August 6

Yeah, Hna B went to "kill" Hna. O in P, and Hna. A came to be with me in W! 
So, Saturday we had 3 baptisms! N, B, and C. Sunday we get there and one of the hermanos in our branch told us that N had some family problems and wasn't able to come, (they were legit family problems so we understand). Now we're waiting to see when she can be confirmed. She is so great and I want the very best for her family. It was really hard saying "see you later" to Hna. B. We got to be really good friends, but now we've been given what we need and I know that God is looking out for all of us. I'll be honest, I don't have a lot more to talk about other than that. Friday, Saturday and Sunday Hna. B was saying goodbye to everyone and we all felt good and sad. But, again, this change is what the Lord wants and needs from us, and I trust Him. I'm excited to work with Hna. A! We're both going home in December and she really wants to end the mission with me, it'd be really fun!
I'm so glad EFY for moms was so great! You deserved it. It sounds so great to be there surrounded by the spirit and able to help so many by just being you. YES MOM! I almost said that out loud in the public server we're in. I'm so happy for the people that thought of that, moms need a retreat too! 2 am....fwa. Asado! Yes, I've had some of the best pork of my life in an asado-it's basically an Argentine barbeque. I'm definately bringing home some of my favorite candy. How are you liking Life is a game of Football? I enjoy how well he tells those stories! They're great. We're going through a tough time with our recient convert but we're working and so I'm happy :) Thank you for all the news! Love you!
Hna. Aubrey Pixton

July 30 All the water in the world but all of it went down the drain

Yes, all the water in the baptismal font went down the drain! It takes 3 hours to fill up and there was no other water to use! We just about died, and then President and his wife came and we did die. N will be baptized this coming Saturday along with B and C.
So that was the big ordeal of the week, but she still wants to get baptized so we're heading for that direction! Other than that we've had a relatively tranquilo week....and if you understand tranquilo as "we ran around all week trying to figure out what we were doing" than you interpreted correctly. Ha ha ha, no so we had to go to the doctor to get a order to draw Hna B blood so we can see if there is anything wrong there. We then had to go back another day to actually get it drawn, tomorrow we're going back to get the results, take them to a doctor and then to Hna. P-we also were planning the baptisms all for Sunday at 5, but then N couldn't and the kids couldn't so we moved the kids to this Saturday and N to last Saturday, we ran around everywhere trying to find baptism clothing which we finally found, only to find out that no one in the ward could come! There was a youth thing and a primary thing so no one would be there! So we changed it to Sunday after church...but I already explained what happened there. That was basically my week, I'm wondering what this next week has in store for us and White. It's the last week of the transfer and I'm worried about the area, about my companion, about lots of things, but I am still very happy, it's really strange.
I'm so excited for you! I want to go! You'll have a great time and it'll be some good Rn'R. Oh yeah! The Olympics. We miss out on the normal news of the world out here but I guess that's relatively normal and probably a bit better considering the work we do. I'm glad you still have a more or less full house at times. It's good to see the people you love happy, and it'll only be a few days until everyone is back together. Mom, you are great, do you know that? You are. Thank you so much for everything, all your words of encouragement and love! You're amazing.
What do I want for Christmas?.....a camera....a laptop...an ipod.....music.......clothing...........a mattress that fits my bed.....Do I still have my room? Uhm.....yeah, cool things like that. :)
Dad, I love you, but I need to you burden me because my puzzler is already broken. If you tell me, you shall never vex me again. "I'm sorry to hear it" Ha ha. If we want the covers I just need ideas of artwork you want on there, and sizes, soonish. And it's better I'm burdened now than my last transfer. So yeah, get the kids involved too and let me know ASAP. Taiwan eh? cool. I know how you feel (more or less) about seeing your kids hurting, my converts are mostly inactive already, I'm writing them but I can't make choices for them.
I'm glad he's sleeping and reading..... :D I should get home I think the 12 of December, the office elders said they bought tickets already and they're for the 11. Hna V was also in the office and confirms that, so we should get some sort of paperwork here soon..... 
So yeah, that has been my week and I loved your letter, and thanks for responding to the call of Christmas presents. If you can squeeze something out of everyone else that would be incredible! I really want to get everyone at least one thing from out here. I love you mom and I'm so happy you're going to go have fun these next few days! LOVE YOU!!!
Hna. Aubrey Pixton

July 23

Then how am I supposed to know what it is? YOU.......good point.

Hna B and I have weekly movie quotes that just seem to apply to every situation, this one happens to be from Meet the Robinsons (10 points to whoever got that from the subject line).

