All the teens have at least 3 piercings and at maximum like 12 on their face! But there are lots of people who look for away out of it all and they find it through two white kids who try to speak Spanish! The lord blesses lives in the craziest way!

Elder Gomez is a great missionary... really quiet... he doesn't know how to work with people but teaches really well! We are working out the bugs in our teaching but he is really chill and we get along great!

 

We had a lot of culture shock things happen this week! We got chased by mean pit bulls, on every corner the kids ask us if we want their beer or cigarettes and jokingly ask us if they can come to church, we saw some crazy full on fights, woke up to gun shots to find out a man was killed six blocks from the apartment! And got yelled at for 10 min... by 3 guys who thought we were from the CIA... haha its all just new!

 

But we also found some incredible families who want to change their lives and came to church on Sunday! We are going to deal with a lot of word of wisdom and law of chastity problems but when the people want to change nothing really matters! I got a letter from Lindsey this week which was really really nice. She is doing great and loving life! I just focus on my mission and I know the lord will do the rest!

I'm in the middle of a big change in my life....I feel myself changing.... part of me wants to hold on to who I was and the other part is open and ready to change! It feels really weird I liked who I was but I love who I'm becoming so I'm just going to throw my hands in the air and let the Lord take control of who he wants me to be!

I love the spirit and have a great relationship with him and feel so good knowing that he is there for me! I love my Savior and his perfect example of all things! I love to serve... As I serve I feel closer to him than anything else! If he were here, I like to ask myself... Would he do what I am doing? It makes me happy and smile when I can say yes, and the times I say no it makes me want to change and better myself! I love starting each new day over... New and refreshed after consulting with my Heavenly Father how to be better! I know he lives because I have a personal relationship with him through prayer! I know this is the only true church on the earth today and it was restored by my brother and friend Joseph Smith!

I love you all and look forward to here how your first real week of school went! Especially the football game!!!!! Take lots of pictures Mom, Cheer hard everyone else, and Tate leave it all on the field!!!

P.S. I didn't have many photos because we cant have our camera out or we will get robbed and we all are doing perfect push to keep up on our figures, UGH I want to be healthy!!!!

Love Elder Foster

 

Elder Johns from Ogden, Utah
One of my zone leaders - I love this man!
He is on his last transfer and leaving soon.

Elder Gomez from Costa Rica
He is quiet - but a great teacher.

Our tight living quarters for two weeks while our apartment is being built.

Our house is being built so we live with the zone leaders.
Elder Mathers and Elder Johns

CATAN IS MY NEW AREA - ELDER GOMEZ NEW COMP. Sunday, August 14, 2011

I will first off tell you that I'm not writing you from General Rodriguez! My last week was very very hard for me... I had to say goodbye to lots of people that took me in and made their home my home, their family my family, and we shared the Lords work! I promised them this wasn't the end and that I would come back to visit them with my family.... And I have plans to complete that promise! Whether with you guys or my wife, I will come back!!!    

I loved so many people there so every day we chose a couple of  families to visit but we worked just as hard! We have 5 baptismal dates in the next 2 weeks and had 9 new investigators in church so they as well should have baptismal dates!.... I learned from Papa leave things better than you found them. 

With the Lords help in my time in General Rodriguez the assistants went from 90 to 143 this last Sunday! We have been working a lot in reactivating the members as well as working with them!  In the next year I hope to have the grand opportunity to go to the temple with 3 of the families that we married and baptised... Family Canter, Family Mollo, and Family Barbieto! They have the goal and I sure hope they stay firm and prepare so they can have what we as a family have!!!! 

I ate so much this week... everybody wanted to feed us and it honestly made me sick... I am kinda embarrassed but I've gained 17 pounds and I really need to do something different because I don't feel healthy.... For this reason I am excited for the changes that came! I can repent, start over fresh. and better myself as a servant of the lord!

Well time for the news.... I was really surprised to find out that.... my companion Elder Gomez from Costa Rica and I will be OPENING A NEW AREA!!! We are going out to Gonzalez Catán! Mom just a heads up so its not a surprise... it is the most dangerous zone in our mission... it is like the Ghetto! We had to have a special interview with President and we are going to look for a new apartment with the Liders de Zona! They are going to bring us all that we need I guess as far as bedding and heaters go.... haha the truth is when I said I was excited to start over I really am excited to start ALL OVER!!!   

