God knows the desires of our hearts

January 20th, 2014

Hello family

Well this week just flew by! It feels like I was just writing you guys, this week was a pretty good week with a few surprises. One surprise is that I’m a district leader again. They didn’t tell me last Sunday with the transfers, they told me like 2 days later, kind of just a “by the way you’re district leader.” It’s ok with me, I like being district leader, it’s kind of fun to have a little bit more responsibility. Also another surprise that they didn’t tell us on transfer night is that my companion is leaving to his mission in a couple of weeks. They called us on Thursday saying that his visa is ready so he went us to La Paz Thursday and Friday to do some paper work and get everything ready. He could be leaving as early as this Friday but they haven’t really told us anything exact. I have no idea who or when I will get a new companion but I kind of don’t want to. We are finally getting along and then he gets his visa, kind of frustrating, it’s got to be for something though.  

This week we also had a lot of food fights, I will send pictures next week because we are in Tupiza and I forgot to bring my little gadget to send pictures. But when it’s someone’s birthday or when a missionary is leaving an area its normal to throw eggs on their head and then throw flour all over them. So that’s what our pensionista did to elder G. before he left and then thought it would be really funny to get the rest of us. So in the end we all ended up covered in eggs and flour and the house was just kind of a mess but it was really fun and quite funny actually. 

A cool little story that happened to me this week. So I was kind of sad that I didn’t buy a Dakar shirt. I was always waiting until Dakar came to buy one because I knew there would be a lot more to choose from. But when Dakar came I was trying to stay busy and not waste my time buying things. I just told myself I will wait until Monday to go shopping and buy stuff. Well, Monday came and there was nothing left. Everything had been wiped out and I was kind of bummed about that. I really wanted a shirt to remind me of Dakar. I was kind of sad about that but I was getting over it. When we went to Atocha this weekend a member asked me what size I am. She works for the town and I guess they had a bunch of extra shirts left over. So she went and got one for me and my companion and it was like Christmas I was so happy. I know that God lives and knows the desires of our hearts, even the little ones like a Dakar shirt. 

Well this week we went out to San Cristobal to meet a few of the members that are living out there. It’s actually quite a big mine. There are about 1500 employes that work and live up by the mine and then another 1000 or so that live about 5 km away in the town. We had a great time out there meeting some of the members. They really come from all over Bolivia and they are 3 from Utah that are there working. What they are doing now is just having small sacrament meetings when they can. They work 24/7 from 7 in the morning until 7 at night and have a 2 hour break in the middle of the day. So that is when they hold their sacrament meetings on Sunday. As of now they are 6, and they think there are more who are members but just don’t know that they are having meetings. It was really great to see the faithfulness of the members out there and their desire to have sacrament meetings. 

Now we are in Tupiza, we came down for p-day and to have a zone meeting tomorrow. I’ll make sure to send lots of pictures next week. Thanks for the pictures and the letters. I hope everyone gets well soon. Love you lots!!

Elder Grigor

Cool church in San Cristobal 

Elder Grigor up on the church 

Members from Highland, Utah  that live near the mine

Another member from Logan, Utah that lives near the mine

Elder Grigor beside a sacred rock 

Elder Grigor cooking

Elder Grigor with members in Atocha and his companion

Elder Grigor with his Dakar shirt 

Grateful for forgiveness

Hello Padres, 

Well this week was absolutely crazy!! I’m going to start with Monday. So we went to the salt flats and it was absolutely amazing. I got some awesome pictures and we really had a great time. I would love to come here with you guys one day, with water it just looks amazing. From January to april there is water in the salt flats and it just looks incredible I was kind of blown away. We just had a great day there going to the salt hotel, and just hanging out, it was a beautiful day too. At least while we were there, but as we were coming back in the afternoon it started to get a little cloudy.  Then the biggest hail storm came through as we were coming back. Here in Uyuni there is no way for the water to escape so the street just got filled up and it was super fun all week to walk through the mud. Some streets we had to avoid because they were completely filled. And when we got back to the hotel we found out that the roof had partly caved in due to the weight of the hail that built up on the roof. The roof is made of kind of a plastic sheet so its not that strong. Then a ton of water came in so as we got home we helped clean up and take all the water out. That was about 2 hours of cleaning, it was lots of water but we got it all cleaned and fixed up. 

