In Argentina, the exotic birthday customs range anywhere from baking cakes and blowing out candles, to giving gifts and eating out. Very strange.
Here in the land of the world cup, Argentina sits at 3-0. I´m pretty proud of my team. Yes I´m already claiming ownership of the Argentine national soccer cup. When I get home I´ll sit around the house in my blue and white drinking mate and eating asado. If you try and pull me from the television prepare to hear something like "che, dejáme! Andáte gil!" As for avoiding the world cup here, it´s next to impossible. Soccer is in the blood of these people. When the game starts, you might as well be walking outside at midnight.
Argentina´s prospects of a championship are especially destructive when considering Damian, the investigator who is supposed to be baptized come next week. He has been progressing fantastically, and has agreed to keep everything but the tithing, which we plan to teach tonight. I actually think his testimony has grown to the point of getting baptized despite the country's Fútbol success.
This past week has marked the progression of several key investigators. Luis and Veronica were taught the law of chastity, and took it very well. They both want to get married, and Luis was already considering doing it for some work benefits, so to ask them to get hitched has proved to be something minor. Veronica is planning on taking a turno out to go and arrange their matrimony, and if all goes well, at the very most, the process should take the better portion of two months. My only fear is that I will get transferred before that day comes. Call me selfish, but I really want to see them baptized. They love having us over to their house. Love the scriptures. Love righteousness. Love the gospel.
On the Daniel front, we´re still up against the wall of baptism. He knows it´s true, but just can´t find a way to feel it. A curious doubt that I hadn´t seen before. I´ve found that trying to force someone to feel the truthfulness of the gospel doesn´t work. It´s a personal quest that we all have to embark on. We taught him about that, having the desires to learn on our own and making sacrifices to gain a testimony. Regardless, he´s coming to church regularly and we´ll be here to help him along for that process.
I´ve continued training with the Hna Jones. She has been most effective at learning the secretary position. Yet again, explaining the things that go on in the offices may bore you to the point of tears. But it has been quite enjoyable the past week and a bit crazy, preparing for the jump of presidents. A week from now President Asay will head out. Also there are a bunch of special circumstances this transfer. Like three Elders and a sister jumping in at various points in the transfer. That means a big headache in my position as I make sure that all of them get to the mission and leave the mission without delays.
Well, I know this email is short, but I don´t have a lot of time. I´m taking a half p-day today to get some things done in the offices and then a half p-day tomorrow to go get all you can eat asado from Nuestra Pampa for my B-day lunch. It is a very feliz cumpleaños.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Our circumstances may change but the gospel doesn't
That was a good collection of emails. I guess the only thing I can say is congratulations to Jennifer. Congratulations to Delmer as well. Sounds like many spiritual experiences, and I felt that spirit even though I´m many miles away.
It´s strange how many changes can happen to a family in a year. I suppose it´ll be even more strange after two. In the coming weeks Elder Ockey will make his way home, leaving me as the lone ranger out here in the mission field from our immediate family. That´s not the only thing that´s changing though.
This week is the last week in the transfer, which means the lasts for President Asay are coming to an end. I had my last interview with him yesterday, and it was hard. President has helped me so much over this year of my life, I can´t imagine the mission without him. Additionally, the Fitchs, the marriage couple in the offices right now, are getting ready to head out. Leaving me with my new trainee, Hna Jones.
The Jones got here last week, and have been busy starting to learn their office detail. I´ve been busy with training, also with trying to get out in the area. The more time passes in the mission, the more balls you have to start juggling.
Last weekend, we were privileged to witness the baptism of Gimena Alegre. Elder Gibbs had worked so hard with her; it was hard to baptize her without him. Before the service, I stood up in the offices looking at the picture of our old staff. Feeling the weight of everything he left behind on my shoulders as the rain poured down on the glass chapel walls. "Wish you were here for this one," I said out loud. It was a hard change, but a change for the better, as Elder Gibbs is as we speak changing the mission out in the coast.