I don't know much but all I know is it has been over 20 years since missionaries have been here and so we are going to use the old area book, look up all the old members, find those who still go to church and just talk to everyone!!!! I am ecstatic for the challenge and I know the Lord answers my prayers! I have been praying for a lot of trails because I know this is a short time and trails define us to who we are! So I want all I can get!!! 

We will sleep with the Liders de Zona until we find a new apartment.... and they are going to help us get established the next 3 or 4 days... I'm sorry mom I don't have much details but I will have more next week I promise!! The area looks like it should be good to work! Reminds me a lot of Texas.... Lots of kids on street corners! It is in the middle of nowhere but is actually a pretty well established city! so it has both country and city!

My companion only has 4.5 months in the mission so I'm as well the oldest.... he is a stud! he is pretty quiet right now but I'm sure he will warm up and we will work great together!  

I pray every prayer that my heart is filled with charity this day and that my heart can be expanded tomorrow to love just a little more! I already love the kid and cant wait to work with him in this challenge! He and his mom are the only members in his family and he is a boxer and surfer and lives close to the beach! He is excited to work out so I am WAY EXCITED!!! jaja Elder Schwaar told me he honestly had never once worked out... jaja so I only ran 1 day this last 6 weeks... But I'm ready to start over new and get better!!! I love my mission!!! It is all such an amazing experience, it has been about 40 degrees for the last 2 months but finally is starting to warm up!!! YES!!!!

So what day do you all start school.... I am glad to hear all is great with football... is Tate going to play running back and line backer... Shad what will  you play?

We have lots to do and the Liders de Zona still need to write a small email to their families! I love you all so much and I promise next week will be a better email with details!!!! Until then I pray that you all start the week well and do all you can to have the spirit with you all the time!!!

Siga Real, Digno, y Sexy

Elder Foster

NEW BLOG TO FOLLOW BAW MISSION-Sunday, August 7, 2011

To start off with.... I was a movie star!!! hahaha they came and videod us walking in the middle of no where talking with some people doing contacts.... then they videod us teaching the importance of baptism and reading 2 nephi 31:5 and then inviting them to be baaptised!!! The spirit was super strong and it is felt through the camera! Then we went to the church and we opened up the font and they interviewed me with the font in the background andI had the oppurtunity to testify to who knows how many people will watch that video of the importance of baptism!!!! It was a great experience jaja!!!

We had the wedding of Iris and Cantero Friday and we were the witnesses and it was really a great experience... Something special was that the judge told them that the witnesses were probably life long friends who have had a huge impact on the realationship and asked Iris if she had anything to say... The only thing she said with tears in her eyes and all choked up.....¨ Son Angeles enviado para ayudarnos... or in english... they are truly angles sent to help us!!!! Then they were baptised Saturday and wow mom Elder Schwaar can play the piano like mozart!!! seriosly there was a spirit at the baptism that I've never had thanks to my comp!!!

This week was such a fun week we loved so many people together!!!  So I have been here in Rodriguez 6 months and so this next week I will be saying good bye to a lot of people because the chances are I will be changing areas... As much as I would honestly love to stay here.... I feel so comfortable here...but I will go and do the things the lord commands through my mission president.

I got an email from lots of people this week and so I have been reading alot from Rana, Rochelle, Lindsey...

But mom I wanted to tell you that Sister Carter the mission presidents wife has a blog for the mission so you guys can see whats happening... its www.buenosaireswest.blogspot.com!

I will probably write to you next week from a diffrent city, and with a diffrent comp...

I love you and challenge you all to do what it takes to have the spirit with you at all times!!! I love my mission and i love this work!

Elder Foster!!!!

I LOVE MY FAMILY-BE OBEDIENT- Sunday July 17 & 24, 2011

YES!  I finally received a package from home.

The famous meat - It really is much better than anything in the United States. 

My favorite part of Argentina - The beautiful sky. 

Wow I don't think I have been so excited to receive a letter like I was today!!! What an experience I don't really know what to say... Sounds like you enjoyed your time and Tate got to live his rodeo dream! I'm super excited all the family came to visit him and give him the support! We seriously have the best family in the world!!! I hope you can all rest and get everything all cleaned up from the trip and focus on the things at home!

