WEEK 91: I'm Dying in Yerbal 😵

What is up everybody? I hope you all are doing good where ever you are reading this. I've been doing pretty good and we had transfers this last week and I'm completely staying the same with Elder Clinger. There were a set of Elders in my district for 3 weeks and now I'm back to being a Relief Society president again. I think God is trying to help me learn to talk the woman or something. I'm practicing my Flirt to Convert tactics for after the mission if you know what I mean. Well I'm probably going to end my mission here in Treinta y Tres (33) Uruguay. That's a weird feeling to be in your last area and transfer. Don't worry though, I'm working hard not hardly working

We are going to take our boy Gustavo to the temple this week! Gustavo is the guy I baptized and he already has the priesthood and temple recommend! That's pretty sick we get to see him in the temple! It's been like 3 weeks since his baptism. We've been taking him out with us to do missionary work and it's been really fun! We've taught him some memes like the bass drop pffffff! He's such a good kid and such a good missionary!

We've run into a lot of people that don't believe in God recently. The reason they say is "I don't know". I guess that's a good reason, but I'm not sure. I just look up at the night sky and just wonder how all of this could have happened by accident. There is just so much order in the universe and everything just somehow functions. It's cool that I get to testify of the existence of God everyday. He's a pretty cool guy I say.

We found an Avocado tree in our area so that's pretty cool. Free big avocados for the taking and they are tasty. We helped this less active guy take some avocados. That's like the only service I've done down here. There's a returned missionary in my ward here in Yerbal and I told him if he gives us referrals of people to teach that we will give him referrals that are women if you know what I mean. So please if you get a friend request on Facebook from a random Uruguayan please accept it. 

I'm doing pretty good over here. My Spanish is pretty good except I still have a very white accent. An accent that I'm cursed with for all eternity but, that's ok👌

Love you all and remember: Yes Sirr!

-Love Elder Clegg

WEEK 88 Gustavo Got Dunked On

Hey everybody over there! How's it going? I'm doing good thanks for asking. I read a pretty cool scripture just recently.

4 Nephi 2:2: And it came to pass that Gustavo got dunked by proper authority in the land of Yerbal, Amen

I recommend reading that chapter. On a more serious note our boy Gustavo got baptized! We were super excited for him. He texted us before the baptism and asked if we could move the baptism back a little bit and we asked why. He said his Grandpa wanted him to get milk. This was 2 hours before the baptisms and we told him that he had two hours before his baptism to buy milk. He told us the store opens at 5 and we told him to get milk after his baptism and he agreed. Phew, almost got foiled again by the pesky milk. We showed up at the church to see how the font was doing and it was burning hot and it was a nice sauna in there. We also got our key to the church stuck in a door in the bathroom. We couldn't pull it out for the life of us and we couldn't get out of the church because all the doors were locked from the inside and outside so we were trapped in the church building. The sister missionaries had to come save us. We turned on the cold water in the font and the baptism was a great experience for Gustavo. He thought the water was pretty hot so we almost boiled him alive. He bore his testimony at his baptism and it was very beautiful and simple. It was powerful.

We went exchanges with the Assistants and I went with Elder Merrill who came out with me and if we combine our time of serving missions we have 2 and a half sister missions under our belts. We had a big lunch so after lunch we were in a lesson and the both of us almost dozed off so that was scary. We also taught a member lady with the first name of Jesus so that was cool.

We were eating with our Bishop yesterday and I told them I have a pet snake and it was funny how interested they were in why I have a pet snake and how I take care of it. It was funny because it was such a foreign concept to them. 

Well, I'm definitely having a good time over here in Uruguay. I swear time is getting too fast. I swear it was yesterday that we were throwing balls at a wasp hive but, it was actually a week ago... anyways I love you all so much and hope you all have a good week!

