April 23, 2012

Mom i got your email ontime so you are good. Wow i am filled with just
the weirdest feelings knowing that i dont know my nephew and that my
sister Alix is getting married who would have thought? So you liked my
letter or talk?

So about my area it is TOUGH!!! Like like the typical Jujeños that I love
but more like salteños that are die hard catholics even when we give a
health blessing and they heal right after. They still don't believe. I
can't believe how hard hearted people are to what we have to share. But
either way I know my smile has brought more success than anything else
just to stay happy and energized. It has been tough because my
companion is going home in 3 weeks and he is just way to negative
about the bishop here and the success that sure we are working but he
doesn't believe in the investigators that we have anymore. He is
incredible the way he teaches but there is no more love coming from
his words and they just leave without feeling. And yes I said I never
read the bible but now I have finished the new testament and am on
round 2 to finish it once again so I can use it a lot more with these
catholics. I mean there are lessons that we teach so well with such a
spirit and yet the person says I think I can feel like this in any
church. I have realized that we can't respond and say no but rather ask
why and come to a good conclusion. It is so tough but it has been so
fun to have been thinking so much and more profound studies of the
scriptures and doctrine. I truly do love it here and i hope it sounds
like i am loving it. Although we had a sweet miracle the other day and
it was so cool. What happened was we found this girl a few weeks ago
and never went to church but just yesterday during the second class i
was teaching gospel priciples and told my comp. I am leaving to find
an investigator because no one is here. So I took a member that was
hilarious. So we passed by about 10 people and no one so finally I was
exhausted and just felt bad till finally I remembered this girl. So I
ask the member can you walk a little farther I've got one more person we
can try. So we went and this girl comes out of her house with the
shortest shorts showing everything because they were clear and a clear
bra. It was nasty but I told her you have 5 minutes to change and come
to church so we talked and my Darby convincing skills turned on. So
after 10 minutes she said ok I  will change. So she changed and we

walked her to church. We started in silence because you could tell she
hated me because I was so pushy. So finally I asked her a question.
Do you like Eminem?  She looked at me and we just chatted it up all the
way to church(20 minute walk) so we arrived just on time for sacrament
and the member I was with had a talk. So our investigator (she is 18)
sat down and I invited over the other girls and they all tried to talk
to her but she wouldnt talk so the sacrament started and about halfway
through she grabs my hand and yanks me out to the hallway. So I went
and said what happened? she said Darby you are the only one that makes
me feel good can I sit next to you so I said sure and she just started
crying and told me how she wanted someone to help her last night so
she remembered how I told her to pray and she did it and I passed by
her house. She said she was sorry for being so stubborn but didn't
remember that she prayed until I asked her about Eminem because Eminem
was playing while she prayed!!!!  So we are gonna see how she is tomorrow.
THIS WAS A MIRACLE!!! I was so shocked because I thought she was about
to slap me and say why did you drag me here but luckily I was placed
in the right moment to respond to the impression that I received. I
can't tell you how crucial it is to listen to the spirit. I realized it
is everyting. God loves us and we are only his instruments so we need
to stand up and show off every talent that we got. I love you all and
am always working to make you proud. Love Elder Darby

Alix's Wedding!! April 30, 2012

There is no better phrase than we are the Darbys and we love humor!!! Because just from that i can imagine every thing that went on for the wedding. The good jokes, funny toasts and so much more. I bet it was a great experince but I can say that my last week was one of the best moments on my mission!!!! So yes last sunday miracle with the girl who changed and came to church but we caught her smoking so there went that but maybe someday she will wake up. But the other miracle or 2 miracles were first my amazing question ´How would you feel if you killed God? so are you gonna do it?´

It was fantastic because this last Wednesday we finally found this one kid's house because we always taught him alone and we felt impressed to find his house and when we found it his sister asked´are you 2 the missionaries?´i got scared and wanted to say no but gladly we said yes and she said´I am alejandros sister but can I talk to you 2?´ so we agreed, went into her house and we talked for a little bit but she seemed like she was hiding something so I asked what's wrong and she told us she has plans to have an abortion in 2 days!!! You could imagine our reaction. I wanted to ask why but I just pulled out the bible and we shared the part where Christ says that children are the best in the kingdom of God and whoever receives one receives me. She looked at me and I asked my question. DO YOU WANT TO KILL GOD? 