This week we were basically planning our activity.....and we were living in P while our apartment got fixed. It's so pretty now! They still need to do our bedroom but our dueño is having a surgery so we need to wait. Oh, Guess what! I'm here in Argentina legally! Yay! for one year at least but I don't have that much time left. I complete a year in Argentina in two days. That's weird. I have three transfers left in 2 weeks! I feel like I have a breakdown session at the start of every week of how much time I DON'T have left. One of my goals is that I will not think about how much time I have left, I will work like I'm in the middle (first presidency message, read it!). Another, more emotional revelation I've had this week is that God loves me. That I am loved, not just tolerated. I've had that mind set for a while, that I'm not that great or that people don't really like me, but this week for some reason it clicked, I feel good, I feel happy ("I feel great, I feel wonderful," I'm just full of them today!), and I feel more confident to do the things I need to do. I'm feeling better than I have for a long time about myself. We've been working on the activity more than anything this week so we didn't do abunch of teaching but I'm pleased about the activity. The members are going to have a competition on how many references they'll give us, and the winning team gets a party from the other team. We're excited.

Winter is really warm right now! We're very surprised and kind of waiting for mother nature to be like, JUST KIDDING and send a whole bunch of frió. Yes I'm legal! We had to go to the place and another place and I signed something twice and then they said I'm good. It was a longer process than I would have liked but all pretty enjoyable. I'm so happy you had a good week! OH YEAH! A family in the branch said something about a shooting in Colorado at the movie and I freaked out thinking, OH MY GOSH! I HAVE FAMILY THERE NOW! But I've not been told anything traumatic yet so I'm assuming those are fine. Joseph es un capo enserio! And I'm really glad Jakers is working a lot! I MISS THE TEMPLE SOOOOO MUCH!!!!! I'm dying that we can't go out here yet. :D I bet you thought of me! Silliness at the airport? Can I be in on this somehow?

OH! So, I've been puzzling and puzzling til my puzzler is sore about what to get you all from here. I'm gonna give you some options so that you all can pick and I can get them while I can (I'm not sure if the area where I'll finish the mission will have any kind of shopping), and then you can all forget about them so you'll be surprised for Christmas!

>Leather covers for scriptures like mine: You'll need to tell me for what size of scriptures (quad, triple, miniature, stuff like that) and what pictures you want on it, front and back. She can get them done quickly, I just need to be specific and give her enough time. So yes, size, picture (and if you have two seperates, a bible and a triple, I can get a quad size to fit them, really just whatever, she can pretty much do anything you want, just let me know if that interests you.

>Soccor jersys from the teams out here, theres red and black(river), blue and yellow(boca), or the normal Argintina blue and white. Send me sizes and which one.

>Matte cups.....google it.

>articles of argentine clothing, hats, bags, pants that are argentine(everyone here has them)

>nic naks that are fun to look at or have a small function

So yeah, just let me know soon!

"If you will" Oh, I will. You learn a lot being away like that. I'm praying for them too, a lot. I know it'll all turn out alright in the end. Ha ha, Jacob and Prince Harry......wow! That's so great and slightly funny to me! JACOB ES UN CAPO! You have raised some awesome boys Mom! I love that SO much! I've seen many boys turn into men out here, it's truely incredible.

Hug grandpa and grandma for me. YES! on all accounts!

I hope I can be a blessing, I really want to help and right now I know I'm where I need to be.Love you lots mom! I'll figure out something for pictures!

Love!

Hna. Aubrey Pixton

Jul 16

Hey! We met our new mission presidente today! We just got done having our zone conference and I love our new presidente already, and his wife is super cute! She talked to us about how to contact and how she hates it when people tear down the people when they say they're from Utah (down here they say "ah, the factory") She said they can't say that anymore, that being from Utah is a great pride and that we should feel great being from Utah. It's not any easier for us and people shouldn't make assumptions. She also shared about their expirience in falling in love with the gospel, it was really cute. Our new president had interviews too and is a great man. I hope I love him the rest of my mission.
So this week we are getting our apartment fixed, so we're living with the other Hnas en P for a few days, we'll still be working in W though. I'm pretty happy and we'll also (hopefully) get my papers done this week so I can be legally here in a week. Weird huh? We are still working with N and the working men, but none of them came to church! People. Come on, let's do this. They had good reasons too, I was just upset with myself. We need to run their date a bit more now. But I'm happy that they still WANT to learn and do all this. I really am very happy with them.
Ha ha, yes I'm staying warm and yes, we did brainstorm for a list: A good multi-vitamin, good chocolate (symphony, lint, toblerone, you know :D), letters, reeces, black tights, sweetish fish, other fun treats or ideas, and if you can, some sheet music of spanish church songs, I have all the hymns but if there is more I'd love it. How's that?
I can't imagine you being awkward ever. You have such a way with people I'm sure it was wonderful. Joseph! He's such a good kid! That's so COOL about that talk! It's amazing how wonderful our leaders can be!
I will definately be praying! Oh wow. It really is all in what we want and what we decide. Let me know.
The first bit was hard for me too and it' still not horribly easy but we have Divine help. ALL THE BUNNIES DIED!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! How sad! I'm glad Grandpa is doing better, how is Grandma? 

