Elder Andy Glanzer

Hola,

My first of being Senior Comp, and I got to tell you it was amazing. I know I still have a ton more to learn to be more effective in my planning and teaching, but I’m making leaps and bounds. As a senior comp I have to plan out the days, call the people (well, we take turns because you know me, I hate talking on the phone), call the DL to tell him my numbers and how my day went, pay for all the travel, and just fun things like that. Yes, I take into account what my comp thinks also. But I’m still Senior Comp. 

I was helping my comp this week with English and realized something very funny. Remember how Isaac Glanzer talks when he does the Down Syndrome impression, well that was my comp sounds like, needless to say we study English everyday! It’s not bad to do right? I may be laughing but I’m helping him learn. It’s just too funny to pass up a situation like this. Like if I have a not so good day or he makes me mad, I’ll say, “Hey lets go study English.”

My day of birth was great. I went to a member’s house and we made Empanadas and drank coke and played Futbol. Everywhere I went somehow everyone knew it was my B-day. In my contacts I would tell peeps that is was my B-day and I wanted to give THEM a gift. The Bishop also invited me over and we ate and he made a desert also. Things like that really make you feel loved even when your a million miles from home. Also, when I got my hair cut, just a simple thing like that, all the members were like “Oh you got your hair cut!”

Clydio Monje, the dad of the Fam we baptized, this Sunday got the Priesthood! To see him take that next step was amazing. That fam now has the Priesthood now, what a blessing! As I laid my hands on his head, being a part of the blessing was probably one of the grandest experiences of my life thus far. Through my efforts as a missionary, I was able to see this man receive the authority and power to act to the name of God.

On Saturday, we were walking to a member’s house to have a lesson with them and some dudes we are teaching. I was bringing my American Football along to teach the little boy how to play. When we got them everyone wanted to play, so we did. After playing out in a field, we sat down and taught a lesson to 5 kids. It was a way different experience, but very effective. Just throwing the old pigskin around on the Gridiron, then teaching about Jesus after. Classic. I’m pretty Jesus did stuff like that.

I have a miracle you tell you about, ready? There was this fam that I always saw in the Area Book, we always put them on the list to pass by them. But it never happened. I always heard their name in the Ward Counsel in my first transfer in this area, but never found them. About 2 months ago I started to pray to know what people are waiting for me, and this family, Fam Videla, always came to my mind. It took me a long time to even find the house.

When we got there, there was no one. Then 2 days later we were walking to the apartment and I was super hungry. But I got that impression to pass by them really quick. Na, I’m hungry…wrong. I had a little battle in my mind but came to the conclusion that I’ll always follow a prompting just like the Prophet Thomas Monson. And I did. We knocked and they were there. We got a return appointment for the next day.

We started to get to know them and listen to them tell us about their lives. The dad, mom, and 2 kids, Lucas and Carolina. It’s was way fun to talk to them, so fun and amazing…and they are married!  :-)  A mish who had found them was called E’ Montieer. He was the trainer of my trainer E’ Smith. That makes him my Grandpa. He found them on the 26th of June of 2009 and I found them again on the 26th of June 2010. Exactly one year!

This fam is ready, I guess they just had to wait for me to come along. This week I’m going to put a Fecha (date) with them to be baptized. They rank up there with the Fam Monje…close. It was quite a miracle for me because I had been praying for them for 2 months. The lesson we taught was way good also, I haven’t been overcome with the Spirit and with tears for a long time. After we left 2 hrs later, I couldn’t even fall asleep. I just laid there thinking about them and how I’m going to help them. I truly have an amazing love for them. These are the moments in which time is judged.

This is my life thus far and it is changing everyday.

Still haven’t got the package yet from you. 

I love you more than you love me.

E’ Glanzer

Chao

Hola,

It was quite an eventful week in my life, with a few changes. We had the Baptism of Isabelle Serrano on Saturday. I realize how irreverent people are at Baptisms. And Dana would agree. They’re always coming in and out of the room, talking to others, and always late. One thing Argentina sucks at is reverence. The whole service was good, but I will be changing a few things to make the Spirit even stronger…I’ll start with locking the door.

The following day on Sunday we had the confirmation of Liliana and Isabelle. After the confirmation of Isabelle she start to cry and she just looked so happy! She is going to start the path and be the example for the rest of her fam.

