January 15, 2018 -22 weeks down (5 month mark tomorrow)

HOLAAAAAAAA

THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING BECAUSE... we had our first baptism!!!!

On Friday morning me and my comp went to the wedding of our investigator Marcelo, and his soon to be wife Laura (who was a less active member, but now has completely returned to the church). It was in this old house by the coast, and it was so amazing. Super different from any wedding I’ve seen, but man was it so special. 

Saturday we spent the entire day in the chapel practically, cleaning decorating and getting everything ready for 5pm..... the font only worked with ice cold water though so that was interesting.. we called it the last trial of faith haha. Poor guy was literally freezing his tush off..

When the baptism started I was so stressed out and nervous lol. Who would have thought. Me, Amy Holt, stressed out and impatient over something? LOL. I think I practically killed my comp with my nerves hah. I just wanted to be sure everything would go perfectly and that Marcelo could have a super spiritual experience.

The first talk was given, and then Marcelo was baptized. When he came out of the water, he just put his face in his hands for a few moments, and just stood there. We quickly realized he was having a super spiritual moment (as he told us later). He told us that words couldn’t describe what he felt after. wowza how grateful I was that he was able to have a super spiritual moment. 

Then I played a song for everyone on the piano called He Knows Me Better (and everyone was super impressed and it actually went real well.. but now the branch presidente wants me to play all the time during the sacrament meeting...oh no! haha), another talk, and then Marcelo went up to give his testimony. Now, Marcelo is a shy guy. He doesn’t open up a whole lot. But man, that testimony was the most sincere, simple. beautiful testimony I have heard. He told a bit of his experiences, and then at the end said ... 

I believe, no.. I know that the Church is true. 

Man, when he said those words, all of my doubts and stress melted away. I could feel that he wasn’t just another baptism that would go inactive, but that he was a true convert. and that he was going to stay.

The presidente of the branch said that he was ready to recieve the priesthood, so he received it Sunday. And also had the confirmation. 

It was such an amazing day. 

Also this week I had an idea for an activity to do with the branch, so Thursday night we held a family home evening activity in the chapel. We taught about goals and how to make them and why they are important. we did some fun interactive activities, had music, and food. Only about 25 people came, and we practically had to drag them there, but they came. and they really enjoyed it. I think the branch presidente (who is hard to please) was actually super happy with us!. We are going to try to keep doing more activities to build up the branch, because its so small and weak and no one understands that its not normal to never have ward activities. The chapel is only used on Sundays practically. Its sad. But we are changing that!

My comp is good... we are still having our small struggles and battles but when it comes to the work, we are good. We have transfers in a week and a half... and its for sure that one of us will leave. I hope its me, but I really hope its not me at the same time. I have so many friends and connections and memories here, I never wanna go!!!

I love you all and hope all is well at home. I know the Church is true, and that God loves us so much. Look for the tender mercies and miracles in your day, because they are there. God is a god of miracles. If you don’t believe me, go and read Mormon 9. 

I love you all so much

side note--- 5 months in the mission now! wowza

-- 

Mucho amor, 

Hermana Holt 

Jan 8, 2017-

Hey hey hey!!!! Whats going on!

Wowza this week was fantastic!! Had its ups and downs for sure, just like every week, but we saw some huge blessings and miracles.

First thing - my comp got some bad news about her family last week, so we struggled with that. Poor thing goes through so much. Im definitely learning how to have more love, patience, and understanding, because she goes through a lot of things I don’t understand, and sometimes I get frustrated because I want to go out and work and she cant because she is too sad or emotionally struggling. So Ive bene praying for more christlike love and patience. And luckily, we were able to have some great conversations and experiences together that helped her to bounce back a bit. She’s a great comp, with such high drive and love for the Lord. We are super different and have our differences, but I think the Lord knew I needed a hard comp so that I could learn some important life lessons right off the bat. 

We got the news a few days ago about Presidente Monson passing away. I wasn’t sad when I heard. Surprised, but happy that he finally passed. I know he wanted to be with his sweet wife again so badly, and he was so sick and frail. He gave it is all during his life. Served diligently and had unwavering dedication. I hope I can give service and dedicate my life in even just a portion of the way he did. 

