Buckets

Hello fam,

Another week has passed down here. Nothing too crazy. This is the last P day of the transfer so next week I will write on Tuesday. It has got freaking HOT this week. The first part of last week was all rain. Tuesday night We were walking and it was cloudy so we had brought our rainjackets just in case and then BOOM! rain just dropped and it was raining so hard. We were near one of our planned people to go visit so we stopped by and only the 13 year old kid was home but he let us in cause it was raining so hard. We sat and talked and ended up just teaching him a lesson cause we didnt want to go back out in the rain. Near the end of the lesson the power cut and it was pitch dark. no light. So I took a flashlight out of my bag and a glass cup of water and made a little machief lamp so we could finish the lesson. We got out of the lesson at 7:30ish and got a call from our Zone leaders that we needed to head back to the apartment early cause of lightning and flooding. And when we got back to the appartment we found that our power was cut too. So that was interesting. Then the rest of the week was just humid and hot. Yesterday was the worst. I have a picture of my face at 8:30 at night and I am just so sweaty. But other than the weather not much happened. Just a typical week. The language is what it is. Mentally I think I just sike myself out somedays. Its just a rollercoaster. Somedays I feel like I am talking and understanding great, and other days I feel like I am back in the MTC. So yeah. But I have confidence and am excited for new things to come this next week. We did some service on Saturday at Eva Garcias house which is the lady mom is friends with on Facebook. We helped crush concrete in their backyard to make your traditional ghetto Argentine sidewalk thing. It was fun and they gave us Coke so I loved it. I also forgot to tell you that the other week i forgot my sunglasses at there house after cutting branches and their dog got a hold of it and chewed the crap out of the wooden part of the glasses. I was like whatever its my fault that I left them there. But we went to there house Saturday and she had taken them to an optical place in centro and replaced the wooded chewed up part of them. So that was nice of her. She and her daughters are actually going to Utah next July to visit missionary friends. 

Sounds like everyone is doing great. That is exciting to hear about Gabe! I am happy for him. I dont know if I have mentioned this but I finished the Book of Mormon in English this last week. I had started it in the MTC and now have restarted it but this time in Spanish. I really enjoyed reading it and having the perspective of a missionary while reading it. I hope I can get through it multiple times in spanish on the mission. This last sunday was mothers day here in Argentina. So there were a bunch of parties and mom centered topics in church. A lot of the argentine elders here talked to there moms today. But I dont know why exactly Argentina is different like that cause from what I have heard, other Latino countries just have regular mothers day in May. Argentina is just a little hipster that way. But yeah, Next week will come with some new news and some change. So STAY TUNED. Its weird to think that im going to be out of my training next week. I still feel like a little newbee. But this will be fun. I am excited. I dont have much  this week. My train of thought in this email might be a little all over the place because we had to break up our use of computers because of some new rules in the mission. But we got a bump in monthly momey. So that will be great. So til next wek. Chao! 

Love,

E' Corbin Keicher

Whoa...Trash

Hola Fam,

This week was pretty fun. We got to do service here at an event called Mormon hands that help. All we did was go around this area and collected recyclable material like newspaper, bottles, and paper. It was kinda fun and it was definitely needed because people here just dont throw things away. I actually took a picture from my area that is just filled with trash. It is just around this guys ¨house¨ and a sign that says ¨No Tire te Basura¨ or ¨Dont throw trash¨. I'll attach that pic. But the service was cool and we got to wear cool little yellow vests. Then earlier in the week we had interviews with the president. That was a lot of fun. I got to see some progression with that because the first 2 weeks I was here we had something that is called a ¨multizona¨ where we went and got instructed by President Franco. And then I didnt understand a single word that was said. Except a sentence he said in english. But last Thursday before we started the interviews, President did a small little capacitation with us and I could get the gist of what he was saying. So small progress... but still dificult. The interview I had with pres was great and I actually got to know him a little better. I learned that he moved to the states when he was 20 years old and learned english there. I asked him some pointers on learning the language. So interviews were fun. Some things that he said in the capacitation I want to share with you because he talked about packages. He said that the only packages they can recieve is packeges that are sent through that Argentina mail currier thing that mom used a couple times. But other than that, nothing else will get here. It is ¨Impossible¨ any other way. But there at the interviews I did get the backpack that mom sent to me! IT IS SO NICE I love it. It is so much more comfortable to walk with. And I freaking loved the sour patch and other stuff that you put in it. As far as other stuff you sent, I doubt that I will get it if it wasnt through that Argentine service thing... I forget what it is called. And the office does a good job. The guy in charge of the mail (materials secretary) is kinda weird (he is from Uruguay). But I get my stuff. And the Financial secretary is super good so really the office elders do a good job. A lot of Elders complain about them because they get nice phones and access to a car and get to do different stuff but I think they do a good job. 

