Dec 14, 2015

Well right now I really miss Mexican food. Mexican food is 100% different than South American food. My companion and I are doing better getting along. He´s still a difficult nut to crack but we´re ok. I love the work. I just wish that our mission was more fun. We aren´t allowed to go to the ward Christmas party and we have to be in our house earlier than normal days for safety. I get so bored on Pdays because all we ever do here is play soccer gets kinda lame after more than a year straight. I am sure Kelly would love it but I miss basketball too. I am missing snow and the fun things you do at Christmas time. I hope your package gets here soon and no one opens it. Sorry having just a downer day. Everything is really fine. Looking forward to Skype call on Christmas.

Elder Jones

Dec 7 2015

So here in Bolivia "all" let's say many people from La Paz hate the United States. The President, Evo Morales took out the US embassy here and in all high schools, kids have to take language classes but they have to take a class on native languages from here. There are 3 big ones, Quechua, Guarani, and Imata. I have learned some words in Quechua but it is a super hard language. Pres. Morales doesn´t like the United States. He´s not entirely communist, he´s more like a Socialist. A lot of people like to complain about their way of life and there quality of life and how corrupt Pres Morales is. There are a lot of people here in Santa Cruz that do like the States. There´s an internal war here between La Paz and Santa Cruz. They do not like each other and seeing as how President Morales is a native from Bolivia (first native President since 12 years ago) he has made life crappy for the people here. All of the presidents before him were of Spanish decent or from Spain. You should look up what´s happening there.

When we enter a lesson or a house, some people want me to teach them English but it´s not too popular. Kids take english classes because they realize that it will help them better their lives but it's hard for them. I have seen many textbooks and the books do not give good enough information, neither do the teachers speak it very well.

Everybody here prepares to go to the Catholic misa or sacrament meeting on Christmas Eve. They also celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas day. That´s when they do all of their parties and drink and stuff. The 25th, nothing really happens. There are no trees, no wreaths, no snow, a few presents but not much. Probably like a new pair of shoes and shirt or pants. I don´t know why the 24th is special. In spanish it´s called La Noche Buena or The Good Night. I don´t know if Catholics from the States are different from here but here they worship a ton to Virgins. Every city has it´s own Virgin. They do parades with a little virgin doll on a pedestal that they carry around.

There is the history lesson for the week.

Nov 30, 2015

The baptism was scheduled for this Saturday the 5th, but it looks like it´s fallen through. She´s still gonna get baptized but now she´s decided for January. Her baby came a month early and now they´re in a small financial bind. We´re gonna see what we can do for them. My comp has only been a member for 2 years and a month now. He is 24 years old he has been on his mission for 9 months now. Hope you all are doing good.
Elder Jones

The mission home just sent this about how to send packages.  Must be mailed through US mail,weigh less then 4lbs.   phone number to mission home 591 3-333-7072 for customs form

Elder Jones
Misión Bolivia Santa Cruz
Casilla de Correo 2042
Zona Central
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
Bolivia

Nov 23, 2015

We have a sister who is getting baptized next week but she has been well prepared and lives with a member family. I really haven´t done much but teach the lessons. Not much else going on here. Not much time

Nov 16, 2015

I have noticed recently how much I am changing physically, spiritually and mentally. I don´t even really recognize myself sometimes. The weather here is just more humid is all that it gets. If you want to get cool then you need wind. I found some church shoes. There are markets here that bring in clothes and shoes from the states. Stuff we usually think is worn out or old and we give away, it ends up down here and they sell a pair of nice wing tip shoes that are in really good condition for just 20 pesos or 3 dollars. I just have to fight against the crowd a little.
We have a visit with Mario and Ingrid this week. We didn´t visit with them this last week because a week ago on Monday, Ingrid´s mom passed away and they´ve been busy. We are gonna visit Wednesday I think.

Elder Jones
This is me and Elder Jarvis

Nov 9, 2015

Well today I didn´t receive very many emails, but that's alright because it gives me time now to write to all of you.
Today is a great day to be alive. You know why?? Cause today is another gift from God to you and to me. What an amazing concept, God loves us no matter what happens. How amazing is that, that He gave His Son to die that we might live. I don´t know if I´ll ever be able to understand the depths and greatness of either the love of God or the sacrifice of His life. What an opportunity it is to talk to you. I hope that everything has been good with you and I sure hope that you are enjoying and taking advantage of being with your family. I sure miss mine. I love you with all my heart and I can´t wait to enjoy and take advantage of our time together after my mission. Remember that you are someone special to Someone else. You are also very special to me.  I am so happy to be here everyday. Anyone who has been on a mission knows that it is a hard job but in the end it is worth the sacrifice. I admit that I struggle here sometimes, but knowing that you support me gives me strength to continue on and find others that need my support. Thank you for being my strength and praying for me. I hope that the Lord blesses you in every moment and in everything you do. Don´t forget Him either. I love you and I am so grateful to be alive this day!!!  Transfers were last week on Wed right after I wrote. I am now with Elder Gomez, he´s from San Juan, Argentina. He is about to hit 10 months in the mission.  It is just about to hit winter so the rain should go away?  I hope

P.S. some photos of new things. new companion from Argentina. Me saying HI.  It rains a lot here. Me pretending to be in the Vietnam war with my umbrelagun!