I loved your testimony Mom. I teared to be honest. It's so true, I read that and I thought of the parable of the ten virgins (one of my favorites) That our own oil will be what sustains us in the end, we can advize, we can warn, but we cannot give oil. I also know the priesthood power is real, that covenants are also real and that God prepared a way for us. He will bless us, and we need to follow His rules. Thank you Mom. With the Camera....I'm wondering if sending 1 gig memory card are better, the ones you sent me were 4 and my oldie can't support that, so 1 should be fine, and they're easier to send, ...but I would like the camera for Christmas :P Thank you so much mom! Turn to the Lord in all things, we always tell people not to believe us, but to ask God, He knows the truth and He will manifest it to us in His ways. You have learned that and I hope everyone learns to rely on the Lord and what HE wants for us. Love you so so much!
Hna. Aubrey Pixton

July 9

Hna. Baker got a cd from her mom of some Disney songs and there's this song that has a bunch of colors and the guy singing...it's funny, it's called the Spectrum song....no se de donde es. It's ok! It's a fun song.

Anyway! This week was a bit harder emotionally but it turned out ok. On Tuesday we got a call that said I needed to go to Bahia (15 by bus) to renew my papers! I've been here almost a year! We get on the bus Wednesday morning and we get a call telling us we can't do it that day, and to come back tomorrow. We need to be in the office at 6:30 so getting up and there was an adventure. We get there, wait for a bit, I found Hna. Jenson! We get inside and show them our paper and they take my hand and start painting it black! After a bit I realized they were doing finger-printing, they took each one of my fingers and did it for me. I'm not sure what that all did but I may or may not be a citizen of Argentina now......Que suerte no?

Today we went to help the young woman learn parts to a hymnal, and here they always have some kind of food for random activities like that, so we ate some pizza, then went to an asaudo (Argentine barbecue), now! we're going to a FHE with more food! I'm blowing up! But not really, only slightly. And you wonder why I haven't been sending photos ;) No...actually, my camera that I brought is really old and doesn't accept the memory cards from my birthday, but Hna. Baker has a better one so I may use hers....but if you could send me one....in some stationary or something tricky like that....I would like it.....


:) He-ey! My world is good! Getting colder but with much more hope, we have A and F still but they were traveling so we'll need to wait to baptize them for a bit later, N slept so we will also need to figure that one out too, but they're all progressing! I'm pretty certain the change of weather does crazy things to me, I'm gonna be a mess when I get back! We got under 0 C that morning in Bahia! Our 4th was VERY uneventful, I thought about singing the national anthem, but I dont' think our neighbors would be too happy :S 


Oh Grandpa! That's so great and so....sad? That's not quite the word, but he's so great! The Popes have a bunny!? When did this happen? 
Joseph. Write me. That is all.


You're so smart to bring in guys to YW, it's really the best. 


Pedicures! Yes, and frozen yogurt! 


Blond!? ....ok I'll dig it. 


The mission has taught me that goodbyes really never are forever, we will always see one another again, even if it's just not in this life. I'm so glad I chose to go on a mission, or I guess I should say, I'm so glad I listened and did what God told me to do. I love you and I'm so happy for your great week! 
Jacob. Write me. You know you need to!
I love you Mom!
Hna. Aubrey Pixton

July 3

Good Idea: Cutting down on sugar and things to be healthy and lose weight
Yeah, we did do a lot better than normal though so I'm happy, I only baked once this week! That could also be attributed to that we feel better so we're leaving more frequently. But I caved and we bought ice cream on a particularly painful night. We compromised by saying that we'll cut back on sugar and not eliminate it completely...yet. There may be more of that kind of pain.....