The rest of the week was pretty normal until about Saturday and Sunday. We had a good week teaching and finding. One day we helped unload 1500 boxes of Pringles and  noodles into the super market beside our hotel. That was fun! But really me and my companion weren't really getting along that well this week. Actually this whole transfer has been one of the hardest in that aspect, and I was kind of hoping that this transfer we would have a change. We got in a big argument this week and I was really quite angry, then I don’t even remember how the situation changed but we just got into a deep conversation and really just expressed our feelings. We just really worked out all the problems that we had been having and at that moment I was just really grateful for forgiveness. We both had some bad feelings towards one another but the power of forgiveness really brought us closer together and I’m really grateful to have him as my companion. I was kind of scared of transfers and I didn't want him to go or to have a change. I was quite glad when we found out we would be staying together. I feel like I have a transfer to make up for what I did wrong this last one. This situation reminded me a lot of the atonement and how if we go to the Lord to work out our problems he will provide us with peace and comfort whether it is something big or something small. He’s promised that if we go to him our burdens will be made light and I know that it’s true. 

When Saturday and Sunday came it was just tough to do anything. There were tons of tourists and they set up huge stages and were just playing music all night. My companion loved it and he was standing in the window listening until about 2am in the morning but I was just exhausted and just slept through it. Sunday in the afternoon is when Dakar came through but we tried to stay pretty far away to not get distracted. We really didn't get to see too much and as we walked by there were just way too many people to be able to see anything. I didn't really take any pictures or anything but it was cool with all the excitement that came with it. The guys racing in the Dakar got here and went right to the army training camp thingy to park their bikes and sleep. They got up at about 5:00 this morning to leave. We were thinking about waking up early to see them leave but I was tired and didn't wake up haha. So I really didn't see much of Dakar but it was just cool to be here and see all the stuff going on. 

Well that was my week, oh and Elder G. is leaving to Cochabamba and Elder R. is coming. So now I will be the only white guy here. Monday writing to you guys will be the only time that I speak english. And that’s just in my head, not even out loud. I’ll probably forget some words. It will be a long time until I speak English again. Well I’ll talk to you guys soon. 

I love you lots Mom and Dad.

Have a great week

Elder Grigor

The train cemetery in Uyuni, Bolivia

The Salt Flats in Uyuni, Bolivia 

Wearing his favourite shirt that he got for Christmas

 "Work hard, Nap hard, JACK!" 

Water on the salt flats. Breathtaking!

Oh CANADA!!! 

Some statue made out of Salt. 

Elder Grigor and his companion at the Salt Hotel 

Such a cool picture 

Elder Grigor's salty, burnt feet- he forgot to put sunscreen on his feet. 

The hail from the storm that went through Uyuni. 

Hail on the rooftops

Elder Grigor trying to walk around the puddles of water in the streets

Making S'mores

Tons of Pringles 

Elder Grigor with the usual 2 thumbs up! 

Waving the Bolivian flag. Love the colours in this picture

El Gringo: Looks like he will be the only one for awhile.

The sole Canadian in Bolivia

Lesson from the broken bow

Hello parents,

Well, where do I start. I had a pretty good week, a few ups and downs but overall it was pretty good. Where do I start... Well New Year’s this year was probably the first year that I slept through New Years. Here they have some weird traditions. They all go to sleep pretty early so they can wake up at 11 to eat dinner, then they go out into the streets and dance all night. They also believe if you wear a certain color of underwear you will get a certain thing in the next year ( for example red is love and yellow is luck etc.) So we were seeing lots of underwear in the street the few days before New Year’s. I luckily didn't hear any of the partying and I just slept the whole night, I guess my companion heard it and woke up and was watching all the dancing and partying going on. It was funny, everyone asked us " how did you spend New Year’s" and I always responded sleeping. Lots of people thought I was joking. It was a good New Year’s. 

It was nice to work a little bit longer here in Uyuni this week and kind of going back to a normal schedule. We had a great week, mostly working with less active members. One family I’m super excited about is Raul and Jasmine. He is a less active member and his family are all non members, we've been working with them since I got here and the mom and little girl want to get baptized. The only problem is that they aren’t married yet. We are working on that with them so they can get married and get baptized. One of my biggest wishes is to see them be baptized before I leave this area, I really hope that everything will work out. They are such a great family.