Okay, so Liliana was part of a less active fam that we reactivated. We taught her and got her ready for baptism. But the funny part was when she had her interview to be baptized we found out something. The whole time teaching her we thought she was 9 yrs old. When kids are over 9 yrs. it counts as a convert baptism. Lo and behold Elder Smith asked how many years she has, she told him 8. He asked her again, 8. Dang, the whole time teaching her we thought she was 9. So it was a Ward baptism. It’s all good because we did our job, and its not all about the numbers, it’s about the people.

We got our transfer calls and I’m staying in Jose Ignacio Diaz with E’ Costañeira. He’s from Buenos Aires. I’m not going to judge him just yet, but the first impressions aren’t too good. Hopefully he works well, but he’s a little weird and talks with a puberty voice. At least I can do things my way now, I’m Senior Companion and have a few things to be changing. And E’ Silas is still here also! We’re going to be doing something for our B-days, his is the 23rd and mine the 24th. We’re pretty much brothers.

I’m excited to see what this new transfer has in store, the people I’ll be finding and the things I’ll be learning.

Oh ya, is was my day of birth, thanks for all the happy birthday wishes. Hope mom, G-mama, and Lynnie-Pinnie are having fun on their little trip. And Dad as he slaves away at school. And Allison — do your exercises!!! You don’t have to have knees like dad or me. You don’t have a choice, DO IT! No sea vaga.

Chao

Elder Glanzer

Hola

This is the last week of the transfer, week 6. That means either I’m leaving the area or Elder Antunez is. Either way, I’ll be happy, I love this area, but I would like to know more places.

This week we had a fun little event and became part of a Club in the Argentina Cordoba Mission — and what little activity were we a part of you might be asking? The Club of Mishes that have been robbed.

I’ll set the stage. If you have been reading my letters you will know that this is one of the dangerous areas in the mish, pretty much everything is red zone. Around 8:30 pm on a cold Thursday night, we were leaving the house of the Fam Monje. The church is about 2 blocks away, so we were in path.

I was starting to cut through the plaza and Elder Antunez was taking the street. I was cruising along till I heard a rustle of noise behind of me. I turned to look around and found my companion with a knife to his throat by two 16 yr. old dudes. What could I do?…nothing. I just stood there ready to crush some faces if they came to me. As the one was taking Elder Antunez’s junk, he was looking through the bag and said “What is this the bible?” Yes, and the Book of Mormon. The one said to me, “Hey, you got a cell?” I replied, “Ven por aca y sacalo” (Yes, but you have to come over here to take it). He didn’t do anything.

They started to run and the other jumped on the handlebars of the bike and they squeaked away. Turns out they didn’t have a knife — losers. They took Elder Antunez’s cell phone, wallet with his I.D. and credit card. It’s like his passport, so we have to go to the Chilean Embassy on Wednesday. We called the office and they canceled the phone and card. Without a phone it’s like being cut off from the world, I like it.

Look and it this way, we fulfilled our Missionary Purpose, “Talk to everyone”.  They came to know the Book of Mormon.

I had an intercambio or exchange with Elder Massey, from North Dakota. He’s just like the people from Tonasket, hick town USA. Maybe that’s why I get along with him so well. I’m impressed by my knowledge of trucks, guns, and things only small town peeps would know.

My day of birth is in 10 days. There’s a fam here and one of the daughters has the day B-day as me, so were going to have an Asado. I’m about to complete 20 years!

We have the Baptism of Isabelle Serrano and one of her sons on Saturday. We finally found her doubt and she is so ready. She’s taken a lot of my strength to figure out and how to get her where she’s at.

Along with those two, there is Liliana, she’s part of a less active fam that we reactivated. We tried to get her dad to baptize her, we worked with him and everything. In the end he just has no desire to do it. But the rest of the fam is golden.

I was doing my studies, just like I’m supposed to, and came across a concept. The inner-man is very vulnerable, if he can be reached. If we build out testimonies, our abilities, our strengths, then that vulnerable man cannot be touched. If we live the gospel and not just say we do, we have the strength of the Lord. We need to be doers not just knowers. I’ve seen and taught many less active peeps, ex-mishes, and peeps of that sort. They are simply not doers, which in turn makes them lazy. Christ told us not to be offended in Him.

