Hola familia! Its me again, Hna Payne!

Today is our pday because yesterday was a holiday. Thats sooo sad
because im sure everything was open yesterday. We never have time to
do anything because of the siesta. Oh well, what can you do. Today we
went and got our hair cut. I know, we are sooo exciting. She did a
cleansing thing that took out all the dirt, grease, and shampoo. My
hair feels soooooo clean! I think the shampoo and conditioner that i
use are really cheap so it doesnt do a lot for my hair. I dont know what my problem is.

I heard about Chile and the problems it was causing for people. I also
heard about the family of this kid. That is really sad. As far as I
know the andrews got here. I havent seen them. I dont know that I will
either. Im sure they just left my package in the office. Speaking of
the office. I had to go into Resistencia on Thursday to do something
for my visa. Well, with the luck that I have it just happend to be the
day that all the missionaries that were about to leave were in the
office as well. So I got to see the hna Runyan!!!! It was sooooooo
good to see her! She told me about all that had gone on in her area
since I left. They had 2 little girls get baptized of an inactive
member that is going again. The ward has really helped her come back.

Margarita.... well she defininetly wont be getting married. Her
husband is a snake. And he wont leave. He difinitely puts on a show
for us. She still doesnt have a testimony.. but likes going to church.
She wants to pay tithing and everything. She said that she is waiting
for God to remember her. Hearing her stories just makes me sooooooo
thankful for the gospel. I know with out a doubt the protection that
it has for us if we will just live it. I always knew the gospel was
true and loved it. But now it just has a new meaning in my life. If
only i could explain to yall in words... even then i think my words
would sound a bit hallow. But I love, love , love the gospel and this
work. Im sooo grateful the Lord has given me this oportunity to really
learn about others, myself, the gospel, and a million other things.

Well I love, love, love yall! Have a great week!

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola familia its me again, hna Payne! Another week has come and gone..
time just goes faster and faster and that just means its time to write
again. Eh.. im about done with writing. i know yall are too. I told
you all i give full permission not to write. I will of course send in
my few lines because it is required =)

This week.... well we had stake conference yesterday. It was
broadcasted in Buenos Aires with Elder Packer in charge. Well it was
all great and dandy until the power went out. Lame! It was out for
about 30 minutes and then came back on. Magarita and her neighbor were
there. The husband was selling food. The daughter isnt interested, and
the son we have never really talked too. I wouldnt really call them
progressing in this moment. Hopefully something will change this week.

Transfers are tomorrow. Who knows what will happen. There are a few
hermanas leaving but no new ones come, and we already have hnas with
out companions. Today is Hna Runyans last pday. Weird. It doesnt feel
like other people exist if im not there with them.. so it feels like
she will stay in resistencia. Ignorance is bliss =)

Today for pday we called president for permission to leave our area to
go and take pictures. Its kind of a rainy and yucky day but who knows
what will happen next week so we are going anyways.

Kelsie HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Sorry i forgot to tell you last monday!

Dad HAPPY FATHERS DAY yesterday! Again, sorry i forget last monday!

DAd HAPPY BIRTHDAY this week!

Okay well im out of time!!!!! I love, love, love yall!

Love, hna Payne

Hola Familia, its me again, Hna Payne! How goes good ol Memorial Day?? Ha I had NO idea. Its very strange not to know anything. sometimes we hear something about world disasters.. but then nothing.. almost like it didnt happen. Then again its nice not to worry about the things that are happening all over the world. I like my bubble!

Well this week was a great week! Noelia got baptized!!! I thought we lost her! But we had a lesson with her and a member and she decided to move forward. She knew it was true, but was letting her fear override what she knew to be true. I know, its soooo easy to talk but when it comes to the having courage thing and walkin the walk, well, its hard. How many times do we allow fear make our decisions??? Heavenly Father never answers prayers with fear! That would be another source... Him who can not be named! Anyways, it all went well after that. She went to institute 2 times before her baptism which is great because she needs friends in the gospel.