Well, Friday was probably one of the best days in the mission. We put high goals, prayed a ton, and were super ready and pumped to work. We had no meetings, so we had all day to work. And we were blessed as a result with a TON of teaching opportunities. We had 5 quality lessons, and I was able to testify and teach so much. I felt so happy. We went from lesson to lesson, and felt the spirit so strongly. We were skipping as we walked. Didn’t even matter that we didn’t stop to rest until 10 at night when we returned to the apartment. I felt so happy and recognized the hand of the Lord in each moment of that day. 

But its also amazing how the days can change so quickly.. the next day every single plan fell thorough-- and i mean every plan.and i have to admit, it got to me. I complained a bit and was frustrated. Why, when yesterday was so great, was today so bad? My obedience and motivation and diligence was exactly the same as the day before! what happened? I then realized it wasn’t because i did anything wrong.. although i can always improve.. but the reality is that we are here working with the agency of other people. And we can’t control that agency. We do all that we can, and thats what counts. Sometimes we see the blessings that day, other times we have to wait a bit. But these are the types of experiences that test my faith, patience, and motivation. I am still learning to pass through those rough days with a good attitude and a motivation to keep doing everything. Trials are hard, but I am grateful for them as I look back. 

Marcelos baptism is this Saturday. We have been preparing a ton. We went to his house last night and passed over the baptismal questions. I was nervous that maybe something would happen or he would have a problem or doubt or something... but my worries were in vain, because he answered each question with strong and simple testimony. Its amazing to see the growth he has had since we met in October. And now he is finally ready to make this commitment and be baptized. He is so excited, Im so excited, everyone is super excited. I can’t wait to see the change that continues to happen in his life because of this choice.

He told us that he wanted a big experience, a testimony giving experience, to confirm that this was all true. And that he’s waiting and not having a huge experience and doesn’t know why. 

I was then able to testify that I also have never had a huge testimony giving experience to absolutely convince me that the gospel is true. But right now i can say that I have an unmovable testimony that it is true. Then how did i get it? How did I receive this testimony that i have?

Through little evidences, tiny evidences, each day for 19 years of my life. I never had an angel from heaven come down, or a lighting bolt strike me (hey mom) to convince me of the truthfulness of the Church. But through tiny miracles, tiny blessings and evidences each and every day, my testimony began to grow and grow until today, where I can say with the same assuredly as if i saw an angel come down and tell me, that the church is true. I know it is. And i know that my testimony will continue to grow for the rest of my life, until my life is over and i can see God face to face, and be surprised that I already knew him, knew how he is and how he works and loves us, because i had my testimony and my conviction of Him for all of my life.

I love you all. Stay strong and enjoy each minute of your life. Stop looking ahead and saying Ill be happy when this happens in the future, or when i get to college, or when i get married. Enjoy each moment know, cause you have an opportunity to learn and grow, and soon it will become a cherished memory

I love you alll!!!!!!!!

hermana holt

amy

HI mom!

awww I LOVED all of the awesome pictures and the cute video!!! WOWZAAAAAA its only been 4.5 months, and the kids are SOO different looking! So tall and grown up and gorgeous. Seriously, they all look like different people to me! But looks like you had an awesome time in Randolph with lots of different adventures, for better and for worse!!! haha. So glad you had lots of fun!

Box - Id love some more multivitamins, and that leave in conditioner that came in a small round black container ELC or something like that. And printed fotos of the fam. But makeup, I can buy here I guess... I dont want you spending a fortune on boxes for me!

Yes your Christmas box arrived..... and wowwwwww YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST. We put the tree up in our apartment, and are enjoying all the candy and peanut butter haha. My comp LOVED the card and we used are necklaces and socks for New Years Eve!!!!!!! And all the cards you sent me made me so so happy to read. THANK YOU GUYS. I love you. All the missionaries were jealous of my huge box and said that I must have a super amazing family to send me all that. You guys are well known now in the mission haha.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I cant believe its 2018. Sunday (the 31) was an awesome day - we had breakfast with an investigator so that he would come to church with us, and he did. For the first time in a long time, we had FOUR investigators come!!! ( usually 2 or 3 isaverage). We were so so happy. We eat dinner real late here, so at 8 all 14 missionaries in the Zone Ushuaia got together in the house of the Family Polanco (our ward mission leader) to have dinner of asado and salads and desserts. We ate and laughed and talked and took photos until midnight. We sang a hymn at 1158 until midnight passed to bring in the new year. It was super cool and fun. We had permission to sleep in until 10am, which we did happily haha. Then yesterday for Pday we got to watch Lego batman movie, and i died laughing! even though it was in spanish, the jokes were pretty good hahahahah. We have to write today because yesterday EVERYTHING was closed down. Literally EVERYTHING closes for the New year. not even taxis or buses or the main supermarket was open. People sleep in until 4 or 5, because they stay up partying until dawn. Crazy. So different, but neat.