I hope you can feel the love I have for you all, for I can feel yours.

Love

Elder Glanzer

Chao

Hola,

We had another grand, hard, draining, spiritual, fast week. We also had our 5th baptism this past week. Yes, this ward is growing like crazy, and the amazing part is, we have another two this Saturday and maybe another baptism the week following. In less than 3 months, we’ve baptized 5 people, with more on the way. This is a huge blessing for me, to be a part of these moments.

Dario Flores is part of a less activo family that we reactivated and have been working with. Dario is 10 and the missionaries have been working with him for the past 2 years. I think the thing that closed the deal…aside from us teaching…was that we prepared his older brother to receive the Priesthood and so he could baptize him.

We finally taught the complete familia of Serrano. We’ve been teaching Isabelle for the past 5 weeks and finally met her husband. He works all day, everyday so he’s a little hard to find. We would like to baptize them as a familia but we’re not sure about him. We’re going over there tonight to teach again and put a date with the dad, that’s the best way to see what the doubts of the persons are. The mom and one of her sons are ready but I guess we’ll see tonight. We teach them past 9:30 pm…don’t worry, we have permission. So when we leave its like 10:00 pm-ish, and this area is not the funnest at night. In fact someone was knifed two weeks ago. Ha so fun it is! I love to see those friendly guys chilling on the corner, ready to mess with the “pastors” — dude we’re not pastors, we’re missionaries. At least my racing heartbeat warms me up from the cold. 

We had our last Zone Conference with the President this past week. He gave us some good counsel that he gives to all the mishes going home about life and this and that type stuff. In our interview he gave me a blessing; I could feel his love and strength. It was actually a pretty “dec” (for KT) conference. And as we were leaving, the Hermana opened her arms to give me a hug and I went in for it…. wait! It was some kind of trap! I’m not allowed to hug females. So I recoiled. Then she said it was fine. Still I wasn’t convinced, so I looked to the President and asked if it was OK, of course I needed his go-ahead. He said yep. I hugged the Hermana and it was like a hug from a mom…close but not quite as good as my moms hugs.  :-)  She then told me that I can’t hug another lady — we laughed. Then I told her that I kiss girls just about everyday… because that’s the culture here, it’s like the handshake. We then proceeded to laugh again.

Our church starts at 9:30 am and the first class is priesthood, then after that we teach the Gospel Principles class. On Sunday we had so many peeps in the class we could barely fit — such a good Sunday. We had 12 in church! After that class we go to Sacrament meeting. Everything ends around 12:30 pm and that is when we bring our investies around and have them meet everyone. There are 5 young men who do the Sacrament, which is a first for this ward.  For the past 5 years, it’s been old men doing it. So the YM do everything now. There are usually about 80 peeps every Sunday, not to shabby. But this ward has been growing like craziness.

Now I’m ready to have another amazing week to keep building myself and making better. We must never stop and never regress, we can never do that in our life or we lose and Satan wins. I was reading something interesting in the four gospels in the New Testament, how the demons Jesus cast out, called Him by name saying that they knew who He was. He then told them to shut up and then He cast them out. He didn’t want people hearing the testimonies of demons who knew Him. He wanted peeps to gain their own testimonies.

Les amo

Elder Glanzer

Chao

Hola,

Is it starting to warm up in the Northlands? Last night the power got cut so our heater died. It was so cold I was shivering in my bed, horrible it was.

Right now we’re in this town called Altagracia, it’s in the Mountains. We’re going to head up to a lake and have an asado and play some sports. Its way nice up here and very touristic. Its kind of a Zone event but about half the Zone is here. The others are lazy. But it’s way fun to get out of your area and know other places. I’m mean, come on, we’re in Argentina.

This week we have another baptism, he’s a part of a less active family that we reactivated, the Familia Flores, they are called. We have been working with his brother to get him ready to baptize his little brother. How sweet! The brother just received the Priesthood. we’ve helped this family a lot, and can see the blessings of our work and their diligence. We also have another baptism the next Saturday, Isabelle Serrano, this week we are going to talk to her husband and familia all together because we have never done that before. And we would like to baptize them as a family in the same time. This week we’ll see what goes down.