This week we found a family!!!!!!! Yay!!!!! Well really we found the wife and daughter 2 weeks ago and they came to church. Well of course we wanted to talk to the "husband". She said he wouldnt be interested. We showed up one night and he was there. He turned off the tv (good sign) and didnt leave (better sign). The mom and daughter have a baptism date for the 25th of June, and well so we tried to put one with him too and he accepted, and committed to come to church on Sunday. He came!!!!!!! She came!!!! The daughter no.. but she still has her date. Yesterday was the 5th sunday so everyone was together. We talked about financial planning, the program that the church has. There were only a couple pamphlets, and the wife, Magarita wanted one of them. Next we taught the gospel principles class because the teacher in inactive, lame. And then the sacrament where the 16 year old kid proceeded to bless the "wine" instead of the water! HAHA pretty funny. After we asked how he liked it! He said he loved it! And he has plans to play soccer with the men this Thursday and is really excited about it. We wanted to pass be yesterday, but Magarita had plans to go to the relief society get together. Yay! So we will pass be tonight. The problem with them is that they arent married. So you are thinking soo what?? Get married!!!!! I know right! But I dont think its going to be that easy because he is from Uruguay and doesnt have any kind of identification. We will be talkin marriage tonight! HAHA yay! I cant say that ive ever been soo excited to "talk marriage" And i thought I hated commitment! =)


Hilly! I sent you a letter to your old add. in orem last week. But im guessing you arent there now???

Okay well i love, love, love yall! Have a great memorial day and week!!

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola familia, its me again, Hna Payne! What is new to tell you this week???
Well, for starters... we didnt have a baptism this last week =( Noelia
said that she wanted to wait until this week because her mom and
friend were going to be in town??? Okay.. understandable. Well, from
her point at least. All the people on our side are always saying to
just baptize them. We asked a family if they could go by and get
Noelia on Sunday. They went by but she said something about having a
headache and something about her boyfriend being there?? What is up
with that? We went ahead and announced her baptism in church. We went
by later that night and she wasnt there. We found her this morning,
which is a good thing because she wasnt going to be at her house today
at night. She was super shocked that we announced her baptism. We
asked her what changed because we saw her everyday this last week,
minus Saturday (because she wasnt there) night. She is feeling lots of
pressure from her cousin that lives under her, and friends. At this
point she really isnt sure about anything. We talked to her for a long
time. She doenst feel that she has really gotten a direct answer
saying this is wha tshe is supposed to do. Hopefully now that her
baptism has been announced she is willing to really find out if this
is what she wants. But she knows!!!!!!! Its just the pressure of
everyone. And of course its hard! The changes required to be members
of the true church of Jesus Christ isnt easy. And then there is the
whole having courage thing to stand up for what you know to be right.
(I think that is part of why its soo hard to come home after the
mission... being so used to living a higher standard and then coming
home to people that havent, and then having to have the courage to do
what you know is the higher standard) Anyways, we have another
appointment with her tomorrow morning. Needless to say, we will be
praying hard for her.

Zone conference was great! I love zone conferences! Always sooo much
to learn. I wish we had them every month or transfer instead of every
3 months.

So this last week i got my scriptures cases that i bought in
resistencia, with pictures of Christ.... Well that was a sad day. I no
longer have scriptures to put in them. I think im going to break down
and buy them. I think they are a little cheaper here then home. I
think i will have to wait a while until someone goes to the temple.
lame.

Mom, you can send me a mask for my face =)
Dad, im still waiting on my dried bananas....
Raelene! I got your letter! you said in your letter that Jordan had a
month before he left.. and now his farewell is this Sunday! CRAZY!
Pat! Hey i had been waitin on your letter! About time =) I cant
believe Linds is graduating... then again, i cant believe that im 22.
Again, CRAZY!!!
ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I put a letter in the mail for you
today... right before i read your exciting news! You could very easily
have your baby before i get home!!! Im starting to feel old now that
all of my friends are married... and having babies! HAHA thanks! But
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!

Okay well im out of time and things to say... Thanks for all that yall
do. I love, love, love yall. Have a great week!

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola familia! Its me again, Hna Payne! How goes it in good old Utah??

Well, Maira got baptized!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yaaaayyy! I really dont remember what I told yall about her but she is 19 and suuuper shy. She was nervous about her baptism before but excited. We were waiting for her close to her house to go to the church and i didnt recognize her from a distance because she was in a skirt. She bought a skirt for her baptism and for church. Cute!

We have another baptism for this Saturday. Her name is Noelia. She was one of our miralce finds the day of conference. We told her there was a baptism planned in the next hour (intermission of conference) and that she should come with us to see how it is. Especially because she accepted a date to be baptized. She, her mom, and cousin came with us, and they stayed for the 2nd session of conference. We continued to teach her but then lost her date. We put another one but she wasnt really progressing. She didnt see a difference in her life, and didnt see the need for the gospel. We asked her if she felt like she had really given her part to find out if it were true. She said no. Oh, I forgot, she was worried about the word of wisdom, and the law of chastity AFTER baptism. But really she was worried about these things because she didnt have a testimony of the Book of Mormon or Joseph Smith. Well at this point, we hadnt taught her the law of chastity so we took that opportunity right then to do so. I guess it gave her a reason to find out if it were true. This was Friday, with her baptism in a week. We really didnt think it was going to happen. But then on Sunday at church we were waiting for the bus and she asked Hna Quezada who was going to be baptized the following week. My comp thought about the dates that we have and realized that it was Noelia and then asked how she felt in respect to her baptism. She said she wants to get baptized! We were shocked, ha but of course soooo excited. She said she prayed and just started to cry. And now she wants to get baptized. Yes! How dare my faith waver. The Lord works miracles. This week we will be with her everyday! Because she isnt quite prepared. Tears doesnt mean its true, but at least now she is recognizing the Spirit. Aw i love the gospel. Its amazing to see little changes in peoples life for the gospel. Our Heavenly Father really is soo mindful of all of his children. eh i wish i could express or explain myself or the situation better.. sorry yall will just have to live with it.

