Monday, December 29, 2014

Weekly Dec.29, 2014

Hello,

This week was great. We spent Christmas with the familia Kahuasiri, eating tons of meat and pan dulce. By the way, all of you who have ever complained about fruit cake, you are wrong! There is very very very delicious fruit cake here. Also something really good called pionono. We made corn bread to share, and that was really good, too. It was just a nice relaxing time to get to know the family better.

The next day, Christmas Day, was the best! We got on bus at 7 (calculating how late we were out the night before, showers in the morning, and walking to the bus; we got 3 hours of sleep) and went to party with the rest of the missionaries in our Zone over in Rio Gallegos! We played dodgeball, soccer, football, ate, did a white elephant gift exchange (I ended up with an alfajor and a mini cooper), and watched Frozen (in spanish).  It was a great time, and we might get to go back on New Years this week.

President Rogers spent his Christmas here in Calafate, so he showed up at our church on Sunday! Luckily we were only 30 seconds late. He gave a wonderful lesson about the Good Samaritan, and how we need to 1) Recognize the needs of others 2) ACT 3) Follow through, and offer any other assistance that is needed or desired.  Open your eyes this holiday season. There are people that need your help, and you CAN help them.

It sounds like so many exciting things are happening! Nannette's moving, selling the house, ward and stake splitting, and New Years! Elder Eakle said that's what his parents did to go on their mission in Puerto Rico. They packed all their stuff up and stored it for when they return. I'll have to ask him for their email, but he's sleeping right now. Thank you both so much for the reassuring emails. I still have my ups and downs, but it is always good to have something hopeful and positive to focus on.  All is well here. The work is a little bit slow, but we are planning to get down to business. I really want my mission to be a turning point in my life. Before, I was really irresponsible and didn't really care about anything, and never really tried hard to accomplish much. Everything I did have was either luck or someone else helped me a lot. I want my mission to be a thing between me and the Lord. I want to get to know Him better, and put 100% of my trust in Him. My hopes are high, and I feel good.

We are for sure doing skype for mothers day, and just mom and dad
I built a closet!
Elder Eakle in our bathroom

finished closet to the left
bus ride!



. I don't even feel like I talked to anyone, just saw a bunch of pictures and heard random voices... Our family is too big! It was nice to see everyone, though.  
Say hello to everyone!  I got Mary Joyce's package on Christmas morning!
MJ's package, it had pics of Christ all over the outside

Have a wonderful New Years, I hope everyone has someone to pass the fiestas with.

Love, Elder Bartlett

Monday, December 22, 2014

Weekly Dec. 22, 2014

Hola Everyone,

Elder Bartlett & Elder Eakle
near El Calafate
Just to clarify, I moved areas from Ushuaia to El Calafate and my companion is now Elder Eakle! It's weird because we were just with each other in Ushuaia, and now we're companions! He got really excited when he saw that I was writing about him, so I'll write a little bit about how cool he is. Elder Tyler Eakle is from Parker, Colorado, and is birthday twins with my brother, Ivan. He really loves to sing and play guitar, and likes country music. He went to BYU for a year and will return there after the mission. He is super cool. He is senior companion, but only has one more transfer than me! We're trying to figure out what exactly we're doing out here in the middle of nowhere.

Even though I missed two days traveling, we did some great work this week! I beat my record for the most contacts I have ever done in one day! Plus, they were mostly really good, promising future investigators!

I have already seen so many miracles it's crazy! We decided one day to walk way out to one of the points of our area to see if we could find some people to teach. We walked, and walked, and walked, and forget trek there was so much wind and dust and walking! My companion said he just wanted to get into a house. After about 2 hours we arrived at a very large house, and a young mother met us at the door, and invited us in! She was super nice, but I'm not sure how interested she was... Then we began the long walk back. We were about 15 minutes in, and my companion asked for a car. Literally seconds after, a tourist truck pulled up and gave us a ride all the way back! Cool, or what?
nice dirt roads

I definitely miss the landscape of Ushuaia... El Calafate is dirt and wind. The only nice place is centro (downtown) because it has trees and buildings and paved roads. There is one paved road in our area, and we hardly ever use it. So far the people are really nice, so that's a plus.