The Baptismal service was beautiful, and Gimena was more than ready. At the end of the meeting, Guillermo, her father, got up and expressed his desire for the rest of the family to enter the waters of baptism, so that they could eventually enter the temple as a family and be sealed. The spirit was powerful, and I knew their goal of an eternal family was in reach.
We had a week. We were able to take out a baptismal date with Damian, finally. We had a meeting in the church where we talked about the sacrament and the importance of the atonement. After we showed him the baptismal font, and the picture of Christ being baptized. We emphasized that he didn´t just go to any man, he went to John the Baptist, who had the authority to perform a baptism. We went upstairs and watched the restoration, explaining that the authority to perform a baptism the same as Christ´s has been restored to the Earth today. The spirit was beautiful, and Damian after some questioning, agreed to be baptized on the 3rd of June... Under one condition. If Argentina goes to the finals in the world cup, we have to postpone the service, which brings me to my next point... Everyone pray for an argentine loss in the mundial!
Veronica finally made the step of going to church. She loved the service, loved everything she learned. Her neighbor to the front of their house, Arnaldo, helped her finally make the jump to get to sacrament meeting. She told us in her appointment last night that she loved church, and that she wanted her entire family to go. Luis, her husband agreed. Veronica is unreasonably elect. She already keeps all the commandments, and reads and prays every night. She tells us how much she loves the scriptures and loves to learn about God and strengthen her faith in him. It is one of the greatest rewards as a missionary to see people love the gospel. So many of us think of things as a drag, as forced. We have to go to church. We have to read our scriptures. But to see the few people that aren´t bothered by commitments, that love the laws of God and applying them to their lives, that gives me the greatest joy. Seeing people walk in righteousness. Any time I feel down when we get discouraged working, I think of those moments when people embrace and love the truth and it makes all the struggles worthwhile.
Daniel is almost ready for baptism. He told Elder Boyer during sacrament meeting on Sunday that he would like one of us to do the baptism, and the bishop to do his interview. We explained that another missionary would be doing it. The point is, we´re already talking logistics. It´s just a matter of him committing to do it. Also getting over his family problems. The gospel message needs to sink into his heart a bit more. He loves doctrine and covenants and the latter portion of the Book of Mormon. Very studious, and still very devoted to scouts. We went out with Jesus, a member that lives close, and taught him about the plan of salvation. When Jesus tried to talk, Daniel denied him explaining it was a "Scouts only meeting." It was a bit embarrassing, but luckily we were all able to laugh about it afterward. Unfortunately Boy Scout members in Argentina are hard to come by, and his fanaticism is starting to slightly disturb us.
And one quick story
We received a reference from Daniel to a man who lives just down the street who had received the discussions with the missionaries a few years ago. He let us right in, explaining that he was waiting for us. He talked about a hard life that he lived, but a desire to change. We left the book of Mormon with him and invited him to read and pray. When we went back the other day, we found out that he had done both. He explained to us that he was looking to change his life, and he loved the part in third Nephi about baptism. After a bit of explaining, he agreed that he felt good about reading the book, and of course wanted to go to church, but all in all, agreed that he wanted to be rebaptized. We set a date for the 31st of July, but we may move it earlier depending on his progress.
All in all
The state of the area is wonderful. Things aren´t perfect. We have good days. We have bad days. But all in all we have many investigators that are making life changing decisions, and our prayers really are being answered to be led to the elect. We always hear about being lost in missionary work, and at least for me it was always a nice idea. But now that I´m here, witnessing the wonderful changes that are happening in these people’s lives, that´s all that´s important to me. I know that this Gospel has a powerful message that changes people. Our circumstances may change, but the gospel never changes. I love this work. I know that God directs it.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
God is the one directing the work
Last month I think I told you all how it was beginning to look a lot like Christmas here in Buenos Aires. Thankfully, that week was exceptionally cold, and it has been fairly temperate since. It hasn´t gotten intensely cold yet, and being in the equivalent of the Argentine December and not walking around with a heavy coat means that it is in fact not looking a lot like Christmas. Just looking a lot like, leafless trees, and bundled up Argentines, who think a veritable ice age has swept the country. I just find it, a bit fresh.