Mom, you asked what we did for pday. Well, we have this new rule that we cant leave our area... This rule is from the area presidency, so all of south america has this rule??? I dont know but its super lame. Our area is tiny and has NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No where to eat, no ice cream.. we of course cant get together with other missionaries. I think we have permission to go and send cards or something... but other than that nothing. So today we deep cleaned the apt. Ya, our life is really exciting, I know =)

We have zone conference this week. It will be our last with President. Sooo weird to think we will have someone else the next time. Man, time flies.

Hna Jones! I always mean to send you a little note in my emails, but ALWAYS forget. Hey, I got your letter! THank you for the talks, they are great. And i really liked your lamina that you sent. Happy belated birthday, and one year mark. Wow, where has the time gone??? I love you! Keep up the good work!

Hna Borchert! I keep meaning to write you back! I will try next week!

Hilly Billy! Im waiting on that other letter... the one after Mexico =)

Sadie!!!! I got your letter! I was soo surprised. Thank you! I will be gettin a letter in the mail for you in the next week! FYI plan on the mission =)

Grandma thanks for the letter! Its nice to know whats goin on in good ol Texas!

No letters of packages from yall. I will be sure to let you know when i get anything.

I cant think of anything that i need right now.. but i will let you know for sure next monday. And I didnt know that elder.. that is his last or first name??

Okay well, i love, love, love yall. I hope yalll have a great week.

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola familia, its me again, Hna Payne! How goes life on the home
front??? Well this week was quite an adventure. You name it and it
probably happened. It started with not having any water for a couple
of days in the apt. That was fun. I forget how grateful I am for
something as simple as water. Our numbers were horrible, (yesterdsay
we redeemed ourselves and it wasnt too bad) but friday night beats
all. We had just left a lesson that went terrible. It was one of those
nights that you think it couldnt get much worse... ha and of course it
was raining. Well, my comp wanted a jacket so we swung by the apt to
grab one. Well I had the umbrella in my hand and she was in front of
me opening our gate, when I felt something pull me to one side. I
figured it was someone that i knew, just sayin hi or something....
wrong. I turned around and it was someone trying to take my bag. I was
soooooo confused. I started to scream at him, ´´NOOO!´´ I started to
fight with him for my posessions as I countinued to scream and hoped
that someone would come to my rescue. As all of this was happening,
the mission handbook kept running through my head... ´´if asulted,
just give up your stuff´´ is basically what it says. Not only was i
figting with him, i was having an internal struggle with myself...
´´what do i have in my bag?´´ Eh I had a watch, (with absolutely no
value) my dictionary, 2 freaking pesos, my bag that cost like $100 and
of course my scriptures. Ehhhhh my scriptures. One year of notes, and
markings and, ehhhhh my life! But yes in the end I just let him have
my stuff. I had no choice in the matter... dang white handbook. I
didnt feel like he was really threat.. Well, i think i thought that.
It all happened soooo fast. But yea, im heartbroaken about my
scriptures. But on the brightside, or the downside... im choosing to
be positive about this, he knows where we live! Okay, I know what you
are thinking.. but no its good cause he is going to throw my
scriptures over the gate because.... well because Heavenly Father cam
work miracles (according to our faith, so family, have faith for me).
So please pray that this kid willl have a change of heart and throw my
scriptures over my gate. I go out in the mornings to look if they are
there. So far nothing... =) But Im safe. so please dont worry =)

Other news in the neighborhood is that Maira is getting baptized!!!!
She was really cute about it. We invited her to a baptism that was on
saturday at like 5 so she could see how it was. Ha she asked at what
time the baptisms usually are because she had class or something in
the morning on the 14th. Music to our ears when people actually think
things out and they say something in reference to their baptism date.

