It's Never Too Late - Antero Panello

 

Note: The picture above is from a couple of months ago.  Taylor wasn't able to send any pictures this week.  Though unrelated to this letter, I thought I would share a picture with him and Elder Cantino before the last transfers.

Here is Taylor's letter:

There are many stories that I could share this week, but the only one that I feel I am to share is about Antero Panello.

As you all know, we had been teaching this man for quite some time. We learned that he had been quite the sinner, involving himself in thievery and other crimes. He lived a very dark life. However, as he had become sick, he started to see life in a new perspective. He realized he needed God. When he moved into the house of his sister (who is a member) we found him and quickly started teaching him about the restored gospel. He loved the idea of baptism, and washing away his sins. With the fact that  he was very sick, when we would teach him, he would always ask for "a special prayer" or a blessing from us. Many times we gently put our hands over his head as he lay sick in bed and promised him comfort during this time of difficulty.

Never in my whole mission have I prayed with such frequency for one person. I am not quite sure why I felt the need to have him in EVERY prayer, but Antero was always mentioned, in my personal prayers, as well as the ones with my companion. We fasted for him, and I also know that several of you have prayed with regards to this very special man. 

He wasn't getting better, and as I have explained before,  he told us, that though he wasn't yet sure which church was the true church, that when he found out, he would be a missionary of that church and preach repentance, so that he could serve God, because he had learned how much God really served him.

Friday night, as we returned from Agua Blanca (which is a 12 mile bike ride, and obviously quite exhausting after a long days work) my companion felt that it was very necessary that we would go to the house of Antero to read him a scripture. I told my companion that it might not be wise because we might get home  late, and be very exhausted if we did so. He said that he felt very strongly that it was necessary. 

We arrived to his house, and his sister told us to come in quickly. His eyes had rolled back, and was breathing so painfully, that it seemed as if he was breathing through a straw. He was in very bad shape. In my mission I have given many blessings, but none were like this.

I put my hands on his head, as he struggled to breath. I felt the pain he was going through. In the blessing I obviously spoke in Spanish, but in one part, English slipped out, and the Spirit told me to let it be how it came out, or in other words, keep speaking in English. I said "Antero, you are almost finished. You just have to fight a little bit longer. You can do it" and then I continued in Spanish. I will never forget these words, because they were not mine.

We left the house, and rode our bikes home. We later learned that an hour later he passed away.

This experience changed me, and I will never forget the true repentance that this man showed. He now is learning from missionaries on the other side, and is coming to an understanding of the true gospel. I am proud of Antero, and miss him deeply. I wish I had a picture, but I do not. 

I love you all, and am grateful for your support and love.

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

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2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

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3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

Video & Pics Eating Chicken Heads, Feet, Brains & Other Interesting Paraguayan Treats :-) - Rest Is Not Waste / Adjust Pace & Finish, But Never Give Up - Grateful For A Close/Eternal Family - Benita Is Firm In The Faith - Support From Grandma

Let´s start with the pictures and videos!

1. This is me eating a chicken foot. I am being serious when I say it is actually very good. 

2. Chicken HEAD. Yes this is actually a chicken head. What the people do when they give us lunch out here in Agua Blanca, is they kill one of their countless chickens and they put it ALL in a big pot, and cook. I am proud to say that seeing a chicken head in the food, with all the chicken wings and legs, no longer scares me :) I remember my first lunch in Carlos A. Lopez (my first area of my mission) I noticed that there was something strange in the pot, that looked strangely like a chicken head, and I told my companion, that it looked like a chicken head. He leaned over to take a look, and quickly said to me, "Elder, that IS a chicken head. We are not eating anything in that pot!" 

Now, days, as you will see in these coming videos, I welcome all foods that include chicken heads... ;)

3. Just watch!

4. I honestly now can say that I have eaten a chicken brain. My mom would be so proud.

5. This is a new cow that Benita Ladezma (our recent convert from Agua Blanca) just got. She is such a great convert, and is showing real evidence that she will continue strong to the end in Christ. The other day, she, with a young woman from Agua Blanca, traveled the 12 miles to make it to the 

chapel to clean, and then in the same night, supervised in a stake dance! She is also preparing to be able to go to the temple! She is awesome!...(I am now just realizing that I am talking a lot about her, but I don't have a picture of her... instead a picture of her cow... sorry if that is weird...)

My Grandma Graves is a great woman, and like so many others,  has shown great dedication in support towards me and my mission. In one of her recent letters, I was shocked as I saw a picture of Elder Hammond (a missionary from my zone) in the letter she sent me! He is from her ward and told me that he even had brought the sacrament to her house before when she had been sick. What a small world!

