Back to Jujuy

[Elder Siebers has been transfered back to Jujuy, as a zone leader]

My companion is Canadian....we are best friends....we talk about hockey....we make brownies....we are happy. He is from Alberta. He trained elder s.

 Quote of the week from investigator.  "if i pray will my life change?"...yes... if we pray are lives will always change. and for the better. How happy i am to know that.

 p.s. we have a psychologist that comes out with us every day... he asks us questions and helps us understand our minds and the minds of the people we visit. And hes a recent convert...and a walking area book. 

 Estoy como 20 minutos de Almirante Brown. el lugar se llama Alto Comedero. ahi en San Salvador de Jujuy. [I think it's just easier for him to speak spanish....... translation: I'm like 20 minutes of Almirante Brown. the place is called Alto feeder . There in San Salvador de Jujuy.]

MOM!!!! the stake here has asked me to ask you for a powerpoint about my famliy history. I filled out my own phamplet of My Family and was showing it to a member of high council and he said.. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED!! he wants to do a presentation about How to do the Family History and enthuse them with desire to do their own. He asked me for a powerpoint about 1)the first converts in my family (what we did before i left)  2) and tips on how to do it. Also your story with family history (why you started, what was hard, what you have seen, obstacles overcome, pivtures of you in your workshop;))  

It's been incredible how many people have been inspired from our family. Everyone loves to see Tori, Janie and Oliver;)

I would love to see what you guys got out of Gen Conf. i'll be sending my notes and favorites next week. but for right now:

[YOU should send him your favorite thought from General Conference in the mail!]

The spirit Will inspire us to do what we need to do. It Will be the correct thing to do. It Will help us progress and be happier. many times, it Will be hard. We Will need it. so do we have Willpower. What is willpower? the ability to take advantage of the Wills. 

With Love!!

Elder Siebers

Cousin Cards Arrived

It's a desert here and windy!

i got the cousin cards of guess who...so far i´m 2 for 18.... i only got cooper and abby right....i kept guessing older siblings of who it really was cuz every one is so big already!! its really quite a strange thing for me...

we are currently teaching a lady named Paula P. She is a neighbor of the pres of qourom who owns a neighborhood 5anddime shop. He knows everyone there. She invited us over and we talked a bunch. She works in the graveyard... She didn´t make it to church but we´re gonna go visit her today witht eh son of pres. P. (QdE)

Elder Siebers

Repent....and everything gets better from there.

We had a conference with our mission president and he taught us about repentance. It was incredibly strong the feelings and resolutiones we all had there. I began to see what i needed to do. 

So then:

-we found 12 new people to teach

-one of them doesnt have legs

-i played I need thee every hour on accordion

-i went on divisiones with one of the asistents to president (3rd time on the mish. super fun)

-Taught more lessons than i have in 3 months

-ate white chocolate cinnamon rolls every day

-talked to a guy who has a daughter living in utah (family t) and grandsons in the mission but who is not a member....he said we could come over to talk;)

-Had an interview with a woman super awesome and got baptized because her daughter is a stellar example.

and so yeah.... i had a fantastic week. It took alot of work and repentance but it came out great. the elders in the ward in total found 26 new people to teach....but none of them came to church....now to teach repentance;)

well pedro has an excuse....no legs....but we will soon solve that;)

his full name is pedro balderama ....or peter bucketbranch....yay english..

and the sister chapparro asked me to start organizing music for a special music program for christmas!! wooho

anyways...the trick is repentance...and every thing gets better from there. 

Elder Nicholas Hanlon Siebers

Pictures from the Mission President's Wife

I love it when the Mission President's wife posts pictures on Facebook of our Nicholas!! Let's enjoy them together! Happy Day!

Go to the temple this week

- me on my roof. 

This week has been incredibly interesting. I have been learning a ton about myself. It's been hard in the area just trying to keep everything afloat. It's been crazy just trying to manage all the recent converts the leaders, and the investigators.

 This week we had lots of help too. A youth brought his friend (probably more accurate is girlfriend) but she liked the church and Wednesday we´re going to go to her house with him and teach her family!

Another youth was approached by his very short friend (when his friend tapped him on the should in the bus at first he didn't see him;) ) and we were able to go and talk to his friend about how Ivan was able make a change in his life. YAY 

The youth are the key to this work and when they bring friends it is literally the strongest and most powerful way to hep someone know the gospel . 