She stated no and explained how bad things were and then we finished with a prayer and left. The next day I had a different companion and we taught her and she said 'hey I made my decision about the abortion' and my eyes got big and she said I DONT WANT TO KILL GOD!!! Then she said how after our lesson she said she went and prayed for the first time and after went to her families house. She said everything went fine that her husband wanted to keep the baby now and all her family. So you could just imagine how happy I got and right then I said will you be baptized this May and she said there is nothing else I would rather want then that!!!! So great this moment!!!! The best part was the companion who was with me that day because he just said ´dang, Darby how did you mange to get her to not abort? I told him the scripture and asked WOULD YOU KILL GOD!!! It was awesome and we had a great laugh.

Next great miracle was Maxi the drug addict!!! We taught him friday finally and it went so well because he responded so much to the questions and his mom over heard the conversation and sat down and listened then the sister then the other brother and then the aunt. It was like we taught the book of mormon five times because everyone wanted to know!!! The best part is that the Mom wanted to say the closing prayer and she said ´Thank you father for sending these 2 angels to save me and my family to bring us back together after the fight we just had!!!! I realized that they had just dropped so many bad words and so many terrible things but we entered and they felt the spirit cleanse there home and we ended up blessing their house.

Third miracle!!! Tuesday we were with a member and our planned baptism for last saturday writes a text to her saying I am done with the missionaries I am confused and want to give up what should I do. I yelled out read Ether chapter 12 and my comp. yelled out read Alma 32. We realized that Alma 32 was about the seed of the word and Ether was about the faith and how to grow the seed. It was pure revelation.  We went by Thursday expecting a rejection and she just had a huge smile and said ´I want to be baptized saturday so guess what? we baptized Saturday and I was able to baptize her on the day Alix got married!!  Now tell me that that isnt a miracle!!!! haha this week was honestly incredible and so much more happened that I realized it was weird to think my sister was getting married but God blessed me so much for what my family and sister were doing. I want you all to know i love you and yes i will see you all soon. Wish me luck to baptize on my birthday if we can haha Love Elder Darby

April 16, 2012

Well today is sweet because I am in the middle of Salta capital!!! It is beautiful and looks a lot like Spain, but its dirty and there are a lot more cultural things here. It is funny because never on my mission have I really wanted to go explore and be a tourist but here it actually sounds kinda fun. 

We have another baptism planned for Saturday so that should be great and more planned for the week after. The goal on the mission is to baptize every week and I am excited that myself and elder yates were the 2 elders to make it possible. 

I love my new area. I have to say the people are typical jujeños but they are salteños which means catholic and harder. So it has been a little tougher because now we are teaching deeper doctrine not just the basics and me and my comp. have the greatest doctrine talks together. I know it is hard for you all to believe I learned doctrine but after completing the new testament my eyes have really opened. Also i am hoping to finish it again but the time I call home on mothers day!!!! Can't wait to hear everyone again and to hear and say see you in a couple months. Like 7 or something like that. 

Things are gonna be great especially because I've served in 2 of the best providences in our mission and wont go to the 2 worst. haha everyone says I've had a rich spoiled mission. Although I have been in the toughest areas on the mission, it sure is nice to have cool weather and no real intense heat. I may not have the best stories about gangs or shootings but that clearly isn't what it is about. 

The best story or accomplishment will be able to say I know how to baptize every week and accomplished it. So I am working on it and in our area we are setting up our investigators really well. I think the best was my bus contact in front of like 25 people on a bus. We ended up passing by 10 of them and 4 went to church so it worked. I just love trying new methods to find people everyday. I love you all and will be working till the plane takes me out of here. Love you all Elder Darby

April 9, 2012

Things are great I got a couple emails from the elderes from my last district and they thanked me for my example. I just love being a missioinary it is really tiring but so rewarding. I finally understand the life of Joseph Smith, waking up fighting everyday waiting for the reward and finally it will come. 