I also went on divisions with my district leader. His name is Elder Tracy, and he is from Washington. He is a cool dude and I like him a lot. He goes home in March I believe. It was fun talking to him. I went to his area and their apartment is literally next to Wal-mart. Like it would take a good 2 minutes to get there depending on how long it would take to cross the street. But it was fun talking to him and hearing things from his perspective. As far as the work in our area, its gone kinda dry. We really only have the Boazzo family progressing. They should be picking out a date to get married thi week then we will get a set date for the to get baptised. But other than them we have just been trying to find new people. Transfers are coming up on the 24th of October so we will see what happens. I think that I will stay and Butler will go. 

But there was a scripture I really liked in Moroni 7:40-47 which says:

40 My beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?

 41 And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.

 42 Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.

 43 And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart.

 44 If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptablebefore God, save the meek and lowly in heart; and if a man be meek and lowly in heart, and confesses by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, he must needs have charity; for if he have not charity he is nothing; wherefore he must needs have charity.

 45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

I just really liked that. I just finished the book of mormon in English so now I am going to start reading it in Spanish. But that is basically all I got for this week. No real funny stories happened this week. Just casual. We went to that mall again this week cause it is super cool and makes you feel like you are in the states haha. Anyway I hope you all have a great week. 

Cho

Love,
Elder Keicher

McD's & Confrence WOAH!

Hey Fam,

Well it is always a great weekend when it is confrence weekend. And especially as a missionary. We had our own Gringo/American room to watch it in english. So that was fun. Since the time is different it started at 1pm-3pm then 5pm-7pm and then for priesthood session is was 9pm-11pm. So it was a little later night but a lot of fun. Between the 2nd session and the priesthood session on Saturday, 12 of us missionaries went to a place called "Pizza Libre" for dinner where it was 70 pesos for all you can eat pizza. It was a lot of fun. I put some photos for you to put on the blog for that. As far as what I liked from conference I'll put my highlight real of quotes that I took note of:

-God isnt an Almighty REF that is looking for any excuse to through us out of the game. 

-The Lords process of learning for us is timeless. 

-People usually want the results of Doctrine but not the Doctrine itself. 

-Joy has little to do with our circumstances but rather with our focus. 

-If you decide the chruch and gospel of Jesus Christ isnt for you...Where the freak will you go?(not a direct quote)

-If you dont seek Christ in your heart and in your secret places, then dont go seek Him in vain at church and in the public eye.

-No struggle is out of the reach of the Atonement.

-Sell your TOY for Eternity through the Atonement. 

Those were what caught my attention while watching confrence. And it was actually really cool at the begining of the confrence when Pres. Henry B. Eyring said "We welcome those watching in countries throughout the world". It was cool cause that applied to me. And it was funny because in our American room, one of the Elders brought an American Flag and hung it up. And in between sessions one of the latino elders came in and said that there were some members that didn't like that we had an American flag up cause they thought we ere mocking them. I just thought that was funny because if somebody in America told somebody else to take their country's flag down, they would be tagged as a racist and arrested.

 But any way, earlier in the week we went on divisions with the zone leaders and this time Elder Regan came to Fontana (my area). It was a lot of fun and he gave me a lot of great advice for learning the language. I think it gave me a good perspective. But like I said it was my first time leading someone in my area because usually I just follow E'Butler. So for the first two hours E'Regan and I were pretty lost cause I didnt know where exactly where a house was. Then some of our appointments fell through so we didnt do squat that evening (because we transfer at lunch and then switch back at lunch the next day). But I am glad that I got to stay in Fontana because E'Butler and E'Trumbo returned to their area to find a scorpine in the apartment. Haha I didnt even know there were scorpines here. So I got the benefit of missing out on that.