We had a great week here and an interesting weekend in Atocha. We went out on Saturday and had a pretty successful day and I thought lots were going to come to church. Well only 6 came in Atocha. That was kind of disappointing, but we had a great meeting and it was great being with the members from Atocha. After we went up to Siete Suyos but no one was there. We arrived at the house where we always have the meeting but no one was there. Apparently they called us not to come up because everyone was leaving on vacation but we never got the call. We had no meeting place and no members and didst really know what to do. Honestly I was quite discouraged and kind of frustrated. Then I thought of the story of Nephi breaking his bow. Laman and Lemuel murmured and were just angry and probably wondering, why me? why now? But Nephi took it as an opportunity to learn and was probably thinking: how can I learn from this experience? how can I help those around me? I tried to have the mindset of Nephi trying to think how can I learn and grow from this experience and who can I help. What is it that the Lord wants me to learn? When I started thinking like this and focusing on the needs of others those feeling of discouragement and frustration left. With that new mindset we were able to go and find a few investigators that are difficult to find with out limited time in Siete Suyos. We were able to have two great lessons and and I left quite satisfied. But the Lord wasn’t done, and I think he wanted to test what I had learned. We arrived at Atocha to find out that our bus had left an hour earlier without informing us and we had no way back to Uyuni. The lady told us that we could wait out on the outskirts to wait for a passing car or maybe a bus and try to find a way home. I thought to myself, " what do I need to learn and how can I use this to help someone else? " So we went to wait for a passing car and after about 15 minutes it started to rain. Just as I was getting discouraged again a bus came around the corner that was supposed to pass by at 2:00pm but for some reason came through later due to the weather. We were able to get on that bus and had a ride back to Uyuni. During the ride we also had the opportunity to talk to a man from Argentina heading up to Peru. We were able to talk a little about the gospel and give him a pamphlet of the restoration. I know the Lord provided the means for us to contact that man in that moment. I know he delayed the other bus so we would have a ride home and have the opportunity to share the gospel. I know the Lord works in mysterious ways and many times we may not understand but it is always for the best. I’m so grateful to be here on my mission growing closer to my Saviour everyday. 

I learned a lot this week and I look forward to learning even more this week. This week should be a good one. Today we are going to the salt flats for the first time so I will make sure to take tons of pictures for you guys. Also the Dakar Car Rally is coming through this Sunday and Monday so that should be pretty fun. Also transfers are this Sunday. I’m pretty sure I’ll still be here and with my companion but I’ll let you know. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. 

Elder Grigor 

The Dakar Rally is coming to Uyuni 

Elder Grigor is exited to be in Uyuni for this. 

Cool sunset in Uyuni 

White Elephant gift from the Christmas party 

"Putting my sticky notes to good use" 

"A dog with dreadlocks, I don't think this dog has ever had a bath" 

"I tried to take a picture of me and my companion, but only I was in the picture, haha!" 

"With my companion, we organized a little better, haha" 

I got my Christmas Package :)

First things first. I GOT THE PACKAGE!!!!!!!!!!! 

So yesterday the president and his wife and the assistants came down to Atocha for a little visit, I was secretly hoping that they would bring my package down but I wasn’t sure. When I first saw them they didn't say anything, we went through all of church and then we were packing up to go home and there wasn't much room so we had to organize a bit. There was one big bag of things and Sister Dyer didn't know what it was so she opened it up and it was christmas presents!!!! And my package was in there!!! Oh that made me so happy you have no idea. I really needed that. Thursday after talking to you guys it was totally normal and I was just feeling normal. I was looking for an opportunity to serve and lots of appointments fell through, however we were able to find a less active member and teach him a lesson. We offered to help him plaster his wall but he said we would get too dirty. But we had a great lesson with him. Other than that we weren't able to find anyone else, they were all pretty busy. Friday and Saturday were hard days for me, that’s when I was thinking most about home and what’s going on, my package and just being homesick. But then getting my package on Sunday kind of fixed all of that and honestly right now I feel normal again like back into missionary life and how I was before. I really think getting that package helped a lot. And I loved it!!!!!! The shirt and the pen from the ward, the candy, the tons of hot chocolate, the movies, just all of it. Thanks so much, it really meant a lot and I’m super grateful for everything. Please tell the ward thank-you for the pen. I love it, it’s my favourite pen. Just what I always wanted!!!! You guys are the best.

Well I loved talking to you guys this week, it meant so much to me. I loved talking to all of you guys and finally meeting Cole more or less haha. He’s a great guy and I’m happy he’s gonna be my future brother- in- law. They are gonna be great together I know it. Hearing from everyone was just awesome, I can't wait until we do it again!!! Well I guess I can. I just loved all of it so much. 

I’m glad my SD card works, I was kind of worried about that but I’m glad you guys have it now and the videos. I don’t even remember what videos are on there. Just the talent show and when we went up on the mountains right??

Well this week was just awesome, talking to you guys, having the president come down to visit and I was also able to have a great interview with him. He’s really a great mission president, I’ll miss him when he leaves next year. He also told us that we are going to start to go to Atocha a little bit less. Now we are only going to go on Saturday and stay there overnight and come back sunday. We won’t be going on Wednesday anymore and we won’t be taking the train anymore:(  Just bumpy busses the whole time but thats ok. 

It was great to have the president and the assistants come down this weekend. The members were really appreciative and I know that they were blessed and strengthened. I’m excited to continue working with them and helping Atocha and Siete Suyos grow just a little bit more. And then we can have a chapel here in Uyuni. Right now that is one of my main desires. I want to do all I can so that we can have a chapel here in Uyuni and give these members a beautiful building to meet in. Who knows maybe even made out of salt?? haha. I’m so grateful to be here and help out in anyway that I possibly can. I have already grown and learned so much in my short amount of time here. I know that the experiences that I am having here are not only blessing the lives of the people are but also the lives of the my family and myself. I am growing more and more everyday and I’m so happy to be here. I hope I can be an influence for good in the lives of these members. I know with obedience and relying on the Lord that anything is possible.