Those plaques are looking good, with the scripture and such. A good addition to the Ward. You guys are really making strides over there. And magnifying your callings — because that’s what we do, we don’t slack in our duty to God.

How are KT and Camille doing?

I’ve been reading Dana’s letters and she’s doing way good. She is really out there being a Misionera, even though she cant baptize, she can feel that love and power that comes from seeing a person that she found, taught, helped, be baptized. Oh how great her joy!

I got a letter from Isaac Iverson today. He’s doing excellent, but having some troubles with that strange lango. Oh I remember those days, and oh how I don’t want to go back.  :-)  I’ll be writing him some letter action to tell him it does get BETTER, yes, it does.

I got a letter from dad today with a way good article in it. I got to say that I have the gift of interpretations of tongues, because I could read his letter.    I love getting letters, it’s like Christmas…or maybe a little better.

Thanks for everything and the prayers that you offer for me. I love you all to the dust.

Chao

Elder Glanzer

Hola Fam,

Where do I even start? Possibly with the baptism of the Familia Monje. Yes, that should be good. We had scheduled the Baptism for 7:30 pm on Friday. We got there around 5:30 pm to prep the font and clean it up a bit. Also to set up the room, the chairs and such. In the church there is a heater that you have to start to heat the water.  Well, the battery inside died so we couldn’t start the flame. The Bishop sent us out to find a new one. On our quest, we passed for a few peeps to invited them to the baptism.

Now it was about 6:45-ish and we headed back without a new battery, but the Bishop got it to work so we could have hot…or rather, warmer water. People started to show up around 7:45 ish and still no Familia Monje. Later, arrived the mother with Candela, the daughter. She talked to us and told us that the dad, Claudio, last night didn’t want to do it. He was having a bunch of things go wrong, but she dropped cane on him and asked what any of those things had to do with the baptism. She talked to him and got him feeling good. That’s the importance of families, to support each other in our times of need, for they are plentiful.

We were still waiting for him to get home from work. 8 pm rolled by, 9 pm rolled by. People were complaining. I wanted to tell them to shut up or leave, the baptism will happen whether they are here or not. Complaining isn’t going to help. Finally we walked to the house of the familia with the mom and we waited there. Claudio finally got home and had broken a part on his scooter on his way home, so he had to drive super slow. Satan can try! He was so embarrassed but he had no reason to be, so he showered and we bounced to the church.

We started the service around 10 pm, just a tad late, but I would have waited all night. Elder Antunez and I sang a little musical number for the folk to carry the Spirit into the room. Then we departed with the familia to the baptismal font, and snapped a picture right before. First into the font, was the Bishop with Claudio, the dad.

As they entered the water, the Spirit just permeated the room. We were standing on the side of the font and watched as he was brought up out of the water so pure and clean. He was a little confused when he came up and the Bishop had to grab him, then they hugged. He was beaming so huge and was just glowing.

Next, I stepped into the water, it was a little cold but fine. I grabbed Candela’s little hand and helped her into the water. I told her what to do and gave her a wink. I said the prayer and lowered her into the water. As she emerged, she did so with elegance and wonder. So light in my arms, she was. Her face was full of childish joy and peace. I have never felt such a power in my life. I can’t write exactly what I felt; little did I know the feelings that were to come.

Elder Antunez then brought Adela, the mom, down and lowered and raised her. The entire famiia, well those eligible, were baptized.

We then changed and went into the other room, the whole time my mind and body were on another level. Nothing could break my peace. As I sat in the room listening to the welcomes by the members, all I could do was watch my familia with an amazement that consumed me. I felt a burning inside my chest and my soul was full of gratitude for the opportunity I had just been apart of.

What I felt was as strong heat and then I felt my cheek, they were toasty. Why the heck am I so hot…is it the Spirit. I then looked to my left and saw that I was sitting next the heater.    but seriously, quite unique was the experience.

On Sunday, we confirmed the familia as members. I told the bishop that I couldn’t do the confirmation for Candela. So, sitting in Sacrament meeting, we got up to help with the giving of the Holy Ghost. First the Bishop did Claudio and Elder Antunez did Adela.