Another thing: go to the temple this week. I miss it a ton. And so I recommend that you blessed and fortunate people go take advantage of it this week. 

And yeah...i´m eating more fruits as of late. I go shopping in a large super target thing called Liberty. We walk everywhere..... when its hot the dusty wind  blinds the whole world....

I had a dream that i was playing cricket with the ward last night. and Miguel, (the old guy who got baptized a couple months ago) was up to bat and just kept whiffing....any interpretations are welcome;)

From neverland to earth

Elder Siebers

Such an opportunity to serve the Lord 24 hours a day

July Zone Conference

The 4 amigos- who live together.

The hills of Salta

Our Balcony

So another super fast week-   trying to teach Spanish to my comp [He speaks Guarani, from Paraguay], preparing the pension for the visit of president (ahhahhhahhhhhhhhhh) and also trying to balance everything. 

 Dedication to the work or a calling means everything. Every moment, resource, i now know why you always said that Mom.

I've learned,  in the mission, that everyone says that its such an opportunity to serve the Lord 24 hours a day. As if to say that its impossible to do after. Which is not true. One can think, remember and actually serve the Lord in manners very relevant in every phase of life. We just can´t have distractions that don't mean as much as the eternal life in our lives. 

Love you All

Elder Siebers

I feel super bad...

 I feel super bad about last week [Nicholas didn't write] the truth is i wasn't able to write anyone. We had planned to write in the afternoon but then an investigator called us because her sister had died and she wanted us to pray at the graveside. Soo we did that. I have been wanting to write you guys alot too. The thing is here in Salta there aren't very many cybers. and they have weird hours. but now its a bit easier because we are only 2 elders and not 4 now. The changes in transfers were super weird. I got transferred to the other half of the ward but at the same time the limits changed and so now i have half of my area and half of my companions. My companion is Elder C,  he is from Paraguay, from the the town Abundancia (abundance) he is from a Nivacle tribe. So he is learning Spanish just like me. He has one year in the mission also. 

Elder C, My new companion

I feel super old and weird and that everything is going super fast. We are really starting to work like predicad says to do it. Which means that 1, its a ton easier (less stress) 2, time flies a full. 3, everything is a ton more spiritual. We had an awesome chat with a guy who lives super far from the chapel and he said that he would prepare to go to the church every sunday and all the preparation necesary for baptism just because he had prayed and knew it is true. Oh if everyone would just do the same;P

Service project with Elder S

Here are some fotos from service projects and Elder S (who now went to Villa Munecas ;) ;) ;) ;) ;) ;)

Really i can tell you guys this one thing. Don´t worry about me. don´t worry about how i am. Just know that i´m working. I bought a pic of the family to put on my desk but even with that its hard to find time to think of anyone else but my companion and the people here in the area. I love you guys. But the mission is crazy.  Mom, i know that my lack of details is sometimes hard. But i need you to be strong. I will do my best. But there are weeks that i just don´t have time to write. There is a ton of work to do here. The mission is in a time of much restauration. 

With Courage,

Elder Nicholas Hanlon Siebers

Not much news but some pictures

i got the flu and had a fever which caused me to use the bathroom at the middle of the night where i then Fainted and cut my head up....

R (in red sweater) is a ton like abby. super energetic...and energetic. She was the friend that a sister talked to in a bus and it turns out her mom is inactive. Now the mom is activating and she is a huge energy boost for the ward. not that the young women needed more energy but yeah.... 

Pictures

From Me (mom): The Mission President's wife posts pictures from various missionary conferences.  These are pictures from the Conference with Elder Vinas and his wife.  Nicholas told us he loved his talk and was very motivated by him.

These are random but makes me happy to see them!

a bunch or people here heard trumpets in the heavens

So I don't have much time being that my comp went to Tucuman yesterday for paperwork and I've had a complicated day....he gets back tomorrow and i cant wait. 

Thank you fam for being there yesterday and waiting patiently my call.. It was so great to see the fam and how much yall have grown. I hope you  guys keep growing and doing all the fun stuff you do. 

This week was really everything. Really hard, emotional stressful, joyful, spiritual, and everything at one point or another. Next week i promise more. that's if we don´t move and my comp doesn't get transferred. If that happens no promises;P

hey...a bunch or people here heard trumpets in the heavens....and every asked us if the world is going to end. I just said...