Nov 2, 2015

My comp is great. We get along really well. Elder Jarvis is from Portland, Oregon. He finishes his mission one transfer before me. Elder Jarvis has already been accepted to BYU so he´ll be living in Utah afterwards. I told him that he can stay with you guys since you´ll be down two sons. We had a brother make the blue ties from last week and we had him put all of our names on the back. Our whole zone.
Mission story to share finally: yesterday as we were walking in the street, a man stopped us (and he wasn´t even drunk!!) and asked us if we taught about the Bible. We responded in affirmative and then he asked if we were mormons. We also responded in affirmative. He then proceeded to invite us over to his house. He lived just around the corner and we met him at his house an hour later. He was super nice but he and his family of 4 are going through a super rough time right now. He is out of work (which is not uncommon) but he also has no money to even buy dinner. They are seriously living off of bread alone. It was heart breaking and I felt so much love for him. I wanted to help him in any way I could, but the only thing that came to mind that could help was the Gospel. We had a good, short visit and we are planning on going back on Wednesday. His name is Mario and his wife is Ingrid.

Oct 26, 2015

Well mom it´s all been about the same since I came back to Santa Cruz. We have no investigators with baptismal dates in my area, we are only having about 14 lessons a week in total, and none of the members want to do missionary work. I´m struggling to be more positive and have hope. I am feeling pretty crappy right now sorry to vent. What should you do when you get down? Serve of course...

Oct 19, 2015

How´s the search for stuff on the University??? I need to be prepared now. Only now do I realize why you were talking to me about the future in High School. Also something weird you might want to hear. I don´t know if I´ll extend my mission. I don't get to decide anyways. If I go home in August on the 26th, (that would be the day in which I would be on a plane home) school starts the next week or two after I get home, no time to prepare. Now talking with Elder Winterholler from my group, we are thinking that we might come home 2 weeks even earlier just to give us a little time to prepare. The 10th of Aug we could be on our way home. But this is all just speculation.

Just a few area details to add: here in Bolivia the food is pretty standard. Liver, tongue, stomach and feet. Not kidding. The weather in La Paz is cold, in Cochabamba is nice California weather, in Santa Cruz it´s really hot and humid, and in Tarija it´s nice like Utah. In Tarija it gets cold but no snow, and it can get kinda hot. The food is different wherever you go. Wherever go though the food is always soup and then a plate of food. The food is normally rice with potato and chicken. There really is not much difference between meals. Also the people eat huge lunches and really small breakfasts. Dinner and breakfast almost don´t exist. Clothing is terrible. They dress normal here but a lot worse. See through shirts and short shorts all the time. The traditional clothes are cool, bright colors and long slightly poofy skirts. The shirts are also colorful.

Oct 12, 2015

Hi everyone, sorry for not writing you consistently. With bad internet down here sometimes I don´t have time to even look at all of my emails. I will try to be better next week. Some fun things though, I am pretty sure we are entering into rain season because it dumps hard here sometimes. I am also closing the gap till I come home. Sometimes thinking about it stresses me out but I am so excited and sad at the same time. There only 10 months left in this mission of mine. I hope that everyone is good and enjoying the blessing of the Gospel in their lives. May God bless all of you.
The new area is great. It is the smallest area that I have had in all of my mission. I can cross it from the longest straight line in about 15-20 minutes depending on our walking pace. I would like a new calendar for next year with more photos, like a collage. I also want you to look up entrance requirements to BYU and Coast Guard, also when both start. I am also thinking about not extending my mission so I will be flying home on the 26th of August if my math is right.
Love, Elder Jones

Oct 5 2015

First off Happy Birthday to my awesome sister Tracee who is now 13 and Aunt KaLani.
I am fine and my mission is going great.  Conference was super awesome. I want to say I love you mom and Elder Holland´s talk really impacted me. Thank you for bearing me and bearing with me. I love you so much and I miss you more and more everyday. Elder Woolf went home in July or at the beginning of August I think. He´s been home for two months now. Sad. My next companion, Elder Evenson goes home at the end of this transfer, November 5th.  It is still really hot here and increasing every day.  I need 2 pairs of shoes, which I can buy down here! I work a lot see my shoes.  A Chinese company put up a mall down here in Santa Cruz and brought in American stores and clothes.  

Love you all have a good week.

Sept 28 2015

Hey guess what I already left my area and I am super sad. I am in Santa Cruz again. I had an emergency transfer last Wednesday. Tuesday night they told me and I left at 7 am in the morning.