My new companion is from Buenos Aires and I will finally be able to speak in spanish all day, everyday. He is so funny, I just love him and he is a good teacher. We do so well in lessons and we both love people so everyone is starting to love us. So sunday was fun!!! My first sunday and I had to do alot to participate. It started with a confirmation for a little boy we baptized then a 13 minute talk on Christ's life then we had to sing in the choir. It was so fun and then the closing prayer so I am pretty sure everyone heard my voice a little too much sunday. 

It was so powerful for me to truly be out here and to truly have the time and lessons to teach and remember Christ and what he did for us. I almost cried in every lesson when we read how much he truly suffered and I made a pledge that I will never sin again!!! haha, I wish but I am trying. 

So everything is great President called me today and said we are the new best zone with the most baptisms so that made me quite proud and we will only get better. It is amazing how we have 38 missionaries in the zone and we are aiming for 50 and we already have 30 so a few more weeks of april and 20 more. President said if we complete this goal his wife will cook me and my comp. a good lunch so we are both excited. But other than that I am happy and loaded with the spirit just trying my best always. I just wish that all of you can truly find the relationship with your Father like what I have found. The number one question to every missionary in my zone was Elder has the gospel brought a change to your heart. I asked everyone this and they are all so animated to baptize. Oh I am just so excited for Alix getting married and the mission. I love you all and have a great week!!!!Love always Elder Darby

2 April 2012 TRANSFER/ZONE LEADER!

GREAT CONFERENCE AND BEST PART LARRY WILSON. WOOOWWWW!!!!!  I sat with so many elders that just loved his talk and so many said it was their favorite. The funniest joke about him saying, "well honey i have the priesthood!!!" I just loved it. 

Well here is the best part, I LEFT JUJUY!!!! I am now about 20 minutes north of Salta the capital and am ZONE LEADER!!!! So much happened in so little time. The president saw me today and we talked a little and he was so excited to have me be the new zone leader in a huge zone!!!! The best part, I am now next to the offices and we are going to the offices every single tuesday, so whatever you send (if you send something) I will get it right as it enters the offices. Things are just so great!!! 

It was an amazing weekend to hear the prophet who has called me to this area and to know that no other person could speak or say the things he said. He was so powerful yet so humble. I can't even imagine seeing Jesus Christ being the only prophet in the world and being more humble than anyone. What an amazing man!!! 

Alix went to the temple and oh man I miss temples so bad.  I just love everything about them from the feelings to the spirit to the learning every time that I attended.  It is truly the closest place to heaven. Like they say heaven is here we just need to open our eyes to see. 

Conference was about 3 things; first contention drives the spirit!!! Second strengthen the family by your example and love!!! Third you need to truly understand the atonement and have the attributes Christ had. I love the part about judging the 2 word sermon STOP IT!!! What a simple yet so powerful statement. But I realized that the gospel is simple and basic and the best thing to do is learn the basics, apply them and reap the blessings. I love you all so much and there truly was a strong spirit to see my converts past members from my other areas and to be able to realize this is what the celestial kingdom will be like. I will never forget the day in the sacramento temple when the whole ward went and we all passed through and entered the celestial room. There was no better assurance than to know I WAS WORTHY AND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE!!! Why do we sin? because others sin. Why do we not do what our potential can? because others seem like less. All depends on our example!!! So stand open, like Lehi to his sons rise up out of the dust and become men. I say to all of you, rise up brush off the dirt or disobedience and let your light and example shine as bright as Christs. Like moroni said "so when he comes again we will see him as we are!!!" Do we judge? are we disobedient? are we slacking in the commandments? 2 WORDS STOP IT!!!! I love you all and will be working hard here in my new area of:_city of miracles, salta My companion is a latino from buenos aires and this is his last transfer so boy am i gonna show him the GRAN FINALE!!! Love Elder Darby