This week proselyting might take a small step down. That´s because something much bigger than, yes, even Christmas is coming. THE MUNDIAL!!! That´s right. This weekend Argentina plays in the world cup. And the country is preparing to shut down. We´re playing against Nigeria at 11:00 Argentine time Saturday morning. I will be trying to preach the gospel in the meantime. As far as South American teams go I definitely give my white and blue clad Argentine superstars the edge. Yes that includes over Brazil Scott.
Other news. This week we´re getting ready to accept the new office couple. The Jones´. I´ll be starting to train Hna Jones on her new secretary duties this coming week. Which means the end of transfer date is coming a lot faster than I thought. The Fitchs´, The office couple that is here right now, are going to be heading out at the end of the month. It´s going to be hard dealing with all the changes. But such is life in the mission. The Lord´s work continues onward no matter what.
On that note, the past week has been a testimony to me of just that. The Lord´s work will continue. I don´t think I explained this transfer´s situation thoroughly enough. We were placed in a trio companionship, so that Elder Gibbs could train Elder Boyer to be Registrador. Thankfully Elder Boyer didn´t have to come in cold turkey. He´s been with me for 4 weeks now. We were a companionship of three; hence Elder Gibbs was available to be transferred. Elder Boyer is from Pleasant Grove Utah, and is one of the first missionaries in his family. We work very well together. The only problem was that as three missionaries we were able to do a lot. A whole lot. One of us could easily go out with a member to the set appointments while the other two could simply go out and find other investigators. We were doing the work of four missionaries. Which meant that going back to was an abrupt change.
We passed through some trials last week. Macedonio will have to postpone his baptismal date to the 19th due to some complications with his baptismal interview. We were doing crazy changes with the district leaders to organize the said interviews, and as a result the work got thrown off a bit. One member who was solid and going out with us found work this week and couldn´t help us. Additionally with Elder Gibbs gone, I was assigned to take over his duties as district leader. It was a lot of pressure. Elder Gibbs was hands down a zone leader quality Elder and is headed down to take over the coast zone as we speak. Which among the craziness of trying to maintain the work of three missionaries and assume the other duties that my position would now entail not to mention keeping my secretary job up in the offices, made for an interesting week. As stressful as that sounds, when one is working from 6:30 am to 10:30 PM, there really are enough hours in a day to do everything.
The last week, I found the best thing to do when feelings of inadequacy or stress came was just working. Working in the area is always the best part of everything I do. I don´t want to say it´s relaxing, it´s work, but I just love teaching and talking to people. Bearing testimony and feeling the spirit. It was hard the past week as many of our plans fell through, but I´ve always found that whenever a door closes in the mission, another one opens. For example, on Saturday morning, our appointment with two of our best investigators Luis and Veronica fell through. Especially unfortunate as their neighbor Arnaldo was there with us and would have to work later that day. In addition, later that afternoon, our appointment with Macedonio fell through, which left us stressed and disappointed as he needed us at that point more than ever. We were at the breaking point after a long list of similar occurrences earlier in the week. But something interesting happened. After both appointments fell through, shortly after we were able to find new investigators. Additionally, when we went to our later appointment that day with Luis and Veronica, Veronica´s sister was there in the charla and was able to participate and feel the spirit of the BOM. Similar situations were common throughout the entire week. One plan falls through, one door shuts, and then another door opens. God is the one directing this work, not us. And even when our plans fall through, the Lord always has better plans in mind if we do our part and qualify for the spirit.