 OH! and today was a BEAUTIFUL day because we went to this nice Mall they just recently opened up just outside of Resistencia and we ate McDonalds! It was so nice. I havent had fries since early June! So that was cool. I got a Triple Mac which is a BigMac with 3 patties. And the mall was playing Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift and other modern music. I got to go around and look at cool stuff for like 2 hours. It was a tender mercy. I took a picture with a sweet Nike Windbreaker I found in one of the stores. So that was my week, super fun and exciting. I hope I can continue to work hard and progress. I am just scared of getting stagnant in the language or the work. I think thats why they do division and transfers so that you dont get too comfortable. I am going to force my companion to speak only in Spanish with me when we leave the apartment and during the studies. It will be hard but I just need to make a statement. I cant wait for a latino comp to learn spanish. So thats what I am going to do. I love you all and hope you all will go back and read the words of the apostles and leaders of the church. I hope you have a great week. 

GO BRONCOS! 

LOVES,

E' Corbin Keicher

Argentine Wedding

Hey Fam,

So this week seemed a little longer with P-day changing to today. But it was a little different week. Tuesday we did service at a ladies house. We cut down some branches from trees for her with a machete so that was kinda fun. On wednesday morning we went to a wedding of a couple who was in Butlers last area. It was kinda interesting to see an Argentine wedding. It is not what they are like in the states. They are held in a goverment civil office. We were all cramped into this room and the couple were sitting at a table in the middle. One of the civil workers had a bunch of paper work and just talked for like 5 minutes. And then to make the marriage official, they signed the documents. It was kinda different. But it was still pretty cool to experience and then when they walked out of the office everyone threw rice at them. After the wedding, us missionaries that were there went back to the zone leaders apartment and Elder Trumbo gave me a needed haircut. Then Thursday morning Elder Butler woke up sick. He had diarreah and was puking. So we stayed in for the morning. He rested and I just listened to talks all morning which wasnt too bad. Then after afternoon studies we tried to go out. And we were only out for an hour and Butler was super pale... so went went back to the apartment for the rest of the evening. He called president and told him he was sick so Pres told him to rest and get some yogurt and gatoraid. And he remained somewhat sick for the next couple days but we were still able to go out and work. And I forget exactly when this happened but we were walking down the street one evening and this guy passed us on a motorcycle. Pretty normal thing. But After he passed I noticed something flew from the back of him and landed on the dirt road. I went and picked it up and found it to be his wallet. He didnt even noticed and was long gone into the night. I looked in it and first noticed how much freaking money he had in it. There was about 2000 pesos in it. Then I found the ID card in it and luckly had his address in it. We spent the next 30ish minutes trying to find where he lived, the addresses down here are so confusing. But we found it and right as we got there, we saw him leaving again. Probably to go and find his wallet. His wife was home though so we talked to her and gave it to her. She was so excited and relieved that we found it. We talked to her for a little bit and set up a time to go back and visit with them. And Saturday we did that. And it was actually a pretty good lesson. They were both there and they had some good questions. We will see if it turns into something. 

But anyway I am just excited for General Conference. Gerneral Confrence for missionaries is like a holiday. I am super stoked. We will be eatting a lot of food for sure. And then next P-day we(us and the ZL's) are going to go to McD's that recently openned up in a mail here. So I am STOKED for that. And we are going to go on divisions with the ZL's tomorrow too. So this week will be a lot of fun. 

The backyard looks insane. Way to go dad. Hopefully you can get some help. Im an doing fine. I keep finding myself just zoning out sometimes during lessons our just in conversations with natives because I think my brain just subconcciously knows that i wont be able to understand it so it just tunes it out. Somedays it is just hard to focus when people talk. And somedays I am just laser focused. Days just go through their ups and downs. I liked a scripture in 2 Nephi 4:34 i believe that talks about putting trust in the Lord. I have been sharing that with members at lunch combined with James 2:17 and 26. Faith can only exsist if we have ACTION connected with it. We have to PUT trust and EXERCISE faith. The word faith is a noun. Which makes people including myself think that all we have to do is say that we have it. Put action and to motion our faith in our thoughts, words, and actions. I love you all. I pray and hope you guys find success in you jobs, schooling, callings, and social endevours. Have an awesome week and enjoy confrence!! 