Okay well this is a short one... but I will be talkin to you this
Sunday. I havent heard back from yall... but I think that yall are 3
hours different (not 4 mom) and you said church in the morning.. so im
guessing 9to 12?? in provo??? so i will call at 4 my time which i
think is one yall time??? but i feel bad.. yall will be starving and
wanting to eat. but yall havent written me back again... so im just
assuming yall have church at nine now.

Okay I love, love, love yall!

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola familia! Its me again, Hna Payne. Life is pretty good here in Formosa. We got a cool front yesterday and it is absolutely wonderful.

This week we had like an hour conversation with an inactive where she proceeded to insult everyone and everything about the church. She got baptized like 20 years ago and had a bad experience because the elders just baptized her and she didnt know anything. She knows members and calls them trucha because of their actions and lack of change in the gospel. Her daughter Lupi that is 15 has a baptism date for the 7th of may... but she isnt having it because she is super protective and doesnt let her daughter leave by herself very often. Well, the couple of times that she did was with member girls her age, but were wearing really short shorts and had on makeup....... these girls are recent converts! Our hearts just broke because she wouldnt listen to us. And she is going to play the selfish card and wont go to church for herself to see what is being taught.

The President of the branch dropped cain on the members (all 21 including him and his wife, and the missionaries) about why we come to church. It was a great talk but very bold... not sure if it had a lot of love in it... luckily we only had one investigator in church and she was fine with it. He used the 10 virgins parable and how we have to be prepared, and do things for the right reasons to get all of the blessings. He talked about Laman and Lemuel, and how they did everything that Nephi did... but with murmuring and everything else that they did.. but it wouldn't be fair that they received the same blessings as Nephi. I loved it! Why do we do the things we do in the church?? Are we a Nephi or his brothers? Always things to change! I dont know that there were enough people in sacrament to make a difference. Apparently he has given this talk before... Our poor little branch. If we would just do the things we know we should, instead of just thinking about it.. everything would be better.

Kind of a discouraging week.. Satan never gives up on us does he? He knows us well, that is for sure. But its through the our experiences that we know the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Happy Easter! I know that Christ lives! Its through His atonement that all is possible! I love the talk by Elder Monson, He has risen! And Elder Hollands, None were with Him. There is soooo much to learn about the atonement of Jesus Christ. I wish that everyone could understand that it is only through our Savior that we can be saved, but ONLY after all we can do. It is such a different time period that we live in. It was Joseph Smith that was truly concerned for his welfare and salvation.. a time of religious excitement. Ha I woudnt put those two words together in a sentence to describe our culture.



Mom, can you please look for an i love you necklace (sign language) I think I saw one in one of the church bookstores.

What time do yall have church on mothers day? Its on the 8th right? Im sure we have rules on when we can call this day... it might be hard with yall not getting out of church until 5??? because we are 3 hours different? but someone said we can call at night??

Dust, did you send cd´s? Totallly okay if no. just wondering.

Okay well, i love yall! Have a great week and enjoy the spring weather. Until next week =)

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola Familia! Its me again, Hna Payne! HOw is life on the home front? Today there is a hint of fall in the air! Its fabulous! But of course its kind of like Texas weather here... one day is quite hot and the other is rainy and cold! But its nice that its cooling off. Sounds like things are getting warm there. Congratulations... you made it!

So, am i allowed to quite writing? I just dont have anything to say. Im written out =) okay I know that isnt allowed.. but ehhh. I will let yall off the hook. I kno yall hate it more than I do!

Okay so this week.... I am soooo thankful for the mission. It has definitely opened my eyes up to the world a little bit. Im learning a lot about pride and selfishness in families. It is incredible the things that happen in families because of these two things. Of course I knew this.. (not from our family because we are perfect) but im seeing effects from it and how the family suffers. Pride and selfishness destroy families.

Miguel is received the priesthood yesterday. that is great. We had a fhe with his family where he gave the ´´class´´. Ha it was really funny. Really it was just a family council meeting with scriptures. It was cool though because Im sure they didnt have have communication like this before their family joined the church. It is just sooo amazing what the gospel does for families. I cant imagine raising a family with out the gospel.

So our little branch. Its soooo sad. We have classes first and there is no one there to teach the classes. Its kind of embarrassing to bring investigators and there be no one there on time. Its a good thing everyone can feel the Spirit. Well lucky me, I got to bear my testimony yesterday about the scriptures. Eh! I know im a missionary and all but I really dont like being in front of people. It frustrates me to no end that I get soo nervous and cant think on my feet and express myself. I coudnt do that in english.. much less spanish. Haha our family is not the best at expressing how we feel. I dont know if its in me. And then there are other missionaries that are soo good at teaching and expresssing themselves and good at everything else!!! Its hard not to compare myself to everyone else. I just want to be perfect. haha oh well. whats a girl to do. Keepin tryin i guesss =)

Michael Smith! Its about time =) I havent gotten a chance to read your letter yet tho.