If He really is coming? what are you going to do....

That started a bunch of great conversations. Because it's true. We should live prepared for his arrival in all moments. 

And for the first time in my life I read and studied the story of Esther....and now I know why all the young women in the world have her as their role model....makes sense.

I learned a ton about convenios (convenants) this week. WE had it as the topic we talked about in church and there were 14 people there investigating....it was one of the best experiences in my mission. I now know that it is super importante to HONOR those covenants and have the courage that they did in the old testament.. To defend them with EVERYTHING we have. To always have it in mind. And to help others defend them and make them as well. 

The view from the hill San Bernardino. I marked the chapel... 

a giant spider....it was like an inch long... a plant i bought for 7 pesos and am now raising in the pension and me sleeping under a great tree by a mountain waterfall....que paz.

I love you all and i hope that you all have a wonderfully spiritual week. Happy Mothers day, and Happy May. June is almost here that wonderfully special month.
I love you all!
Elder Siebers

I love you all and i hope that you all haev a wonderfully spiritually week. Happy mothers day, and Happy May. June is almost here that wonderfully special month. 

I love you all! I love you all and i hope that you all haev a wonderfully spiritually week. Happy mothers day, and Happy May. June is almost here that wonderfully special month. 

I love you all! 

Elder Siebers

Elder Siebers

Re: a touch of nick sickneey...a bunch or people here heard trumpets in the hea

One of the best

This week has been one of the best of my mission. Salta and this ward have been an incredible hospital for me. I know that now its up to me to really work and show them that i can return the favor by building the kingdom in this place. I need to learn how to serve more. My comp serves me a ton. He's always cleaning, organizing or doing something for someone. One other elder as well.  I am now very good at making my bed because i got embarrassed at how many times they did it for me before i could.... I am realizing more and more really how imperfect i am and at the same time i have never felt better. Because i know it's from Him that i know it. And i know that He trusts me and is patient. And i really do try the hardest i can to get better

A man came to church for the second time this week. His name is Miguel Quispe. He is 61 years old and the most receptive and fun little grandpa i have ever met. He lives alone in a small one room cottage made of cinder blocks and works cutting lawns and in construction. His best friend is a recent convert who is very active in the obra misional. (This brother as well invited all of his children who live separately over for a noche de hogar con otras familias y tuvimos un muy buen rato.)[home evening with other families and had a very good time] He is going to be baptized Saturday the 9th. We are quite excited. The family B who came last week didn't come. We think that the dad got nervous about a tie and couldn't find one and was embarrassed cuz he didn't own one. WE are going to gift him one this week:) they have 5 daughters....woah... 

but anyways. Its a lovely place Salta. And i wouldn't to be anywhere else right now. 

Love You All!!!

Goodbye Jujuy, Hello Salta

Salta la Lind

THINGS ARE GREAT!! i got transferred to Salta today as we finished the training period of my comp Elder E. I now am found in [transfered to] Independencia 2 in Salta Argentina with my new comp Elder S from Santa Cruz Bolivia.

Me and my new roomies, my comp is the one sitting.

He was comps with Elder E in the CCM[Spanish speaking MTC]. I am his second comp. oh and cuz i know you´ll ask.. my comp is from Guayaramerín....close to Brasil.  The area here is a ton bigger. like 5 times bigger. I´m going to be walking a ton. And it's also my first time with 4 people in the pension [apartment]. They are all pretty cool. I will continue as district leader.

My comp, Elder E,  was muy bueno and he will be a good son to continue with my legacy i left with him, just as elder K [Nick's trainer] left his legacy with me. Side note: Elder K goes home today, having completed his mission. He has a marriage date already for June. I´m sure you´ll all be invited. 

Me and Elder E eating pancakes at 130 in the morning cuz i was packin

l absolutely loved Conference. I learned a ton (more like remembered significantly) a lot of things about leadership. Dad...they werent able to show us conference, technology and hour difference...could you send me a cd or sd card with the talks?

 I am better of the stomach and now eat as i please;)

I hope coco gets better. There are a ton of dogs here and they bite lots of things. 

Mom...I need some new shirts.  like 4 would be great. some of the more used shirts i have are absolutely destroyed. i left some behind in Jujuy cuz i couldn't clean the collar....it was growing mold...yay for humidity .....yay...