Shad I'm so glad you enjoyed your scout camp I remember going and earning some of those same merit badges with Chase and we had a ball!  Your a stud and you just keep working on being an Eagle Scout! Speaking of Eagle Scout I don't think Tate should be driving... jajajaja BECAUSE HE STILL DOESNT HAVE HIS EAGLE!!!! haha the blessings of being the guinea pig and the oldest!  I wouldn't change it for the world!!! But really Tate get on that! Shad I love you buddy and miss waking up to you all snuggled up next to me at like 4 in the morning!

McCray I prayed every night the last 8 days that your horse wouldn't have her baby so you could be there and witness it! I'm glad to hear you'll be there to see the thing come out...jaja I sure love you champ and cant wait to go to college together!!!

Tate I sure am a proud brother here in Argentina and would really love to hear from you about your thoughts and feelings of the whole experience! I look up to you a lot for all your hard work and I'm 120 percent positive you are now faster stronger than I am and I wouldn't stand a chance if we wrestled! jajaja we will have to see how things look when you get old and fat on your mission! I love you champ!

Delanie your such a little cutie! I miss your laugh, scream and crying.... although I'm sure we could all live without the screaming and crying! jajaja I'm excited to baptise you in a year and a half and you just keep listening to mom and dad and saying your prayers at night time!!!

Dad I got your email about those missionaries in Germany and as amazing as that story was I couldn't help but think that I am one of missionaries and the miracles await us as we are obedient and strive to be worthy to have the spirit with us in every moment! I sure respect you and miss you and our long talks of life!

Mom I miss you! I'm not gonna lie yesterday I was reading my scriptures late at night when I couldn't sleep and the photo of you and I fell out and I couldn't help but get on my knees and thank my Heavenly Father for you and your sacred position in my life! Mom as I was praying it hit me that I'm never going to live at home again... I'm never going to be in the position where you and dad can tell me what to do andIi have to do it because your my parents... My entire time growing up I listened to your counsel and didn't think more than a couple minutes of it.... And as I prayed mom I had the strongest desires to have you and dad tell me thatIi can't go out with my friends and I need to be at home with the family.... This all hit me at once and I had a lot of thoughts and feelings but more than anything... Thank you for all you did and MAKE TIME FOR FAMILY TIME!!! HANG OUT! LAUGH!!!!! SMILE!!!!

I had another great week in Argentina! We are working hard and being obedient striving to have the spirit with us in all that we do! We had our first interviews with Pres. Carter and I was very 15 year old daughterwith him and his family! His wife has studied Spanish 6 months and speaks very well!  His 15 year old daughter is with him and starts her international school where they all speak English next week! I need you to do me one thing.... CHANGE MY FACE BOOK PASSWORD.... SAVE IT.... AND LET ME KNOW WHEN ITS DONE.... He asked each and everyone of us how our Obedience was and to write home and have you change it... Knowing you guys its already done but I just want to make sure! Please tell me next email if it is! I am excited to work with my new president and his family! We are getting closer to our baptismal dates on the 6th and working hard with them and ready to have other dates this week! One of my converts Marcela Deluqui lost her baby at 8 months and they had to take it out of her on Thursday and I have been super sick for her and we are praying to know what to say to her when we pass by tomorrow!

I received your package mom!!!! the one with toothpaste jajaja finally!!! It only took 2 weeks! I also received one from Cody and Lacey and I will be writing them today as well!!! IT IS KYREVS BIRHTDAY!!!!! Nana's letter was incredible and I will now write her the old fashion way jajaja! Jk its not old fashion and I enjoy hand written letters more!!! I hope to receive the other package soon! I honestly need only 2 things... I need sticky hair gel.... Its doesn't exist here.... if we don't have gorilla snot... then like some sticky bed head or something would be wonderful....And i would love some crest whitening stripes.... you can even buy them with my own money!!!! jaja

Well I  wanted to finish this letter with a thought I heard that has got me thinking.... We aren't humans having spiritual experiences but Spirits having a human experience! I pray that we can all strive to have these Spiritual Experiences more frequently...in fact enough that we begin to understand and feel what we used to feel ALL the time in Heaven... Can you imagine feeling the spirit in every second of everyday.... This is the goal.... Let us all pray and be obedient to obtain it!