I spilled more juice yesterday... and dropped the guys pen-drive. I don't know if he'll invite us back to teach, but we're going back to do service on Saturday! Might giganticness doesn't mix well with the homes of Argentina. I feel like Gandolf in a hobbit home. For whatever reason, these people had a wire on the top of their fence posts, and I got clothes-lined in the face.

wire on entrance, got clothes lined in the face
landscape around El Calafate
The work is difficult here, but we are working to get the ball rolling. The Christmas cards we've been using have been really helpful. I'm sure all of you have seen it all over anything church related, it's called "He is the Gift." Just a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. Look it up, and write me back what you think of the video.

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Love, Elder Bartlett


the church is an old pizza place

eating a meter sandwich



Christmas card from the mission

district interviews in Ushuaia

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Weekly Dec. 17, 2014

Sorry I didn't write on Monday, I was on a bus! We found out transfers on Saturday and I left Monday morning at 5am. I am now in Calafate "C" with Elder Eakle! He was in Ushuaia with me just two transfers ago, so we already know each other pretty well. It's going to be an awesome but super tough transfer. I only have 1 transfer since my training and he only has 2. We're not really sure what we're doing, but we will move forward with faith!

I said good bye to all my investigators that need to get married, and exhorted them to push onward and get married so they can be baptized and receive the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost to bless their lives, and the lives of their families.
Elder Bartlett at Chile checkpoint

The last Sunday before I left was amazing. We had a less active help us go and get an investigator from off the mountain that attended church for the first time. Plus we had Noelia attend, plus Hno Alfonso! That makes 2 less actives and 2 investigators attending from our area... well my old area.

It was quite the adventure arriving here in Calafate. It started with the bus ride at 5 in the morning, we went through several checkpoints, one of them being to enter Chile. I met some Israelites traveling to Calafate as well. They were talking in Hebrew while I was waiting in line to buy a super massive empenada. They thought I was from Argentina because of my amazing accent, which normally I would be very proud of, but one of them didn't even speak Spanish... Anyways, we have to cross into Chile and then cross a strait, so the bus gets on this giant boat! It's pretty cool, and one of the elders said the saw dolphins one time. I didn't see anything.
Bus on the boat

We finally arrived at Rio Gallegos at about 5pm, where everyone I came up from Ushuaia with got on another bus and left for Comodoro or other cities further North. The problem is, the bus people were really upset for whatever reason, and only let everyone take 1 bag. So we, the zone of Rio Gallegos, about 4 elders and 4 sisters, with the help of wonderful members, had to haul everyones 2nd and 3rd bag to the zone leader's house and wrap them up in plastic (still not really sure why we did that, something about so people don't steal from them). We did that until about 12pm, but had a great time whilst working. Bought some hot dogs and bread! Kicked a soccer ball around for awhile! And passed out in the cockroach-infested pension.

Plastic wrapped suitcases
I got up at 6, loaded all the bags back up to take to the terminal, and at some cookies and facturas for breakfast. Right before I left around 9am, the missionaries heading to Ushuaia showed up and I got to see my MTC companion Elder Dunford! I guess he's been robbed 3 times, but also has 5 baptisms. With sacrifices comes blessings!
Elder Dunford in middle from Provo MTC









Elder Eakle in Ushuaia
After another long bus ride, I finally arrived in Calafate with Elder Eakle. We made some delicious fried chicken, bought me a pillow, and went to bed!

Well, I'll let ya'll know more about my area on Monday, Chau!

Love, Elder Bartlett
Oh! here's some pictures from Ushuaia!




 1) Alejandro, Shirly, Agustin, Melody 2) Ramiro, Noelia, Flavio, Yulisa 3) Branch Christmas Party!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Weekly Dec. 8, 2014

Hola Everyone!

This week was crazy... After we talked with Alejandro about marriage and he said he was going to get married in March, his girlfriend, also investigating, admitted that she was only with her boyfriend for her kids. If it wasn't for them, she would have left a long time ago. When we asked her why, she said that he never expresses his gratitude for what she does, and he always ignores her advice, putting friends and others before her. My family and friends, it is important to tell others that you love them, but you shouldn't have to. They should feel your love by what you do for them, how you treat them, and the service you freely give.

Our baptismal date fell. Our investigators husband, a less active, is really messing up her progression and our ability to teach her.

