19 December 2011

Had a sweet week and still loving the mission more than anyone!!!! So me and my comp. with our 3 money investigators thought we were done because we didn't find anyone after knocking at least a hundred doors but guess what? We walk into a home of a family we love and they asked us about friends, "if they aren't baptized where do they go?"  So the 7 year old, angel Antonela, brings out 26 names addresses and everything and says"I know you 2 are the ones to teach these friends, I want to enjoy all my friends in the spiritual paradise!!!" I honestly started crying because she is SOOO CUTEE!!!! 

So we received these references Saturday.  When Sunday came we'd contacted 18 of them and found 16 new investigators to teach!!!!! All it took was a cute little 7 year old girl and the spirit!!! 

So sure our work is back online. The other highlight of the week was Sunday because now I am in a real ward and they had the primary program. I was crying like a little baby because of how excited I truly was to see these amazing little kids sing and just be so happy while singing and talking in spanish!!! 

I love it here, sure the country has problems like crazy but the work of the Lord never does!!!! I now know with all my heart that there is nothing that was more truthful than that first vision that Joseph Smith had. 

Love you all Elder Darby

12 December 2011

Thank you mom for the money I am seriously so grateful for the help that you have provided me with. I want to come home and go kayaking or something crazy like RIVER RAFTING!!!! I was known as your son that would enter the coldest water for the longest time right? And now 2 years without water!!!! This is why I keep baptizing so I can swim down to lift the drain up and dunk my whole body underwater!!!! Honestly it feels good to do that especially when the water is cold!!! Or hot!!!! So everything is perfect because we BAPTIZED AGAIN!!!!!!!!

I realize that I say this just about every week now because we are baptizing every week me and my gringo comp. from Utah!!!!

We are just having so much fun and had the best one year celebration (I will share it after the mission!!) I love it here but we fasted yesterday because we are baptizing faster than we are finding. I mean not a single person in the street walks by us without knowing us because we are doing what the prophet said "open your mouth" so we are talking every opportunity.  We have 2 more people to baptize this month and after that we don't really have anyone haha. But never loose the faith.  

SO EVERYTHING IS GREAT, 2 baptisms so far this month and we are in the second week.  Yesterday I gave 2 confirmations, I was crying and shaking so bad after because you can seriously feel the power of the spirit working through you. I just love the spirit and the joy we have right now. 

There is only one thing that I am bummed about this christmas...I WILL BE USING SKYPE BUT WITHOUT THE CAMERA!!!! The president said we can chat and talk but we aren't allowed to see your faces.  so yes, we will use skype but you need to shut off the camera. I honestly am a little bummed but i realize it is probably a test to see who will be disobedient and who will be obedient. This is the rumor but this tuesday, we have a zone conference and a leadership meeting with the pres. He will tell us all the rules for christmas so i will inform you all next Monday like what time and all of that. 

Well I've completed one year and I have more than a year YYYEEEEAAAAHHH!

More time to baptize and bring these amazing people unto REPENTANCE!!!! 

The best thing that happened this week was thursday in the church we started the lesson with Gustavo (who got baptized) he said he wanted to wait a year for his baptism. I looked at Yates and we both laughed.  We started with a prayer, watched the testimony from Richard G. Scott about baptism and read 2 nephi 14:10-11 it says "follow me my beloved children and be baptized and whosoever is baptized in my name will I give my holy spirit". We read it and he apparently had a huge doubt that he didn't think he was gonna recieve the holy ghost because he didn't think God loved him.  He said "wow so every child who is baptized in his name will be given the holy ghost?" I said "yes and hermano now you know this is not our invitation but God's so hermano will you be baptized this saturday (in 2 days)" he said YESSSSSSS!!!!!! We were so pumped because I remember the first lesson with him.  He was rude but we got him to take the cross off his neck and 3 weeks later after 4 times in church he was baptized and now will be entering into the celestial kingdom with us!!!!! His wife is a member and now they will be going to a temple in a year.  That makes 2 temple marriages for me in one year one from my first area and them.  Wow.  

I love my mission and know that this is so not our skill or talent but that we are just his servants and we are able to testify and truly bear witness of the power of the Book of Mormon. The work is perfect but sadly his servants aren't and this is why I am so motivated to be perfect, just like him, to be able to come home and be at rest knowing I did my best.  I will be able to see my converts after this life and know they are there because we worked hard. Me and my comp. are one in every lesson and truly every person we have found and has listened has been baptized or will be baptized!!

There are a few houses here with christmas lights but nothing like the states. We have a great apartment, third story with a huge tile roof so we will be seeing about 600 firework shows christmas night. They are just crazy with fireworks here because there are no laws or speed limits or DOG POLICE!!! 

We have a lot of families who want to celelbrate with us but we aren't sure what we are gonna do. Although we are close to christmas it doesn't seem like it but we got a little tree from a family for free so at least we have a tree.  Our christmas dinner I have a feeling it will be coca-cola and empanadas!!!!! 

Love you all, your names are always in my prayers, live hard but keep a strong foundation in the gospel because there is nothing more helpful or true on the earth. Just look how many people are changing to get baptized!!!! I don't have a single doubt about the church.  THIS IS THE ONLY TRUE CHURCH AND YES WE DO HAVE THE HOLY GHOST AND A PROMISE THAT ALL WE NEED TO DO IS BE OBEDIENT AND WE WILL ENTER INTO THE BEST PLACE IN HEAVEN!!!!! See you there love Elder Darby

12 December 2011

5 December 2011

Things are just perfect because i am glad to say YES BAPTIZED AGAIN JUST YESTERDAY!!!!! EVERY WEEK!!!! I just love it here and it is funny because just yesterday we got online to show a family lds.org and saw the video about Argentina and there I was....HOW AWESOME ME AND MY COMP.!!!!!!! It brought me so much happiness and I bet it brought all of you even more.  I use to sleep during all those conferences but when Apostle Christopherson spoke, a real living Apostle and special witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, I was more focused than I have ever been in my life!!!! He was incredible and even better, I understood his spanish perfectly. 

I can say to you all, I am studying deep doctrine and many scriptures but whenever I doubt, I pray and it is always answered ALWAYS!!! The Lord has us all in his arms and he places certain things in our lives and the only thing we have to do is look towards him and we will be blessed. I love the scripture in 3rd Nefi (in english its nephy right?) my english is so terrible I don't remember any names of artists or movies and when I do, I immediately translate them into spanish. But anyway, 3rd Nephy says  "be of good cheer for we are free to choose the eternal never ending  joy from the never ending death'. I think it is this in english but I love it because we need to get excited because there is not a single obstacle in our way that we can't pass and you know why? Because we are sons and daughters of GOD!!! Meaning we have his traits, we have the priveleges and if we believe everything God can do-we can do also. Like 3d Nephy again "if you ask with faith and it is just let thee recieve". 

I am so excited to be here in Argentina now seeing the fake christmas trees and singing christmas hyms in sacrament, yet I feel loved.  If any one of you is having a tough time or has a doubt, let me know because I know I am now so in tune with the spirit that I believe every single question or doubt can be resolved!!! Things are perfect here, I am always happy and it isn't hot, thank goodness. I swear Jujuy central is like the northern california coast never hot and if it is, it becomes over cast and rains. I love it here and know the Lord trusts me to be his servant. 

Know that I love you all and can't wait to talk this christmas and chat and tell you the most amazing miracles of all time. I want you all to remember that when you think that wickedness is better than obedience, think of this question...

Who would you rather make smile GOD  or the devil? Which one will give you more in the end? I thought of these yesterday as I was reading and I want you all to know how much I ove you and there is no better place to be than either on a mission or with family. 

Elder Darby is Famous

Watch the Video below of Elder Christofferson speaking to the saints in Argentina. Pay special attention at 1:37... !

http://lds.org/media-library/video/prophets-and-apostles-speak-today?lang=eng

November 28, 2011

Mother I am also online right now!!  My clothing is great, shoes are not even scratched-they are bulletproof. No transfers, I didn't lose my companion so on Christmas we can talk to each others family. He is a gringo from Utah, Elder Yates, and you have been talking to his mom! 

The craziest change was I am still district leader but they changed the district area and now I have 7 missionaries to teach not just 4.  The president said to me that "I am the baptizer" and he switched the district because he wants me to help the other Elders what it is that I know. !!!!! How exciting, right? I mean me? Goodness, the Lord is just blessing me and my comp. and now we are gonna be together for Christmas-we are so excited!!! He is awesome and we are just like best friends, unified and doing amazing in the lessons that we teach. 

Mom, I love you so much and everything is great still in Jujuy San Salvador.

I have skype all ready with a camera plus 3 other houses in case one doesn't work so skype is guaranteed and yes I would love Danielle to be there because I want to show you how well I can bare my testimony. I don't want a sad call or to cry and say how much I miss you but a fun call to laugh and joke around a lot. Dont worry about packages you can send a few small ones but money would be better because customs charges me!!!!  I am working hard and the Lord is happy with me and has blessed me with spanish and with his spirit. 

November 21, 2011

Things are looking great the transfers are almost over and that means I could be released as district leader (I doubt it but you never know). I am more worried about my companion leaving me and that will be a sad moment because we are just working so well together and working hard at that. I love Elder Yates, he is such a beast but the best part is the friendship we have and the spirit we carry with us. We baptize because people feel the spirit with us and feel comfortable and there is not a better thing to hear than a person when they say "I want to be baptized".  