Im feeling super great this week. Worked hard, saw lots of miracles. The baptism of marcelo is next week, and it looks like we may have another new investigator who will get baptized in the next few weeks as well! Lots of blessings and miracles. 

Im so happy and doing really well. MIssed you guys a bit during new years eve, being with you all, but im not homesick. I feel so happy doing what Im doing, pushing through each day, but the days fly by now. I almost have 5 months! Then at the 6 months mark, Ill be home in less than a year. Everyone says it flys by. I love this!!!!

I hope you guys are well. I loveyou so much! I uploaded like 13 pics, hope you like them!!! 

Love youuuuu

amy 

December 26, 2017

Hola todos!!!

Hope that everyone had a super awesome Christmas, full of love and family. 

First Christmas away from home was a little rough... but not too bad because i LOVE what I am doing. I LOVE having the opportunity to spend Christmas as a missionary, as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ, teaching his Gospel, sharing this message of gladness and love with the people of Argentina.

This week was a little tough, because me and my companion worked and worked and worked and prayed and prayed and worked some more... and nothing. People weren’t home, didn’t want to hear us, didn’t answer their phones, or were too busy with shopping and preparations to receive us. That was super frustrating to me. But I see that I have to learn something from this.  I cant change peoples agency. I can do all that I can, and sometimes it wont immediately change people. But I have to have trust that I am planting seeds, that the Lord sees my efforts and will bless us. Maybe not immediately, but he will bless us and the people we are serving. All I want more than anything is for people to listen, because I know the change and happiness that Christ can bring. But I am learning many lessons. Patience and FAITH beings the two most important. I feel myself changing, growing, becoming stronger, better, and more aware to the promptings of the Spirit and recognizing the lessons i have to learn from the trials i am given. Its still hard, but I am learning to enjoy the process. Enjoy learning from my experiences. Patience and Faith. Patience and Faith.

I am so grateful to be here. Im grateful for my family, for the love they send me. For the support and encouragement from everyone at home. There are so many people here who are alone, without family, sad, and hard. I feel so grateful for the multitude of blessings I have in my life, and thats why I am here. To share those blessings with as many people as I can. Sometimes al lI can do is say Buenos Dias and smile at someone as we pass them in the street. And other times I get to give someone a Book of Mormon, and testify of its truthfulness. There are so many ways to share the light of the Gospel. Big ways and small ones too. But they are all of great worth.

I love you all. I hope you always are happy and healthy, and stay strong in your testimony of the truth. I love this Gospel. I love my Savior.

Give a family member a hug, right now. Give them a hug and tell them you love them. There are so many missionaries that cant do that right now. So take advantage of the time you all have with your families. Love them, and express that love to them. Families are the center part of Gods Plan of Happiness for us. I love being able to share that message. I know its true

I love you all so much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

love

Hermana Holt

December 18, 2017
FELIZ NAVIDAD!!!!!!!

So... transfers...... IM STAYING IN USHUAIA! WOOHOO my prayers were answered. I’m staying with my companion (who was my trainer, but now Im out of training and into the real missionary life haha). Such a blessing, and Im so very  grateful that I get to be here in Ushuaia for at least 6 more weeks!

This week was amazing. We worked so hard, and saw lots of success on Tuesday. But after that, we saw very little results of our work. It made me so frustrated and so sad. All I want to do is teach and help! But so many people don’t want to change. They cant see the blessings the gospel brings to our lives. And they don’t want to see it. Ive learned I cant force anything on anyone. The only thing i can do sometimes is bear my testimony. I hope that can be enough. I want people to accept our message so badly, because I know how it can change and affect their live for the better, but they still have their agency. And I am still blessed to have a few investigators that want to change, namely Marcelo. Its been amazing to see the change in him over these last two months. His wedding and baptism is set - the 12 of January. He is so excited, and so am I. He was truly a person prepared for me and my companion. I am so grateful that we were led to him, and that he is so willing to change and accept the gospel. It has already had such a profound change and influence in his life, and I cant wait to see how he continues to change and grow after his baptism.