We had a perfect Sunday yesterday... almost. Our investigator, Luis, showed up! He is progressing very well, and understands everthing we teach. It just so happened that we had interviews with president of the mission the day before, so Luis got to meet President Rogers. It also just happened to be fast and testimony meeting, and just so happened... no, it was a miracle from our Father in Heaven that some of the most beautiful and powerful testimonies were born. I think Luis really felt the spirit. Then, we had gospel principles class, and taught Luis about the sacrament. Everything was going great until Elders Quorum... Elders, please. Just please, somehow fix what you are doing. If you have a good Elders Quorum, then press onward!

Had some crazy wind, I said some stupid things and laughed a ton. We had a taco party today as a zone today, and played a ton of futbol and volleyball.

For those that would like to send letters or packages, my address is:

Elder Jarom Seth Bartlett
Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia Mission
Av. Fray Luis Beltran ·75
Comodoro Rivadavia
Chubut, 9000
Argentina

For packages, which are being discouraged, put Elder Perry Carter above my name. The yellow puffy packets with customs orders are the most likely to get through.

I love all of you, and I pray for you. Stay strong.

Love, Elder Jarom Seth Bartlett

Hey I fixed my hair!

Monday, December 1, 2014

Weekly Dec. 1, 2014

I don't have much time, but this week was good! We had a ton of lessons, I felt the spirit a lot, and we got thanksgiving dinner! The landlord of our pension is super awesome, and we have dinner with them every Thursday night. We convinced them to help us put on a grand feast! All the missionaries in our district contributed a salad or dessert, and the family cooked three chickens (no turkey). It was super delicious and we had a great time together.

I am so thankful for the oppotunity to be on the mission, for my family and friends who helped me get here, and for the fantastic people here in Argentina. I have gratitude that I cannot express for our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for us.

P-Day
I love everyone back home, and if you don't believe me, send me an email because we need to talk! Stay true and keep the faith, God is with us!

Love, Elder Jarom Seth Bartlett


Ushuaia

Elder Chacon and Elder Bartlett




Monday, November 24, 2014

Weekly Nov. 24, 2014

Hola a Todos

Not much happened this week, yet a lot happend this week.

We have a baptism date set for the 27th of Diciembre! Her name is Luz (light) and is married to a less active. They are both super sweet.

Also, we found a new investigator named Liliana this week. She is the perfect granny, but doesn't have any kids. Super talkative and active, but needs help to quit smoking.

We have another investigator that has a testimony and wants to be baptized, but needs to get married! He is working on that, but he has a very complicated past as well. He was an MMA fighter, and he destroyed a lot of peoples lives that were trying to provide for their families. He has forgiveness from everyone except himself. He also has trouble controlling his anger. This has really strengthened my testimony of the atonement and also our purpose here on earth. We are here to learn, not to be perfect. We all make mistakes, but we can't keep dwelling on them. We have to look forward to Christ with hope and faith that we can become more than we are!

Stay strong family and friends, God is with you.

Love, Elder Bartlett
Ushuaia & Rio Grande Zone with Elder Todd Christofferson

Monday, November 17, 2014

Weekly Nov. 17, 2014

Hola Everyone!

So this week was totally amazing. We had Elder D. Todd Christofferson come to our mission! Us missionaries had a private meeting with us. He didn't actually talk that much, most of the time was a question and answer about missionary work, but the thing I loved most was that I am his companion.  The apostles are only 15, and even with the 70's, they cannot reach the whole world. We, as missionaries, are the voice of the apostles directly into people's homes.

The unfortunate side of this is that, from what I know, the reason the apostle was here was because president sent two missionaries home this last month. It was the first missionaries he ever had to send home. Extremely sad.

There was a member session later on in the day, and we had one of our less-active members attend! When we visited him later this week, he seemed to have a new energy and excitement about the church. We have invited him to come teaching with us, and he is all for it!

Another cool thing I thought of while we were in the missionary session with the apostle, we sang the Sisters in Zion and Heleman's Army melody. President Rogers wanted us to look at the apostle when we sang, but I, regardless of my ridiculous altitude, couldn't see him. In fact, the majority of the meeting I couldn't see him, but I could feel his spirit and knew he was there. It immediately made me think of my relationship with my Eternal Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot see them, they have never appeared to me, but I know they are there. I feel their guidance in my life. I see their miracles. I know they love me, and all of you.  I try to use Spanish all the time, and sometimes I find myself getting confused because I try to think in Spanish, but I don't know how to say what I'm trying to think!