That leads me to my next bit of information and yes it is another baptism that we had this last Saturday!!!! It was just awesome!!! It was tough because this boy is 11 and has one amazing testimony but his dad was a rough guy. We found out he loved old computer games and stuff so I chatted with him about his games and after a few lessons and fun chats he finally gave in.  Marco (the boy we baptized) came into the room and gave the most amazing testimony and his dad said, "he is ready-when is the baptism?" this was Wednesday and we said, "Saturday!!" The dad was excited then Saturday morning he called me and said, "I think my son needs another week to prepare" but the spirit filled me with an anxious feeling to open my mouth and I said to him "Brother, you could suspend another week and have his baptism next Saturday but he is ready and there is really no point to wait any longer because not only is he waiting but so is his Father in Heaven". Man it felt good to know that we are not the ones convincing these people, we are just small instruments that the Lord uses to bring forth his spirit to those who are ready. I know that there is not a more important work than the work I am doing! Sure I do feel far from my familiy and can't really relate to any of your stories or experiences but I can tell you I am filled with a more satisfying joy that can't be found anywhere else. 

I remember this last Saturday I watched as this amazing young boy entered the water, his testimony and the desire to be baptized. It was an amazing experience to baptized an angel and be able to watch as he looked up to me as a good person. I don't care if you are the coolest person and have the greatest party stories or whatever because none of that matters to the Lord. Although it might feel good to feel better than others we need to realize we are actually less if we think we are more. The humble people in the world are the ones who the Lord wants to call his children because they are the ones who set the example and are truly real representatives of our Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST!!! I love you all. 

14 November 2011

Hello everyone!!!! Man what a week that was one of the most amazing experinces in my entire life!!! This last Saturday all the missionaries in the Salta Argentina mission went to Salta to have a special conference and ELDER D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON spoke!!!!! He was incredible, a true servant of the Lord, we all got to meet him and shake his hand!!!! It was the most spiritual feeling, to look in his eyes and be proud of who I am and what I am doing as he said, "it is an honor to meet you Elder Darby". I had the biggest smile ever and started crying when I sat down because I truly felt humbled to shake the hand of one of his servants. There are only 14 apostoles in the world. This saturday was special but even better is that he came to my ward here in my area to talk to all the stake. We had all our investigators there to see this amazing apostle and our recent converts that were under 18 years old shook the hand of the apostle and they loved it. Perico is also in our stake, the first where I served, so besides the members of Perico I saw several I've converted. One convert spotted me and gave me the biggest hug and said "without you I wouldn't have found the true happiness in my life" you could only imagine me just crying and smiling, being able to talk perfect spanish with him, it was so great. He gave me a tie that is clearly present in the pic I sent. He now has a wife and wants to go to the temple when he completes a year so you could only imagine how happy that made me. Man I love this work and love having the most amazing experinces especially seeing the entire mission and how many knew who I was or have heard of me. It is incredible how you may feel solo but so many people are watching and relying on you. I feel so loved by my Heavenly Father and the fact i can feel his love and his spirit in every lesson to be able to touch our investigators and for being 20 yrs. old feeling such power and authority. I mean just yesterday I had the privlidge to see an inactive family show up to church after 20 years of being inactive and they all said "are you happy now Elder Darby?" I said "yes I am extremely happy but you know who is even happier? Your Father in Heaven!!!" I love the power and the spirit to make such bold and powerful statements because I know I would never be able to think of stuff like that without the spirit. I love my mission and am here working extrememly hard and it is paying off with such success!!! I love you all and to let you know I love my new area, the members, the people we find and the rainy weather is honestly the best combination ever!!!! Christmas is coming up and although the devil convinced the world that it is a time to buy things of the world, I hope you realize it is a time to remember the greatest sacrifice that was for every single one of us. I hope you all have humbled yourselves in front of God because although we think we are so profound in this world and don't rely that much on God. He has all the power in the world and he doesn't need us but surely we need him. I can testify the second coming is close, there is much rejection in the world so don't be left behind. My comp. said he doesnt want any missing chairs in his family and I say I dont want a single missing chair out of you and me and everyone I know!!!!" Stay strong, pray hard and dont worry if you fall because when you do, look up and grab hold of that helping hand of Christ that is always there to lift us back up to carry us and care for us. You may live in this world but don't EVER be of this filthy world of materials and money. We are members of the true church and in these last days, our purpose is to PREPARE!!! I love you all and I hope this makes you think because there will be a lot more when I come home. haha Love your son Elder Darby

7 November 2011

HALLOWEEN EN ARGENTINA MEANS ALCOHOL AND PARTIES!!!!!!! Although a missionary sent me a fake heart wrapped in a meat package so that got me excited as my comp. woke up the next day, opened the fridge and yelled WHAT THE HECK IS THIS DARBYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man we are having so much fun together and I don't mean fun like visiting places or going to Dave and Busters but fun as in leaving the apartment and coming back just exhausted. But it is paying off with this last saturday we witnessed a true miracle.
We have an investigator that is 45 and when my comp. first met her like 2 months ago she was smoking 40 cigarettes a day!!! When I came, we got her to only smoke 2 so one day we passed by and I asked "how many cigarettes today?" She said NONE!!! So what did we do? I grabbed her cigarette pack and we each took one out of the pack and we destroyed them into an ash tray. It was so fun and she was never happier. After, I said here are the Doctrine and Covenants videos and Book of Mormon so if you get bored-watch these. So after a week of quitting and the special strength blessing I gave her, she's quit completely.
This past Friday we were about to leave when my comp. asked "what do you think of baptism, YOUR baptism"? She responded and said, " I have been thinking and I want to quit my other church and be baptized". You could only imagine the happiness we had so of course i gave out a Darby OOHHH YEAHHH!!! aND MY COMP A YYEEEHHAAWWW!!!
So, we set up a baptism interview the next day Saturday. She had her interview and her daughter turned to me, took out her piercing and said, "I want to be baptized as well"!!! So we set up another baptism interview an hour before the baptism. This last Saturday we had 2 BAPTISMS!!! MEANING 3 IN 2 WEEKS!!!!
The next best thing is that we have the Apostle Elder D. Todd Christofferson coming to talk with the whole mission and the next day to OUR WARD!!!! I am so nervous because we better have a lot of investigators in the church for this Sunday!!!
Family, friends it was so great to hear your halloween stories and to receive your emails. I am sorry that I never write anything really that great but I hope you realize it is hard for me to remember your lives and the things you are doing because here we have the spirit and are constantly thinking of our investigators.
I love you all and just to let you know some more information about Jujuy it is "hot" and I have been told this is the best area for weather in the entire mission because what is hot here is nothing in the other areas. It rains about every 2 days and I love the rain because it pours big time.
I ate peanut soup for my first time yesterday and it was good it has french fries, parsley, chicken drumstick, and ground up peanuts to make a really thin like mush. The taste was great but after we were walking back to the pension and we both felt really dizzy and just tired so as soon as we got in the pension I took my shoes off and my companion as well pulled out my Book of Mormon and just passed out for about an hour. I felt so guilty after but my companion (just an awesome elder) Said, "look the scriptures say don't run more that you have strength" so we figured out we were working really hard and it was a blessing to be able to relax just a bit.
We are seeing miracles and converting the most amazing members and usually we have about 67 in church but after visiting a ton of inactives we had over 100 people in church!!! The spirit is a blessing and as much as you all say some missionaries are better than others, all it is is obedience, prayer, and diligence!!!! Work with all your heart, might, mind and strenght and you will stand blameless before God in the last days. This is true because God is the God of miracles but we just have to devote our lives and time and talents.
My knowledge of the scriptures are great, my spirit is better and my testimony (in spanish) is strong. Not a lesson goes by without the spirit and I am so grateful to have such an amazing companion and friend to trust and inspire these amazing people of Argentina!!!! I love you all and don't strive to be adequate but strive to be a God because that is what this life is, not to follow Christ but to become our own Christ!!!! Work hard and share this amazing Gospel because every single person needs it. I love you all your son friend and number one fan ELDER DARBY

31 October 2011

Hey how are the elect people in the world that have the most amazing opportunity to be in the only true church on the face of the planet? I have to say, I have the most amazing purpose right now to be able to see miracles and to feel the spirit of God every single moment.
Here I am with my companion. We are both gringos, he has 5 months and I have 10, he is 19 and I am 20 and yet we are here in Coronel Arias Jujuy sharing a message that can change a persons life in a different language, to a different culture and yet it is EASY!!!! Please tell me how this is possible without the spirit and our Lord? This last saturday we had another BAPTISM!!!!! She is 11 and is such a smart girl. Her family are inactives but yet she goes to church every single sunday alone!!!!! We have the oppurtunity to teach these inactives; one of the husbands that would fight with missionaries is now my best friend!!! Elder Yates told me to be careful the first lesson with him in the house (oh by the way there are 13 in the house at once) so I entered, went up to him gave him a strong handshake packed him on the back and said "when is your baptism?". He looked at me and said "you tell me!!" This is my second week here and I have taught him 3 lessons and after 13 years of hating missionaries, yesterday I received a text message in church that said "can you meet me at 11:30 in front of the church so I can enter?" So at 11:30, there he was and he gave me a big hug and sat next to me. As I explained the sacrament service and after the 2 talks he told me, "wow her testimony and this feeling I have is real!!" I told him "hermano, you are in the only real church of Jesus Christ and that feeling is his spirit"
I have never felt more accomplished to see him show up without the cross around his neck and with an open heart just because he feels comfortable with me and Elder Yates, 2 gringos. He is really smart, has millions of questions but said after church that he wants to receive the lessons and with time be baptized. After that I read in 2 Nephi 'when a man speaks with the Holy Ghost, the Holy Ghost penetrates the hearts of the children of God'.
I realized it wasn't my personality that he loved, it wasn't because what I said but because the spirit was there and I was prompted to say what the spirit told me. I dropped on my knees and gave more thanks than ever in my entire life because I felt loved. I knew the Lord trusted me to have him in my presence and to be there for him.
Gosh the feelings I have every day I can't explain and the miracles and stories are just incredible. All I can say is that if we are worthy and we strive to be like Christ and always think of him, we not only receive his spirit but the power and His trust. I can testify that there is power in the priesthood and the spirit makes words become weapons. Nothing can change a heart like the spirit. The miracles we are seeing right now are amazing and the work we have is because we are being obedient.
Do not slip and fall on the path to Eternal Life because if you fall short you will be miserable and stuck in this forever. Obey the commandments, help others and pray not to get gain but to have the spirit to be with you. I love you all so much.