Sarah! I cant email you back directly, but I got your address seconds ago!!!! Ha I love you!

Dust, happy first day of school tomorrow!

Life is great. I love this work. Im soooo thankful for the gospel. There are soooo many blessings that are ours if we live the gospel. We know the things that we need to change.. the hard part is just doing it. Conference is always a great motivation! But then it passes and we forget about that motivation. But we cant forget! We always have to strive to be better. Ehhh its soooooo hard. HA its easier to complain about it then just doing it. I wasnt complaining tho.. just stating the obvious =)

Okay well i love, love, love yall. Have a great week. Untill next week =)

Love,
Hna Payne

Hola Familia!!! Its me again, Hna Payne!

First of all! I finally got my pics! Apparently you need to send it to this add to get things faster! THis is straight to the mission office. Now Im waiting for your other one.

Angie!!!! I got your package. THank you sooo much. It was soooo thoughtful. I was soo excited. Did you really remember that my favorite orbit gum was peppermint?? Good choice =)

Well we finally had our baptism. Everything went really well.. Ha well we didnt have one of the speakers show up.. but that is really normal. It was really funny when Miguel was baptized. He is a bigger guy, and the guy baptizing him is super little, so he had to do it twice. But his little 2 year old of course didnt understand what waas going on... just that his dad was being shoved underwater by another person. He started to cry for his dad. Haha it was really cute.

We had interviews with President this last week. I think that it might have been the last. Soo weird. Its sooo crazy the way time flys. I dont really like it. It makes me nervous how fast it all goes. Have yall seen anything about the new president?

Well this week was great. Im getting more comfortable with everything. Pretty sure my comp will be leaving this next transfer. Eh i really dont know the area that well. Oh well gotta learn. I could ask president for another transfer.. .but im pretty sure he would tell me that he is not going to give me Hna Da Silva as my crutch.. Sound familiar Lyle?? haha =) I love, love, love the gospel. Its absolutely amazing the things you learn when you apply yourself and just study. I remember what it was like to try and find time to read a chapter before the mish and now we have an hour and its soo sad when its over =) The gospel is soo true!

Mom my companion wants a recipe that is very american.. I have no idea what to tell her. Ideas and recipes please =) Hey I cooked goolosh the other day.. you would have been soo proud =)

Sarah!!! I started a letter for you.. but didnt finish =( but either way I need your add so i can send it to you... Lucky for you, I know how to send international letters =)

Hna Borchert! Got your email.. havent read yet =( but i love you

Sorry fam.. my emails have been super lame these last few weeks.. i will try and do better next week. But I love yall sooo much. Have a great week =)


Mission add:

Entre Rios 465

Resistencia, Argentina

CP 3500

Argentina

Hola familia, its me again, Hna Payne.

This week flew by! I cant believe conference is over. Its like Christmas.. you cant help but be a little sad its all over and have to wait. But it was great. I absolutely love, love, love General Conference. Ha I have changed there. I thought of yall and which talks you were probably sleeping in =) Well we didnt have a baptism Saturday like we planned. President said to wait one more week to make sure Miguel really is good to go. He is doing great. He attended both sessions yesterday and is super excited for his baptism this coming Saturday.

We have lots of baptism dates (which we are to always have. we have to put them in the first lesson, pretty much no matter what) that we will be working hard for. We talk to soo many people that are happy and content, which I understand. I have no doubt that they feel the spirit in their church and feel goood. BUT there is such a difference in the things that are GOOD and then the things that are RIGHT. If only we could all understand that better in our lives.

Im loving the area. My companion is great. Im learning how to be a better teacher. eh i feel like the english missionaries can focus in that a lot.. but i feel like my language is just so bad that i cant be a good teacher. BUt hey that is what the spirit is for. and yes my spanish is improving =)

Uh... im sorry, but i really dont have a lot to say this week. But I am loving Formosa and the mission. I hope that life is good for yall.

Sarah- my bestest, stupid, friend! I got your email but havent gotten a minute to read it. I will send you a little note next week.

Hna Borchert.. or I mean Lindsey. Weird. Im sorry. I forgot to tell you i got your email last week. Sounds like life is crazy. How are things this week. I love you and miss you.

MOm if oyu could please send an ensign in spanish and english, as soon as they come out.

Okay well im really sorry this was a really lame letter. BUT I LOVE LOVE LOVE yall. Have a great week.

Love,
Hna Payne