This week, Macedonio has been doing much better. Thank you for your prayers in his behalf. He is determined to make it to church and make it to his baptismal date in the coming week. Unfortunately his daughter Maira is passing through a hard time right now. She was so excited about her baptism and telling her family until her mom and older brother, both of which refuse to listen to us, told her that she´s catholic. That she doesn´t need to be baptized two times. Among other things, they explained to her that our religion was not necessary, and stomped out the proverbial flame that was Maira's unshakable testimony of the BOM. She read the whole picture book in a matter of days. She passed her baptismal interview and everything. It´s a very complicated situation now. And we´re hoping that it will turn out all right.
Daniel, mountain man boy scout, is progressing just fine. We had a good charla with him the other night in which he explained to us that he believed the BOM was true but didn´t feel it. He told us it would take some time. We taught about fasting and invited him to receive the answer if he would dedicate himself to really receiving it.
Luis and Veronica are investigators we found three weeks ago. I believed I explained it in the email about 4 weeks back or so. They have been progressing fantastically and trying to get to church. Veronica has such a sincere heart. She recognizes us as servants of the Lord, and always reads her book of Mormon at least twice before we come. Her doctrinal understanding always strengthens my testimony. We watched the restoration video with them the night before and she began to cry. It answered many of her questions, and she told us she wants to go to church to see if this really was the end to the search she had been on her whole life. The only drawback is Luis still thinks church is just where they teach you to sing and you feel good. We are praying fervently that they can find a way to arrive.
Well, I´m out of time. But I love this work. We passed through some hard times this week, but being diligent and working through is always the best solution. If we just keep working things always get better. The Lord is over all, and he blesses us when we make the sacrifices and don´t give up. The witness always comes after the trial of our faith. I know this message really does change the lives of the people. This is a great and marvelous work.
This week proselyting might take a small step down. That´s because something much bigger than, yes, even Christmas is coming. THE MUNDIAL!!! That´s right. This weekend Argentina plays in the world cup. And the country is preparing to shut down. We´re playing against Nigeria at 11:00 Argentine time Saturday morning. I will be trying to preach the gospel in the meantime. As far as South American teams go I definitely give my white and blue clad Argentine superstars the edge. Yes that includes over Brazil Scott.
Other news. This week we´re getting ready to accept the new office couple. The Jones´. I´ll be starting to train Hna Jones on her new secretary duties this coming week. Which means the end of transfer date is coming a lot faster than I thought. The Fitchs´, The office couple that is here right now, are going to be heading out at the end of the month. It´s going to be hard dealing with all the changes. But such is life in the mission. The Lord´s work continues onward no matter what.
On that note, the past week has been a testimony to me of just that. The Lord´s work will continue. I don´t think I explained this transfer´s situation thoroughly enough. We were placed in a trio companionship, so that Elder Gibbs could train Elder Boyer to be Registrador. Thankfully Elder Boyer didn´t have to come in cold turkey. He´s been with me for 4 weeks now. We were a companionship of three; hence Elder Gibbs was available to be transferred. Elder Boyer is from Pleasant Grove Utah, and is one of the first missionaries in his family. We work very well together. The only problem was that as three missionaries we were able to do a lot. A whole lot. One of us could easily go out with a member to the set appointments while the other two could simply go out and find other investigators. We were doing the work of four missionaries. Which meant that going back to was an abrupt change.
We passed through some trials last week. Macedonio will have to postpone his baptismal date to the 19th due to some complications with his baptismal interview. We were doing crazy changes with the district leaders to organize the said interviews, and as a result the work got thrown off a bit. One member who was solid and going out with us found work this week and couldn´t help us. Additionally with Elder Gibbs gone, I was assigned to take over his duties as district leader. It was a lot of pressure. Elder Gibbs was hands down a zone leader quality Elder and is headed down to take over the coast zone as we speak. Which among the craziness of trying to maintain the work of three missionaries and assume the other duties that my position would now entail not to mention keeping my secretary job up in the offices, made for an interesting week. As stressful as that sounds, when one is working from 6:30 am to 10:30 PM, there really are enough hours in a day to do everything.