October 24, 2011

Skype is a guarantee because the members have computers here so it will be legit to see everyone and this time you can hear my terrible spanish. I am so excited and my goal is to baptize at least 20 by the time we chat and I know it is posible. Ok so I am loving being senior companion and district leader is such an amazing blessing because our district is the bomb. We are all owning at baptisms and they are just so pumped up to work.
I have never felt so happy, I mean the people here are just amazing, coming from Ledesma to my hometown of San Salvador, I feel like I am a born Jujuy boy. I just love it here I know every town, every site, all the food, all the sodas and it is just tight.
I hope everyone at home is just doing great because things are great, it isn't hot here and I am about 10 minutes from my first area so hopefully I will be able to see some members from my first area.
My companion is a stud he has had 3 months here in Argentina, is from Logan, Utah and we are honestly like best buds. We just talk about river rafting, FISHING and all the fun sports and of course he and I are great with the people here. So you might wonder why everything is just so great and that is because the president of the mission wrote me a private email saying, "elder Darby, I am writing you because your area was very productive before but Elder Darby trust in your companion and change the area just like LEDESMA!!!!" You don't know how good it feels to know he has his eyes on me and is proud of my work. I am just so happy and ready to just work.
We had the worst Sunday yesterday with one investigator in the church but we showed up at their house and they were so sad they said they showed up at 1pm after voting for the president, so we now have quite a few promises for church this Saturday. There is no greater feeling than seeing your investigators or inactive families in the church. I am just so excited to change this area and just get this giant ward to help and bring all the families that are lost back into the Lords arms. We are currently working with 14 families that are inactive and we have over 20 investigators that are progressing, so this week is gonna be a successful one at that. The missionaries before us got in a lot of trouble so a lot of the members went inactive so here we are trying to bring them back by setting the example.
So the new area is great, I love the people here from Jujuy they are smart and at the same time so humble and so loving to us. We have to drop by 3 families tonight to give us prepared pizza, empanadas, and jello!!! The members are amazing, yesterday I gave my testimony in front of everyone and all the members after came up to me and said when can we give you lunch because I love your energy. So everyone I have never felt happier to be here and to know that we can make a change here. I am now able to be the elder darby with spanish with my jokes and confidence, oh I am just so happy.
So the pension as well is just awesome we live in an apartment with 3 rooms, a giant hallway on the third floor and it is all tile and just gorgeous with HOT WATER!!!! oH AND THE TOWN WELL WE LIVE SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF CENTRO MEANING NO DOGS!!! haha it is really nice to have a ton of stores and CHANGO MAS which is a huge store, the owner is walmart so yeah-american items!!!! I am excited to go!!!
Well anyways obviously you can tell that i am recieving a ton of revelation for the companionships in my district and for my companion right now. A funny note is I heard him praying out loud the other day when he thought I was in the shower and he said, "I am so grateful to be with Elder Darby, thank you so much" so clearly we are having the best time together and working a ton!!!
This goes to all, you can email me because I would love to send some personal emails so please write me and I promise to write back. But to all that are reading this know the Lord blesses his servants and when we are obedient we are not only blessed, but we are trusted. The lord is always watching so why not be the best we can be at all moments? He suffered for us so why can't we return the love and serve him!!
Love Elder darby

October 17, 2011-Transfer

Well the baptism didn't happen but it is because he wanted to go to his other church. I told him that if he truly wanted his salvation and the best life then follow not our words and not our promises but the promises of the LORD!!!!!!!! Man I have never testified with more power than with him. He started crying said it was true and next Saturday will be baptized - but not by me. That is because I, Elder Darby, am in SAN SALVADOR JUJUY!!!!!!!!! Transfered and with a change in my mission because after 8 months in Argentina and 10 months on the mission, I am now SENIOR COMPANION!!!!!AND DISTRICT LEADER!!! My companion is Elder Yates, he is from Logan, Utah and has the desire to work. I am his second companion, he can't speak very well but hey our new goal is that we are gonna baptize every single week.
Man i have never felt more motivated to work than now and to be an example and to cast off any habit and be perfectly obedient!!! The prophet said if we are obedient on our missions we won't just double baptisms, but exceed to an unknown number. Family, friends I believe in every single word the prophet says and I know even though I am not perfect with spanish and not the most amazing with scriptures I KNOW I AM NOT BLAKE, I AM ELDER DARBY, a representative of Jesus Christ and the same Jesus Christ that lived a perfect life and suffered more pain than anyone ever has. I am here not to know every tourist spot or to make myself look good, I am here to be a missionary and a missionary that doesn't set high goals or have the most faith, isn't a missionary at all.
I think of Alma and how he baptized thousands if not more because he cried for the sins of his town and now I am here and ready to be the most amazing servant of all. The best part is that it isn't me that is teaching, it isn't me that is waking up on time, it isn't me baptizing and it isn't me that changes these people; it's the spirit.
I can say to everyone of you that our life is not for us but it is for one thing and that is THE GOSPEL!!! Study the scriptures, pray sincerely and tell God everything and with faith it will all be received.
I love you all so much and I am exactly 6 minutes away from my first area on the mission and when I think of how I wasted the Lords time and was disobedient in Perico, I need to make it up that time from now on.
I want to tell you all to pray not for my health and not for protection but to prepare the people here that I will receive revelation to talk with everyone and when I share a testimony or the word of God, they will be prepared to receive the keys to enter into the most desireable place and that is the Glory of God. Help the missionaries invite everyone because without this gospel we have NOTHING!!! I love you all and say that I am here to work and be the best love your Elder Darby

Monday, October 10, 2011

Oh today was really interesting and this week was tough.
Today we woke up at 7 just like always but we went to a cyber to write but it was closed and we found out today was a holiday so I am now in the worst cyber ever and it is very slow to write anything. Well this won't be the longest email but the great news is that this Saturday we are baptizing once again and in a RIVER!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited because this investigator is incredible. He quit wine, beer, coca and cigarettes because he feels the church is true and when we taught the word of wisdom he said, "I am of the devil". It was funny but after 2 months, he is finally ready to enter into the water.
I love it here although this climate is at 112 degrees farenheit. It is hotter than Sacramento and the bay area combined and with humidity, white shirt tie and black pants it can really mess with you. It is hot but the best part is people are finally active. It is like they hibernate here when it is cold and when it is an oven outside they love it. It is the funniest schedule but hey we are working hard and doing great.
I also have other great news and it is that Elder Audukitis of the Seventy is coming this Sunday to speak to all the members in our stake which isn't very many, so I am so excited to meet him and talk in spanish with a man of the seventy. He isn't a Larry Y. Wilson but he is still just as important. haha
So everything here is great we finally had a ton of investigators in the church and a bunch of inactives that we pass by every week. I hope everyone is doing good because it is just so different to be living here while you all have cell phones and CARS!!! I mean the only time we get in a car is a taxi or a bus but their cars are from Spain meaning just tiny as can be.
Lets see, also the sport soccer here is just huge, I mean every block has goals and a little field to play soccer and right now is the tournament so everyone is excited to watch Argentina play. I love it because we will enter a mud shack of a house but they will have a giant flat screen tv. It is amazing how things here are nothing. They don't care if you have a nice phone or car and every dog here is just sick. It is just such a different lifestyle but I love it.
Me and my companion are working hard but we are nervous because this next Monday are transfers and he just got called as district leader so most likely I will leave. I really don't want to leave but I know the Lord has his ways and always calls us where we need to be. I know that I was called here because I could change this area. From an area that had one baptism every 6 months and now we have baptized 5 in one month. Now tell me that isn't a blessing from God.
I know this work has it's ups and downs but when it is down we always have hope and faith because without it we wouldn't be so happy when things got better. A lot of missionaries ask me how I've baptized so many or how do you get so many people to church? All I say is that I am guided by what the spirit tells me. I know we all have the spirit and it is always talking to us at every moment.
Family, friends and gf i love you all and it has been over 10 months since I have seen any of you but hey 1 year and 2 months left till I can share my crazy stories and be with you all again. I love you all and I want you all to follow the words of the prophet. I love what the apostle said "we need to be as quick to kneel as we are to send a text". I took this to heart and it has changed my attitude and the amazing happiness I feel every day. I challenge you all to do the same and give thanks because this world isn't yours, the money you have, isn't yours and the families we are in, aren't ours. They are our Fathers and He deserves our gratitude. Stay strong, have faith and be obedient. I promise that nothing is better in a life than the spirit of the lord. Love Elder Darby