Emergency Transfer means that there was a transfer in the middle of a transfer. I wasn´t having problems with my companion but someone else had a transfer so I got picked up in the mix. President said that he did it just to prepare for the transfers. Supposedly there were a lot of cool things that happened and alot of people moved. I just got moved before the actual transfer date so that it would be easier for others. Elder Jarvis is my new companion. He´s from Portland, Oregon. I already knew him before in La Pampa, the last time I was here in Santa Cruz. He was in my zone. I am not in the same apartment, it´s a whole different area, about 20 minutes from old area in La Libertad. I like being in Santa Cruz but I am just dying everyday sweating. Tarija was not like this. My body is just getting adjusted again to the weather. The areas of my mission are: Santa Cruz, Tarija, Bermejo, Yacuiba, Villamontes, Camiri, Vallegrande, Porto Suarez. I´ve only been to Santa Cruz and Tarija.
Elder Jarvis is to my right looking at picture

Sept 15, 2015

I am on a day late today because I had to do customs work yesterday. I have been in the same area for 6 months now and with Elder Molina for two transfers. We are supposed to have transfers this Sunday. I just want to say I am only human but I am also a servant of the Lord. Nothing is impossible. I am fine here with staying or going and I am really happy.

 It's super beautiful here 

Sept 7 2015 1 year down

My reflections over the past year: What a whirlwind of a time. I actually still don´t believe that a year has gone by already. I wish sometimes that it didn´t go so quick. First I talked with President last week in my Semestral interview and asked if I could extend my mission. He said that that would be up to the new President. I will either be home by this time next year or I will be coming home the October. I don´t know but I really want to extend. In just one short year I have learned so much about the Gospel, the Lord, the people and Myself. I have come to learn that repentance is a process that should happen on a daily basis and that it is not something hard. It may seem like it and sometimes we hurt inside but that is just the tree of faith that is trying to grow inside and burst forth. Like the Tree of Life that Lehi saw. The fruit at the end is the never ending love of Christ. We can all blossom and bring forth much fruit. Also in just a year I have learned Spanish and that is a blessing that will help me for the rest of my life. I am so grateful for this time that I have to serve my God. I don´t expect to become anything more than His servant. I know He has great plans for me but as long as I can accept His will for my life, I will be happy with whatever comes my way.

I love you all and think I have the best family ever.

Elder Halik next to me, Elder Hernandez my brother, both of us were

trained by Elder Woolf, and Elder Molina my companion

Aug 31 2015

Another week has gone by in the Mission of Miracles. That is the name of my mission, Bolivia Santa Cruz, Mission of Miracles. This weekend we will be having two baptisms. My firsts since June. It`s been a little slow in fcimding prepared people but we finally found 2. The time is flying by and I can`t believe that I will complete one year this next week on the Sept 9th. Everytime I look at my watch I feel like another month has gone by. It`s sad and exciting. I would never trade this time for anything in the world. I love being here and just to let you know, I don`t think about home at all. I mean a litlle bit but mostly about the people. I don`t miss my car, my house, my clothes, except my bed I do miss for sure. ;) hahaha Seriously I love it. I am so grateful for all of the support from everyone and all of the love. I love you all and I am so grateful to be a member and representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. Keep pushing forward and strive to be better. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and is with us to strengthen us. Never give up, Never surrender. We will come out victorious always if we hold on to the Rod. I invite you all to read the talk by Elder Kevin W. Pearson, ``Stay by theTree´´. talk May God bless us all in our efforts to follow His Son Jesus Christ. Love Elder Jones

Aug 24 2015

Quickly approaching my 1 year mark. A few people talked about the Pope's visit to Bolivia but not much because he didn`t come here to Tarija. Only in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. lame right?!?!?! It was Bolivia's independance day and we had a big celebration. Every ward here was assigned a district of Bolivia. What we know as states, they call departments. So our ward was assigned Santa Cruz. We had to make a dish from there and the ward danced a tradicional dance from Santa Cruz. That's a wrap

Aug 17 2015

So now that the scary part is over I will share with you about a trip to the hosptial I took Aug 8th.  I got some kind of a rash all over my body that hurt like crazy.  I was in the hosptial on IV's for about 4 days.  They gave me some injections which helped.  Still not sure what caused it but glad it's over

Aug 11, 2015

We moved houses last week to the ground floor and now we have two bathrooms and it's a little bigger. They moved transfers to Sunday now so I am not sure if we will still be writing on Mondays like we have been. We have three new guys in the Zone. Elder Carabajal- ex-assistant to President, Elder Soto- American who is from Mexico, Elder Hernandez- from Ecuador, my brother (he was trained by Elder Woolf), and lives in my house now.

How are the girls day to day?  Do you like your new mini are you going to let me drive it when I come home?  I was able to email back and forth with Kelly today.  That was fun he sounds really good.  Things are hard here but never impossible.  I am working everyday to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.

Send emails I love hearing from you all. 

Aug 3 2015

I love my brother Elder Kelly Jones. I am super excited for him to join me in the ranks of the Lord´s Army and I can´t wait to here all of his cool stories. He went into the MTC last week.