With all the love that I have.

My companion - Elder Schwaar from Utah
He rocks on the piano

Benjamin Rod showing us how to play marbles.  He was baptised two weeks ago.
He is a model but very humble and reminds me of Justin Bieber.  

Photo of house of Isabelle y  Brandon - Really nice for this area.

Birthday party of one of the kids Dilan of Iris y Cantero
Baptismal date set for August 6, 2011

Elder Quade Foster

SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2011

WOW!!! I AM SO PROUD OF TATE!!! He is living his dream! I know he has been dreaming of doing that his entire life! Honestly I am one proud brother here in Argentina! It makes me so happy to hear that he is doing so well! I am really excited to here how all turns out!

Tate wow I'm so excited for you! You have the chance to show the Nation what you have been practicing for! Now I challenge you to get on your knees and thank your Heavenly Father for the things he has given you... the chance you have to be there, the talent he has helped you develop, the health you have, the health of your horse, a family who is so supportive and loving and drops everything to be there with you! If you will be humble and give the lord ALL the credit, and read the Book of Mormon, He will bless you like you cant imagine!!! I promise you this as a representative of Jesus Christ!!!

JAJA I cant stop Smiling!!! I am really happy for all of you to get to witness such a great time and enjoy this time as a family! Please remember to thank the Lord for all that is happening!!!

This week was another great week here in Earthly Paradise! I don't know why but this week was warm and lovely! All the kids are out for vacations... Every thing is reversed here... you guys are out for summer vacations and they are out for what would be your winter vacations for Christmas! For this reason we found a lot of people home this week to teach! Elder Schwaar and I are working great together, and are relying on the spirit to help us in this wonderful work! We have been 100 percent obedient and diligent and we have seen the blessings and have 5 baptismal dates for the 6th of August!

 The Cantero Family was a bus contact that Elder Castro and I did 2 weeks ago and we passed by their house and they truly were prepared to receive the gospel... They excepted a baptismal date the first lesson and agreed to be married the second lesson! Thursday we woke up at 5 and waited in a line till 9 so they could do their paper work! They will be married the 5th so they can be baptised the  6 of August with one of their sons Brandon who is 12 years old.

Our other 2 dates for baptism are a mom named Isabell and her son named Brandon as well! She has a lot of doubts and problems that we are working through but she loves our visits and has the desire to change her life... She smokes 1 pack a day of cigarillos but only has smoked 3 cigarettes in the last 4 days so she is doing really well!!! I stand all amazed at the things we can do when we have the help of the Lord!

I haven't received anything from you except that little paragraph for the Pioneer but I understand you are really busy helping Tate live his dream there in Wyoming and I cant wait to hear how it all turns out!!!

I don't want to alarm you or anything but our entire apartment is infested with Mites... We all started itching really bad and I would wake up in the middle of the night and take a shower because it helped me feel better.... and finally had to go to the doctor and they told us we all have mites... So we have to put everything we own... I MEAN EVERYTHING!!! In Black trash bags to kill them.. they can't live without light, and then we had to buy a cream to help the itching and pills to kill the mites... Luckily they will reimburse us! it was like 600 pesos per person! THE EXPERIENCES OF THE MISSION ARE SO MUCH FUNNER THAN NORMAL LIFE!! JAJA

I also wanted to share my testimony with you that I know that my Savior and Master lives, and we are building his kingdom here on the Earth! I know he loves us so much he restored his church and all the keys and ordinances we need to have eternal happiness... This is his church and he is guiding it through a living prophet Thomas S. Monson. I know that the Spirit is real and through him my relationship with my Heavenly Father is so much stronger! I know that without his spirit this work is impossible and nobody could know that the events of Joseph Smith really happened! I love this opportunity I have to share my Testimony, Smile and Gospel with all those who will listen and I am loving life and my mission!!!

Siga Real, Limpio y Sexyy que Dios les Bendiga en todo lo que hacen esta semana! Especialmente Tate en su sueño!

Con Muchisimo Amor

Elder Quade Clifford Foster