26 September 2011

Date: Monday, September 26, 2011, 2:31 PM

I have sweet news and some great photos to prove it. We baptized 3 more amazing daughters of God and the best part was I got to baptize all 3. The next day in church all wanted me to confirm them so I had the oppurtunity to act for my Lord Jesus Christ to baptize and confirm them to be members and receive the holy ghost.
I am so happy because President Levrino sent out a special post to every elder on this mission and he wrote congratulations to 6 ELDERS!!!!! There are so many elders in this mission but he wrote congrats to only six and of course-guess who baptized the second most out of the whole mission this last week? ELDER DARBY AND ELDER CHAVEZ!!!!!!!!! We are completely obedient and on fire and let me say we have more baptisms in the future to plan. Oh I am so happy right now and so ready to baptize everyone in Argentina. The blessings we receive when we pray sincerely every night, keep the commandments and always keeping our thoughts focused on Christ. I know He will send so many blessings as long as we are just obedient.
I have never felt so pumped up in my life, I mean here I am in the middle of Argentina-speaking a new language to people I didn't think I could connect with but it turns out they all love Jesus Christ and fishing!!!! What's better to talk about than those 2 topics right? haha
Also, I can't say how excited I am to listen to the prophets and know that my MOM, KEEGAN, ALIX, RYAN and others I know will be in the session that I am watching-that is just so cool. You have the chance to live in the United States with freedom, with cars, with MONEY, with families. Here, I am in Argentina where there are only a few cars, a few televisions, and barely any freedom. I mention that I have flown in an airplane more than once and people are just shocked but if you say you have been in an airplane once in the states you are SOOOO SHELTERED!!!! But anyway it is amazing how different the life is here, their culture, how they all eat bread with ever meal and they all have their mate no matter if they are on their little scooters that are so loud and go no where.
But I have to say, although the technology is different and the language-they do have one thing that the states dont and that is HUMILITY AND FAMILY!!!! There are parents here that seriously live with their entire family in their house and work all day, every day to PROVIDE FOOD AND SHELTER(THIS WAS FOR KEEGAN). The people here are just so amazing I mean the stores give free food to us and others at random times just to show their love and taxi drivers will have a good conversation with you and not charge a cent. I love Argentina and it makes me even happier to know that I have a family and the reason i am here is to make them proud and to make other families here bonded (I don't remember the word for bonded in the temple) together forever. We always enter in a house and sing a hymn and it is always (FAMILIAS PUEDEN SER ETERNAS) families can be eternal? (oh man-I am forgetting my english how terrible)
Well anyway we are on fire and there is nothing more successful than the work of the savior because he is right next to us teaching these people and keeping me tossing and turning in my bed just thinking of our investigators. I have never had so many thoughts and ideas running through my mind and it is even better because it never STOPS!!! I love waking up and immediately saying my prayer because I always can pray so sincerely for our investigators because I had dreams of everyone of them.
It is so fun to know that there are people here that need their salvation and they won't receive anything if we don't find them.
Which brings me to my new goal. Talk to everyone. I know every missionary or person that has read Preach my Gospel it says talk to everyone like 100 times or more and that is our new goal. So anyway, I am running low on time but I want to let you know of our plans this week so you can get a sense of what we are hoping to work on this week.
So we have 46 investigators right now that have all received at least one lesson this week because we have to teach them every week to count them as an investigator but as of now we have General conference this Saturday and Sunday and want to get at least 10 to go. Also we had baptisms planned but we are gonna wait till the next week because after next week-we are baptizing IN A RIVER!!!!!!!!!!! It is planned and ready.
Gallian (the one we are gonna baptize in a river) we keep visiting him and he always says I want to learn more and want to prepare more for my baptism even though in 2 months he has quit DRUGS, ALCOHOL, WINE, PARTIES, and late nights with girls. All in 2 months but this last week I prayed for a miracle that he would be ready for his baptism the week after conference and you know what happened? One morning we were walking with another member and found him in front of his house with a cigarette, wine and on who knows what. While he was plastered (drunk) he dropped down on his knees and said "I failed you Elder Darby and you Elder Chavez and my God and now I am ready to quit and go to Jesus Christ like you said Elder Darby, like a small child with hope in my eyes and a fire in my heart." So I am glad to say that after this experince we went to his house when he was sober and he had a huge fire and was burning all the trash he had and says he wants his baptism after conference so Yes baptism in a river not this week but the Saturday after conference!!!!!
I know that when we ask sincerely with our heart and we serve Him with everything we have then we can receive whatever we ask for. As we are here now in Argentina working as hard as we can we are receiving nothing but success because of the faith we have. The Lord said that with faith you can receive anything that is desired. I have a testimony so strong of this because this area was HARD but after I read numbers chapter 13 and 14, I realized it doesn't matter if there is a bad area-all that matters is the faith and diligence. I am here praying my heart out every day to change this area and to change the lives of so many.
As of now I have realized my purpose and have gone nowhere else except to ask the lord my God to help, He is here, He lives and loves each one of us. I know when we keep the comandments we are blessed with more than we can count because this life is not just a life-but a sacrifice to be the best. Our Father said not one filthy impure thing can enter into the kingdom of God and I promise everyone of you that this is true-that we need to be better because we sin and aren't forgiven unless we pour out our souls unto him.
I challenge every one of you to change the light you have. To shine it forth and not hide it any longer because our Lord our Savior is close and now right now is the time to prepare to meet God. So I have only one question: Can you stand in front of the Father who created you and knows everything you have done and say I DID MY BEST? Because if not, you have the chance right now to stand up and just like Jesus Christ said to adulterer "GO AND SIN NO MORE!!!!" I LOVE YOU ALL ELDER DARBY

19 September 2011

The life here is so fun and so care free. There aren't lays or speed limits or regulations on anything. The best is that there money system is so messed up. The bank prints more 100 pesos bills and the best part is that no one ever has change. So you have to buy at least 10 pesos of sodas or candy to get change for 100 pesos. Also the second best part is that the stores pay people with candy. For some reason there aren't enough coins here (or I have all of them). When you buy something and it is 2 pesos and 57 cents, you only have to pay 2 pesos and 25 cents.
Then there is the cars which are just tiny. The biggest car they have is a dodge ram truck which is very rare. The cars here are all rusted out, they don't use gasoline, instead they use natural gas which has great mileage-but no power with the pedal.
We see the funniest things here that make me laugh every day, ladders made of sticks, cars get towed with bungie cords and the ugliest dogs with the nastiest sicknesses!
But I love it here the people are so humble and just so nice. Recently the mom of one of the members is in the hospital and she has always been a die hard catholic but we went and visited her. She is insistent that before she meets her she heavenly father she now wants baptism in our church and it was just so terrible to watch her suffering because she is too close to death that this will happen. I have so much more love for the people here and when one is suffering or begging it seriously burns my heart to hear them just crying. So to bring her some relief and happiness while in the hospital we decided to watch videos of the church and teach her to have hope. She is an amazing person but is just so lost without the knowledge that we have in this church.
Anyway i have great news-this saturday me and my companion have 3 MORE BAPTISMS!!!!!!!!!! we are turning this area into a gold mine. Before we had only 25 people in church and now have 70. This area was the second worst for baptizing in all the mission and now we are rocking it. OH I LOVE BLESSINGS FROM OBEDIENCE!!!!
Every morning one of us wakes up a little earlier than the other and no matter how tired we are we always yell at each other to wake up. It is so funny and i just love my companion. We are obedient and working hard and we actually had to skip studies this last weekend just to have lessons. It is so amazing to be here, working so hard, having success because people are listening to the lessons and coming out to church. We also have permision to go to another town this week to teach people where there aren't missionaries but people have a desire to be baptized.
I am just so happy that the Lord has enough trust in us to bless us to the max to change this area with baptisms and to change lives.
What I'm really anxious for is in 2 saturdays we will have a baptism in a river!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh I love this work, I love my days and am so happy you don't even know how much happiness I have to see our investigators come to church and hear them testify that this only true church and how it has changed their lives.
Family, I love you all and know you are all in my prayers.
I am so grateful that I had a mom who always took us to church and attends the temple. I know I am blessed because of your faith.
Your elder and number one fan ELDER DARBY chau