When Candela took the seat, she looked up at Elder Antunez, then at me. She asked in all innocence “Why is he going to do it? I don’t want him, I want you,” speaking to me and looking into my eye. It was at that moment that I felt her plea and in my mind — I had fear. Why should I fear? Why should deny her of her wish? She was so simple and I took my place behind her and laid my hands on her little head. They began to shake; I had never done this before, let alone in Spanish. Why should I hide the Priesthood I have been given?  The Bishop whispered to me, “Calmly, with ease.” I needed help. I dropped everything and decided to rely on my Lord.

I began and confirmed her and passed the Holy Ghost to her. I could feel the Priesthood flowing from me and everything froze. In that moment, I felt God’s love for his daughter. I don’t even remember what was said after that. My mouth opened and the words came.

As I took my seat, I bowed my head and with tear-filled eyes thanked the Lord in gratitude and praise for the privilege I had just had. In this moment, the love I felt for this familia surpassed anything else I have ever felt on my mission. Then started the Sacrament song, and that never helps tears.  :-)  During the sacrament, I tearfully praised my Lord and my God.

These are the moments that make life. These moments are what count. The experiences I have and will continue to have I will never forget. To make sure, I keep a good journal.  :-)  Life is out there, experience it.

Familia Monje are now members of the Church of Jesus Christ.

Les Amo,

Elder Glanzer

Chao

Hola,

What a grand week in my life, full of new people, spiritually charged conversations, baptismal challenges accepted, and coldness (lack of a heater).

I do have some grand news for your ears to hear, remember the Family Monje, yes, well this amazing, impeccable, and ready family is going to be baptized this Friday! I’m not even worried about the interview because they’re just legit like that and will blow some peeps away with their testimonies. Also we will be baptizing the daughter whose 9 yr old. The dad really wants to baptize his son who is 7, when he turns 8.

Check this, we were teaching them and we asked them the Baptismal interview questions and the dad aced everything, he believes in everything, he has faith in Christ to help him better himself and his family. The wife was still a little hesitant to accept this as the True and Only Church of Christ. So right in the moment we popped in the Restoration DVD and showed the First Vision part. After we bore some of the strongest, simplest testimony I have ever been a part of, powerful it was. Then there was a little silence…then she said that this is true and she said literally 5 minutes ago she was just doing it to help her husband, but she thought this church was just a good place. But in this moment everything changed for her, she knew, she believed.

I have seen the Spirit work, but not that fast! Literally in 5 minutes, I tell you that the things and changes I see in people are changing me, helping me grow. Things that I can only experience at this point in my life, in this area, and with the people I’m to find, teach, and change. “I’m doing a great work and can not come down.”

My comp and I did the District meeting today, and we are all gringos but E’ Antunez, my companion. Our Zone (Sur) is the model for the rest of the mission, we are crushing it! Also, the ZLs told us — my companion and I today, that we are the models for the Zone. So we must be doing something right. We have to work harder though, we can always improve, and I have a lot to improve on. I’m very grateful that the Lord is blessing me for being obedient.

We still don’t have a heater yet, so that makes the mornings a little harder when the alarm clocks (ya there’s like 5) go off. When you can see your breath and your blankies are so warm. We put the goal to get up at 6:30 am and do some workout action. Today was the first day and went pretty good, we’ll see what tomorrow morning will be like.

That pretty much what I’m doing out here in Jose Ignacio Diaz, just chilling and working.

I love each and everyone of you…unless your not going to Church…ha just joking but seriously.

Les amo

Elder Glanzer

Chao

Hola,

I don’t have much to say really, because we just chatted on the phone.   :-)  We played some b-ball and futbol with some other elders today and it was fun to get out and run around. I’m pretty tired and I really want to sleep, at least we’re going to go and eat some tacos tonight, legit!

Elder Glanzer

Hola todos,

Another amazing week in Jose Ignacio Diaz, the work is good, the food is good, and the weather also. I’ve been working my buns off and its been paying off. We use this new technique to approach people. I was thinking, why don’t we just jump to the meaning of why we are here? So in our contacts and when we talk to people, we read Alma 7:14 and tell them to repent and be baptized. You may think its a little straightforward, but if we’re not are we ashamed of the Gospel? Why are we not straightforward? And it works; we have found the peeps who are waiting for us.

