In the hospital... AGAIN!!!

5/17/2010

Dear Family,

Wow… what a week! Well I hope you guys are ready for this one. I have had a very interesting week. Last Tuesday I had a pretty normal day. But right at the end of the day some stuff happened and I soon became very ill.

I didn’t think it really was anything too bad, but I went home early Tuesday night and went to bed. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling very sick. I had a lot of pain in my lower back and was very sweaty and very cold. I knew that I definitely had a fever. I did the best that night to just be comfortable, but I really didn’t get any sleep. The next morning I was still feeling like I had a fever, so I took my temperature and it read 103. So I definitely knew then I was sick.

We called the branch president in our branch (he’s a doctor) and he soon came over and gave me some medicine. I did my best to just rest and get better, but in the night I began to throw up and have really bad diarrhea. I was super sick. On Thursday my fever went away, but I was in the bathroom every 15 minutes, which wasn’t good because I hadn’t eaten since lunch on Tuesday. So I just continued to be sick and rested in the house the entire day. When I woke up on Friday, it was the same story. Hermana Da Silva called me in the morning to see how I was doing and to see if any of the medications I was taking were helping. I said no. She told me to get to Montevideo and check myself into the hospital as soon as possible.

So Elder Haws and I went to Montevideo. I got checked into the emergency room around twelve. I was definitely dehydrated. They hooked me to an IV right away.  Then all the doctors that came in said I had appendicitis and that I needed to plan to have another operation to have it removed. Ha-Ha-Ha… I couldn’t believe it! We called the mission president again and I think he and Hermana Da Silva just about had a heart attack. Luckily they did a blood test and sonograms on me.

They made me spend the night in the hospital and on Saturday morning the same surgeon who did my hernia surgery walked into the room. The first thing he said was; “John! Wow! Long time no see!” Ha-Ha-Ha. He then informed me that all the tests came back negative and that an operation wasn’t needed. He said in the blood work they had discovered I had a virus that attacks the bowels and that’s exactly what happened. I went home on Saturday. I have had a special diet now for a few days, but all in all I’m definitely getting way better.

I’m also sending you pictures of the scripture covers that I had made. They are Awesome! Some other pictures are of me in the hospital that Elder Haws took. And the other one is of me this morning at our district meeting in the church. I thought I would send it to you so that you knew that really I’m doing alright, maybe a little skinnier but I’m still alive.

You can let Aunt Sissy and Grandma know that their prayers are definitely helping. I believe that this was another one of those miracle things. Sometimes things like this just happen but I know that because of all your support, I’m better off and I can feel the comfort of our Heavenly Father.

Thank you all so much… I love you all.

Elder John P. Sluder

Mother's Day Phone Call

We had a great phone call from John on Sunday evening. We did a conference call again and everybody in the family had a chance to call in and say hi to John. He is already planning his return home and wants to go to college. He told us that one of the things he has realized is that he is really very smart and capable of  getting a college education! Let's hope he still feels the same way in 16 months! We also made tentative plans to travel to Uruguay in 2011 to pick him up. It really isn't that expensive and will be an opportunity we don't want to miss. Finally, it looks like we will be putting together a package for his birthday this weekend. He needs shirts, socks and some other goodies. It takes 4-6 weeks to get a package to him, so we need to get it in the mail by Monday morning. We did receive a short email from him and here it is:

May 9, 2010

Dear Family,

Wow, what a day. Today is my p-day and it is now night time. Our new p-day schedule is awesome. I love having p-day that lasts until the day is actually over.

This morning I started out by going over to the sister missionaries’ house and fixed their furniture. They had broken one of their beds. I put some screws in it and I hope it solved the problem. (The missionaries all over the mission know me as the guy who fixes all the stuff) They were grateful and they said that they are now happy because one of them doesn’t have to sleep on the floor. Afterwards we had district meeting. It was enjoyable and it seemed to go by way too fast. We then played basketball at the church and it was so awesome to play after not playing for so long. We then had an awesome lunch and finished our activity around 4 this afternoon. Tonight, in about an hour I have a birthday party to go to. It’s for a joven (young man) in the ward who is about 14 years old. He always goes out and works with us and we are very good friends with the family, so that’s kind of exciting.