Thank you so much family for the package of stuff and letters. The shirts look a little big but they will work.

The teaching here is going great. I am fluid in spanish but still learning little things everyday. Sometimes I have so much spanish running in my mind that I mess up cause I think ahead of talking. I am doing great. I have always remembered what dad said about the accent. I tell everyone who gives me a compliment on my spanish that my dad told me to get the accent down first then the words. Tell mom I love her. Yesterday I went through all of the letters that I have received since the beginning of my mission. We moved houses all day and so I am really tired.

Love Elder Kalen Jones

Picture of the people who brought my package from home Thank you so much

July 20 2015

I talked with the guy that we met last year President Flores. He is a Branch President in Bermejo, a city 3 hours south of Tarija. He called me on Friday. I did get permision from President Willard to go to the airport when Veronica gets here so she can give me the package. She´ll get here on the 1st of August. Transfers are the Aug 12th. Yes there is another Elder Jones here in the mission but he is in Santa Cruz I think. It was really weird to talk to Pres Flores because we talked in Spanish and I never imagined his voice to be what I heard. He also asked me how I was doing and we talked. He said it was also weird because now I speak spanish and the last time we talked I didn´t. (3 days before I left to the mission) It was a neat experience to see how far I have come and in only one year. Things change quickly in this world.

Elder Jones

July 13 2015

What a Life it is to be here in Bolivia. A world away from my family and yet I couldn´t be more close to my Father in Heaven. I feel so happy everyday here and I can´t believe sometimes that time is going by so quickly. I sometimes imagine what it will be like to go home at the end of two years. I can´t even think about what it will be like. Sometimes it doesn´t even feel like it´s going to come at all. I feel like I have been in the mission my whole life, like I was born here and raised here. I obviously remember my home and family but it feels like a dream. Maybe that is a side effect of being away for so long without seeing them or hearing their voices. I really do miss them and love all of you. I am super happy to be in ``the service of my fellow being´´ and yet I ``am only in the service of my God´´. Mosiah 2:17. I actually feel like I am on a different plane of living like it says in Preach My Gospel. The setting apart can be taken literally as a setting apart from the world, to another plane of thinking and living. I am helping a lot of people come to know Christ and make covenants with Him. I have to tell the truth, it´s not all flowers and rainbows here, but I don´t think that I would want to be anywhere else. I am getting to know the words of God through His Holy Scriptures and through personal revelation. I am speaking without a single problem and I love the people. I am super excited to continue and push forward even with the end clearly in mind that I can´t stay here forever. If I could I would serve for a long time. I don´t know how much time that is but I feel like it would be the best time of my life. If you are thinking about serving a mission or you want to share the Gospel with a friend or a stranger, JUST DO IT. (Thank you NIKE) I love being here and even though it is difficult, there is no better place in the world. I love you all and I pray that the Lord will provide and protect you. I leave my testimony that I know that Jesus Is the Christ, the very Son of God. I am a representative of Him here in Tarija and I have been given power to preach repentance to all that I meet. I do my job with Love but I fear no man, or woman. And behold, I am called Elder Jones, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Sone of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people that they might have everlasting life. 3 Nephi 5:12 . I love my mission and I hope that you too can preach His word. With all my love

July 6 2015

Is there a Temple in Kelly's mission?? I miss the Temple so so so so so so so so so so so much. Did you here that Pres. Packer died!?!?!?!?!?!? We got the announcement yesterday in church over the pulpit from the Bishop. Sad huh. Kelly shouldn´t be nervous, he´s gonna have to get used to talking with random people. I know he´s a people person and he likes to talk but these are random people and he is sharing his beliefs and dreams. Talking about sports is a lot different than sharing a part of yourself like your religion. Steel your nerves Kelly and prepare for some people who won´t want to hear a message about Jesus Christ. You have to be tough but at the same time loving to everyone. Just love everyone is my best advice. I have encountered some hard resistance here and plus the Pope is coming here to Bolivia this weekend. All of the Catholics are gonna go crazy. All I do is try to love everyone and live with the will of the Lord.

Elder Jones

June 29, 2015

Happy birthday tomorrow Grandma.  Well, last night the Zone leaders called to give the transfers. Normally on Tueday night but this time earlier.  Elder Trinidad has left and is in Vallegrande (big valley) now and I am with Elder Molina from Guatemala.  I am also now a District leader and I can't even believe it.  I was not working to be a leader but the call from the Lord has come and I am now entrusted with the success of 7 other missionaries. There are 3 elders and 4 sisters in the district.  I am ready to work.  We had to drop off Elder Trinidad this morning at the airport so that is why we are writing later in the day.  Love you all