Until next week, here are some pictures of stuff that happend 1) Churripan, delicious! 2) They have Subway here!!  Do you like my haircut?! I did it myself ;) Aren't you so proud of me? Ha ha I need to fix the back, but I'm not sure how. 
Churripan

Subway yeah!




Hey Dad here is a BBQ for ya!

Monday, November 10, 2014

Weekly Nov. 10, 2014

Hola Todo!

This week was fun! We had transfers on Monday morning, and Elder Sirrine was called up to Commodoro Rivadavia Centro. I am officially a junior companion!  My companion was supposed to be there that night, but didn't end up coming until Thursday night! Plus, my companion changed! I am now with Elder Chacon, a native of Argentina from San Juan. He is a little minion (despicable me)!! He speaks pretty good English.
Ushuaia district before Elder Sirrine left

I spent most of my week with the zone leaders and some other elders. I learned how to be active in my work and to be persistent! Every where we went, they talked to literally every person. Kiosk owners, taxi drivers, people on the street. When we went contacting, they refused to take no for an answer! They would work their way around, helping the people understand that the message we have will help them and their families.

My new companion is capo (boss). He loves to work, and is super good at teaching and contacting. He is not a fan of our area, though.

We were in a lesson yesterday with an investigator, and it was time to share something after they gave us some soup and empenadas to eat. I opened the scriptures and began to read, when all of a sudden their kids started having a fit! They were screaming and crying, keep in mind this house is no bigger than an average walk-in closet, and I had a very difficult time teaching. By the end I just wanted to leave, I figured it was pointless being there and that they didn't learn anything, but as we left, the hermana looked me in the eye and asked us to please come back when ever we could. I realized then that no matter how small it may seem, we were bringing a light to their lives that they didn't have before.

I would encourage all of you at home to try and share something about the gospel with someone you care about. Even if you don't notice it, their soul is receiving a small part of eternal truth that they know to be true, and it will enlighten them to some degree.

The world is a dark place these days. We must do our best to bring light to anyone we can! I love all of you, and I truly feel your prays everyday. I am rocking the Spanish with my new companion, and everyday I learn more and more. Until next week, stay amazing!

Love Elder Bartlett
Ushuaia

Saturday, November 8, 2014

Mission address

If you want to try and send a package or a paper letter these are the way I have seen the mission address.  the first is off the mission presidents site and the second off the church site.  don't forget to add Elder Jarom S. Bartlett so it gets to him.

Comodoro Rivadavia Mission

or
Elder Perry Carter /
Elder Jarom S. Bartlett
Argentina Comodoro Rivadavia Mission
75 Fray Luis Beltran
Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut 9000
Argentina

You have to put Elder Perry Carter first for packages because he has to go to the customs office to pick them up and show ID.

Monday, November 3, 2014

Weekly November 3

> On Nov 3, 2014, at 7:11 AM, 
>
> Hello Everyone!
>
> This week was the last week of the transfer so not much got done, unfortunately. We had one of our investigators attend church, though! Plus I had the opportunity to give several blessings in Spanish! Super scary, but amazing at the same time. The names out here are just not cool when you're a gringo.
>
> One interesting thing from this week happened on Saturday en route to find out transfers. We were talking about whether or not we have guardian angels. Next thing I know, I have four very angry dogs all around me barking and lunging to bite me! I escaped bite-free, with nothing but some saliva on the back of my pants. Guess that answers that question.
>
> In relation to dogs, I just remembered this, I have a rather funny story about one Elder Griffits. His parents gave him a tazer for dogs, and he was showing it off our first transfer here. We were just about to leave the chapel, and he wanted to spook some elders with the noise. The problem occurred when he accidently placed his finger between the nodes. He full on tazed himself and broke his tazer when his arm went limp and he dropped it! Super funny to witness!
>
> How was everyone's Halloween?! I didn't really notice its passing. It isn't big here. It got me thinking, though. Christmas is coming up... and many have been asking about sending packages... For those of you who want to send a package, the best way I have heard is to use flat rate boxes complete with a customs order (list of contents and values). If you want to risk Argentine customs, I will include a sort of Christmas list.
>
> Peanut butter doesn't really exist here, and honey is super expensive (but I doubt honey would make it through customs). Related to peanut butter, reese's pieces or peanut butter m&m's would be awesome. I am missing classic American candy like swedish fish, licorice, peach-O's, and what not. I could do with a couple reminders of home, like a little American flag or something.  I feel bad putting up a Christmas list, but a lot of people have been asking. Something else that I would like, if you're going to send anything, is like a little recipe book of some cookies (chocolate chip, snickerdoodle), waffles, pancakes, crepes, hootenanny (german), eggnog, and like meat sauces for noodles. We always have rice or noodles, so it would be nice to know how to make some good sauces from scratch. 
>
> Those are the things I am missing most now. Also cookies... They don't have anything like chocolate chip cookies or snickerdoodles here. Oh well, see ya'll next week!
>
> Love, Elder Bartlett