The last week, I found the best thing to do when feelings of inadequacy or stress came was just working. Working in the area is always the best part of everything I do. I don´t want to say it´s relaxing, it´s work, but I just love teaching and talking to people. Bearing testimony and feeling the spirit. It was hard the past week as many of our plans fell through, but I´ve always found that whenever a door closes in the mission, another one opens. For example, on Saturday morning, our appointment with two of our best investigators Luis and Veronica fell through. Especially unfortunate as their neighbor Arnaldo was there with us and would have to work later that day. In addition, later that afternoon, our appointment with Macedonio fell through, which left us stressed and disappointed as he needed us at that point more than ever. We were at the breaking point after a long list of similar occurrences earlier in the week. But something interesting happened. After both appointments fell through, shortly after we were able to find new investigators. Additionally, when we went to our later appointment that day with Luis and Veronica, Veronica´s sister was there in the charla and was able to participate and feel the spirit of the BOM. Similar situations were common throughout the entire week. One plan falls through, one door shuts, and then another door opens. God is the one directing this work, not us. And even when our plans fall through, the Lord always has better plans in mind if we do our part and qualify for the spirit.
This week, Macedonio has been doing much better. Thank you for your prayers in his behalf. He is determined to make it to church and make it to his baptismal date in the coming week. Unfortunately his daughter Maira is passing through a hard time right now. She was so excited about her baptism and telling her family until her mom and older brother, both of which refuse to listen to us, told her that she´s catholic. That she doesn´t need to be baptized two times. Among other things, they explained to her that our religion was not necessary, and stomped out the proverbial flame that was Maira's unshakable testimony of the BOM. She read the whole picture book in a matter of days. She passed her baptismal interview and everything. It´s a very complicated situation now. And we´re hoping that it will turn out all right.
Daniel, mountain man boy scout, is progressing just fine. We had a good charla with him the other night in which he explained to us that he believed the BOM was true but didn´t feel it. He told us it would take some time. We taught about fasting and invited him to receive the answer if he would dedicate himself to really receiving it.
Luis and Veronica are investigators we found three weeks ago. I believed I explained it in the email about 4 weeks back or so. They have been progressing fantastically and trying to get to church. Veronica has such a sincere heart. She recognizes us as servants of the Lord, and always reads her book of Mormon at least twice before we come. Her doctrinal understanding always strengthens my testimony. We watched the restoration video with them the night before and she began to cry. It answered many of her questions, and she told us she wants to go to church to see if this really was the end to the search she had been on her whole life. The only drawback is Luis still thinks church is just where they teach you to sing and you feel good. We are praying fervently that they can find a way to arrive.
Well, I´m out of time. But I love this work. We passed through some hard times this week, but being diligent and working through is always the best solution. If we just keep working things always get better. The Lord is over all, and he blesses us when we make the sacrifices and don´t give up. The witness always comes after the trial of our faith. I know this message really does change the lives of the people. This is a great and marvelous work.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
God directs the work
This week we were able to enjoy Diana´s baptism. She really was prepared. Not with a perfect knowledge, but with a lot of faith as Alma would say. We were scared as there was fairly heavy rainfall when the baptism started. That meant that no one leaves the house. Not out of laziness, rather when it rains hard here, people physically cannot leave their house. Streets turn into rivers, and unless you have a spare rowboat on hand, transportation is a bit difficult. Diana thankfully showed up and we had a small service with her family and a few members who managed to make it. I´m always impressed by the beautiful symbolism of baptism. It really is all about our willingness to follow the Lord.
I was thinking to myself the morning of the baptism about how comfortable I was in Adrogué. Elder Gibbs was a fearless leader and easy to rely on. We work hard together. In his words we "work like dogs" also our slogan of the transfer. Meant to connote images of hungry hound dogs on the hunt. I was comfortable in my position, in my district, my circumstances at large. Progressing investigators. Baptisms over the next few weeks. I would be lying to you if I said that I wasn´t expecting a curve ball. And a curve ball we got. The morning of the baptism Elder Gibbs received a call from President. I didn´t have to hear the phone to know what President was saying. I just watched Elder Gibbs face change from content to unsettled and fearful. Sure enough, mid-transfer he was going to leave Adrogué.