Our baptism we planned is for the 22nd of May, the day after Steven’s birthday. Her name is Haydee. She is about 64 years old and is awesome too. She has now fixed our clothes and sewed up many holes that I had in my pants and shirts. In exchange, we took the weed eater from the church and cut the grass in her back yard. She is really by far the best investigator that I have ever had!

Well it was really cool to be able to talk to you guys yesterday. Sorry if you felt that it was a weird conversation. I just felt really weird I guess talking to you guys on the phone. As a missionary I guess you just become weird. But I know that’s okay!

Well I love you and for now I’m just going to forget myself and go to work.

Love you all
Elder John Sluder

8 Month Anniversary

Note from Dad: Today is John's 8 month anniversary in the mission! It's now 1/3 over!

5/3/2010

Dear Family,

Well, the first thing I need to clear up is this Mother’s day call situation. This week we learned some new rules and things from the mission president. Here in the mission, we are now trying to be super tight with our funds. The president has asked us to call home first so that you will have the number. Then you can call me back. This way, we don’t have to pay for the call (you will pay for the call!). I just can’t call you any time of the day because it’s Sunday and I have to work, so I will call the house in Wellsville between 6:30 and 7:00 my time. When I call you, we’ll figure it all out. This may make it super complicated to do a conference call, so I’m not really too sure if that will work. We will have an hour to talk, that’s for sure. Okay anyways......

What a week! I’m still here and still doing the same old, same old. We have definitely had a very spiritual week. I don’t really know why, but it was definitely that way. We have found several investigators and it looks like they will soon continue on to baptism by the end of May. I don’t want to waste too much time talking about this now, but will tell you more on the phone next week.

Today I received a letter from Mary and her family. Thanks it was awesome! It was definitely one of those things that brightens up your day. I also got a letter from Makell today. It too was awesome!!! Hey dad… I’ve got a question. I don’t know how you feel about this, but I want you to invite Makell over to the house on Mother’s day and maybe I could talk to her for like five minutes. That would be way cool! And also invite Krista to come with her if she wants. If you could do that, I would so very much appreciate it. I would love to hear from them.

Anyway... we had an awesome district meeting this morning and now we have P-day until the day ends… it’s so cool. This afternoon we had an Asado (BBQ) and it was so great!!!!! I found BBQ sauce and I was able to cook up some really good steak!!! OOOHHHH it was so good.

Well I think tomorrow is Laura’s birthday… so Happy birthday Laura!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a lot to tell ya on the phone…. that’s for sure. I’m awfully excited and I can’t wait!!!!

Thanks for all you do for me!!! I love you all very much!!!!

Love,
Elder John Sluder

Another Week in Miñas

April 26,2010

Dear Family,

Well, I’m still here in Miñas Uruguay doing my thing. Mom and Dad, it’s very interesting that you guys ran into that woman who is a distant relative. I find it’s even crazier that my Mother is going to ride a horse 100 miles across the Nebraska plain at 54 years of age! Okay mom… have fun… ha-ha-ha.

Anyway, for me things have been alright. I will probably take the money out of my account today so that I can buy the things I need on p-day (which is today). I had a very good week… so far so good. We’ve had a lot of progress. By the end of this change, the plan is to be baptizing a lot and have more to come for the next change. Yesterday was Stake Conference in Maldonado and so we went and it was very enjoyable. President Da Silva, my Mission President spoke about the Book of Mormon and it was awesome. I also saw my book covers being made by Walter in Maldonado. They look great, but they’re not finished yet. He said he is going to water proof them and I should get them on Tuesday.

So many things are changing in the mission. Just so you know, the addresses and phone numbers have all changed. If you write me a letter, you must now send it to me at the new address which I will include at the end of the letter. Dad, please try your best to let everyone know. Also on Mondays, we are now having a district meeting in the morning from 10 am to 12 am. From 12 pm to 9 pm will be our p-day, so that really means a longer p-day. Woo-Hoo! We are all so excited and so happy this is going to start in two weeks.