Monday, October 27, 2014

Weekly Oct. 27

Hello my good people!

Last week of training for Elder Bartlett! I'm a big missionary now! Unfortunately that means my trainer Elder Sirrine is heading out to be district leader elsewhere. He got some asados lined up for us this week, though! Thanks companion! Familia Rodreguez made my mission on Tuesday... I had my first ice cream here! We also had an amazing zone conference this last Firday, and a seventy, Elder Spaunaus (I think) came down and talked to us. So many people came from Rio Grande to Ushuia, and we had some Elders sleep on our floor! Sadly I missed basically all of what the seventy said because of Spanish, plus the speaker system was terrible and screaming kids. Oh well...

Today we went to the Light House at the End of the World! Super tiny, but still cool. We also saw sea lions! I never realized this, but they literally look like they have the head of a lion! I'll try and get some pictures to ya'll, but my camera is still broken...
Light house at end of the world
Sea Lions

From Elder Sirrine's camera

It occurred to me that maybe some of you don't know what a missionary does, so I'd like to describe my average day. 6:30 I awake, pray, excercise, and put some hot water on the stove for tea. I shower, if I didn't shower the night before, and get dressed. I usually shower at night because our shwoer only lasts 8 minutes, and then it takes 30 minutes to heat back up. I drink tea and eat cereal and milk while I prepare for personal study for an hour. The milk here comes in bags or cardboard juice boxes, which are more expensive. We have personal study for an hour, then companionship study for 45 minutes, then language study for 30 minutes. Unfortunately on busy days, language study often gets cut out. We leave, usually to go contacting, in the morning and walk about 30 minutes to our area along a either dusty or muddy highway. We usually eat lunch with members around 1, so we leave our area for the long walk back. The members either have us over to their house, or we go pick it up from their house with tuppers. Lunch lasts 2 to 3 hours most of the time because there's not a rush to leave because of the siesta, most people won't answer doors. After eating a massive lunch, its the biggest meal here, we head back out to work! Long walk, no one has a schedule, so most of our plans fall through, and we usually end up with 1 or 2 lessons. We take a long walk back at the end of the day, and plan for the next day as soon as we get home. We may or may not eat dinner, depending on when we get home, then go to bed! It's taxing walking up and down the mountian and highway all day, and its hard to stay focused on the work. I am loving every day of it, though! Thanks for all the happy thoughts and prayers! Hope all is well back home!

Love, Elder Bartlett

Monday, October 20, 2014

Weekly Oct. 20th

Hola todos de mis amigos,

This week had it's highs and lows. I will stick with the highs, mostly. One low though, I erased all my pictures on my camera! So I only have some from today. Apparently it only takes two buttons on my camera to do that.  An elder said he might be able to get them back, but we'll see! Other things... All the buttons on the outer layer of my Mr. Mac's coat fell off (doesn't really effect usage, just annoying). My gray suit pants have a hole in them because of the dog that bit me. I also have a hole in my boots (I will probably just wear them though the next transfer because the whole in on top and everything is really expensive here). I took out some money from my personal card (Bought some gloves a couple weeks ago and took out money for tourism we might do). It should be only about 700-800 pesos (no idea how that translates into dollars). My top retainer fell out this week (I don't have any problems, there is just the "glue" left over on the back of my teeth).

Anyway, Friday was an amazing day. We went out in the morning to go check on a man we had previously contacted, and he said he had a couple seconds. We were there for an hour. His wife was able to join us, and we had an amazing discussion about his family and beliefs, then we taught and testified of the restoration of the gospel. I could feel the spirit so strongly as I bore my testimony of the scriptures and prayer. This man, Osmar, really is searching for the right path, and as he allowed us to show him the way, my heart truly opened up and I felt the joy I believe our Heavenly Father would feel as one of his lost children returns. We had three other similar lessons that day, and it was interesting to hear in each one, at one point or another, the testimony investigators bore about God's existence or love. We didn't say anything, they brought it up themselves.