June 22, 2015

This week was a good one for Elder Trinidad and me.  We are working good together and I am trying to improve each day.  I am studying in English and then marking in Spanish afterwards.  I feel better with this method of studying.  I feel more confidant and ready for each day.  Our area is good, we are finding new people everyday and we are working towards baptism with a family of 10.  We have met 8 of the 10 and the majority are all excited to learn more. We have a baptismal date in place with Elias and Nely, Mario and Mabel, and Sandra and Gonzalo.  The others are in the beginnings of the visits.  I am trying to figure out what it is that God wants me to be.  I know I need to be a good missionary and an example to those around me but I sometimes feel like I should be on a different level of success than I am now.  I just want to be the very best that I can and I know it's going to come one day at a time.  I want to share a dream I had.  I was standing in an airport but at first I didn't know where I was.  Then out of nowhere my family came up to me and I realized I was home and finished with my mission.  then my dream was over.  Then we read in the mission handbook "The time that you have to serve with all of your time and effort is extremely short"  "Use it wisely and serve diligently".  I think that is what it says mostly.  I don't know what the Lord is trying to say but I want to do so much better here.  This is my biggest desire is to be a great missionary.  I am happy with my mission until this point and I would never trade it for anything else.  This is what I would like to share with you today.  Happy Lunes.
Love you Elder Kalen Jones

June 15, 2015

When we get our hair cut we just go to whatever shop and they do it how we want. Yes, I use my razor every day and I hate it. I am growing my beard after my mission because I don’t like to shave. I want to do a competition with dad to see who can grow one better in two weeks. I never really had hair on my face before but as soon as I got here shaving couldn’t be helped. I was looking in the mirror the other night and surprised myself by how much I look like dad. I almost didn’t recognize myself because I don’t look like a kid anymore. I am super excited for the rest of my life to be an adult and parent. I see so many families here with kids and I want to teach my kids all the things I have learned about the Gospel. I just talked to Hudson last week through email on his mission. I am so excited for Bailey to serve. Weird how much life can change one year out of high school and look where I am.

June 8, 2015

Just some pictures this week. Saw a monkey out walking today, had another baptism, dinner, and baby Lori that I told you about. I spent lots of time transfering all my pictures off my card so time is short. Enjoy

June 1, 2015

First off I am crying a little bit. I feel honored to have Kelly wearing my flannel shirts. Finally, I am someone he looks up to. J Transfers were last week and I stayed here in Tarija with my companion Elder Trinidad but he will most likely be leaving this next transfer. We have a new Elder in our house now. Elder Halik from Utah! Elder Pacheco the other Elder that was here went to Santa Cruz and he is in La Libertad with Elder Evenson. My old area and my old companion! Weird huh. Tell Kelly I love him and keep up with the Honor Kalen days.

One more thing. We named a baby here Lori!!!!! How do you like that? The baby is 4 months old but she doesn't have a name yet. The family asked me to start naming people from the States and I said your name. They loved the name. The little baby´s name is going to be Lori Emily Cuellar Cuevas. The first two are her two names and the other two are the last names of her parents. Her dad, Cuellar and her mom, Cuevas. How cool huh

May 18, 2015

To answer some questions--For the most part we just make appointments. Sometimes if we´re walking by a house and see a family, we will stop and talk to them. Not everything in the mission is how it once was. Everything is pretty chill and we just openly talk to people. We don’t have to memorize or anything that we specifically say, but we just talk with people. It is really fun but in the beginning it was really scary. I was not a person that liked to talk to people, now I pretty much just walk up to whoever in the street, introduce myself, ask how they are and start sharing a small message to peak their interest in a visit from us. It really is awesome. The average attendance here in my ward right now is about 150 or so. Pretty small. In my other area that was the average when I got there. By the time that I left 6 months later, we had worked really hard with the members and investigators and less actives. When I left, the average attendance was about 215 on average. We worked hard and the ward was pretty awesome. We are small for the time being here. Our stake is an entire city. All of Tarija is our Stake. 7 wards and 1 stake here whereas in Santa Cruz is about 5 stakes and I don´t know how many wards. Here in Tarija though there are three Zones of missionaries. Tuesday in the night of transfers when we get the call. Elder Trinidad is probably going to be leaving because he has already been here in this are for 6 months. I was in my last area for 6 months and then I moved. I have no idea what is going to happen I am a little bit scared but I trust that the Lord will strengthen me and help me do my job as His servant. It´s not my work, or in other words it´s not my company, He is the big Boss and I am his worker. I get paid with the joys of helping other people come to know their God. I am super excited for my mission to continue. There are hard days, there are great days and there are normal days. Everyone is different and we need to take advantage of everyone of them. ``Porque he aquí, esta vida es cuando el hombre debe prepararse para comparecer ante Dios; sí, el día de esta vida es el día en que el hombre debe ejecutar su obra.´´ Alma 34:32

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES AND LOVES US ALL!!!! I am a little emotional right now because I am thinking of all the love that the Lord has for every one of us. We are not perfect but because He died, we too will rise and Live. I have been thinking of the magnitude, depth, length and enormity that all consist in the Great Plan of Salvation that our Father in Heaven has given for everyone to come home. I want to come closer to my Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I love Him so much. I love you too Mom and I am so grateful for all of the lessons you have taught me. You are the best person in the whole world. You and Dad. Love you

May 11, 2015

It was good to see everyone yesterday Happy Mother's Day. Kelly I am so excited for you and your mission. You are going to do great things in Chicago and we will both be able to speak Spanish how cool is that. Well, I got a lot in yesterday on the phone so bye for now. I am doing great.