I will call you guys on May 9th. You just need to tell me a time and a number and I will call. I have a lot more to tell you, so I’m very excited. I don’t know how big of a deal you really want to make of it. I don’t know for sure, but what I hear I will only have 30 minutes to talk to you guys. So we gotta go fast and we can’t be talking about just whatever; there are some really important things I need to talk with you guys about.

Besides all that, I’m doing great and we had an awesome week. I’m still very healthy and I feel great (cold but great).

Thanks for all. I love you all so very much and miss ya.

Love,
Elder Sluder

Note from Dad: I have changed John's mailing address on the blog here and will also post it to John's facebook account.

Wow - What a Great Week I Had!!!

April 20, 2010

Dear Family,

Well another week gone by. Today I’m in Montevideo because it is time for changes again. Luckily, we aren’t making any changes. Elder Hawes and I have come down to Montevideo to see off some of his old companions who are going home.

Wow, what a great week I had!!!! We have worked so hard and finally yesterday Elder Maluff and I were able to set our first baptismal date with one of our investigators. We plan this week to invite three more of our investigators to be baptized. We are so excited and very happy that the mission president allowed us to be together for at least another six weeks. We have set a goal to baptize 11 people in these next six weeks and we honestly believe that it is very possible! So far though, our only planned baptism is with an 18 year old girl named Cynthia and it is planned for May 15th… Woo Hoo!!!!

Besides all that, no real grand adventures happened this week. But I’m very excited to just see how this next six weeks turns out!

Dad, I guess if you want to do a conference call that would be just fine. But there are several things I want to talk with you guys about first this time and I have written it down to make sure that we can have an organized conversation. I’m pretty excited for its only two weeks away. Man, time is really going fast!

Okay also, yes I know that I only have a little bit of money left in my account. Sorry, I had to take some money out last week because I needed some things to write and send letters. Also, the scripture covers are awesome I guess! The zone leaders called me and said that mine are almost done. I guess he’s finishing them early or something. I had him do something that has never been done before; he’s drawing a picture of Joseph Smith on a horse for me. It’s going to be great. I don’t know for sure, but I think later next week on Tuesday we’re going down to Maldonado. I would like to pay him then if it is possible. Let me know… sorry it’s so soon.

Anyway, besides all that I’m doing great. I have felt super blessed this past week and I know it’s because of all your prayers. Thank you so much!!!

It’s getting cold here too... really, really cold! And I really don’t have winter clothes. I am planning though on talking to you guys about this on Mother’s Day, so for now I will just keep using my companions sweater! Ha ha ha

Love you all so much!!!

Love,
Elder Sluder

Family Baptism and Other Adventures

April 12, 2010

Dear Family,

Wow, another week has now gone by and I have had quite the week too. It was pretty much just the typical busy week, but it’s definitely gone by super fast. There are several things I want to mention so here it goes. First of all, last P-day we went to a place called Pan de Azucar. In Pan de Azucar, there is a cerro (hill) with a huge cross on the top.

It’s about 16 stories tall and you can climb up inside of it. From there you can see the ocean and all of the Uruguayan country side. I included pictures of it. If you want to know more, just look it up on the internet; but I have now been there and done that.

Today we went up to the horse statue Artigas which like you said is the biggest horse statue in the world. I also took pictures so I hope you enjoy them also. So all of that’s been really cool.

On Friday we went on an interchange with the zone leader to Maldonado and wow that place is ghetto! Have I told you guys how much I hate dogs here in South America? While in Maldonado, we had a meeting with the Hermanas and I spoke with Hermana Walton for a while. It was pretty cool. We talked a whole lot about the people in Las Vegas that we both knew. Weird huh? We got back to Miñas on Saturday.

My companion and I have now reactivated several families in the branch here. One of our families named Incuralde has identical twin 8 year old sons who really wanted to be baptized. So on Saturday night we baptized them. It was really cool. They were not convert baptisms, but I still felt good about it. I hope that they can continue to make good choices in their lives and have success. We had a full chapel on Sunday! It was so awesome and we are seeing miracles. We hope to be able to reactivate and baptize the few good investigators that we have. Well besides that, all is been good.