I get real frustrated sometimes when things prevent us from having teaching opportunities, or when the people don’t want to listen, or especially when our investigators don’t progress. But I’m learning LOTS of patience. Im putting my trust in the lord, and I’m not perfect and have my doubts, but I’m learning to trust that in His time, the people who need the gospel will come. As long as I’m obedient and working hard, they will come. 

I love the scriptures. Im so grateful for the knowledge and counsel they bring us.

Im so grateful that its christmas, and that people might be more receptive to hearing our message, which is centered on Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for my Savior, and all that He has done for me. For my family.  

I love you all, and wish you a merry christmas. I wish I could be with you all, celebrating, but I so grateful and happy that I get to be here this christmas (and the next), serving my Savior. Nothing gives me more joy right now, than being of service to him. Im so imperfect with so many qualities that I need to change, but im learning and trying. And through Him, I know that I can change and become the person he needs me to be.

Enjoy the time with your families this Christmas. They are the most important thing that we have. 

I love you all so much. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

-- 

Mucho amor, 

Hermana Holt 

Hey hey hey!

This week was fantastic! Super busy, because we had a visit from one of the members of the Quorum of the Seventy, Elder Bragg! It was super amazing to have him here with us. 

By some amazing blessing, I was one of 8 missionaries in the entire mission chosen by him to have a personal interview with him, and it was so amazing. I asked some questions, we chatted, and he gave me some super amazing inspired answers that I needed. All the missionaries were jealous. What an amazing blessing and opportunity!!!!!!

He came because he was doing a tour of the mission with our presidente of mission. 

He came Friday in the afternoon, gave me an interview, gave my zone of missionaries a super amazing training talk, and so did our presidente. we played him some musical numbers (and I played the piano...man was I nervous!) , and had more talks and training and such. And Presidente Salerno (my mission pres) asked me to go up at the start and bear my testimony! I was so surprised, but grateful for the opportunity to do so!

That evening, all the members came to listen to him give a talk. We brought 2 of our investigators, and they loved it. At the end, Elder Bragg ran down from the stand to shake the hands of my investigators (because he saw them sitting next to me and knew that I had told him earlier that they would be coming). I was so grateful, and surprised at his heartfeltness and love that radiated from him. It was so amazing to be in the presence of a Seventy, and to see what an example of Christlike love and unselfishness he is!! I will never forget that day. 

Saturday we had our big Christmas dinner as a zone (Ushuaia and Rio Grande- the two zones of missionaries on the island I’m on). There were about 30 or 40 o f us, and our presidente. We had some amazing Argentine asado and desserts and pictures and a visit from santa (aka one of the funniest missionaries in the mission), and had lots of fun and a well needed break from the work. 

We toasted with apple cider and sang Christmas hymns until midnight!! And by some other blessing from heaven, got permission to sleep in an hour the next day. Truly a Christmas miracle. hahaha. (for those of you who don’t know, we have a schedule each day, and have to get up at 730 and go to bed at 11.)

Hey wanna know something crazy? For those of you wondering what s the craziest thing I have eaten down here.. up until Saturday I would not have had an answer, cause all I eat is meat, rice, and potato. but now... i have a new answer.......  cow intestine! i don’t remember the name of it, but during our Christmas dinner they cooked up some.  We were all eating asado, all was well, when I made the mistake of asking what a certain plate of meat was. The Argentine missionaries in my group realized I had never tried their beloved cow intestine, so they forced me to eat some, because they all love it so much. So I did, and it actually wasn’t all that bad... a little salty and crunchy. But I have to admit if I thought too hard about what it was, I gagged. HAHAHAHA.

Goodness.. transfers will get announced this Saturday! Either me or my comp will go, si o si. I hope to stay, because I truly love it here so much. I love the people here in Ushuaia, the missionaries, and the members. I have so many amazing memories and experiences here. It’s where it all began for me. But where the Lord needs me, I will go, and i know he has a lot more amazing experiences in store for me. I am so blessed that I have this opportunity to be here, serving a mission. I love this work. 

Marcelo - baptism on the 13 of January (due to his wedding being the 12.) I’m so excited! We are working with them a lot. He started reading the Book of Mormon, and in a few days has already reached 1 Nephi 14! What a boss.

We have a few more investigators that are progressing a lot, and I hope that they continue to progress, grow, and choose to be baptized. How exciting is this work!