May 4, 2015

The baptism was fantastic. Maritza was super excited and we had quite a few people who came to support her. It was great. We did a service project too on Saturday for a recent convert. A big tractor first came and dug a 9 foot deep hole for a bathroom. We then came in and made it 14 feet deep by man power. Old school style. Buckets, ropes, pick axes, shovels and muscle. It was really fun to get dirty after so long of being a clean missionary. I was filthy afterwards. SO FUN.

April 27, 2015

It´s been a while but I would like to wish you all some happy spring greetings and say Happy Easter. I am doing fantastic here and I am loving every day. I hope you too are doing well. Look we have pizza here. Some cool things, we had a baptism for Josue Ramos and we will be having two more baptisms this Saturday. I am so excited and I recently had the Spirit tell me very strongly, THIS WORK IS TRUE. There is no other explanation or thing except that this is the true church of God. Jesus Christ lives and loves every one of us. I love my Savior and invite you to make a concerted effort this week to know your Savior even better. I love and miss you and hope everything is great. Elder Jones

April 20 2015

I love being here in Tarija. It is so beautiful. The weather is really nice. Chilly mornings and nice afternoons with some breeze. It´s great. Elder Trinidad is doing great helping me and learning english pretty well. We live with the Zone Leaders and they are so cool.

New package info Bolivian customs have changed, and the rules for incoming packages are more strict. Let your families know to NEVER send packages that weight more than 2kg. (4.4lbs.) Anything that comes into Bolivia with a higher weight will be very hard, if not impossible to receive. Also remind them that they shouldn´t send packages via FedEx, DHL, or any other private mail carrier. USPS only.

Thanks Love you all, der Jones

April 13 2015 picures

April 13 2015

Hi Mom and Dad, how is everything?  How´s the new car?  I loved the photos of the Temples. I love you guys so much and I am so grateful for the example of my family to the world.  How long till Kelly receives his Call?  Guess what?????  I moved areas and cities!!!!! I am now in Tarija in the area called Panamericano 2. I have a Latino companion too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   He is super cool. Elder Trinidad from Lima, Peru.  We also live with the Zone Leaders and they are Latinos too.  Elder Pacheco from Colombia and Elder Ynoñan from Lima, Peru.  This is the first time I have had a native speaking companion. It was an hour flight from Santa Cruz to Tarija. Tarija is south, almost touching Argentina and Paraguay.  It is such a beautiful city and is all that everyone ever talks about as an Elder or Sister. Everybody wants to come here because it´s like a paradise.    I got your package just now.  Love you so much. Pictures of the trip and my new area.  That is a big Turantula that we killed in the house.  The weird fruit thing is coco, Chocolate. Dry it out in the sun, smash it, add some sugar and you have natural chocolate. Getting on the plane to fly to Tarija. This is my companion in our area that overlooks the city.  This is me with a Book of Mormon in Portuguese. I´m learning some Portuguese as well as Spanish.  This is me standing in a doorway, not on tip toes.  A cool Bolivian bag

April 6 2015

We went to the Stake Center to watch General Conference. I loved it and I love taking notes during Conference now. I will continue to do that when I come home. I do like staying home though but maybe I should wear a shirt and tie to feel the Spirit. One more thing on getting sick last week.  I woke up with pain in my entire body and I slept the whole day.  It only came because the weather here is weird. It changes so quickly and so unexpectedly. It was like getting a nasty cold for a day. That´s it.  I haven´t got the packages yet, but I might get ém today from our Zone Leaders. They aren´t here in the café yet.  I loved the calendar you sent last time and yes I saw all of the pictures. I absolutely love it. Thx  Elder Jones

March 30 2015

For the past 4 days I have been in the house sick and my companion too. He got bite by a mosquito that was carrying something that did not agree with his body. The climate changed quick here and I got sick from the drop in temp.  It’s pretty common here.  I have had a lot of time to think, ponder and pray. I want to let you know that I am not doing so great anymore as far as letting God guide me. I believe that since I got a grasp on the language and started working normally, I have really leaned on my own knowledge and skill. I am trying to get back to the Iron Rod but it´s been a struggle. I have learned a lot here and received a lot of waska. Waska is a word that means like chastisement or slap to the face. The world and mission have really waskaed me hard. I have been praying and repenting these past 4 days and I can say that Satan is really working against me. I don´t know if that means that I am strong and can do a lot of good but I need to find a way to break his bonds on me. I love you and I am working to be the missionary that you all imagine that I am. I haven´t arrived at that point but I will keep working to make you proud.  Happy Birthday to Grandpa Jones today and Kami and Gaby tomorrow.   Love Elder Kalen Jones