Thanks for making my week awesome and one of the best ever. I love you guys so much and all that you do for me. Hope you all have a great week.

Love you lots

Elder Grigor

Plaza in Atocha on Christmas Eve 

Opening Christmas Presents - this was only part of Elder Grigor's

 Christmas packages. The main one didn't show up until this week. 

Seeing something from Canada and getting really excited 

My Christmas Package came!!! So glad it finally showed up. 

The Christmas package with letters from home, the conference Ensign, 

a missionary book and lots of hot chocolate packets and treats. 

One of his favourite gifts- a shirt with Uncle Si's face

on it with the phrase: Work Hard, Nap Hard Jack! 

Merry Christmas

December 23rd, 2013 

OK I’m not going to write a ton because I have lots of people to write and we will talk on thursday too but I am going to write a little. And we are thinking that around 2 pm in the afternoon (our time) we will try and Skype you guys. I’m not sure exactly how to do it but I wrote down all the information and it should be pretty easy. 

So this week was another pretty long one! I thought it was going to be pretty normal but I guess I was wrong. Everything was going normal until Wednesday night, we had been in Atocha all day and everything was going great. The train was “supposed” to show up at 9:30 pm to go back to Uyuni, so we were waiting in the train station for about half an hour when someone walked in and said it want going to show up until 2:00 am in the morning. They lied and we actually left at about 3:00 am which was awesome. So during that whole time I slept on the cold train station floor waiting for the train to show up. I think that’s what helped me get so sick. So Thursday morning we got home at about 5:00 am in the morning. So far the travelling isn’t my best friend, it’s tough getting used to all of the things we do differently. And the annoying thing is that the buses and trains are not reliable at all and really just leave whenever and wherever they want. But after that I was pretty good for most of the day.  Friday however was a completely different story. I woke up just feeling awful, it was like a mixture of stomach flu and fever and a whole bunch of things that I don’t really want to describe. It was just awful. I was in bed all day Friday and Saturday basically. Then Saturday my companion went out with the branch president to Atocha while I stayed in Uyuni with the other elders to rest a bit more. Then we left last night at 2:00 am in the morning to come to Tupiza for a zone meeting. We arrived at 2:00 pm in the afternoon. The train ride was going good and we were supposed to show up at around 9:00 am this morning but when we were about 20 minutes away on the train we were stopped by people blocking the tracks. There was a huge amount of people blocking the tracks for some reason, I have no idea why they were doing that. We thought they would figure it out pretty quick but they didn’t do anything, so for an hour we waited on the train and did nothing until we decided to go find a car or something to take us the rest of the way. We found a big van and we were waiting with a bunch of other people and they kind of all rushed in and they was no room for us so we waited for a little bit longer and finally a little bus came like 2 hours later so we got in that. Just as we were leaving we heard the train whistle and it left at the same time, now we were stuck in a small bus that was going to take 3 times as long to get to where we needed to go. But we finally arrived and we are alive which is all that counts. Now we pretty much only have time to use the internet then we have to go to the zone meeting. That whole blockade kind of ruined my p day but oh well, the only part about p-day that I really care about is just writing home to you guys.  But here the internet really sucks and I haven’t even gotten in yet so I am writing in Microsoft word, hopefully I will be able to get in before my time gets up so I can send it to you guys. I think its progressing a little, the internet here is even worse than it is in Uyuni. I just miss technology. It’s something that I never really thought about before. Being here really makes me appreciate all the little things we have at home that I took for granted, and just little things like carpet. I’ll be happy to come home and feel carpet again. 

One cool experience from this week, when I was coming to Uyuni an elder that had served here before gave me a reference of a family that he was teaching. But when the holidays ended they went off to school and work and kind of got lost. Well since it’s the holidays again we went to try and find them.  It took about 2 weeks but we were finally able to get a hold of them and we found out that one of their sisters is already a member and the rest of them are really open to the gospel. One guy named Kevin was supposed to get baptized like 3 times but something always came up where he had to go back to school early or something and could never do it and well now is the perfect time. Just that whole experience meeting them and their family really showed me once again how mysterious the Lord works. First be being able to talk to that missionary and at this time of year and just everything. It all worked out perfectly and I’m really noticing how the lord is helping us hasten the work. It’s something awesome. 

Well thats my short letter, I’m going to try and send pictures also, I wont be able to say it before so MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! I cant wait to talk to you guys. I’m so excited I can’t hardly wait. 

Love you lots and I will talk to you soon!!!!

Elder Grigor

Our Apartment

We have to hang our clothes up in our room to dry

The street gets filled with water when

 it rains because there is no drainage