Mom and Dad, one other thing… Here in Uruguay, the missionaries use handmade leather cases for their scriptures called tappa. An artist usually draws an image on every side. They protect your scriptures and are kind of a cool remembrance of the mission. I’ve priced them out all over Uruguay, but everywhere I go they are all upwards of $200-$300 dollars American. I didn’t want to spend that much. When I went to Maldonado the other day, they have a recent convert there named Walter Del Puerto (look him up on the internet) who makes them. I asked how much and he quoted me at $100 dollars. (Three different cases, one for my Bible, one for my BOM and one for my hymn book, all with an image drawn in the leather of my choosing) Can I get them? It was an awesome price. I will probably receive them right around my birthday in June and it would make for an awesome birthday gift. Tomorrow he is coming to our zone conference to talk with the missionaries about what they want. I did make a plan to get them from him and I kinda placed an order. He did tell me though that because of all the work, he will not start on mine until the first week of May. If I need to cancel, it would be fine. Anyway, let me know. I will finish putting in my order and getting everything situated with him tomorrow, but let me know if that’s alright with you in your email next week.

Thanks for all you do. I love you all and I love the new horse, she looks great!

Love your son,
Elder Sluder

A Little Adversity and the Spirit Testifies

April 5, 2010

Dear Family,

Well, how are things? I have had quite a week! Por suerte, I’m doing just fine health wise and I feel that I’m progressing as a missionary. I don’t really know where it all started, but at the beginning of the week, we had several very normal days. We worked super hard and felt super good. We found a new investigator on Tuesday afternoon who is quite interesting. Her name is Natalia Ortega and she is 24 years old. Here in Miñas, she is a famous Latina singer. We sat down and talked a lot about music with her. I talked to her about how much music impacts our religion. Elder Maluff can sing very, very, very well and I sing okay, so we decided to sing one of our hymns for her. When we finished, she was tearing up. It was another one of those cool things that happens to me on my mission almost on a daily basis. I’m a little more excited this time though, because she was very interested. When we finished, she gave us her schedule so we can come by again. She said she had a desire for something like this in her life.

This week I dealt with one of the most difficult situations of my mission so far. On Friday, we found a young man who is a Baptist, who knows the bible through and through. He very kindly let us in and we began to teach him. All was normal and we felt good. We just started to go through the almost routine way of how we teach. In the middle of the lesson, he got up and stood on a chair with the pamphlet that we give out on the plan of salvation in hand. He declared that this is a sin. He then recited the second commandment to us and said that the picture of Jesus is bad. We explained that we don’t worship the picture. We then sat there and took heat from this guy about how Mormons are the most corrupt religion on the face of the earth. My companion was able to stay cool and he ended up teaching me so much. We did all we could to testify of the Book of Mormon and challenged him to read and pray about it. We went back the next day like we had planned and he had invited his Baptist preacher over to fight with us. Great huh? Well once again we were cool-headed. These men sat there and told us how Joseph Smith was a homosexual and how all the pioneer brethren of the church are now in hell. Way difficult… that’s MY heritage! It was very humbling and I had to really rely on my own personal testimony. We then did the only thing we could do…. we invited them to General Conference, testified of the Book of Mormon and challenged them to read it. The spirit at that moment was so strong and I can honestly say that it was by far the most strong I have felt it yet on my mission.

They showed up to General Conference and listened to the talk on Saturday night that Elder Holland gave about lust. It was perfect! They both felt the spirit. I know they did because they invited us back to their homes on Sunday morning. They told us how it made them feel and that they plan to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. This is just one more miracle I can say that I have experienced. It’s absolutely incredible. General Conference was also wonderful for me.

I love you all so much and I too can add my testimony that this work is of a divine nature and I know for myself that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God. It was translated by a true prophet in these latter days. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ is real and I feel his protection, his influence and his example in my life each day.

I have been enjoying myself here in Miñas so far and I’m very satisfied with my companion and our work. Have a good week and enjoy all that we have, because in reality we have much to enjoy and to be thankful for.

Love, your Son, Brother and Uncle,
Elder John P. Sluder