There are so many experiences that happen each day. I wish I could tell each of them to each of you personally. If I did so, I would spend my whole life telling about the things that I had done, and would not be able to progress and DO any more. Time is the most precious thing we have here in this life, as well as the mission, and I hope not to waste a minute. Something, that I have learned over the past few hours, is that rest, and change of pace, is not wasting. It is better to finish a marathon, at a good pace, than to give up because you aren't going to take first place.

I try to always stay positive in these letters  home, and make sure everyone knows how much I love my home here, but today, I want to let everyone know that I AM human. I miss my family. I wish I could give my Mom a hug and a kiss today, and tell her I love her. Go run with my Dad, and my Brother in the mountains, and look down from the top and look at what we would have accomplished together. I would like to lay down in the grass with Amber and Shauna at night and try to count the stars. 

If there is one thing that teaching the people of Agua Blanca and Katuete has done to me, it would be a new love for people. As I teach a Father and a Mother, I think of my parents, and I teach them with my whole heart. When I see youth in the street smoking, I tell them of the good life that my brothers and sisters live because of the teachings of Christ, and what they can become if they too will follow His teachings. When I am tired, and feel down, I imagine my companion is my little brother Jake, and that he needs a good example, and I have to be that for him. 

I do all this for my family. I love them.

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

1st To Teach In The Outskirts Of Agua Blanca Paraguay - Exhausted, Tested For The Dengue Virus - A Day Of Rest - 11 Investigators In Church

As we ate lunch this Sunday afternoon with a member family in Agua Blanca, I was surprised as the sister who made us lunch told us that we were the first missionaries to try and teach the people of Agua Blanca. The missionaries had been coming to Agua Blanca for about 2 years now, but what the sister said is that they had never tried going further out into the depths of the area to try and find people. With out even knowing it, my companion and I are actually the first missionaries to ever teach this people... now I understand the exaggerated staring from everyone! ;)

One of the people that we have found and have been able to help make it to church for the past 3 weeks is a woman named Corina and her two children. She told us that the Catholic church just didn't fill the hole in her heart that she had had for such a long time. We talked to her about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, and she was enchanted by the idea of all of it, but still had many doubts that she needed to resolve. We told her that if she asked God with real intent if the Book of Mormon was true, God, through the Spirit would show her the truth. As I am writing this, I think I might have already mentioned this part of the story last week, sorry if I am repeating some things.

She prayed, and told us that she asked God to show her if this church was true or not, and that she would open the Book of Mormon to a random verse and read. She opened to Mosiah 27:13, where it states that the true church of Christ had been established, in that Book of Mormon time. For her, that was a good enough answer.

When I heard that, I kinda pounced at her and said "Will you be baptized then???!" I think I scared her because I probably said it really loud ;) She said "I want to try and ask God, and see what happens again."  I thought that was a wonderful idea. 

The next day my companion woke up and told me that he had had a dream, about Moroni 7:5, 6. I thought it was interesting that he had a dream about a specific scripture. Two days later, we had to head out to Agua Blanca again on bike. I got on the bike and rode for about 4 miles, when all of a sudden, just couldn't go anymore. There was no more energy in my body. I almost fell asleep while riding my bike! As we were far away, with out anywhere to rest, we didn't know what to do. We stayed there and rested for a while, and finally a very good man took us home in his truck. 

This day and the next day, I spent sleeping. I have never slept so much in my life, but the mission nurse said my body was just physically spent, and needed a break. She also was nervous I might have a really bad virus that is going around here in Paraguay called Dengue. I went to get tested for it, and it was negative luckily. 

During this time of my little rest, I felt horrible. I really felt like I had failed the people of Agua Blanca, and those here in Katuate, and felt like I wasn't the servant of God that I needed to be. I remembered a scripture that Brother Christensen recently shared with me. D&C 10:4 (Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided ...but be diligent unto the end). My companion also shared with me 1 Timoteo 2 3. I realized that I had done everything that I physically could do to help these investigators, and the Lord was happy with my work, even though I am not invincible. 

Sunday came, and honestly my thoughts were pretty negative, thinking that the investigators wouldn't come because we hadn't visited them. I was proven wrong.

11 investigators should up, and I was shown, that sometimes it is okay to leave the seed we plant to grow for a time, to allow the Spirit to work.

Sunday, we went to Agua Blanca again and the 2nd to last visit we made was to Corina. She told us that she had prayed again, and had asked to be shown what to do, and if she should be baptized. She opened up to Moroni 7:5, 6. My companion was shocked (the same scripture that he had dreamed about). She said that she would be baptized, and knows that the Book of Mormon is true and that this is the path that her family is to take.

I too know that this is the true church. There are many churches, but not a single other contains the full truth that the Book of Mormon contains.

This week I learned, that even though I am not perfect, God, through the atonement of Christ, is pleased with my imperfect efforts.