March 23 2015

We had quite the adventure this weekend.  I am very pleased to tell you that we did have a baptism on Saturday. A man named Joaquin. I have been working with him since November and he is awesome. He is married to a member but she has been inactive for 10 years or so. She got baptized when she was 11 with her older sister. Her sister then stopped going and Karin didn´t want to be alone so she stopped going too. She has returned  and has found a couple of good friends. The whole ward has accepted them with open arms and we are so happy. It was quite a day on Saturday. Friday, Elder Caballero came to do an interview with Joaquin. We didn´t find him all day. Saturday, we went to his house at about 3 and he said he wanted to be baptized and that everything was a whole mess of communication. We went inside his house to pray and see what the Lord wanted. We received the response to go for it. We called the Zone Leaders, taught the last 7 principles, ran home for his papers, drove to La Pampa, waited and the Zone Leaders didn´t show up at 5 like they said. We were worried. We prayed and at 5:30 or so they came.  We had the interview but the pila overflowed!!!!!  The Zone Leaders had a baptism too and the water had run a little low. We flipped it on and forgot. It overflowed so much!!!!!!  We were running around. Oh and there was an activity in la estaca Sabado too. We were running around, panicking. Finally we got everything under control, the interview finished, we drove back to the area and told him to get ready. We hadn’t planned on a baptism so we hadn´t filled the pila. We had asked a member to do it. We said so many prayers this weekend.  We ran to our house and got white clothes. Came to the church and waited again. Finally they showed up and it was 8pm.  We had him change, I changed too. We started the baptism with a few members and his family. We were so happy to just be there in that moment but we were worried about the time. Me and Joaquin entered the water. In that moment I felt so much peace enter my heart. I said the words and baptized him. He came up smiling. He then hugged me and said thank you Hermano Jones. I felt a Spirit like never before in my mission enter my heart. We went to the bathroom and he was just so giddy. He was literally hoping around giggling. I was so happy. He said that he felt so much peace inside. We finished the baptism, dropped him off with his wife and 5 kids. Then we literally ran home and made it just in time. I was sweating, tired and happy. I know that the Lord wanted Joaquin to get baptized now rather than in 3 weeks.

March 16 2015

My next transfer is 8th of April. Yes, I think I will probably be leaving. I have been here for 5 months now. 4 transfers in my first area and I have learned so much. We are teaching a man named Juaquin. Ever since he met us and started on the lessons, his whole life has gone down the drain. He just lost his taxi job because his boss was riding in the car and opened the glove compartment. There was a Book of Mormon and she took his car. She doesn´t believe in God. She believes in a local thing called the Pacha Mama. Real ugly stuff, totally mixed into the world.  He has decided to be baptized for sure tho. The ward is really turning out to support him to. That´s good.  Of course we eat with people. I have gained weight. I found out last week how I can weigh myself. There is a scale in the grocery store that gives weight and height and tells in a number scale where you are. Apparently I am perfect for my height and weight but I have gained a lot. I am 172!  I was 160 before my mission!!!!!!  The food here is just too good.  Tell Buddy happy birthday this week for me.  I got my forro for my triple combo and my hymn book.  It is so beautiful.
Love Elder Jones

March 9 2015

Last week was good. I have some info to share that I didn´t give awhile back.  On my birthday I got dinner from a family and they gave me a cake too.  Found out about a new tradition.  Cake face.  How awesome huh?

I am doing really good.  I have been working hard and me and my comp are working out the bugs in our relationship. We have had quite a number of little spats and a few fights but I have really come to understand him better.  We always work out our problems in the end. It´s been a hard cambio but we are doing it. I have really come to understand the importance of communication. I am applying it to myself now so I can talk with my wife. I know you will be proud about that considering how much you have tried to train me on that.  Love Elder Jones

March 2 2015

This week Kalen wrote to each sibling individually.  Nothing for the blog to report.

Feb 23 2015

Hey there everybody 24 wks (6 months) in the mission field already gone. Well I have passed a Carnaval here in Bolivia without too much trauma. The only terrible thing was that we couldn't leave at all. We studied all day every day. It was very nice and I had a very uplifting experience. We have set some new goals and we are working hard. We have another baptism scheduled for this Saturday. The investigator is a girl who recently moved from the middle of nowhere to her grandparents’ house. They are members who have been sealed in the Temple. She last night confirmed in prayer, ``Dear Father thank you for the missionaries, I know that the Latter-Day Saint church is true.´´ In prayer before us and God!!  We are very excited. She also said last night that she wants to serve a mission too.  How cool!?!?!  It was a short week in the field so that's all I have but I am doing well. Tell Sis Dodson thanks for the letter I am so thankful someone from the ward hasn't forgotten me.  I am going into the rainy, cold, winter so if you could send a few sweaters that would be great. Thanks mom   Love you all!!!!!

Feb 16 2015

No letter this week because of Carnaval.  They weren't allowed to go out in the town or have P-day.