Almost 4 months now in the mission. At first, each week felt like a lifetime, but now the time is starting to pick up. Some of my friends go home this weekend, and I'm so sad. They are so sad, and don’t want to leave. Before the mission, i couldn’t imagine not wanting to come home from a mission, but now I get it. You put your heart and soul into this work, these people. Its your life, your home away from home. So finishing the mission and giving it all up, knowing you probably wont ever see these people again, its heartbreaking. Man, what an adventure this is. 

I love you all so much and am incredibly grateful for you support and love and prayers. Thank you for all you do for me, I don’t deserve all of the love and praise that I get. I’m so weak and far from perfect, but I’m giving it what I’ve got. My efforts aren’t perfect, but I’m learning a lot about myself and learning to serve. 

I LOVE YOU ALL. Don’t forget about the real reason of Christmas - Jesus Christ and His birth, but more importantly, His life. He gave everything for us, so we can give back to him our love and our time. We all can go and serve, in the ways that we can. There are plenty of people around us that need our help.

I love you all. stay safe 

hermana holt 

Hola queridos amigos y familia!

Wowza, the time is starting to fly. Its December! 

This week was absolutely fantastic. Well, it finished fantastic. It started off rough, because my companion is unfortunately going through a lot of emotional issues, and some days we have to stay in the pension and do certain activities to help her out. She’s is dealing with some depression like things, I don’t know the whole story, but its been really hard for her each day, which makes it hard for me too.

But by some miracle, Wednesday she was feeling great so we were able to get out and WORK! We started some new programs as a mission to find more investigators.. and they WORKED! We found 4 new investigators this week... and Ill tell you all about one of them, and a super great experience we had...

We received the reference from our zone leaders, to go a visit someone named Elias. So Friday night we went to his house, and we knocked on the door and he opened it and welcomed us in like old friends. We walked in, and his girlfriend and a friend were there, waiting for us as well. Now , this doesn’t usually happen. Usually the people give fake addresses, or aren’t home, or are home and don’t want to listen. SO what a nice surprise and blessing it was to have him willing to let us in, and that his girlfriend and friend wanted to hear us as well! 

We began chatting to get to know them, and we actually talked mainly with his girlfriend Gloria. She opened right up to us, and told us how her brother had just died 2 months ago and how she was mad at God for how unjust his death was. She was crying and it was such a sad, but tender moment. With tears in our eyes, me and my companion were able to bear our testimonies on the Plan of Salvation, and that she would get to see her brother again, and that God is a just God and gives us trials and difficulties so that we can Remember him, learn, grow and change. Then she told us that several years ago she accepted the mormon missionaries in her house, and that she has a book of mormon. We were surprised, and had no idea. So we continued to talk and teach a bit more about the plan of salvation before we had to leave. 

But it was so amazing to see how God works - that he had the zone leaders contact Elias, and that Elias lives in our area, that we got to go visit him and he was home and let us in, that his girlfriend was there, and that everything happened how it happened. I know that there are no coincidences, only blessings that show that our loving heavenly father is watching out for us and loves us so much. We will continue to meet and work with Elias and Gloria this week. Pray for them, that they will accept our message and start to progress in the faith!

I feel so blessed each day here, and can see the hand of the Lord working in my life. I know He lives. It;s so clear. It makes me so sad when we meet and talk with people that want nothing to do with god, or are so convinced that he doesn’t exist or that he doesn’t love his children. I don't know what I would do if I thought that God doesn’t exist, if I didn’t know about the scriptures, or didn’t know that God has a plan for me in my life, and that my family is meant to be eternal.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be here serving a mission. I wont lie, its extremely hard and trying and there are many moments where i want to throw in the towel and return to the comforts of my home and old life. But I cant do that. I made a promise to the Lord, to go and serve and learn what he needs me to learn and become what he needs me to be.

At least I know I’ll have one convert on my mission - myself. I know this gospel is true, and that this is the Lords church here on the Earth.

I am so grateful for this Christmas season, and that I get to be here in the Lord work to celebrate christmas. 

The sun came out this week, woohoo! No snow! Hopefully it stays like that.

We have transfers in 1.5 weeks, and man I hope that I get to stay here in Ushuaia!

Also Elder Bragg from the 70 is coming to our district to give a conference this weekend.... and Im super excited!

I love you guys! Thank you for all of the support and encouragement. Stay strong, keep doing the little things, and look for the blessings of the  in your life.

Mucho amor, 

Hermana Holt 

PS- From December to February the sister missionaries are supposed to wear pants instead of skirts. She was soooo excited to be wearing pants again haha. Simple pleasures I guess….

d