The situation is hard to explain. Villa Gessel, one of the nicest coastal areas in the mission wanted Elders instead of Hnas. And succumbing to the successive calls of the branch president, President Asay had decided to send Elder Gibbs and one of the assistants who was also in a companionship of three. I would stay with Elder Boyer and assume Elder Gibb´s responsibility in the area. It was quite a turn of events. One which unsettled me immensely. I was preparing myself for Elder Gibbs departure, but on my time, in three more weeks. But the Lord had made the call, and I´ve learned on the mission it rarely comes when we´re prepared.
The next few days passed as a blur. Saying goodbye to our investigators and our members. But for me, it was saying goodbye to Elder Gibbs. More than a leader and a fantastic teacher, Elder Gibbs was a brother. We had suffered through a lot together. And we had seen miracles. I felt like one of the book of Mormon all star companionships. Like Alma and Amulek. Elder Gibbs and Elder Jensen. Needless to say, it presented some formidable problems that he was leaving.
It didn´t help that the next day at church Myra and Macedonio weren´t able to make it. Combined with organizing the area and getting ready to take it over, I wasn´t sure if they would make their baptismal date for this weekend. After sincere prayer and planning, we felt strongly like we should go and visit them on Elder Gibbs last day. Macedonio told us how hard he had tried to make it to church, but with him being paralyzed, it is very hard for him sometimes. We were convinced he had made all physical effort possible to make it to church, and were ready to have his baptism anyway. Things are still up in the air for this Saturday, but please keep Macedonio in your prayers. He needs strength and faith and hope right now. He needs to believe that greater happiness can come into his life than ever before from listening to the Gospel message.
Daniel, the scout obsessed mountain man, has moved back in and resolved things with his family. We´re now able to teach him and his wife and children together. He knows that the church helped him to get back to this point with his family and enjoys coming to the meetings, but just can´t quite get over the fact that he´s already been baptized. He believes it´s true, but needs an extra push to get an actual date out. I fully plan on using the fact that I´m an eagle scout as a means to convince him that baptism really is the right choice right now. Commitments such as "Daniel, baptism will change your life.... Scouts honor," or "Seriously Daniel, do a good turn daily, get baptized," or my personal favorite, "don´t think baptism is essential? Be prepared. Be baptized." I have never seen anyone so obsessed with scouting in my entire life. I fully expect to baptize him and have him bring scouts to the church in Argentina.
Well that´s the general state of the area. I know this gospel is true! I´m not scared to take over the area, I´ve seen the Lord help me through many trials already, and I know that this is His work. Not mine. It´s so comforting knowing that we don´t have to be afraid. God directs the work here.
I was thinking to myself the morning of the baptism about how comfortable I was in Adrogué. Elder Gibbs was a fearless leader and easy to rely on. We work hard together. In his words we "work like dogs" also our slogan of the transfer. Meant to connote images of hungry hound dogs on the hunt. I was comfortable in my position, in my district, my circumstances at large. Progressing investigators. Baptisms over the next few weeks. I would be lying to you if I said that I wasn´t expecting a curve ball. And a curve ball we got. The morning of the baptism Elder Gibbs received a call from President. I didn´t have to hear the phone to know what President was saying. I just watched Elder Gibbs face change from content to unsettled and fearful. Sure enough, mid-transfer he was going to leave Adrogué.
The situation is hard to explain. Villa Gessel, one of the nicest coastal areas in the mission wanted Elders instead of Hnas. And succumbing to the successive calls of the branch president, President Asay had decided to send Elder Gibbs and one of the assistants who was also in a companionship of three. I would stay with Elder Boyer and assume Elder Gibb´s responsibility in the area. It was quite a turn of events. One which unsettled me immensely. I was preparing myself for Elder Gibbs departure, but on my time, in three more weeks. But the Lord had made the call, and I´ve learned on the mission it rarely comes when we´re prepared.