9/12/11

Well mother first off I can say that I have never been happier in my entire life than I am this weekend!!!! Mother, yes, I have my photos stored and next week I want to send them to kodak easyshare so you can view all of them and save them for me. Also my photos are awesome!!! Everyone that sees them says "now this is the camera of a missionary". I figured that this was a good thing because I want to be able to have a slideshow and not put everyone to sleep when I get home. My photos are of my companions, giant insects, rat killing videos, baptisms, crazy dogs, amazing food and the jungle. I figure that these are what people want to see because I'm happy and that I'm having a freaking blast!!!! Anyway I don't want to share how hard this area is and how bad the missionaries before me were but of the amazing plans we have for the next few weeks.
To start it off this week was awesome!!!! Now I know the last time I had a rat story-it was epic but I want to let you know that me and my companion sent another rat to rat heaven this week. He was living under the oven and one day I was cooking pizza and wouldn't you know it-out runs another rat and climbs down the water drain. Three days later he eats all of my flour, stole my chocolate bar and ate many of my coco pebble cereal. But one morning I heard him under the oven, told my companion to come and we blocked every exit and legitamately played hockey with him till finally I grabbed a metal bar and let him know how much I hated rats, so hopefully NO MORE RATS!!!!! Don't worry, I've taken 2 awesome videos of this giant creature running around and us screaming like little girls. Not only the rat but aeresol and a match are just amazing weapons to kill cockroaches as well.
As I explained this last week we had 2 investigators who had 3 times attended church and progressed. DAMIAN GUTIERREZ quitting alcohol and cigarettes for 3 months and he experinced water this last saturday...meaning BAPTISM!!!!!
HILDA VALASQUEZ after quitting cigarettes for 4 months, also experinced water meaning that this last saturday the 10th of september me and my companion Elder Chavez from peru baptized 2 amazing people. The best part isn't the baptism, it came the day after their baptisms on saturday both of our investigators had an interview with the president.We waited 30 minutes for the interview to end, I was losing my patience and was worried because 30 minutes is a long time. Then Damian walks out of the interview with Hilda by his side both look at each other and smile really big and say "look we are gonna serve missions". I have never smiled bigger in my entire life because not only did we bring 2 amazing people unto salvation but they want to serve as well.
Family I have never felt more successful in my entire, 2 powerful children of God found the right path and are following it with the most faith I have ever seen in my entire life.
So yes we had 2 baptisms this last saturday and sunday, we had 67 people in church and not this saturday but the next we plan to baptize another amazing man who quit an addiction he has had his entire life; chewing cocaine leaves, smoking and drinking.Exciting news is we have his baptism date, permision from the president of our mission and of the ward to baptize him in a RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!! He said to us a few weeks ago that he wants the same baptism as Jesus Christ and Joseph Smith in a river. Awesome, hugh. It will be an amazing opportunity to baptize someone in a river.
So mother don't worry, I haven't even served for a year and I have great stories to share and just wait till I finish 2 years. Family, I love you all. I want you all to know that ever since I woke up at 6:58am every morning we have been receiving so many more blessings. Lesson learned is that God our Father in Heaven wants to bless us in so many ways and even if one thing as small as 10 minutes is off, then he can't do his part when I'm not doing mine.
I love you all. Plus, the president changed the rules meaning I can write family, friends and anyone I want so send me an email and this time I'm allowed to respond.
My quote of the week is
STAND UP SHINE FORTH AND BRUSHOFF THE FILTH THAT WE HAVE AND TRULY STAND, NOT AS A STAR IN THE DISTANCE BUT AS THE SUN 2 FEET AWAY!!!
loVE YOU ALL ELDER DARBY

8/29/11

WOW MOTHER YOUR EMAILS ARE ALWAYS JUST AWESOME AND THEN THE EMAILS FROM KEEGAN who is just such a stud but how tall is he right now?
Ok this week was great, bad and perfect again. Monday was awesome-we relaxed and played soccer for 4 hours, which for a missionary that has 30 minutes a day to do sit ups and push ups is a longtime to play, but we found 3 new awesome teenagers to teach!!!! I arrived in this area and about 12 people came to church and only 2 young men and 2 young women!! You want to know how hard we work? This last sunday we had 86 PEOPLE IN CHURCH!!!!!
12 YOUTH AND 6 INVESTIGATORS IN CHURCH!!!! Before the mission, Sunday was always relaxing (until Keegan got in the driver seat) but now it is the most AMAZING EXPERINCE EVER!!! First we arrived at church at 9 am and barely anyone is there but after all the taxis arrive, we had a ton and with every taxi that arrives, I always have a giant smile because it is so great to see familiar faces that know the gospel is true and have decided after many years of being inactive- came back. When the classes start we always teach gospel priciples which is just so weird in spanish with about 12 people in the class. Man I love these Sundays.
We got permission from our president to play soccer every Saturday and have activities every Friday and now we are just rocking with the youth and they are just so amazing. These youth live 30 to 40 minutes away and walk to church every Sunday-it is awesome. We are working a lot with them and right now we have 3 more youth investigators to teach.
This last Wednesday we taught Maximiliano who is amazing!!!! We are teaching him, his older sister Florencia and the younger sister Yamila. Last Wednesday he was alone in his house and we knocked (clapped) his door and he said "oh elders hey my friends and I are going to play soccer, I have a game for a lot of money but do you want to come in?" So we said if you are busy we can pass by another time and he said no, the word of God is much more important than soccer. You can only imagine my face with a smile on it as big as if I caught a fish times 10. I was so happy that he understood!!!! So we entered and he completely ditched his friends to talk to us, it was awesome!!! Also about 2 or 3 minutes into the lesson we asked him about his prayers and if he received an answer and he said no but I want to be baptized.
Me and Elder Chavez were so excited and both just stood up and gave him high fives because he believes and read the first 3 chapters of the book of mormon.
He is so amazing and said with or without my sisters this sunday, I am going to church. So just yesterday a little after 9 am here he is with his sister and said she wanted to sleep but woke up to come.
I love maxi and he loves fishing and sports so immediately we were able to talk about fishing and sports. He is so much like Keegan and is 14 years old. He loves this gospel and we know he will be baptized along with his sisters and with our prayers to change the hearts of the parents them as well. This work here in Ledesma is hard but we are working hard to change the branch.
With more inactives and our investigators we have quadrupled the number of actives and even though the baptisms aren't great, we should have 5 not this Saturday but next. So please pray for our investigators that we can help them to prepare to receive the keys to enter into the kingdom of God.
I love you all and know that you are all in my prayers. I am here working hard and even though the President of the mission doesn't like our numbers, he doesn't realize that this branch is changing big time and when we get some more support from the members, the baptisms will come.
Well family I am happy and so thankful to speak Spanish just fine that all can understand and I can understand them. This language that once seemed impossible became possible with 2 things that we all need. Faith and trust in Christ and second is our diligence to always be obedient and follow our savior Jesus Christ!!! I love you all. Stay strong, have faith, and share the love of God that sheddeth itself in the hearts of men.
Love always Elder Darby

9/5/11

Date: Monday, September 5, 2011, 9:14 AM

Mom we are eternal and I know that because I know that what the lord says happens and although satan has a big hand on us here on the earth, we will definately be together forever. My blessing says I am promised our eternal family and I know it is the truth. Stay in there because God loves you, we have grown up amazing because of the great personalities we have and because we all have a ton of strength. Mom you say I am good with people but as I was in my first area I thought is was impossible to be loved without the language but it is incredible how loving the people here are.
So enough mushy stuff because I have such amazing news that I was crying just about every day this week because I am so happy!!!!!! So we have been teaching this person named Damian and he has a rock band and just loves wine and cigarrettes but after 2 months of calling and teaching he received his answer about this church and has dropped 12 of his closest friends for this church. I have viewed the most amazing change from him and this last testimony meeting I asked him if he wanted to say something. He said when?I said now and he got up in front of everyone and bore the most amazing testimony I have ever heard and in another language. Most of the members lost faith in him and asked us if he was drinking again and I can tell you he has quit wine and cigs for over a month. He has his baptism this SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!
The best is also we have an investigator called Hilda, she is incredible and quit ciggs as well for a month and her baptism is also THIS SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Both said they are ready and want to be baptized!!!!!!!!
Today was transfers and me and the most amazing peruvian are together again!!!! I am so happy to work with him because he has faith. He also paid me back every cent he borrowed and said Elder Darby you seriously are the best thing on my mission and you don't know how much I love you and am so sorry for using money but it is all here. At this point I could only give this little peruvian a giant hug I mean he saved every receipt and paid it all back to me. We are so close, work hard and have baptisms to start off this transfer on a swing with the Lord and his spirit.
I have an amazing story to tell you and I swear it is true because I know the lord is right here with me. I have been feeling really down lately which is weird for me but 3 days ago I got down on my knees and prayed that I can be forgiven because I am terrible at getting up at exactly 7am, it is always 7:12 and so I feel guilty every morning. I prayed to be forgiven of all my faults and to feel thy love every day and today I woke up at 6:54am before the alarm, hopped out of bed said my prayer, looked at my watch and felt a feeling on my back like a pat or the feeling of a warm hug. Awesome!
We all have these trials here on the earth because we need to show we have faith and obedience. I have never felt so happy and know the lord was smiling and is happy for me because he wants me to prevail and I am his servant. I have really thought about this lately and have come up with my motivation phrase.
HE THAT SERVES US EVERY SINGLE DAY, CAN WE NOT FOLLOW HIM WITH THE SAME RESPECT?
The lord knows and he loves us and I love him. We watched the movie the TESTAMENTS everyday this week during lunch and it is impossible to not cry when papawa receives his eyesight from Jesus Christ. He gave his life and was strong and perfect, I mean perfect. Every prophet has his faults and so do we but Jesus was perfect. It is incredible to me because we forget that he suffered and payed for us so we can be free of our sins but when we reject him it is as if he didn't die for us. This hit me hard because everyday I strive to be better and I know each one of us have a perfect example to follow. We have so much help, the scriptures, the prophet, the church and our families!!!! We are here to be tested and I know everyone of us can pass as long as we do one thing. Act with the faith we have.
I love you all so much and hope these emails are what you want. The church is true please stay strong.
Love ELDER DARBY

Farewell to President Northcutt-Salta Argentina Mission

August 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgWINWppq7Y

22 August 2011

Ok, my only stress now is another baptism fell through. I know that every single person says the numbers don't matter but this new president just got on our case because we don't have a baptism, it is freaking terrible!!! As of this point another great thing is that 2 weeks ago my companion told me he has no money and he actually doesn't!! So as this is the second time on my mission I have had to cover my companion and they are always latinos!!! They recieve 700 pesos every month and some how in 2 or 3 weeks they use it all!!! So i might have to pull more money out this week from the bank if his family doesn't send him any.