3/12/2012

Wow my Moms got class!!!! Rollin with the Iphone!!!!Geez I can't even
imagine what it will be like having a real phone again because the one
we have is worst than the first phone I ever had. So things are just
bad in our new area. 3 of our investigators moved the other 2 slept
sunday and didn't go to church and one other just dropped us completely
and is never in their house. Man it has been rough because the
missionaries working in our old area are doing horrible as well as my
whole district so it has been a tough week. Our one hope and joy is
that we found 2 new families to teach. One is just awesome and their
goal is to be married this month!!!! The other is a family of 5 the
two boys maxi and martin are just beasts but the Mom just
started listening to us because she was way catholic. They are great and
promised to go to church next sunday. So possibly 6 baptisms this
month!!!! We are working so hard and have gained the trust and love from
the members. They adore us, I just love as they call us and ask how we
are doing every sunday in church. We have officially become known as
the 2 tall white angels. As well as the 2 last hopes!!! Makes more
sense in spanish but everyone knows that we were sent for a reason and
I have to say that I just love the members here. They are really poor
and humble but willing to give whatever we need. I love the work
and I know we are gonna blow this area out of the water, we just need
a little more patience and we will be fine. My testimony grows everyday
and I know this work is true. I just love it so much-always working hard.
Elder Darby

BEST WEEK EVER 3/19/2012

THINGS ARE GREAT AND I HAD THE BEST WEEK AND SUNDAY OF MY ENTIRE MISSION!!!! 

You have no clue how hard it is to teach so many people and
to only see one or 2 in church but this last sunday lets just say 9 out
of 10 went to church and 3 inactive families!!!!! It is a miracle. It
is so true that we never receive a testimony except after the trial of
our faith. 

We have been working hard teaching a lot, dropping a lot 

and finding only a few new investigators. But, monday night we were 

walking and I felt an impression to take a turn at a random street that 

we never took before so we did it and a drunk man came up to me-so the 

first thought I had "oh another drunk here to just waste our time". 

He told me you 2 are angels sent from God right?  So, I said 'sure' and 

he said I need your help please pass by my house.  

So, I got in his face and said with all the power, brother we will pass by 

once to your house wednesday at 9pm and if you aren't there, we can't 

do anything. Guess what, the door was open so we clapped and he came 

running to the door and called us angels. He let us in and was completely 

sober. He told us he has been drunk for 15 days and his family has abandoned him and he has nothing but wine to save him. So we took out the Book of Mormon and we read a couple scriptures and testified that he can change with just the strongest spirit that brought tears to my eyes and my comps. and his. 

So the lesson went well and we went back friday at 9pm once again and he
was waiting at the door for us. He gave us hugs and a typical
argentine kiss with no booze in his breath. We taught him again and he
asked 'when is church, can I go' so we said 9:30 this sunday we will be at
your house at 9am. Sure enough yesterday we pass by and he was there
and ready in a nice shirt and jeans. It was a MIRACLE!! 

Then 2 seconds after another 2 investigators call and tell us to drop by their house so we took 5 with us to church!!! It was just awesome!

We had talks, I taught gospel principles like usual about the atonement and all
were crying and Omar, our drunk friend, asked if he could say something
so he stood up in class told us the story how his wife left him and he
has been waiting for 5 months for someone to save him and told us how
we are now his angels. 

He is amazing and sitting nerxt to him and seeing the hurt in his eyes 

and tears made me realize that it doesn't matter if I baptize 70 because 

one soul is great in the eyes of God.  I could feel the love God has for him 

and he has so much faith and I am so excited to help such an amazing man. 

I have been humbled to the dirt to realize I need to do the Lords will not 

what I want. I need to follow His guidance not what I think. 

This last week has changed my entire life and I know I am here for a 

reason and that I was worthy and trusted by God to come to this area 

and listen to the prompting to turn down that street. The work may be hard 

but never will I feel inadequte or unable to do the what God wants. I know He loves me and wants us to succeed. To see inactives come back and to 

see that many investigators in church, I just know that it is not me and my
skill, it is the Lord.  All I am is an instrument in his hands. I love this work 

and will be working hard forever!!!! 

Every member a missionary was my talk and never have I realized that 

it is the members responsibility to share the gospel with frieinds, work mates 

and everyone. Just do it and I promise it will be the most joyful peace to
the hardest heart!!! I love you all so much and know I am here doing
this work I love and i will see you all soon. love Elder Darby