The next few days passed as a blur. Saying goodbye to our investigators and our members. But for me, it was saying goodbye to Elder Gibbs. More than a leader and a fantastic teacher, Elder Gibbs was a brother. We had suffered through a lot together. And we had seen miracles. I felt like one of the book of Mormon all star companionships. Like Alma and Amulek. Elder Gibbs and Elder Jensen. Needless to say, it presented some formidable problems that he was leaving.
It didn´t help that the next day at church Myra and Macedonio weren´t able to make it. Combined with organizing the area and getting ready to take it over, I wasn´t sure if they would make their baptismal date for this weekend. After sincere prayer and planning, we felt strongly like we should go and visit them on Elder Gibbs last day. Macedonio told us how hard he had tried to make it to church, but with him being paralyzed, it is very hard for him sometimes. We were convinced he had made all physical effort possible to make it to church, and were ready to have his baptism anyway. Things are still up in the air for this Saturday, but please keep Macedonio in your prayers. He needs strength and faith and hope right now. He needs to believe that greater happiness can come into his life than ever before from listening to the Gospel message.
Daniel, the scout obsessed mountain man, has moved back in and resolved things with his family. We´re now able to teach him and his wife and children together. He knows that the church helped him to get back to this point with his family and enjoys coming to the meetings, but just can´t quite get over the fact that he´s already been baptized. He believes it´s true, but needs an extra push to get an actual date out. I fully plan on using the fact that I´m an eagle scout as a means to convince him that baptism really is the right choice right now. Commitments such as "Daniel, baptism will change your life.... Scouts honor," or "Seriously Daniel, do a good turn daily, get baptized," or my personal favorite, "don´t think baptism is essential? Be prepared. Be baptized." I have never seen anyone so obsessed with scouting in my entire life. I fully expect to baptize him and have him bring scouts to the church in Argentina.
Well that´s the general state of the area. I know this gospel is true! I´m not scared to take over the area, I´ve seen the Lord help me through many trials already, and I know that this is His work. Not mine. It´s so comforting knowing that we don´t have to be afraid. God directs the work here.
FELIZ 25 DE MAYO!!!
It´s Independence Day here in Buenos Aires. Celebrating 200 years of Argentina. Also it´s my P-day. I really do want to study more about Argentina after I get back from the mission. Because even though I´ve been here for nearly 10 months now, you can still put what I know about Argentine government on the head of a pen.
Regardless, Argentine Independence Day traditions are lost on me. No fireworks. Just food. Apparently everyone makes what´s called a locro. It´s like a big casserole. Hopefully by the end of the day I´ll be more acquainted with the traditions.
This week was another solid performance here in Adrogué. We enjoyed stake conference, which was a very spiritual experience. 6 of our investigators were able to show up, which was key for our baptismal goals this transfer. All of them were able to feel of the spirit of the messages. A big focus on missionary work. President and Hna Asay spoke as well. Mostly just their testimonies of missionary work and thanks for the service offered by the members during their time here in Argentina.
President Asay is leaving at the end of this transfer. Along with the office couple here right now. Which basically means that the entire mission as we know it is about to turn upside down. It´s going to be hard to see the Asays' leave, but it will be exciting to see what the new President will bring. Nothing is by chance in the Lords work. President Asay has been a mentor and example to me for so long it´s hard to imagine anyone else. I know that there were some counsels he has given specific to my circumstance that only he could give. But the new President will bring that same inspiration and perhaps the other things I need to learn here in Argentina.
I don´t know if I´ve mentioned this in my prior emails, but I have assumed the full load of my secretary duties. As of about 2 weeks ago, Hna Fitch unexpectedly had to go home to attend her father’s funeral. I was originally going to assume the position after another transfer of training. It´s been stressful having to figure much of it out on my own. Thankfully she has been able to communicate with me via email, and the Buenos Aires mission is still going. Thankfully I haven´t forgotten to book someone’s flight or anything (knock on wood.)
