3 Nephi 5:13

Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.

Monday, October 27, 2014

Rivadavia Week 11

Hermana Bonner didn't feel well enough to write anything today.  She has spent the last week with the amazing Mission nurse, Hermana Kathy Ashby.

Hermanas Ashby, Cuellar, Ferrel & Bonner



President and Hermana Goates, Office Elders and Hermanas Ashby and Bonner

Hermanas Cuellar, Bonner, Ferrell

Monday, October 20, 2014

Rivadavia Week 10: Como le va Familia?

Monday, October 13, 2014

Rivadavia Week 9: The Argentine Hospital Experience!

Well this week was just crazy.  Yesterday we decided to cook breakfast for a family before church cause we want them to come to church.  So I was super excited and just cooking away and I decided to cut open something with an old pocket knife.  Well I cut my finger instead haha.  Blood was everywhere and my comp was dying.   The members put salt on it to stop the blooding and that was so painful and they were like we need to go to the hospital and I was like no its fine!   They came to church with us so YAY!!  But during church my finger would not stop bleeding so we went to the hospital.  They opened it up and could see my little tendons and so they started operating.  They were talking to me in Spanish thinking I can talk back when they are jabbing needles in me. But in the end everything was good and it was a fun adventure!  We don't really do to many exciting things on the mission so I needed that little adrenaline rush! 

Also this week... I FOUND PEANUT BUTTER!  I was crying it was the best day ever!   Prayers are answered haha.

We have been working really hard this week and I decided I would have been a really good pioneer cause I can walk forever and ever.  I also have a watch tan line so I guess you could say I'm a legit missionary now.  

Also one day we were teaching a lady named Ellie who is amazing and so sweet. Well someone knocked at the door and it was a Jehovah Witness.  WOW.  I froze up.  She started drilling us on everything we believe.  We responded with scriptures and then we realized we weren't getting anywhere.  She tried to tell us we need to drink to have fun in this life and God wants us to be happy.  We remembered the conference talk of respecting other religions and we told her we wanted to sing her a song.  So we sang a hymn and left.  We were dying after but we realized we handled it well and we were respectful.  We did all that we could and the Lord will now do his part!  

This week was filled with more hard trials.  But I was on the bus one day thinking, and it hit me.  Missionary Work will ALWAYS be hard.  But when am I ever going to experience this again?  It's like anything else.......Being a mom, going to school, having a church calling, going through hard times at work, when will we ever experience this again?  We only have limited time here on the earth and everything we go through is part of a plan. So that's the best thing is we only get certain experiences one time.  So we need to live them up!  We all have hard trials and go through hard things but every single one of us has amazing talents and abilities to make it through these hard times.  I'm grateful for all your support!  Love you all and have an amazing week! 
Hermana Bonner


Hermana's with the Alanez family

Hermana Bonner with my Zone wishing "Mom" a Happy Birthday!


Hermana Sorenson and I finally found PEANUT BUTTER!!

Flowers for "Merm's " Birthday!

 An old train station in Rivadavia!

I cut my finger with a pocket knife!

I might need stitches!  There's a first time for everything!



Monday, October 6, 2014

Rivadavia Week 8: General Conference Weekend!!

Monday, September 29, 2014

Rivadavia Week 7: Two Months!!

Monday, September 22, 2014

Rivadavia Week 6: Every Week is a New Adventure!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Rivadavia Week 5: One Transfer Down!

Hello everyone!


This week was another hard but great week in the mission. We gave a lot of service this week which I really liked, cause for one second I wasn't thinking of myself or how I was homesick. We painted a members house and that was super fun!  And then we weeded a ladies garden.  And not like pulling weeds.. we had this big tool and had to just sit and hit the ground with it.  I was dying it was so hard. Haha  but she fed us after and it was pretty good.  My comp used her bathroom and the water was broken.. so we were in the bathroom forever trying to figure something out and I was just laughing. Haha. 

Then me being Jamee.. Lost the keys to our pench so we were climbing walls and crying and got bit by bugs but we got in and then I found the keys in my pocket so there is another mission adventure. 

We got to go to the city and we had to do Visa paper work and it was a busy day.. so for lunch the elders bought us McDonalds and I was a little angry haha. Then I ate it and I secretly loved it!  Cause it was finally something AMERICAN.

 I gave one of our investigators a massage cause my comp said i would.. it was so awkward!  Haha but she loved it and we are teaching her again today.  So whatever I can do to get investigators I will!   This week I learned so much and I was talking with another Hermana from Utah and she was just crying cause she can't speak spanish or teach lessons. And I felt the need to talk to her. So i just said Hermana are you treating yourself the way Heavenly Father would want you to? And she said no.. That is something I have learned.  We all need to love ourselves.  We all are doing our best and trying to get through the hard days.  So be patient and loving and kind towards yourself.  Treat yourself the way you Heavenly Father would treat you.  Remember we all make mistakes but we can get through those and become better.  So this week everyone love yourself!!   Then go and love others :) 

I met the fam Marua and I couldn't handle them at first.  There house smells, and there kids are out of control and the husband smokes will we teach.  Last night we did a lesson with them and we walked in the house and I felt so much love. I LOVE that family so much now.  One of there sons is actually my boyfriend... He is 2,  yes I'm so lucky..  And the husband has a testimony that makes me cry.  I was patient with myself and know I love them.