Me leaving jujuy

I am super excited and humbled to work here in salta. Look for the instruccions given in conference and apply them for the next six months. !!

Love you all 

Elder Siebers

I've been a little lost, a little frustrated, a little happy, a little sad....

bueno. my dear family i must apologize mucho.

These weeks I've been a little lost, a little frustrated, a little happy, a little sad, a little hopeful, a little mad, a little bit of everything. 

here are some pics of what it looks like from off the top of our house ;) we cooked sausages on the roof with some members that played soccer with us. a very good pday i must say.

I went to the doctor for the first time with a stomach bacteria and ate nothing but boiled fruits for 4 days but now i am fine. The mission is really hard. but really hard. I find myself so many times with no idea what to do and no time left to do it. 

I feel a lot like i´m out of ideas. Our greatest investigator is out of town and her parents said no to baptism and not just no but were quite harsh with her last week. We prepared her and she is trying to testify to them so she can be baptized and help her family be baptized. i´m praying a lot. 

we are once again having trouble getting people to come to church. But as i a put everything into figuring out why i am learning a ton about the day of rest and what really means that commandment. Its something i don´t really think i understood as a child. There is an old video of elder Holland who talks and explains the day of rest and wow it was eyeopening. 

But good things are happening as well. a new recent convert moved into our ward and is super awesome. hes gonna be a great missionary the fastest we can get him out there. And we are starting to find a group of great young adult men that are going to be a great help for us. 

Yes i got the bags as well and am loving the scripture bag. 1. my scriptures don´t fall out the bottom;P and 2. it has just enough space for everything. And i´m a lot more official with it;)

pdays. are very stressful. i fall down just about every week and its a miracle that i have not even gotten a scrape. but that's futbol  on cement just after it rains...it rains a lot.....and a lot...and a lot....

oh yeah about the doctor. Well for like 2 weeks i had an on and off pain in my stomach. like it was turning, but it would go away. POr fin i called the hermana chapparo [Sister Chapparo- mission president's wife] y she sent me to the stake president who is also the doctor for missionaries. and he was very nice and put me on a diet which was hard to not eat milk, bread, soda, fried things, nor anything not boiled.......yeah i think i lost a little weight this week.

I love you all!!!

Elder SIebers

People coming to church and Salchipapas finally!

We have been struggling for a long time to have people come to church. But por fin[at last] 2 came. One is a friend (met in internet) of a member in mexico. She came to visit him. ...FROM MEXICO and introduced him to the church. He attended in another ward the last week and ours this week. He is super smart and ya habia leido elLDM[had read the book of mormon]. and yeah the other was a surprise. The sister of a menos activo [less active] that decided one day to be active and bring her sister.....whoa..

when you really desire something and show the lord your willingness to work for it. He makes it happen. Even if you have to call in an audible from mexico. 

Zone Conference

Other  news. Our district changed a ton: the other elders went to a different zone and i was put as district leader for a companionship of elders and one of hermanas[sisters]. Its super excited being that I've been comp of a DL for almost all my mission...i have a lot of ideas. Its gonna be fun and a lot of work...well more work..its always alot;P

The backyard of the church...some really fun and funny futbol games there when it rains on mondays...

Salchipapas!!!!! for dad..[A street food Skip loved on his mission]

Pizza that our neighbor gave us....it had lots of egg on top....pizza is popular here but not many really understand what it is:P

Yes, i got all your valentine cards...It was super great to hear from the ward too.!! 

Love You All!!!

Elder Siebers

So ask the missionaries......

Nicholas, Elder E and Pres. and Sis. Chaparro

New Companionship in January

Nicholas and Elder E from Chili

My comp is Elder E (his name means "shield bearer") from chile. He is super awesome. And is super shocked by the rain (it rains like every day ) and he is from the Atacama desert. He's from a branch and so every time says branch instead of ward :P

Nicholas and his new hat and bag, unfortunately the bag already broke.

 I´m loving the work here its super hard to get people to go to church but when members help its super easy...so ask the missionaries if there is someone you can help to church. You will make their day (and we are the same team so my day too!)

Love You All

Elder Siebers

Just a side note: Nicholas' Girlfriend, Sarah, got her mission call to the Auckland New Zealand Mission.  We are very happy for her!