I love you all :)

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

Rufina Dreamt Of The Missionaries The Night Before They Showed Up At Her Door - South American People Are A People Of Faith - Antero Continues His Search For Truth & His Battles With Health

Antero came back and is at home resting. He is actually in pretty bad shape, but has expressed to us that he has felt the prayers from all around the world.  He is thankful to all of you for praying for him. He was very happy to hear that there are people from the United States who are thinking about his well being. He has expressed to us that his only desire is to spend the rest of his life, even if it is a short time, serving the Lord.

Unfortunately, while he was in the hospital, several other religious denominations contacted him and started talking to him about his need to be baptized. He now feels that it might be better for him to be baptized in a different church, as he feels uneasy about the Book of Mormon. We will be having a Family Home Evening with him and his family this Wednesday to help him gain a testimony of that special book, that in reality is the proof that the man who died on the cross, was not just a man, but truly our Savior.

The people here of South America are a people of faith. Faith is what produces miracles. God wants to work miracles, but sometimes, for our lack of faith, we don't allow him. The people here, truly BELIEVE. 

In the same day, 2 women from Agua Blanca told us of something very interesting. One being Rufina (who is coming to church regularly now) told us that before we got there, the night before, she had felt lonely, and that she needed Jesus. She prayed and prayed that she could meet Jesus. As she prayed she felt a special peace, and went to sleep. As she slept, she told us that she dreamt that two Priests of other churches came to her door, and quickly left. Then several minutes later, 2 Mormon Missionaries showed up, and they stayed and talked to her. That was the end of the dream. The very next day, she was astonished to see that we showed up to her front door step.

I know the Spirit guides us missionaries. He wants us to be instruments to answer the prayers of others, and every time I realize that I do just that, my joy is so full.

I am out of time, and was going to tell you more about the other woman, who also dreamed that we would come, and we came, but time does not permit.

Thank you for all you do for me. I love being here, and couldn't feel more blessed than I am now.

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

Eating Cow Heart & Yucca Plant - Miracle Yields Record Attendance In Church - Benita's Baptism - Antero Awaiting Test Results -

As I know he has been in your prayers, he has certainly been in ours. Antero unfortunately has not been given his results yet, but they have assured him that he will know them tomorrow. Again, I will update you on his status in this coming week.  Thank you for your many prayers on his behalf.

Benita was baptized this past Saturday! We were so very happy to see her testimony grow. She had been listening to the Elders for some time now, and decided that the time had arrived to enter into the waters of baptism. She fully understands that baptism is not something to play with. When we are baptized, we are not instantly perfected. The remission of our sins comes through the Holy Ghost as we keep the commandments. Benita is the sister of the most faithful member of our group. They both live in Agua Blanca and have to travel in horrible conditions to make it to church each week about 20 kilometros. They are both so faithful.

(Photo is not available)

Agua Blanca has already taken a very special place in my heart... (this pun honestly was not intended). The food is so unusual, but also very tasty. This week we ate Mandioca (known as yucca plant in some places) and an entire cow heart! 

When I arrived here in this area, I quickly realized that there was not going to be much progress in Agua Blanca, as investigators could not make it to church due to distance and mud trails. My companion and I prayed and searched guidance. We looked into building a church house in AB, as well as renting a small place, when a small miracle occurred. A member offered to permanently pay for a transport system so that Agua Blanca can always make it to church. We are so grateful for this tender mercy from the Lord. Due to this, as well as lots of hard work from members with us in the mission work, we had a record attendance of church this week of 42 individuals, (normally we have 15-20 people in church) 14 of them being investigators. The Lord is blessing this area, much of which has to do with the prayers that each of you offer for me and my companion. Thank you.

This place has the worlds BEST empenadas!

 
When we had a mission conference in Ciudad del Este, Sonia and the family came to visit me! E. Cancino let her know that I was coming! 

 
Us this morning riding our bikes for a P-day activity...as if we don't bike enough in this area... :)

Love you all

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

Videos Of Taylor In The Paraguayan Wilderness - The Sun Came Out! - Teaching & Blessing Antero While He Battles Cancer

When we leave the pension to go work, we have formed a habit of saying a prayer, my companion saying "let´s go dude!" and then I give him a hug, and say "con todo de lo que tenemos!" or "with everything we have!" You could definitely say that these past couple of weeks have been exhausting, but we have enjoyed every moment of it.