But a HAPPY 19th Birthday last weekend to this awesome kid.
Love Mom

Feb 9 2015 one more thing

Quick story. This is Manuel Martinez. We met with him over a week ago and taught the first lesson about the Restoration and the BoM. Then we invited him to be baptized but he denied us saying he´d already been baptized. Two days later he watched the movie, Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration. He said that it touched his heart and that he knows that the Church is true, the BoM is true and Joseph Smith was a Prophet. He is going to get baptized by Misael his buddy who is about to leave on his mission to go to Mendoza, Argentina

Feb 9 2015

Mom,  we have now been apart for 5 months and I actually didn’t know if you would make it this far but I pray every day that you will have the strength to carry on. haha I am eating dinner and I feel a little bit better in the health department. I want to wish a nice Happy Birthday to you this week. You are getting pretty old right?   I have had some pretty awesome success stories lately. We have now had three people walk up to us, say something that once prevented them from getting baptized, say they have conquered that thing and want to get baptized on a Saturday that is within 6 days. Paula Flores was Evangelical and didn’t know if the Church was true, went to a baptism of someone else and felt the Spirit, then asked to be baptized. Limber Añez came up to us yesterday in the chapel, said he had just gotten married 8 days ago and was ready to be baptized. I haven’t seen him in over a month and a half. He came to church out of the blue and now wants to be baptized. Crazy. This really is Bolivia, Santa Cruz, The Mission of Miracles as it’s called. I am going to have a baptism on my birthday!!!!! I am so excited. I thought I would have to be in the house but now we get to go to the church.  The weird thing is that he has wanted to be baptized for the last 3 years, since he first met the missionaries, but because he was living with a girl, who is a member, and never got married that prevented him from joining. They have also had a goal to go to the Temple since November but now that they are married and he`s getting baptized their goal is for February of next year. Limber and Denise, they are so awesome. 

     I have been having a fantastic time here in Bolivia. While I have been here I have had the opportunity to help bless the lives of four special people. The four investigators that I have helped come to baptism are Juan Carlos, Janet and her daughter Natalia, and Paula Flores. They are so very special to me because it is a manifestation of the work of the Lord progressing faster than ever. It is also a testament to how blessed I am. I have only been in the mission for 5 months now and I have helped more people make this covenant than a lot of missionaries here have done in their whole mission. I pray to continue to have success. To find my brothers and sisters that are ready to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ with open arms. I am so overwhelmed that God has so much love, and that He loves each and everyone of us individually. Please always remember to share the Gospel because you may never know if you will touch a life and a heart. Keep the missionary attitude at the front of your mind always and forever. Our purpose here on Earth is to be happy and there are many of our neighbors, friends and family members who are not experiencing the same joys that we have. Please share the Gospel with everyone you meet. A smile, 5 minutes of assistance or even as much as to share your testimony. Whatever you do, remember the Lord Jesus Christ came to SERVE. I love all of you and I am very happy to be in the service of my God and I hope that everyone will develop a desire to share the Gospel with every single person that you meet. I know that our Heavenly Father lives and His Son Jesus Christ. I know that the Book of Mormon helps us come closer to God. This is the most correct book of any here in the world. God loves us, Jesus Christ loves us. Let us all share that same love with ALL of the children of God. This is my prayer every day, In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

 with much love, Elder Kalen Jones

Jan 26 2015

To start off we just had two baptisms this past weekend and a rescued family of 4. We are doing great here.  This is Paula and Juan Carlos. They are super awesome. I am speaking pretty well as far as I can tell. The people understand me that's all I know so maybe I am doing something right. We have been finding a lot of new people by talking in the street to everyone. We have a new investigator named Juaquin and he is so funny. He has a date for the 21st of February to get baptized.  This is the Paniagua family who just got rescued and they baptized their daughter. I have been working with them since I got here to Bolivia. They are the best. This month of February coming up is gonna be awesome. This month there is a celebration here called Caneval. If you saw Rio the movie, that is Caneval in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That is the biggest Carneval celebration in the world. Here is a little bit smaller but still crazy. We are going to be staying in house for three days. The 14th at night is when it starts but it goes from the 15th to the 17th of February. Yay spending my birthday in house doing nothing. It's all good though. I have come to learn a lot about myself and I realize that only through and by the name of Jesus Christ our Savior can we be saved. I have seen a lot of lives change just through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Everybody needs to know that there is someone always looking out for them. I have seen lives change here just by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have seen people stop drinking, get married (cause nobody here gets married, they just live together and think that qualifies as marriage), people quit jobs to be home with their families and people have taken the steps to keep the Sabbath Day holy. It is amazing what Christ can do for our lives. I love being a missionary and I love my Savior Jesus Christ. I am a servant of Him for two years and it is the best time in the world.  I know that my Savior lives. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have now read it in two languages and I know that it is true. I encourage all of you to read it from cover to cover. Sit down and take the counsel in its pages to heart and then become a better person. I love all of you but right now I am on the Lord´s Errand. See ya when my service is done. I love you all. 

 Love, Elder Kalen Indiana Jones

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