-Love Elder Clegg 

I Might Be in my Last Area 🥺 (Week 85)

Bye bye Sugar bread. A couple weeks ago I left my sweet sweet area of Pan de Azúcar Uruguay and it was sad. My boy Elder Cantwell and I were eating with our favorite member named Roberto, who we lovingly call Rob, and we got the call from the Zone Leaders and they told me that I'm going to a place named after a number called Treinta y Tres. I told Rob and Elder Cantwell the news and we finished dinner. I finished it off with a prayer that was straight from the heart over the house and the people in Pan de Azúcar. The prayer was powerful and I looked over and saw Roberto crying. Probably one of the most touching points of my mission. I gave a hug and told him how much I appreciated him and I choked up. We almost made Elder Cantwell cry too. I said goodbye to him and it was super sad. 

The next day we went to the other part of the area called La Capuera and while we were walking a guy driving toward us pointed at us and then pointed at a garbage can and then gave us a thumbs down. It was hilarious. I guess that guy won't be missing me. We then talked to Marcos and I said goodbye to him and I bore my pure testimony and he started crying too. We hugged it out and I said goodbye. That same day before the van came to take me away from my beloved Sugar loaf we ate dinner with the Chacon Family from Valenzuela. They are such a funny family. At the end Hermano Chacon called me his Amigo which I think is pretty serious in Valenzuela culture. 

It's crazy to me that a place thousands of miles away from my home that has people that don't even speak English can be so dear to my heart. It's crazy how a 20 year old gringo boy from Utah, who's only been speaking Spanish for 4 months, can get that close with people that have grown up in a completely different culture. This to me is another evidence of a Loving Heavenly Father. All these people and this little area of Sugar loaf will be in my heart forever.❤

Here I am now in a place called 33. I'm still a Relief Society president over here over a couple sets of Sisters. It's a pretty epic place and I actually see living breathing missionaries over here compared to my last two areas in Uruguay where there are no other missionaries for miles. It's a pretty small area but it's pretty dope. I've been here two weeks and I swear that everybody has already run into us like 2 or 3 times. My new companion is Elder Clinger who was serving in Alaska before here and he is also from the factory like yours truly. 

We are teaching this guy named Gustavo and he's a beast for sure. We took him to 3 different convert baptisms which was lit! I told him that the next baptism he's going to attend is his. We set him on date for the 9th of April. In one of my lessons with him I accidentally told him that he's going to be baptized in Brazil 🇧🇷. He's was like "I don't want to be baptized in Brazil." It was pretty funny. I also told him that he was going to sing a solo at one of the baptisms. He's such a good dude. He already knows the Book of Mormón is true and that Joseph Smith was a prophet! I can't wait to see him in white.

There is this one old member dude named Manuel and he's a funny dude. We literally see him everyday while walking around.the first time we ran into him I didn't know he was a member so I asked if he believes in God and he said "No, but I believe in Piñarol!" (Piñarol is a soccer team here in Uruguay by the way) I told him I believe in Piñarol too. It was pretty lit! He's a great guy who knows everyone. 

We do this English class over here and it's pretty funny. I know it's bad but it's nice to see people struggle with a language. When I'd try to help the people learning English to pronounce something I realize that I suck at pronouncing things in English so I'm not very good at English or Spanish.

Well folks I'm doing pretty good and I've been working hard here because this could be the last hurrah for Israel 🇮🇱. I hope y'all are doing good over there wherever you are reading this thing. If you read it this far, know I love you!

-Love Elder Clegg

1. Rob

2. Marcos

3. The Chacons 

4. Elder Cantwell and non alcoholic beer

5. What District meetings look like in 2022

6. Gustavo and Juan García.

Just Your Classic Sugar Bread (Week 81)

 

Well, it's just been your classic sugar bread over here in Pan de Azucar. Sadly my boy Elder Arnold got transferred this week to Paso de Los Toros which oddly enough is the name of a soda here with lots of sugar. He will forever be in my heart. Anyways our companionship ended up in the same way it started in craziness. We were on a multi day exchange with our Zone Leaders when we learned of Elder Arnold's fate to be transferred. That same day a van came to pick Elder Arnold and I up with a little problem. Both Elder Arnold and I were not in Pan de Azucar but in Maldonado which is an hour away from Pan de Azucar. so... we called the assistants who weren't happy with us and went to a bus to try to make it to Pan de Azucar but, of course the bus never came and some office Elders were driving down to come pick us up so we had to hop in a taxi which are crazy expensive and head to good old sugar bread. The taxi dropped us off on the side of the road and the Elders picked us up and took us to Pan de Azucar where Elder Arnold packed in less than 30 minutes. The fastest I have ever seen. We headed to Montevideo and made it to the Hotel at 11 at night. In the morning we went to the temple to meet our new companions that just came in. President Escobar told me I needed a haircut. Now I'm back in Pan de Azucar with my new comp Elder Cantwell. He is also pure breed white Utah boy like me and he is epic. My time with Elder Arnold was probably one of the craziest and funniest 6 weeks of my life and it's still going to be crazy judging by the fact that yesterday all night the power was off and there was a freaking tornado. We will continue to see how Sugarloaf goes.

