Week #61 ~I will do what ever He asks me to do!

Dear Family,
How are you? I’m a little disheartened with my early time to return home. 

But instead of just talking about the negative, what I will miss, or what could have been; 
I prefer to focus on the positive, tell you what I have accomplished with my time here. Not only did I enjoy my studying/serving abroad, I learned some important things that would have been impossible to learn in any classroom or other setting. I am sure you know exactly what I’m talking about. Especially, trying to get someone to see how truly important some things are. I would say the biggest hold up for missionary service is that most people can’t, or won’t, put importance on how critical the gospel is to us all. I just wish I could transmit my passion of this gospel and download it into their brains. Then they could join me in my pursuit of becoming a servant for God the Father. I have truly learned how amazing this church is; it is flawless or at least the doctrine is, and we are so greatly blessed to be part of it. I know its all true.

My mission proved to me that I’ll go to the other end of the world and my testimony will still be as strong. I can’t imagine life without it. I know I can receive answers to my prayers always. I have seen it, time and time again when I say to myself, “Hey, that’s what I’ve been praying for!” I have seen the hand of God so many times here and in my life, I could not deny it.

I love what Elder Holland said about the Book of Mormon, he said that no man could have written the book and no good man would unless he were told to by God. The Book of Mormon is so pinnacle to everything. I can say I know how true it is. I believe I have studied it out more than most missionaries. I am so excited for my life to come because I’ll know I will always have time and the blessings needed to serve God and to feed His sheep. I do love Him and I will do whatever is asked of me to prove it.

Today during church I was reflecting and feeling disappointed in myself for the need of my early absence from my mission. I was praying and trying to tell Heavenly Father I am sorry that I could only serve the time I did when I received such a special feeling of love and comfort after that prayer. I couldn’t tell you the last time I was that overcome by the Spirit. The Spirit told me, “don’t you worry, you did just fine, and we still have a lot more work for you to come. We need you to be fully recovered. You still have work to do yet.” and I started to get teary just sitting through church. I was so moved by how much love I felt in that moment. I am no longer worried to come home and get moving because I want to be ready for the next assignment, and be ready to serve the Lord however I can. I love you dad. I’ll email with you tomorrow! See you soon,


Love Elder Vance 

Week #60 & 1/2 ~Thy will be done!

Mom & Dad,

It is with humble & full heart that I write today. 

I have been communicating again with the area Doctor, he advised me to go home and take good care of my knee, as there is no medical staff, or equipment that can be trusted here in Argentina.  He said with my time served of 15 months of honorable service and 15 months of good hard laboring in the fields of Argentina, it was time for me to make sure I will have a knee to walk on for the remainder of my life.  He would be recommending that I go home and get medical care in the USA.   So, "I can live a long and useful life in the service of our Lord."  But, I am still waiting for a call from the mission President.  I will be in touch.  Thank You for your fasting  & prayers this week.  All I can do is trust in the family fast.  Trust, that what should be-will.  All I can say to my Heavenly Father is, “Thy will be done!”

I will be in touch,

Love you all,

Elder Vance

Week #60 ~Doing my absolute BEST!

Mom & Dad,

I am completely unable to walk today, I am doing my best but the pain is beyond walking ability.

I just got back from meeting with the President.  He is sending me to Mar Del Plata for the best MRI tech in Argentina.  I am in communication with the Doctor over our area a DR. Ashton.  He thinks the MRI machines are still to inferior capture good picture of what is going on with my knee.  I am not sure when I am traveling to get this done, I am still waiting for call from President for more details about travel plans. Right now I am on temporary Medical leave, which means, I can finally stay off my knee and get some assistance that I need.  I also received a pair of crutches, which are a great relief for me.  I do not want to rule anything out but, President seems like he just want to put me on a plane. 

I DO NOT WANT TO GO!!!

I will send more information as I receive it.  I love you, chat with you soon.

Elder Vance

Week #59 ~Knee Pain!

Week # 58 ~Día de amigos!!

Dear Family,

How are you, I am doing pretty good.  My knee hurts a bit but, I am still walking!  I had a slow week in numbers but a fun one none the less.  It’s crazy to think Big Shawn is home!

I have learned this week that blessings and faith come from where you least expect it.  Like in my last area with the boy who was very ill and in need of healing, I did not even know how grave the situation was but am glad I was there and worthy to help out! 

I have had a super great Sunday in church.   We talked in priesthood about judgement day or doomsday, as one man called it.  He said, it would be a glorious day for some but a terrible one for the unrepentant.  Any thoughts on the last days?   We also talked about how the Holy Ghost can teach us different things from the same talk or scripture.  I know it was very true, it happens in all our investigator lessons.  When I am done teaching, I always ask what they have learned or what they thought.   It is always a little different from what I thought I was teaching.  It goes to show you, you need to teach by the spirit, He knows what people need to hear and understand, we might not know.  He can use my words and my actions to teach and I am very grateful for that!  It is pretty amazing if you really stop to think about that. 

My new area is great and I am having a lot of fun with my new comp.  We just had a city celebration activity of scones in the park.  With live local bands for the Day of Friends,

Dia De Amigo, it was so fun and such a classic Argentine event.  It was perfect for a new person in Argentina like my comp.  It was a nice welcome for him here.

I love you all,

Elder Vance