Ffweeoo... I think everything is going okay. My head is kind of spinning with all the stuff that's going on,  but I am just fine physically and spiritually. I am learning so much! Thank you so much for all the support, and essentially for this opportunity to be here. It was Dia de Madre yesterday, so Happy Mothers Day in October, MOM!!
mother's day gifts?
Elders Bartlett & Sirrine




I have learned so much this week, I don't even think I can write it all down. I have had so many questions of my soul answered as I truly offered up the desires of my heart to God, then went and studied, meditated, and acted. I have had a change in my heart as I prayed about others. None of it was easy though. This week has been terribly difficult to stay focused, to work, to care about others. The growth I have experienced did not come without resistance.

I feel like I'm starting to ramble, the point is no one is ever past the point of progression. Get on your knees and pray to God with all of your heart. Talk to Him as if He was there because I know He is there. Then, listen.

Love, Elder Bartlett

NOT! We had investigators in church this week! And here are some pictures of the Playa Larga we went to today!

Monday, October 13, 2014

Weekly Oct. 13

Hola Everyone,

This week has been rough. We had a lot of snow, and most of our citas (lessons? It's hard to think of missionary words in English) fell through. Our two best investigator families are both moving, but hopefully they will continue taking lessons where ever they end up! I will have to try to stay in contact with them, and send their new information to church headquarters! Ha ha, good news is that another family that we've been waiting on papers for marriage are getting married next month! My companion won't be here, but I should and hopefully get to baptize them! I'm just worried about the father because his attitude appears to have changed over the long wait, and because of work, he can't come to church. I don't want to baptize him, only to have him fall away.

It has been amazing this week to study the testimonies at the beginning of the Book of Mormon. An angel really did appear to Joseph Smith. The Book of Mormon really is the word of God, written by a real people that lived anciently in the Americas. We can use this prized possession to come nearer to God, and learn about the beautiful plan He has prepared for us. A plan, made possible by our beloved Saviour, in which we can become more than we are. I love this gospel of hope and happiness, and hope that I am doing my best to be a worthy representative of our Lord extending his love to the people of Argentina.

Until next week.

Love, Elder Bartlett

Monday, October 6, 2014

Weekly Oct. 6

Argentine greetings to all!

This week was absolutely amazing! Mostly because of conference. Please, if you have not yet, watch conference! It will touch your heart and fill your soul with the spirit! My favorite talk was be Richard G. Scott. His love for all of us was nearly tangible. I didn't want conference to end!

I learned a lesson this week. Don't listen to gossip! Also don't start it, but that's for another time. My companion was recently made district leader, he was extremely stressed out but is now doing a great job leading Monte Olivia! Anyway, as district leader he is in charge of doing divisions, so on Friday I said good bye and got to work in my area with another elder. I had prayed mightily the night before because I had heard terrible things about this elder, and wanted to have a good, productive day. I learned so much on Friday. This elder showed me how to be more natural in contacts, and how to start teaching. I watched his amazing example of how to teach with power, testimony, and the scriptures. Forget what other people say, that elder is now one of my heroes! I don't want to start ranting, but seriously before you even think about thinking badly about someone else, remember your own nothingness. And watch Elder Uchtcdorf's talk.

Today was our most eventful P-day yet! Instead of just sitting around in the chapel all day, we hiked a mountain as a zone! Super fun, super muddy and yet, and super cold, but super worth it. Near the end, as we were coming down the mountain, I decided I wanted to run the rest of the way. I picked up speed pretty fast, and then I hit the mud patch. Hey mom, the really nice missionary bag you bought me also functions as a sled! Who would have known?!

Until next week, God be with you. I love you all, and I expect all of you to listen or read one of the conference talks before you write me, so I won't be too discouraged if you don't get to me. I know the words of the prophets will pull you right out of all your other thoughts and concerns. Listen carefully to their testimonies.

Love, Elder Bartlett

WAIT!! Pictures. 1) How I do general conference in Argentina. That's a bowl of noodles and a hunk of chicken. 2) Us hiking the mountain 3) Viva Argentina!! 4) Orange Crush, the official sponsor of slip 'n slides mountain sides united