Well, there is one guy in our ward that has lived in the states for 14 years. He doesn't know too much English but he definitely knows the bad ones. At church last week he used a racial slur in english and also told us to shut the f up with the f-bomb. Needless to say it was pretty funny and Brother Alcoba has a special place in my heart. We also gave talks in church last Sunday about missionary work and accidentally took up too much time so that Rob, our mission leader in the branch couldn't talk so sorry Rob. Elder Arnold and I also were able to go to the Temple with my Uruguashin Grandparents. The Diogos took us and they were the Senior Couple in my last district. They told us they were excited to go through the temple with their grandson. They also are always in my heart.

Well, I'll have a few more weeks at least here in Sugar Bread Uruguay. I'm excited to keep working. I hope our power turns back on soon. RIP the ice cream in the freezer. Anyways love you all and hope you guys que pasan bien

-Love Elder Cleggggggggggggggggg

Smuggling our Argentino to Church (Week 79)

 Well, well, well. Que pasa wheys. How are my peeps doing? This week was pretty good I'd say or a least I think so.  I feel like time is going way too fast which is a little scary because that means I'll have to start "real life" at least that's what they say. We will see what happens. 

We were able to smuggle our Argentino to church this week. On Sunday morning we hopped on a bus and went down to La Capuera to help get Marcos to church. He has a restraining order and can't get to close to his ex. She works right next to the entrance and next to the bus stop but, God sent us rain so she wasn't working there yesterday so let's go!! We got to the bus stop and waited and waited and waited for like an hour and a half. A bus didn't come until like 10:20 which church starts at 9:30 so yeah, that was the first time I missed the sacrament in a long time. Hopefully the 2nd coming doesn't happen this week. We made it for Sunday school and a lot of members recognized him as the doughnut guy because he sells doughnuts. Pretty epic. He had a good time, we like to think. 

This week we also found the magical deal in a town in our area called La Capuera. There's this hot dog stand that sells us a hot dog, hamburger, and a coke for under 5 bucks and it's pretty epic to say the least. We also printed out a map of our area to explore it all so that's fun. There are parts in our area along the beach that many rich people are. We had the idea to just ask for water to try to get into people's homes and it was harder than we thought. We finally got water and this guy was dope but, he was busy. We are going to try to stop by.

I guess that's about it for the week. Elder Arnold and I are always having a good time over here in Sugar Bread. I love it over here which is sick. Sadly I kind of miss the restaurants in the states. We hung out with a member that lived in the states for 15 years and he wants to go back. It was funny. 

-Love Elder Clegg 

Quarantine+Epic Talks=Knowledge (Week 78)

Top of the morning to y'all. I'm sorry I haven't written in awhile. I guess I just forget. Anyways a lot of things have happened in a little bit. We were in quarantine, we cleaned a ceiling in a house, we hung out with some 8 year olds on the streets for a couple hours and one of them played John Cena music as he RKO'd a punching bag, and we tried to catch a 3 ft lizard while a old lady got mad at us. We also got addicted to listening to BYU speeches, devotionals, talks, and podcasts. We learned a lot of stuff about Joe Smith and it was all pretty epic stuff. I think our brains got a little bigger.