LOVE,

Elder Corbin Keicher

I got to use a Machete this week. Kinda of fun to just hack down branches. 

 This one is the view from right out our front door. Sometimes I just sit there and listen to Argentine kids play and talk to each other and try to understand what they are saying.

Argentina ASADO

Hey Fam,

So this week was pretty casual. Not as exciting as last week but I did get to get my first Argentine ASADO or BBQ. It was actually really good. We had it for dinner at out 1st counselors house last friday night! I took some pictures of it. His wife gave me a little "Ketchup" packet as a joke. It was pretty funny. But that family always feeds me WAY too much. I could barely walk home after that. They just kept bringing food and dessert and stuff. I have never ben so full in my life. I also got Jack and Tracy's wedding invitation in the mail. I thought that was cool for them to send me an invitation. But anyway we had a good attendance at church. We had the Boazzo family there who is set to be baptized once they get the paper work for marriage worked out. Then one of our knew investigators came to church, Silvia, who is probably like 60ish years old. She is really interested which makes lessons so much easier and fun to teach. But what was cool was that she walked to church. I thought that was neat cause it is like a 15 minute walk to get to church from her house and while that doesn't seem like a lot of time, it showed that she wanted to go. So we had 5 investigators at church. But the down side to church was 2 minutes before church started the 1st councilor came to Butler and I and said that someone who was suppose to talk didn't show up. So Butler and I had to give talks.... So the last 15 minutes of sacrament meeting was left and so I went up and shared article of faith 4 and just talked a little bit on each principle and then talked about General Conference coming up and that took like 6ish minutes. Then Butler talked for like 7 minutes. SO it wasn't too bad. 

It was great to hear from all of you. Sounds like the cruise Logan and Kelsey went on was a blast. Broncos are still killing it! WOAH! The mission so far has made me realize how awesome our family is. I want to thank you all for being awesome! Keep working hard. I am trying really hard on being Diligent. There was quote that I remembered from the MTC that says, "Success is determined from your DILIGENCE not your Intelligence." I am really trying to apply that. But I feel like a Latino companion will really help me learn the language a lot better. I am making some progress but I feel like if i am talking and listening to a latino speak 24/7 I will be able to pick and understand faster. I am very grateful for E' Butler though. It has been a nice transition though. I just hope everything will work out.

 One thing that I have really been enjoying is the iPod Logan put together and Kenzie's too. I just have the nano and the older 'video' one but no I don't have a touch haha. But the talks that are on there are really fun and interesting to listen too and I have really enjoyed them. I actually have no clue what the "Teaching the Saviors Way" program is but what you are describing just sounds like Preach  My Gospel. So they are probably just the same thing. Also yeah, Butler has been in other places than here in Resistencia. He has been in a place called Mercedez and "El Colorado". haha I hope I get to go there. But Butler has been in here in REZI for 7-8 months. And in this Area, Fontana, for 4 transfers. So I might actually stay here after my training. 

But anyway thats all I got this week. Talk you y'all next week. 

LOVE,
E' Keicher

Every time I look at a map its hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that Im in Argentina. I will just look how far I am for you guys and it feel weird. It doesn't feel like that Im that far. And Thats weird to think that I am 1/8 done. A missionary going home this transfer described the mission like a house. you draw the first wall on the left side straight up, and that signifies the first 6 months. All up hill and difficult. Then you continue and draw the 2nd line which is the left side of the roof and that signifies the next 6 months. and there it is still up hill and difficult cause you are still learning the language and stuff. Then you draw the right said of the roof and that signifies the next 6 months and now things are starting to get comfortable and you can speak well and speak your mind and things are just clicking. Then the last wall one the right side signifies that last 6 months and its is easy and fun and is really when you enjoy the mission the best cause you can talk freely and do what you want. So Right now i am all up hill and truly is difficult. I have just accepted that it is difficult and all I can do it hope for the better days.