The sun came out! Holy cow! It has been so long since I have seen the sun, and maybe now you can all tell that I am a little bit more burnt, because my skin wasn't used to seeing the sun! Now luckily the rain stopped and we are enjoying true summer time! I love the heat, and feel bad for those of you who have to deal with that fluffy white powder that falls from the sky. The heat is much better ;)

This week I will not be writing very much, but I decided to video part of an adventure with our Group Leader, making our way to a family that he came to know and wanted us to teach them. It was quite the journey and I hope you can all get an idea what it is like out here on days when we go to "Agua Blanca". The other days we are in the down town city! It is quite the difference.  Videos of our travels in the Paraguayan wilderness follow:

The day I got here we found a man who had recently moved into a member's house (her brother) who was very sick, and he knew that we had the power of God, so he asked us that we might give him a blessing. We of course did. If you could have seen him when we came to give him the blessing, you might have been scared. He was clearly a very skinny man, as you could very well see his cheek bones in his face, but his stomach had swollen to that of a 350 pound man. It was actually a rather disturbing sight, and made me wonder what could possibly be happening in that poor man's body. We gave him the blessing, and we asked him if we could leave him with a short message. He accepted, and we felt the need to challenge him to repent of his sins and be baptized. Without almost any teachings, he immediately accepted. He said that he was so happy that God had finally shown him the true path.

Two or three days later we got news that he was going to have to travel to another city to be operated on, and just yesterday we got news that he has cancer in many parts of his frail body. He is likely not going to live much longer. 

When he was told what his problem was, it was told to us that he said that his main preocupación (concern) was that he needed to be baptized so that he could be ready to meet God. This brings tears to my eyes just thinking about this man. 

My companion and I have dedicated a part of every prayer that we make to this man's well being (His name is Antero Panello) and would like to ask each of you that you might pray for him as well. We will hear tomorrow if he will be coming home or not this week and will let you know this following week.

What is great about this gospel is that we each have a chance, a second chance, and a third...etc. No matter what we have gone through, through Christ we can be healed.

I love you - each and every one!

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina

Riding Through The Mud To Teach In Agua Blanca - Dad's Kryptonite (Peanut M&M's) - Adolfo & Yaqueline's Baptism Scheduled - Teaching In Spanish & Portuguese - Church Is Very Small In New Area, But Work Progresses With A Strong Spirit & 6 Investigators In Church Sunday

This first picture is of us today on P-Day exploring an American Mall. I think I found my Dad's Kryptonite (sorry only my family will understand).  I found my Kryptonite as I used some Christmas money to buy myself a HUGE jar of peanut butter. :) I am so happy!

In Katuete, we basically have two areas. One is Katuete. The other one is called Agua Blanca, or White Water. There are members (as well as 3 investigators that should be baptized in February)  who live there. They normally come to church in Katuete, but when there is rain (and there has been rain every day for almost 70 straight days and I am not exaggerating) it is literally impossible to make it to church. The trail that they take to make it to church becomes a "slow" quick sand and only the strongest 4x4 trucks can make it with out getting stuck. So we have the awesome opportunity to go out there 2 times a week to preach to them.  I will tell you one thing however, visiting those good people is not without sacrifice! We ride our bikes (I always dreamed of being a missionary on a bike!!) 25 miles in total on the days we go out there. It is quite tiring, because we have to do it during the heat of the day. When we get there, we are always welcomed with lots of water and food by the members there. They are incredible.

This is what happens when it rains while we are out on our bikes in Agua Blanca (white water). Lets just say, in reality... the agua isn't all that blanca.

This is us with Adolfo and Yaqueline. They are Brazilians living here in Paraguay, and luckily speak Spanish well enough (although my companion and I can almost fluently understand Portuguese now) and are learning so much about the gospel. This was a Family Home Evening that we had that was a huge success, that helped inspire them to be baptized on the 30th of January. 

As I mentioned before, this group is small, and when there is rain, it is smaller. We arrived to church about 15 minutes early and no one was there still this Sunday. At 8:30 (when church should start) one car pulled up. It was Adolfo and Yaqueline. In the first hour of church, they were the only ones there (besides my companion and I). My companion taught the first hour of church. Then, 4 more investigators showed up for the second hour! Shortly after, we had our first members of the church show up. I taught the second hour of class (because the teacher never came) and then gave a spur of the moment talk in sacrament meeting. Although this might sound like it should have been a very stressful experience, it was probably the most peaceful and most wonderful Sabbath Day I have experienced in my life. After pondering a lot, I figured out why. I stopped thinking about myself, and constantly thought about how others were feeling during the meeting, hoping that they could have a spiritual experience, and in doing so, had incredible spiritual experiences myself as well.

I love this gospel. I say that every day at the end of my journal entry, and it's true.

 

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Write to Elder Graves in 1 of 3 ways  :

1. E-mail -  tgraves@myldsmail.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Send letters through the Church Pouch Mail Only postcards or one-page correspondences (no envelopes).

Fold the letter in thirds, secure the long side with tape about one inch in from each end. Do not seal the ends. Stamp and address the blank side as you would an envelope. Use the following mailing address:
Elder Taylor Graves
Argentina Posadas Mission
POB 30150
Salt Lake City, UT
84130-0150

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. Physical Mailing Address:

 
Elder Taylor Graves
Córdoba 1243
Posadas, Misiones 3300
Casilla 12
Argentina