Well, after almost 2 years of dodging the covid I think we finally caught it. We only had to do like 3 and a half days of quarantine. Elder Arnold tested positive. We figured out his test results while he already went to Montevideo and did a bunch of Visa stuff. I got the results here in Pan de Azúcar and sent them to the office Elderes and one of the Assistants called Elder Arnold when he was on a van heading back to the promised land with a bunch of missionaries and it was speaker phone so everybody knew. Elder Arnold got dumped with me and then we started our quarantine. We learned so much stuff though from talks and study about Joseph Smith and also a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We also heard a talk from a fellow named S. Kent Brown in a BYU devotional. He seemed pretty cool and talked about the Second Coming. Low key I kind of miss quarantine for the learning but, now I have to help other people learn the truth too.

So yeah, we hung out with some 8 year olds and other kids. The leader of the pack is named Diago and he's a hilarious little kid. He was always trying to impress us by jumping off a truck and pretending to be John Cean. We try to get the kids to talk to their parents so we can meet with their family. It's an effective technique because kids are easier to talk to. 

We've been teaching this guy named Marcos who is just the most humble guy ever. I love the man so much. We gave his kids a soccer ball and it was epic. He's excited to be baptised now and we are excited for him too. He also sells delicious donuts and we found him by buying a donut from him so that was lit. We also taught a kid named Miguel and he was interviewing me with his phone about stuff. I hope my Spanish pulled through. One of the questions was about Mr. Beast. He's a good kid and lives right next to the church building.

So we chased down this big old lizard by a school place to try to catch it, but a lady stopped us and told us the Lizard has a home there. If it wasn't for that meddling grandma. We also have been trying to fish around here too. I've been trying to catch a River Monster in a stream by our house. One guy came by and told us to move down stream so he could take a bath. Let's hope he didn't get killed by a River Monster.

Well, I hope that you all are doing well. My Spanish is finally getting there so that's good. I love you all and hope you all have an epic week. Always remember: "And his name is John Cena!"

-Love Elder Clegg

I'm a Relief Society President! 😅

Well, well, well. I'm sorry it's been a long time since I have been transferred from the beloved city of Rocha Uruguay to a land with more flavor if you know what I mean called Pan de Azúcar(Sugar bread😉). It's a branch that covers a couple little towns in the hills and I love it. My new comp is named Elder Arnold and he is from San Diego and we are having the time of our lives. Both of us can't really speak Spanish and so much stuff has happened this week that I don't know what to expect anymore. All I can do is laugh at whatever happens and have a good time. We have been out of money, we have been trying to figure out a bus system, I lost the phone on the bus, and all of the dogs want to eat us. So much stuff has happened that I look back on the week and feel like time has been super slow but, super fast in the moment. 

Well, the miracle of this week was self-inflicted. We were riding on the bus and I had the phone out of my pocket. We made it back to Pan de Azúcar and we hopped out of the bus and I felt my pocket and no phone. I was like "Man down, I lost the phone" and we started dying. We went to our house and ate lunch. We humbled ourselves while we layed in our beds and headed to the bus terminal. A guy told us to find the brand of bus to tell the driver. We waited at the stop for like 15 minutes and then we decided to enlist a member for help. Nobody could contact us if they wanted. We hit the members place named Joan who called some peeps and I had the idea to go to the church. We needed to grab the keys at the house so we almost made it to the house and we saw a bus like 200 yards away at a stop. We look at each other for like 5 seconds and we were like "Should we run?" "Yeah" so we booked it and made it just on time. We told the bus driver what happened. It was a different bus driver and he was like "What color was it?" We were like "Uhhhh black" and he was like "Just kidding" and pulled that puppy out. As he was driving away a guy in the back of the bus winked at us and they drove off into the sunset. We are still trying to determine if the guy was one of the 3 nephites or John the beloved. It was a miracle. God's hand was definitely there while my ignorance still is there. 

We have found quite a bit of people over here in Pan de Azúcar to talk with and to teach and it's been really cool. There hasn't been missionaries here in awhile. It's been really bomb and fun.

I'm not sure if the members have too much confidence in our abilities. We were eating with some members and they brought up the question: "Does the Lord have confidence in you guys?" It was pretty funny. I'm not sure if the Lord has confidence in us but, I sure do love the Lord. 

I love you all and hope you are doing well. I'm chilling in Sugar bread in Uruguay, sweating and having sunburns. Love you bye. The reason I'm a relief society president is I'm a district leader over 6 Sisters and that's it.

-Love Elder Clegg