The work this week was amazing. Sunday there was one of the strongest rainstorms I had seen to this point in Argentina. The streets turned into rivers and our plans fell through. We were left doing contacts under those conditions, and were not having very much success. We kept at it, and by the end of the night we were able to get into a house and find a small family of three people. It was a very spiritual lesson, and I was grateful we had endured in the weather. It would have been easy to go to a members house and throw in the towel, but thankfully we didn´t, and we were able to find someone who needed the gospel.
This weekend, Diana is getting baptized. We´re prepping the service at this point, and are very excited to see her enter into the church. We just have a few commandments left to teach her and then her interview. The past 3 weeks she has come to church with her family who are all members. She is ready.
The baptisms for next week are Macedonio and Myra. The man in the wheelchair. Both of them have come to church three times now including stake conference, and are intent on making their date. I have seen the blessings of the church in their life. It has been wonderful teaching them thus far, and I know they can make it.
Well, I have to run now, but I love you all. I know the church is true! We really are guided by the Lord in this work, we don´t do anything by ourselves. Revelation exists and we can access it to guide our lives. We don´t have to make the tough daily decisions on our own.
Regardless, Argentine Independence Day traditions are lost on me. No fireworks. Just food. Apparently everyone makes what´s called a locro. It´s like a big casserole. Hopefully by the end of the day I´ll be more acquainted with the traditions.
This week was another solid performance here in Adrogué. We enjoyed stake conference, which was a very spiritual experience. 6 of our investigators were able to show up, which was key for our baptismal goals this transfer. All of them were able to feel of the spirit of the messages. A big focus on missionary work. President and Hna Asay spoke as well. Mostly just their testimonies of missionary work and thanks for the service offered by the members during their time here in Argentina.
President Asay is leaving at the end of this transfer. Along with the office couple here right now. Which basically means that the entire mission as we know it is about to turn upside down. It´s going to be hard to see the Asays' leave, but it will be exciting to see what the new President will bring. Nothing is by chance in the Lords work. President Asay has been a mentor and example to me for so long it´s hard to imagine anyone else. I know that there were some counsels he has given specific to my circumstance that only he could give. But the new President will bring that same inspiration and perhaps the other things I need to learn here in Argentina.
I don´t know if I´ve mentioned this in my prior emails, but I have assumed the full load of my secretary duties. As of about 2 weeks ago, Hna Fitch unexpectedly had to go home to attend her father’s funeral. I was originally going to assume the position after another transfer of training. It´s been stressful having to figure much of it out on my own. Thankfully she has been able to communicate with me via email, and the Buenos Aires mission is still going. Thankfully I haven´t forgotten to book someone’s flight or anything (knock on wood.)
The work this week was amazing. Sunday there was one of the strongest rainstorms I had seen to this point in Argentina. The streets turned into rivers and our plans fell through. We were left doing contacts under those conditions, and were not having very much success. We kept at it, and by the end of the night we were able to get into a house and find a small family of three people. It was a very spiritual lesson, and I was grateful we had endured in the weather. It would have been easy to go to a members house and throw in the towel, but thankfully we didn´t, and we were able to find someone who needed the gospel.
This weekend, Diana is getting baptized. We´re prepping the service at this point, and are very excited to see her enter into the church. We just have a few commandments left to teach her and then her interview. The past 3 weeks she has come to church with her family who are all members. She is ready.
The baptisms for next week are Macedonio and Myra. The man in the wheelchair. Both of them have come to church three times now including stake conference, and are intent on making their date. I have seen the blessings of the church in their life. It has been wonderful teaching them thus far, and I know they can make it.
Well, I have to run now, but I love you all. I know the church is true! We really are guided by the Lord in this work, we don´t do anything by ourselves. Revelation exists and we can access it to guide our lives. We don´t have to make the tough daily decisions on our own.
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