Well but now to the positive, things are going great 3 more baptisms fell because wine just happens to be the hardest thing to resist here!! Three of our investigators baptisms for next week fell because they need 3 weeks to be sober. Last night we go to one of our investigators house and he is there with his rock band and we taught all of them, it was hilarious!! So we now have 2 rock bands that want to listen to us when we go over to Damians. Things are getting better though because 14 families that were inactive have come back to church and also a member from my last area came to our church. It was great to see him and talk to him he was saying how the Sunday after I left everyone was asking what happened to me and wanted to know where I was to write me so at this point just about every week I have received a letter from my last area. It is great to know that they still care about me even though I was only there for 6 weeks!!!

TODAY WAS AWESOME!!!! We woke up this morning, cleaned our pension and went at 11 to make empanadas with our investigators. I was able to fold over 100 empanadas really fast so when I came home, I can make empanadas for everyone wooohhooo!!!!!!!! We ate with our investigators and just had so much fun chatting about the U.S.A. and my family. I swear that Florencia (she is 17) has a huge crush on Keegan always asking, "is your brother good at this and this and this"? She is so funny and such a great investigator that we are helping to get baptized along with the entire family.

After lunch we rushed to the church for our activity with the teenagers to play football because the church has a grass field next to it. (only in Argentina do they have soccer courts) We played for 3 hours and I actually did good. I was shocked because these kids are incredible with the ball and can move their feet so fast. I love this work and today and this last week was great!! We are working hard and helping so many families that have gone inactive and families that just are hurting big time. I thought a person that drove an old purpleish minivan with a giant gulp cup in the middle and fishing poles in the back was poor but there are neighborhoods with metal walls and one mom and 13 kids and 5 dogs and no money. The kids eat sugar cane which is bamboo but sugar. It is terrible but they always have a smile and when they came to church it was amazing to hear how many blessings they truly receive.

This church is the true church and it only motivates us to work harder because we aren't the ones hurting but this gospel is for everyone and I love being able to understand and talk with everyone, it is just the best!!! Pray for our investigators and pray for our safety because you all know that you are in all my prayers. I love you all and let Kevin Steed know that I love him and his example for everyone. With love and a million hugs from down here in Argentina Elder Darby

August 15, 2011

Geez this week was tough but one to remember to never lose faith because the Lord always provides a way when we suffer!!! This week was a bad one at the beginning because first Natalia said I want you to baptize me so I was filled with such happiness to baptize this amazing girl but when Thursday came we had divisions!! So I went to Yuto to be senior comp. for 2 days and it was weird to have more time on the mission than my companion but in the morning I told him I feel like knocking some doors so we knock six and we entered in every single one which is a miracle!!!
So after 7 new investigators we start walking to lunch when I get prompted to knock one more and I say "I want to knock this blue door" and he says fine just do it!! So I walk up knock and before I could knock the senora opens the door and starts crying and my excited face turned to "what the heck happened?" I ask her what happened and she said come in please you guys are missionaries right? I gladly say yes why? and she responds and says "I have prayed for 3 days for help and when right before I opened the door, I felt like I had an angel at the door and opened to see a beautiful gringo with a nametag that says Jesus Christ". At this point my jaw was on the floor because she was so prepared to hear the gospel it was incredible so we enter as my comp. says good call on the door and we both laugh!! So we enter, sit down and she just starts talking and talking so we listened and this lady lost 2 of her daughters in the riot in my area and wanted to know what happens after this life so I nicely say "senora can we start with a prayer so the Lord can talk through us and invite the spirit" so I prayed and so I pulled out and started lesson 2 which is the plan of salvation. She was so curious it was so cool, we explained how we are the only church that recieves revelation through prophets. Yesterday, I received a call from Yuto and they said that 6 of the seven investigators that I found came to church and I told those missionaries "dont thank me because it wasn't my idea to knock, it was the prompting of the spirit".
I learned a lot this week that the Lord sent me to Yuto to inspire those people and because the Lord knows when I am prompted that I act on it. It is a miracle and a blessing to know that the Lord trusts me to listen to the spirit and to teach his children! I learned that if I wasn't obedient and if I had my mind on a different subject, I would not have listened to "knock those doors". I love this work and even though the baptism fell through, I know that the lord will bless us with more.
I know that satan is always close and ready because the companion I was with wanted lunch and was ready to eat but for some reason the spirit spoke to me to knock and she showed up to church. It is sad that I am in Ledesma and don't have the oppurtunity to teach those 6 that went to church but it makes me realize that when we receive an investigator, the investigator isn't ours and it isn't because we taught her or we found her. It is because we are here representing the only true church in the entire world.
This area we are in is hard and we have a lot of problems but 8 showed up to church and we have 12 with baptism dates so we hope to improve and work hard till we leave this area. I love this work and I know when I have the name tag, I can testify with power in a language that I just learned and I can connect with people that I just met.
I love being here and I love having all your support because the good times I had before my mission motivate me to work hard and complete with strength so when I come back, I can be happy and enjoy life even more. Everything I had in my life before has become but a blur because I am here and when I go to bed and wake up the next day, I wake up and am ready to put on that name tag, represent the family I love and the Lord who loves us. You are all in my prayers and I hope you all are being strong because these are the last days and we need our testimonies to survive.
Happy birthday mom, I cried thinking about how much I love you and all that you have done for me in my life. I wouldn't be anything without you. Like I've told you before, you and I are the most alike. Your son, brother and number one fan
ELDER DARBY representative of the Lord Jesus Christ

JuJuy August 8, 2011

HELLO AND BOY DO I ACTUALLY MISS ENGLISH, NATURE AND HIKING!!!!!
The cold water shower is really funny because it is always a battle between my mind and my body because at night or at 7 in the morning you don't want freezing water!!!!
We do have 2 heaters, they are incredible for the pension that we have, I love having those on and waking up in warmth (something I am not use to mother)!! haha, no it is a joke because I would give anything to be in our beautiful house, have a hot shower, a nice foam bed and my own room and bathroom!! It is one thing to live with a latino because the word clean isn't in his vocabulary!!!! My companion is the funniest and I love the guy to death but man when it comes to cleaning-he hates it but when he cleans, he cleans every inch. So every day, I clean a little to try to get him on his good day-haha.
Oh man I love the mission. Fact is-I am with my companion more than I was with my family!!! I mean 24 hours 7 days a week not a minute apart, it is incredible!!! But my companion is incredible, I love Elder Chavez and we are so obedient because we want protection in this crazy, dangerous town that the president said we can't work past 7 pm making it is hard to have appointments antes. But everything is going great and this upcoming Saturday I get to be reminded that I am doing the work because we have a BAPTISM!!! Her name is Natalia, her parents want baptism but aren't married so I get to baptize her this Saturday and she is so cute, oh my gosh!!! Her sister the other day said, "Elder Barbie" and Natalia said, "sister, you need to respect Elder Darby for his name because he is the best servant of the Lord"!!!! I almost cried.
I bought her an alfajor which is an oreo but with chocolate, caramel,and it is 3 or 4 layers of pure amazingness!!!
Natalia always asks me, "Elder Darby, how are your shoes always so pretty?" which mom, this should answer another question that my shoes don't even have a scratch, I mean my comp is losing the soles after a year but me, no change they are so perfect and I mean it.
I really, really love the people here and the members, oh my goodness they all called us when the riot and protest went down-every one of them worried about us and that is big for these people!!!
Our schedule is a little funny because our lunch here is at 1pm and ends at 3pm so usually on the mission the rule is an hour for lunch and an hour for dinner but we have 2 hours for lunch and eat something small at night like rice with just the cheapest vegetables and soup cubes for flavor, it is the best idea ever!!! But we have lunch with members everyday except Friday so on Fridays I cook lasagna, hamburgeres (yes they do have blue cheese) also salad which I've created a few dressings from scratch and they are GOOD!!! And many other foods and occasionally empanadas or chicken milanesa. I love the food here-it is cheap and good and my new favorite drink is COCA WITH RED CHERRIES!!! They don't have syrups here but I can buy a can of red cherries for a dollar, it is a ghetto rigged wild cherry coke!!!
Today I made a cherry coke for all the lats in my district and they said it is the best soda they have ever had haha, I love serving american things to lats because they get so amazed at things that are normal for us. Now I realize they think the same of me because I smile when I eat their food here and drink the awesome apple gatorade and apple sodas!!!
I LOVE ARGENTINA!!!
TODAY WAS THE BEST DAY EVER. Next to our area is a national park and we hiked around 10 miles today through jungle and saw footprints for freaking mini tigers and who knows what other animals. I saw my first TUCAN bird it is so pretty and I named it fruity tootie because of fruit loops (it wasn't my idea to name it) but it was gorgeous, I have a ton of photos. It is gorgeous here with no laws-nothing, they have a free bus that takes you to the park and back and it is free to enter with free campgrounds!!!!
Yosemite is like 50 bucks a night and here nada!!! What else, oh yeah I am never around gringos at all-I mean my district now has 10 people and I am the only who knows english besides another gringa from Pennsylvania that doesn't talk so I never get to speak english!!!! But today in the park, I spoke with 3 people from france in english and it was so challenging to understand my own language and respond because I kept forgetting words but I talked with 2 girls around 20 years old and a older lady from germany!!! It was so fun because no one in our district could understand what I was saying-it was a classic!!! They asked our group in english where the trail was and I was like "YOU KNOW ENGLISH"!!! They said yes and we ended up talking about germany and jujuy and what to visit in front of all the lat missionaries-it was so funny!!!!
But anyway, baptism this Saturday and the miracles and protection we have are so high, I mean just the other day my comp. said we have to go to this family and I said I think we should visit the Mamani family first, so my comp. said fine and we missed a brutal protest while we were with the other family because the protest it was in front of the family's home that we were gonna visit!!!!
It is incredible how close the Lord is to us. At times I feel like there are 3 of us walking in the street. I mean as well in the lessons I always feel impressed to say something and it happens to be what they want to hear, it is incredible!!! The spirit is with those who seek to be the best followers of the best example of all time, the Savior!!
I love all of you and if you aren't going to church, remember 3 hours in one week is nothing to sacrifice for the blessings you all have to live in the United States!! Well this is Elder Darby once again I want to say I really miss you all and I want you all to stay strong and follow the Lord because he knows you the best and he knows what you need.

