This week has felt like an eternity. can someone get me a calender i
think i just turned 70 years old. Just like every day in a
missionaries life this week has had its highs and lows. First off Raicho
is continually progressing as his baptism is drawing closer on November 23rd. I'm almost positive every time we have a lesson with him i come away
being taught more than he was. I don't know if all missionaries feel this
way in their missions but for me this experience is a two way journey.
As teachers of the gospel we are also constant students. everyday during
studies I come away thinking [wow I had no idea, ive never thought of
it in that way, or wow has this verse always been here?] sometimes i
wonder if ive really been a member my whole life by the amount im
learning in the field, apparently just a major slacker. however,
obviously being a member has brought my family and I the greatest
blessings. There isn't anything more i want to express out here than
families are forever and this gospel is the source of true and lasting
happiness. especially here in Argentina where death and illness are so
common amungst the people we meet in the street. We find ourselves
commonly mourning with the people, testifying to the people, and growing
stronger in the Lord. This life is only a small fragment of whats to
come and its important people know they will once again be reunited with
their loved ones for eternity. One of the more downer sides of the week
was still not being able to figure out Ivons cause for depression and
sadness. he is just not happy. its a puzzler but we are not giving up.
ive suggested my remedies of singing and making lists of grateful and
my companion has been her bold south american self of straight up
telling him he needs to change his attitude and stop doing what hes
doing. I am a living testimony that this gospel is happiness. we have
three progressing investigators, all who were at church, which is just
so exciting. Its truly incredible to see peoples testimonies grow. Lito
is struggling with finding a testimony, what we think is so obviously
true others struggle to find. its definitely more difficult than i ever
thought. if only we could just lift the veil slightly, just a glimpse
of remembrance instantly, enough to warm his toes. Either way I'm
pulling for lito. come on bro!!!!
The phantom sibling mission strikes again...
we are teaching a family from the DR and i must say the Spanish is
very different. every time he speaks i put Stephens goofy face on his
body, and think of how its going to be when i return. they are quite
the bible bashing family. but for an even better story we ran into a
menos activo in the street this week. very peppy typical enthusiastic
Argentine. she starts blabbering off to me about everything without
hardly taking a breath. non idea whats going on of course i cue the
correct head nods and throw in my occasional BUENOS and CLAROS. well
after about 30 mins we say out goodbyes and depart, she thought i was
fluent. well later after talking to my companion turns out she was
actually speaking Italian... not Spanish... oh yup. didn't catch
that..... oops.
HOLA AND WELCOME TO THE WHAT NOT TO EXPECT DURING A LESSON....
we are at the chapel this week meeting with the ward leaders and
up comes strolling one of potential investigators that ive never met.
so we welcome him into our circle and start teaching lesson one on the
restoration. best lesson ever he was so golden. he ended up already
testifying of the truth of the book of moron and that Joseph was indeed a
prophet. my jaw was dropped pretty sure. well i extend the invitation
like a good missionary on the first lesson and he gets a puzzled look
on his face... uh oh what?? he says... well im not sure but i think
ive already been baptized into your church before.... so now we are
attempting to find his records instead of planning his baptism. next
time maybe that will be our first question, it was a big curve ball.
ive never been more tempted to re-baptize, but instead welcome home!
more about Argentina...
1. no one waves... at anyone ever...why not? dont ask me im still
the one waving... hey look a north americano, shes waving...
2. i miss English... why because i miss talking... just wait until
i get home dad, i will have so much too say! 18 months worth that i
wasn't able to get out and express in Spanish! be excited.
3. dulce de leche is a main food group here.. and im being dead
serious. its in and on everything. every single meal with out fail,
breakfast lunch dinner, snacks, you name it and its there.
4. people peel the skin of their apples... strange}
5. people dress with high fashion here, especially the men!!!!
facial hair is extremely common and everyone has multiple strangely
located piercings on their bodies. who wants one when you can have 7!
a highlight of the week was gelato night ;) after a very long day
my companions and I ordered the heaven sent deliciousness and gobbled
it down. I went to sleep with a smile on my face and probably ate bugs
because of it.... worth it!!!
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| "yum... best part of Argentina." |
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| "look bubbs and rae rae its inception!!" |
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