So how are you!? I'm doing well, I'm not sick anymore and we're doing some good exercises in the mornings now that we don't feel like passing out when we get up in the morning. I'm steadily working my way through the new testament (minus the four Gospels), the Book of Mormon( from Helamen on) and PMG. I'm also getting better at writing in my journal! I'm proud of that. AND we had 3 investigators in the chapel yesterday! F, N and N (N brother), though we think that N may have other motives for coming to church, the branch president went to talk to him after and he left.....we're not sure. But N is doing really well, we just have to go teach her now and help her recognize her answer, she also needs to do her part more than anything, but she's coming to church and we're excited about her. F and his friend A came last week but this week A was sick and F came by himself! He was about to leave after the first hour and so I ran after him saying You're leaving!? And he stayed for another hour! :) We also had 5 less actives come too and we're super happy about that, all in all, church yesterday was great! This last week was good, we're getting a lot of references (really that's where a lot of sucess comes from), and we're working with the members a lot. I'm very happy in W, and VERY grateful I get another transfer with Hna Baker. I really want to have sucess here and I know we can do great things together. We taught N....basically half of the Plan of Salvation, Chastity, and The Gospel of Jesus Christ all in one sitting. She's really receptive and it was one of the greater lessons that I've had. I love teaching and feeling the Spirit teach through me! That may be one of the very best parts about the mission.

Kim does have a GREAT stage presence. Oh Jack!  Stef!  She still owes me chocolate cinnamon bears....GAH
Jacob is doing Stadium? Let me know with who and what he does and everything? Give grandpa a big hug for me
I love him and hope he-s doing ok.  Ha ha ha, That cat.... That DC, I-M SO HAPPY ABOUT JOSEPH And KYLE Let me know what he says. I think you did great!  You do have a tendency to shake things up :D We still haven't met our new presidente. I think it's because he's doing some in field training. But I'll let you know how it all goes. 
 I love you so much and thank you for your unwavering support and love,  I-m SO lucky.
LOVE
Hna. Aubrey Pixton

June 25

I wasn't horribly worried I'd be moved after only one transfer here but I am happy to announce that I am still with Hna Baker!!! Yay! We have a lot of work to do here in W and I'm excited to start doing it! I also completed 13 months on the mission today! 

Wow, it was just yesterday that I was walking around Puerto with Hna. Clark, but now she's at home and I have 4 short transfers left! It scared me a little how fast time goes. Also I'm not sure I'll end my mission in W anymore, I could have another area, I could have another comp for 2 more transfers and then I'll have one more with whoever.....ok done thinking about that! 

This week went by really really fast and I'm hoping I'll be able to savor the time a bit more this next week. I did take out another 350 pesos (I don't know the conversion anymore to dollars). 

OH! Sabe que! I got the Easter candy! We finished off Jacob's bag of runts and lemon heads the after two days and then decided we'd pace ourselves as far as the chocolate went, then proceeded to dive into the cadbury eggs. We now have goals to be healthier, so we're REALLY pacing ourselves. Oh, yes, I am a bit head-coldie, but it's been so long that we've not really been working at the fault of no one (it's what had to happen, we've been told), and I want to not be sick! This means, says Hna. Baker, that I have to go to bed with drugs in my system.....yeah... I'm here with my sugar-free cough drops feelin' tired but wanting to go to find people and teach! 

A missionary suffers when they don't teach and I don't want to suffer. This week we were trying to get a boy baptized, but he said no at the last minute, so the elders wanted to come and talk to him, we felt bien incomodo. By the end he still said no but it was good to see Elder Howard before he left. He is right up there with Elder Thomas for my favorite district leader! He was great, we all kinda cried when he left. BUT all the Hna.s are still here and the only elder that changed was to replace Elder Howard. We're ready for another 6 weeks, another 7 days and another 24 hours.

It sounds like Girls camp was great! And you got to have a great bed too! I first read about the "house fires burning" and I thought, Oh no! Laura lit the house on fire! Nope....I need to have more trust in her I think. Ah, how is everything in Lehi? And HOW many minutes are in a year? ;) Kim's gone until the end of this transfer! Weird how that worked out. I always LOVED going outside for lessons, it is more distracting but fun too. This next week sounds great! I'd be excited to go see a battleship! So I'm sure he's there with more, or even more excited because of his personal connection. 

I think about Joseph a lot. I'm so proud of the progress that he's making and I'm going to write him soon. I know physical letters are better in general so that'll come soon. And you're so right! God will prove his promises, He always has, sometimes not in the way we expect but always he is in control (DyC 101:16). I think it's sometimes easy to forget because Satan is working really hard to down play it, or distract us, I think also of the talk by Pres. Erying this last conference, Mountains to Climb, or the other about how the dad and his kids were climbing the mountain and finally got to the top and saw how far they've come. I love that talk. A lot of my testimony is on the power of the Priesthood. 

I honor the priesthood more now than in any other time in my life. I love this gospel and know that it is the only cure for the ills of the world. We all have trials and things that are hard, but if it wasn't hard, we'd never be shaped. I love you mom and thank you so much for your strength and testimony through everything that's been happening! I admire you a lot. I am doing well, I am happy, a little sick but happy. I hope you can feel my love a much as I feel yours! Love you!