1 August 2011

It is hard to keep track of the days here and what happens but my blog is not my journal because I have a journal and write in it every day so dont worry haha. Mother this blog is for you all to remember me and the work I am doing down here in Argentina.
Freaking crazy here the change from one area to the next takes a toll because you come from an area that you know to a new unknown area. My companion is great!!! He sometimes likes sleeping a little more than usual but I am helping him to really straighten up and work his heart out. Which this week we did!!!! Mom, I know you said you don't like the number thing but every district or group of 5 companionships has a number goal for news found, investigators in the church baptism fechas and members present. So we have these goals but to me it isn't about the numbers but Preach my Gospel says that "work that isn't being tracked is not work at all". So great, Preach my Gospel is incredible.
Man this week was crazy with many problems in the town that I can't really write because we are told not too-but the fact is that my comp. and I are safe and I have a good story when I come home!!!!(read the news for Ledesma, Jujuy) Anyway we worked hard this week, we were able to find a lot of people but our investigators somehow all picked up a bad habit. We had 4 baptisms planned for this weekend but now it can't happen. Cigarettes, tea, chastity and honesty took a toll on our investigators. When a investigator confesses these problems to you, it rips your heart out! It is nothing to put yourself down because this is not my church and we are not here to find new members, we are here to invite help and teach the true gospel of Christ.
We have one man he is 56 and has been smoking and drinking alcohol since he was 12 but my comp. and the elder found him and he hasn't touched anything for 5 weeks!!!!!!!!!!! His testimony is incrediblle and everyday he tells us how good he feels and how he loves the church but he works on Sunday. Satan truly became realistic this week to me and my companion because we say the strongest fall and the weakest succeed. Satan does know us and he wants us badly but we need that firm faith in Christ to reject his ways and stand with our heads high and our roots deep in the gospel.
The things I am learning on my mission are incredible and I have never felt so comfortable in my life. When I teach a lesson, as long as I listen to what they say, the spirit ALWAYS AND I MEAN ALWAYS tells me exactly what to say. The language is as easy as english now and I can easily understand everything and respond just fine. Every day I smile because it is amazing I am here in Argentina, living with my companion from Peru speaking spanish all day everyday. It is a blessing to be here on my mission, mom, dad and family I thank you for all the support you have given me. There is not a person in the ward or in my family that hasn't made an effect on me, I love you all so much.
LEDESMA JUJUY: Just like my first area Perico with all paved roads, grocery stores the size of the vegetable area in Safeway-and rich and poor people. A lot of people drive motos and cars but their cars here are smaller than a prius. The biggest car they have is a Ford 100 truck which is half the size of a Toyota Tundra. We live in a pension that has no hot water because our heater is broken and the plumbers here never come when they are suppose to, it sucks. It is funny when my comp. showers because he screams cold and breathes loud so we have challenges to see who can shower the longest. My companion and I are missionaries in the sreet but just young children in the pension. Last night he threw me a plastic soda bottle and in english said 'let the force be with you' and we started smacking each other with the bottles (yes with sound effects) he is so funny and it helped because we are seriously best of friends. His english is terrible but I am teaching him. Anyways things here are tough but never am I ever sad or mad because each day is a new day and even if we have a problem with a person, I just realize I am blessed just to be speaking a language that I didn't know at all before my mission. The Lord is with me and I feel his love everyday.
Love always ELDER DARBY
(Newspaper headlines for Ledesma, JuJuy read: Provincial police forcibly evicted 700 families from land, squatters fought with rocks and stones. 4 killed, 60 injured)

July 25, 2011

TRANSFER TO JUJUY!

HEY I AM ALIVE AND ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS THAT I AM IN A NEW AREA WITH A NEW COMP. AND THINGS ARE JUST CRAZY!!!!

Hello not from Tartagal but from JuJuy again!!!! I set a record for missionaries and it brought a lot of tears to many people. As you know I was in Perico JuJuy for 6 months and Tartagal for a month; now I am in Le desma, JuJuy!! It's rare to stay just a month in your second area. It doesn't happen because it is a time to learn, to grow because you have a chance to restart in a new ward with a new comp. Anyway, it hurts me because we had 3 baptisms-me and Bjorklund but in Tartagal, I had 9 planned for the next 2 weeks! Those people planned on me to baptize them so when they realize I left, I really hope that things don't change.

So yesterday, Sunday night I clearly knew my comp. was leaving because he is going home but in my head I didn't think it was impossible that I would be transferred too. After church members said they can't wait to get to know me better but then we received a call at 8pm. At this point I was with family Justiniano, my comp. received the call-came in and said "Darby, you are leaving" and my faced dropped because this family loved me and invited me to many things once my comp. left. Anyway we stayed another hour till 9pm just talking, I just sat there shocked and sad to leave the area because I only had 6 weeks there.

After crying my eyes out and the family crying as well, we left and it was hard as can be!!! We then visited one more family and had to go back to the pension. So it hasn't been an easy transition, I haven't slept at all because I was packing. It made me miss all of you, my last comp., the members and families like the Justiniano's. It is amazing how much love I have on my mission for the people here and how it is always hard to leave even with only 6 weeks. I am still trying to stay awake and hopefully I can kick my desire to work hard back on and set myself up for 12 baptisms.

Know I love you all and I am still shocked about this transfer. I know this email is all over the place and it is hard to understand the love I have for these people and how hard it is to not say goodbye! Before my mission I never missed people and it wasn't that hard to say goodbye but now I feel the same love that the savior has for these people.

I love it here and i can"t wait to keep working and improve my spanish and baptize more in JuJuy!!!!!!!! I know that this gospel is for everyone and that every person can feel the love of Christ as long as we have faith and strength in him. Find your true joy and strenghthen your faith because times are only gonna get harder and your testimonio will be the last thing you have!!!!!!!!
Love always ELDER DARBY