Im so blessed to be here learning.  Even on the hard days when I cry I know the lord is blessing me and he is blessing all of you.  Love you all!!   Thanks for much for your letters or emails.  All your supportive words keep me going!  

Love Hermana Bonner

Hermanas Martinez y Bonner

Hermana Martinez fixing the toilet!

Companions--Hermanas Martinez y Bonner

Conferencias de Zona--Valle de Uco, San Martin, Godoy Cruz y Las Oficinas


Monday, September 8, 2014

Rivadavia Week 4: Another Week!

Another week done!  This week went by pretty quick.  We were busy with zone conference in the city and so that was a whole day trip.  President Goates talked to us about getting members to church so they can feel peace. He is awesome!

I made brownies for my favorite family here who feeds us every week.  And I was doing so good and then they told me they dont have an oven... So i made them on the stove top and they were interesting.   They pretended to love them.  I was like okay stop these are so bad im sorry!  They are both converts,  They are in their 60s and never could have kids.  So they are my Argentine grandparents!  They bore their testimonies on Sunday and said they are blessed cause they have 2 Angels in Rividavia.  They were so sweet and they were referring to us so I just cried.  It made me so happy.

 We left their house and were walking and my companion is so sweet and goes.. Hermana I don't understand.. all you eat is fruit and you still gain weight!  Well bless here heart!  haha I was like THANKS  hermana for that. She was just trying to be nice haha.  My stomach honestly hates the food here. I  have been sick a lot..... So I decided to start taking the Activiva 14 day challenge.  No joke haha lets see how it goes!

This week was slow and hard again... i feel like all I do is complain but Missionary work is hard.  It will for sure be the hardest thing I do in my life.  But I'm blessed for that because a mission is the best 18 months FOR my life.

This week i learned so much.  I had members yelling at me for speaking English with an Elder cause I didnt understand them, or for turning on a heater, dumb things like that..... Argentines are crazy but I love them.           I learned that everyone is going through something.  Big or small.  Everyone sins big or small.  But that is life and that is why we are here.  So if someone offends you . All i can say is we have to get over it.  They are going through something we do not understand.  EVERYONE is a child of God.  No matter what they do or what they believe.  So this week.  Love everyone.  Cause this life is hard and we all mess up and go through rebellious times.  Everyone is always in need of something.  A hug, a compliment, a simple text.  So never forget what they are going through.  Love, be patient, and dont judge.  Because thats exaclty what our Savior did.  Thats what I am trying to work on this week!  Its tough but when we love, we feel more loved by the Savior and that is the best feeling.

Mom and dad Happy 25th Anniversary. You guys are seriously so great!! And such a hot couple. Im lucky for such good looking and supportive parents!  Dyl happy 2 year anniversary in the church!  Youre on a mission now and its crazy how far youve come.  I love you all and I pray for you each week! 

Monday, September 1, 2014

Rivadavia Week 3: One Month Down!

Hermana Bonner eating an Argentine "Milanesa" sandwich---chopped beef, ham and eggs

Hermana Bonner found a little "Utah" in Argentina!

Hermanas Sorenson y Bonner

Okay i did it!!  I got that first awful terrible month done and out of the way.  I will not lie I feel like I have been out over a year. But that is okay we just keep pushing.  Everyone here tells me 3 months and then it all starts working. So patience Jam I can do it.

This week was a hard week but thats when we learn the most.  We had exchanges so I went with Hermana Sorensen to Maipu. She is from St. George so I finally spoke English and long story short I just balled to her and she was so sweet.  She goes home in December and so she really helped me with advice.  She asked me to teach and I said I couldn't.  But she made me.  And little did I know I actually do speak Spanish.  With the help of the spirit!!  Haha words just came out and I finally was happy with myself and where I was at.  I was there for a day and then came back to Riviadavia.  We worked and worked and had some lessons and 2 girls wanted to be baptized but now they are in the city and so we have to wait for them.  I have the faith though!  I know God's timing is perfect.

This week was a struggle.  I was sick for 2 days and then my comp was, so we slept and it was bad.  You just feel useless cause youre just doing something for yourself and not for others.  We didnt get any lunch appiontments so one day we were eating hard boiled eggs and rice and tomatoes its actually good.  Haha and Ii opened the oven and the boiling pot of water fell on my legs and feet and there went our lunch.  So I was upset after that.  We then had to study and it was sunday and I missed my family so much.  But I went and I prayed to the Lord.  And I just asked him for help.  I have never needed so much help I swear. And that's why this Gopsel is amazing.