One of these familias de oro (gold) is the Family Monje. We taught them and they took everything and we had all the answers that they are looking for. They are ready to accept the Gospel and live it. Now I have a little story for you about them.

We told them we were going to come by in the morning to look for them and walk with them to church, but they told us to come at 9 am to eat breakfast with them. We got there and knocked…nothing, dead silence. We knocked for 20 minutes, and this family who was going to be baptized was not even answering the door. My little heart broke, I wanted to cry. We left to go look for another family but they weren’t there either. So I told my companion we should go back and try again. We bounced and knocked the door, and to my surprise…nothing.

We headed on our way and right at the gate, the most beautiful sight I have seen rode up on a moto. The two were all dressed up in Church clothes and their faces were beaming, a shock of joy went through my entire body. Pure Love. They told us sorry, but they needed to buy food for breakfast. We ate with them then went to Church. At the end they told us all other Churches feel uncomfortable to them and the people are always talking about things no one understands. But they knew that this was their home. After that we showed them the Baptismal Font, to take away the mystery of it and then we dropped the fecha to be baptized on the 23rd of May. Needless to say, they eagerly accepted. They win. 

I had an intercambio with Elder Nitta, my brother, is his area. We had an excellent day. I showed him what I’ve been doing in my area, being straightforward and he loved it. We crushed the area and found some new people. He told me he learned from me and will start applying it. I’m glad I’m able to help, because along my way I’ve had tons of help. He told me I’m going to train…hold on, not quite yet little fella.

There’s this holiday here called the Day of the Worker. And here, everyone makes this food called “locro”. It’s pretty much a stew. The church did an activity and we helped. We went to the Church at 7 am to start to prepare for it. Then the entire ward showed up. That’s what I like about Church activities where there’s food, because members you’ve never seen before show up to eat, even though you’ve never seen them in the Church. 

I’m pretty excited to talk on Sunday to you guys. I made some videos but the computers here suck and I can’t send any of them. Sorry, I’ll be making a CD and they’ll be on there.

Les amo

Elder Glanzer

Chao

Hola Familia,

So it’s been pretty chilly here and I love every moment of it. I even used my heavy coat one day; this weather reminds me of the fridged cold of Washington, my homeland. Other than this amazing weather we are having, this week was very productive and hard.

Check this, we were eating at a member’s house and just sitting chatting with the Dad as he cooked. I detected some movement, using my peripheral vision, off at the end of the table as our conversation continued. Then I noticed it was the Grandma all hunched over napping. I went on with my business. After about 20 minutes I decided to look at the old lady once, nothing, she was still napping. I started to feel like someone was watching me, but suppressed the feeling. Then I noticed a change in the corner of my peripheral vision. So I slowly turned my head and the old lady was staring right at me! I nearly ______ my pants! Then she just turned her head and looked down. Just a little sketchy.

On the most holy day of the week, called P-day, we have our District meeting. After this we head over to do some emailing action. After this we are hungry so we go over the apartment of Elder Silas and Elder Smith to make some goodies. Today we are going to make some Sloppy Josephs. We depart there around 5 pm or so to go shop and clean a bit. And yes I’m still washing my clothes in the kitchen sink and drying them in the oven…well my socks anyway. So that always takes a chunk of time to complete. I love how safe I feel in my apartmento. You want to know why? Who else has a wall 9 ft. high, with barbed wire and broken glass bottle surrounding their house?

Spanish, yes Spanish. I’m pretty comfortable in that whole area, but I still lack a lot. I continue to learn everyday and every moment how to say a phrase different, conjugate a word different, a new translation, new word, or how to pronounce a word better. Most of the time the words just come, but there are still a bunch of time when I struggle and in the end I work around what I wan to say in a different way. It’s actually pretty dang fun, when you can get it right. Also, when I can stand up in a meeting and speak about my investies and such without planning what I’m going to say before. I also write in Spanish to build those skills, because I see the words I’m using.

Our Church is a normal ward. The building is in the middle of a Villa but its all good. The windows are all plastic anyways.  :-)  The members are ready to help us. We always have 9 or 10 lessons with members every week. They love seeing growth in the Ward, because no one has been baptized in 2 years…until we got there, so they’re ready and willing.

I love you all.

Elder Glanzer

Chao