11 June 2011

Hey mom, family and friends how are all of you?
This week was the best week yet of my mission because we not only had great success but also had the funniest things happen on Sunday. Saturday was great, we had 2 more baptisms; Christian and Norma Enrique. No they are not related to Enrique Eglesia, I already asked them and they said no. Anyway, great 2 investigators now members but wow they are truly studs.
Christian is 15 and was attending seminary 2 weeks before his baptism and has been an investigator for 3 weeks before his baptism. Norma went to Relief Society long before she was baptized. These 2 were just so amazing to be able to baptize and convert into the only true church on the planet. Christian was walking one day and was like-hey you lived in Alamo, California do you like e-40? So I, of course, was like-duhh, he is awesome-why? He was saying how he wants to see his house so bad so I talked to him about the rap world like 50 cent and Snoop Dogg and just everyone. It was funny because my companion right now hates rap and loves rock so he just had a puzzled face while we talked about rap for like ever. Man this baptism was just the best, I mean the feeling of the spirit and the fact that I can understand what they say makes it even more powerful. They are both just the best members now. So many people showed up to the baptism.
I love this work, it is just so rewarding. We have a brand new mission president and sees Elder Darby and Elder Bjorklund baptized 3 people in 2 weeks, not bad!!!!! My companion has 15 days left on his mission so we are just working up the wall-which makes it so fun.
This last week we reached our goals; had 6 in church and had 2 baptisms, like WOW, talk about being blessed. When you are obedient things just go so much better and trust me because I had the best week ever.
Saturday went so well-we found 3 new investigators by knocking doors and we had to teach all 3 the Word of Wisdom because apparently they want to change. So Saturday morning was the Word of Wisdom, then the 2 baptisms later in the day-so it was a very intersting day. Sunday morning we realize my comp. left his camera at the church so we had to walk 40 minutes in the morning to beat everyone to the church so we got there at 8am. WE FOUND HIS CAMERA!!!!
After we waited around till the classes started because we have priesthood, followed by gospel priciples and then the sacrament. But for the first class we are at the door just greeting people when one family we almost dropped shows up, I mean the whole family of 6 but 2 are members. They came at 9am which is a record for anyone who lives here. They came-then our 3 recent converts came early as well and 2 more investigators on time for the classes. Usually if people come they come at 11 for the sacrament but this Sunday-they came on time!!
So the classes go well because they are about marriage so me and my comp. were just making jokes to each other, it was fun as can be. Then our second class we joined the larger 'old people' class and watched Faith in Christ which is so weird in spanish because the voice of Jesus is a lot different. The class went very well and ended leaving it time for the confirmation of 2 more investigators and the sacrament. The 6 investigators that showed up stayed for the sacrament and 2 minutes before we started the sacrament meeting, my comp and I get called to give 12 minute talks!!! Me being ok with the language but not a pro, I was so nervous. I quickly remembered that they were leaving for the temple the next day so I thought I'd talk about temples but my comp. gave his talk all about temples so I quickly pulled out the Foundation of Christ. I pulled out 2 scriptures and just talked and talked for 13 minutes in pure spanish. I was so blessed.
The confirmations for Norma and Christian just went so well. After church we start working and get to an area we want to knock at and see Jehovah Witnesses at all the doors, so we see if they visited one member in that area. We turn the corner and see 2 of the witnesses in front of the members house so I wave and say 'hey brother how are you"? The witnesses immediately look back with faces like uh oh. The member gives me a giant smile and a thumbs up because he is a good member and was a missionary at one point so you could tell he was getting a kick out of it. So yes, on the sabbath we punked the Jehovah Witnesses. Later we visited that member and he said their faces were priceless and when they asked if he was Mormon, he told them he'd served a mission and they just left.
Classic story but the next hour we are down on numbers we needed 2 new investigators and a member present but we realize all the members are busy getting ready to go to Bolivia for the temple. So we get to an appointment but find out our investigator was sick and didn't show so we asked this sister if she was home alone and said nope. So we entered and her husband wanted to listen to us but we needed a member present because it doesn't count if the member lives in the same house. At this point it is almost 9pm and we need to be in the pension by 9:30pm so we ran to a members house, we politely asked him if he could come to this cita with us and he said yes. (this member has 7 in his family going to the temple and was packing for them but still came with us) we had the cita with this member and so 1 new investigator down and a member present down but we needed one more investigator. The member says can we pass bye my neighbor, I need my haircut and he says the lady is a member and you guys can teach her son. My comp. and I look at each other with 12 minutes before curfew and just smile. We ended up teaching the son and completed our numbers in the last minutes of the week.
I said that this was the best week because of the faith that I have grown. Last night my comp. said it isn't possible to complete this week so lets just knock and I said "comp. it is the 4th quarter with 10 minutes on the clock we have one cita and we can find a new after that." (at this point we were walking back from the church that normally is about 40 minutes) When I said this-he looked at me with a smile and said "ok hail mary" so we started walking FASTER AND FASTER!!!! We were exhausted from the week but while walking we saw frogs and a ton of them. Mom-Frogs!!! We watched one live frogger in the street, he dodged 3 cars and a scooter, so tight. So we had a good laugh and completed the night with faith AND frogs!
I learned that we need to always trust in the Lord and have faith because with this faith he will always provide a way for us to succeed. We were blessed a ton this week with teaching people with addictions and baptizing. This work is the best work in the world and with my companion almost going home-it makes me realize going home is not gonna be fun but sad because I love what I am doing and always will. I love you all and you are always in my prayers.
Love ELDER DARBY

4th July 2011

What a week and what a great p-day 4th of July opportunity. Mom great email, I loved it, as always of course. You mention that I should think about how lucky I was to be born in the states, well DUHHH!!!!!!!! I think everyday how these people truly got 'unlucky'. Not only learning spanish but also here in Argentina where you don't have options of what you want to do. A member was telling us that when someone escapes from jail here the police don't even look for him, it is the job of the jail guards. So crazy how everything here is just so behind. One boy actually thought Eminem was a different singer than Slim Shady and it cracked me up.
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!!! We have a wiffle ball bat, a ton of hamburgers and, of course, my favorite BBQ SAUCE. It is gonna be awesome!!!! We will have 3 latinos and 7 gringos so wiffleball it is. I can't wait-it is gonna be so much fun.
Anyway, this week was great because.....BAPTISM!!!!!!! MARIA VALLE DEL MILAGRO CARRIL!!!! Her name means 'Valley of the Miracle'. So tight because her baptism went so well but I truly ruined her confirmation of the Holy Ghost. The beginning part I kept studdering because I was so nervous, which doesn't happen to me but then once the memorized part was over, the spirit guided the whole blessing and it was long and very powerful. It is amazing because the part I memorized came from me and I kinda messed up but once I listened to the spirit and really realized I was his servant, it went so smooth and many people were shocked. So it ended up going well. Maria's parents are hard core Evangelists and hate Mormons but she wanted to be baptized so bad; we taught her in another members house and she was baptized. It is so amazing when these people listen and keep THEIR COMMITMENTS!!!! Then the lord does respond to their prayers. It was a blessing this week to be able to see Maria be baptized and confirm her as a member of the only true church on this planet.
It is cold and dogs are out and now freaking horses are everywhere. It freaks me out because I had to walk behind one yesterday and I thought it was gonna straight up kick me. It didn't because I am still alive but it was funny because I don't know horses at all. Also these dogs here are just insane, we knocked this one door (actually clapped) and 3 giant pitbulls run around the corner and just try to knock the metal gate over. So being Elder Darby, I stuck my hand in to see if I could pet them and all three jump at my hand to bite it off and crash into each other and topple over, it was so funny. Dogs are just so viscious and the dogs they have here are so illegal in the states. I got to kick my first dog on Friday!!! I clapped-it ran around the corner, this giant rottweiler and pulled it's teeth out and jumped toward my leg. I turned around and shut that things mouth with a big size 13 foot to the jaw. It squelled like a rat and just ran away. Haha, I felt pretty proud because if I would have missed, then man that could have been painful. The dogs, the horses and the christmas spirit all year long.
This town has christmas spirit and they don't even know it. They have giant poinsetta trees-like giant-and a lot of people have christmas lights out and tableclothes for christmas. It is so funny and the best part is my companion Elder Bjorklund from Utah always plays christmas music from the Mormon choir in the pension. So it always feels like christmas-which means feel free to send me packages anytime you feel like it, haha.
Well my time is running out and I have pictures that will hopefully upload. I have had the hardest time uploading photos in these terrible cybers. I even bought a little adapter and the fastest one at that but these computers are just terrible. But anyways, I will try to upload photos.
Just know you are all in my prayers and I am constantly dreaming of what joy I will have when I see or talk to you all again. I am excited to go to bed at night here because you never know what will happen the next day. My companion goes home home the end of this month so we are working really hard. We have 2 more baptisms next week and not the next but the one after hopefully 2 more. We are working hard to bring people this restored gospel and I hope you all realize I'm freezing at the same time. It is cold but there is only so much clothing we can fit on our bodies because if you wear a lot, the walking is a lot harder. So mother, nope I dont miss the things I sent home because I have the perfect amount of clothing for winter. Haha well stay strong, I love you all. Elder DARBY

June 27, 2010-Happy Birthday Kodman!!!

It is soooooooo FREAKING COLD HERE LIKE WOW!!!! TARTAGAL IS SUPPOSE TO BE A DESERT BUT THE WINTER IS JUST THE OPPOSITE!!!! We work with giant trench coats on and my boots. So while you are all enjoying the perfect California weather, just know 2 giant gringos are knocking doors wearing all black and talking with a funny accent.
THE WORK HERE IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! man these people are so humble and we are working so hard, it is awesome. Before my mission holding a job was hard because it was long and boring but wow when you have a testimony about the only true church on this earth and get the opputunity to share it with people that haven't heard it before, things get so much better. At this time we have 6 baptisms lined up for the next 3 weeks. We have NORMA, CHRISTIAN, DENNIS AND MARIA (there always has to be a Maria otherwise you aren't in Argentina) haha. So, as you can tell-missionary life is PERFECT!!!!
Now that I can understand and talk this language, my diligence meter just went way up. I can understand a language that I didn't even know 4 words 6 months ago. It is amazing, the Lord truly blesses his servants and now I can throw out at least 12 sciptures.
Gosh this gospel is so true and that I know with my entire heart! The members here and the people we teach are just so humble and family orientated. The only 2 problems we have had in this town is that a couple will live together but not be married. They say they are married but in reality they have 4 or more children and have been in the same house for years. Before baptism they either have to marry, which takes forever, or seperate. To be a 20 year old and to tell 2 grown adults they have to move or get married they look at you funny. But the humility and test of faith is so powerful.
We have had 2 families seperate for baptism-they each have 7 kids and have been living together for over 34 years.
It is truly amazing because no matter who you'd tell this to in the states, there is not a chance they would listen to a 20 year old. This has been the biggest topic on my mind lately. I am a servant of the lord Jesus Christ and he speaks through me. These people listen NOT because we have blue eyes and are tall, but because we have a nametag with 3 bold names. The first is ELDER then DARBY then JESUCRISTO!!!! We are here sharing the gospel and the only path to actually receive eternal life and live with our crazy families forever.
Gosh I love this work and it has humbled me in every sitiuation. I am blessed to know this language so quick and to be able to have the desire to study and read the scriptures. I have read the Book of Mormon 2 times on my mission and am in love with the stories and the TRUTH. President monson said "if you don't have a testimony of the Book of Mormon or this church, GET ONE!!!!" This is the promise of the true prophet on this earth. He receives the truth for all of us and if we say we want to follow God and the example of JESUSCHRIST, then we need to follow his messenger!!!!
I leave this with you as a 'challenge' to follow the scriptures and follow the gospel because without this gospel and repentance, we can't receive the celestial kindom.
No inpure thing can enter in the presence of GOD!!! I know this is true and I love you all.
Your Elder. Elder Darby