 We all fall and sometimes we fall HARD.  But the Lord is ALWAYS there to pick us up and put us where we need to be.  And I need to be here.  And as hard as it is. I know it.  Cause I can feel it in my heart.  I know there is people here and for me, my mission is to forget myself and help others.  That's what this life is all about is, helping others.  Im not the best at it cause I cant speak Spanish with them but I have a love for them. I  love the people here and that's a good starting point.s So this week lets all have more love.  Cause that's all the Gospel is.  Just love!  I am blessed for all your love and support.  Thank you all and have a great week!  I know the Lord will always be there to pick you up. 

Monday, August 25, 2014

Rivadavia Week 2

Monday, August 18, 2014

First Week in Rivadavia: WOW!


Yes everyone I am here in ARGENTINA.  As you all remember I took luggauges the size of my whole family with me so getting here was embarassing to say the least.  To get to my area I had to ride a bus.  Just like any bus in South America.  Crappy and smelly.  Well we got on and it was full but that's fine we just shove as many people in as possible haha.  So I get on with my 3 luggages and then we were on our way to Rividavia.  Its an hour and a half a way from Mendoza. So I had to stand up cause it was full with 3 luggages the whole way and it was fine cause I'm a strong woman and it's part of the adventure right... HAHAHA jk I got to pench which is my room and I cried.  It was such a long trip.  My pench is pretty sketchy. haha.  Its pretty dirty and the shower sometimes works.  But seriously it has been a wake up call.  Im a so blessed. I honestly feel bad. Sisters here have maybe 2 skirts and they think my Ipod is the best thing ever.  Sisters here never have had a car and dont travel.  So I am blessed to say the least. I almost want to give everything away here because the Hermanas here are so humble. 

So first story.  We got to Mendoza after 2 days of traveling and it was so tiring.  An elder accidently took a man's lugguage cause it was black and this man saw.  To say the least he was mad.  He started screaming at us in Spanish andI knew what he was saying cause it was bad words.  He said our religon is F uped.  So.. I was angry about that.  He then started kicking all our luggauge and then walked past me and he SPIT on me.  Like hey welcome to Argentina... Oh I was furious. T hen he left and came back and tried to fight the Elder but sercurity came.. Wow it was an experience.  I was super upset. But that night I laid in bed and I was so tired and I was just praying for help.  And I found myself praying for that man that was mean to us.  I couldnt believe the words that were coming out of my mouth. On a mission its about the people and not me.  So I'm blessed for that experience.

 Since I am an honest person I will be honest. This has been the hardest week of my life.  No joke.  I have been homesick, I have cried, I have laughed andI I have prayed more than ever.  But the only reason I have made it through is by my companion.  Hermana Martinez from Nicaragua.  She is an angel.  I'm not kidding she is my best friend from the pre earth life. Her whole family is converts and she just loves everyone.  She comes from nothing and I am blessed so she has taught me so much.  I am so lucky to have her. 

Second story. We taught recent converts a lesson on faith. The Mercau family.  Brother Mercau has cancer and his wife Rosa, parkinsons. They blow my mind.  They have nothing.  Expect love and faith and tons of it. They said why are we both sick and why are we so poor and then they bore testimony that its God and he knows everything and he carries them through. They are at church everyweek and Rosa is in a lot of pain. So i massage her legs for her.  She was in so much pain right in the middle of Sacrament we gave her a Priesthood Blessing. 

I have seen so many beautiful things.  I know this is where I need to be.  My companion is helping me so much.  Argentina is the land of cows and I have not seen one so thats a JOKE.  I want to see these famous cows. I love this gospel and through God I can do hard things. I  love to see pictures so PLEASE email me pics everyone!  I have to get going but I want to challenge you all to PRAY.  By 10 in the morn I have prayed 5 times. All I can say is i am strong and still here because of that.  So 2 prayers a day.  It will change your whole day!  I promise.  Thanks for all your letters and support!  I love you all so much!!  Mom I love you!! 
Con Amor, Hermana Bonner




Friday, August 15, 2014

Letter from Mission Secretary

Dear Bonner Family, 

We are happy to inform you that your missionary has arrived here in Mendoza alive and well!

 Following a short orientation and dinner with President and Sister Goates, the new missionaries were then brought to the mission home to do a few formalities, recuperate from the flight and have a brief testimony meeting.

Today they will meet their trainers, receive trainings from the assistants to the president, and have their first individual interview with President Goates. After this they will be off to their first assignment area. I am putting with this email a few pictures we took the first day in Argentina and you can even follow the blog of the mission at http://argentinamendozamission.blogspot.com.ar/

May the Lord continue to bless you and your family for all that you do in order to support your missionary.
                                                                                   
Sincerely,


Elder Barton
Secretario
Misión Argentina Mendoza

Hermana Bonner y Hermana Martinez