Just Doing My Thing

Hola Familia,                                                                                             

This week was another solid one in Villa Mercedes. The weather has started to cool down, which has made walking the streets a lot more enjoyable. On Wednesday morning, it rained like crazy and for some reason, sewers don't exist in Argentina so all of the rain water was just running down the streets.  It looked like we had a small river in front of our pench.

            We started the week in San Luis because we had a Super P-Day with all of our Zone and all of the Chileans in the Zone made us some Chilean food.  It was way fun! Later that night we did some intercambios (exchanges) and we ended up talking with a drunk guy who told us how bad the United States is right now because of Donald Trump. (We actually have conversations like this constantly because apparently, the Argentines hate Donald Trump.) On Tuesday morning, we had our Zone Meeting and our focus was on helping our investigators attend church with us.  We also shared strategies for finding new people, which is something we can always work on.  In the last three weeks, we've traveled to San Luis for different meetings where we've learned how to become better missionaries and more effective teachers. It has been really nice to put these things into play during the weeks.

            This week we did a lot of work with the menos activos in the ward with the goal of helping them come to church with us on Sunday. We had a really cool experience with one of them. We met Hermana Monsilla in San Luis last week when she called us over to chat for a while. While talking with her we learned that her son died only 2 months ago and she was feeling really lost. We were able to get back in touch with her this week to address her needs and help her. We were also able to talk with Hermana Monsilla's 15-year old granddaughter (her father was the man who just died). We were able to help this family because Hermana Monsilla asked us about the possibility of providing a blessing on her son's gravesite. So, on Saturday we were able to go with the family and a member of the ward's bishopric to offer a blessing on the gravesite. Hermano Gallardo, of the bishopric, offered a very special blessing and there was a very strong presence of the Spirit.  It was truly an amazing experience. Of course, it was sad to be in that situation but it was gratifying to be able to promise Hermana Monsilla that death is not the end and she truly can spend eternity with her son. Next stop for her, the temple!

            This week were also able to catch up with the boyfriend of one of the young women in our ward.  He has come to church for the last two weeks.  Victor is 23-years old and he is such a stud. (Yes. He's dating a girl who is 16-years old so that's awkward.  It's basically like Matthew and Emily being together. LOL!) He lives far away so we have to teach him at his girlfriend's house, but that is great situation because the more people we have in a lesson, the better. We had an effective lesson with him this week and it truly helped to have his girlfriend's entire family there with us.

Presenting 6 Months Ties

            We also had another great lesson with Daniel and his wife, Sandra.  We taught them about the Plan of Salvation, which is a Gospel Principle that is unique to our church and its precepts are attractive to everyone. During the lesson, they had so many questions, but most of them were about our previous lesson so that means they are really taking our lessons to heart and thinking about them during the week. Daniel is really testing our knowledge of the Bible, which has required me to read the Bible and strengthen my knowledge of it so I can answer his questions.  Daniel and Sandra have been listening to different viewpoints about religion and they've been a challenge to teach because they have so many questions and comparisons.  Even so, every Sunday they find themselves in our chapel!

Burning 6 Months Ties

            We had a very busy week and it's been such a blessing to have a full schedule. We have seen great progress with our boys, Pedro Sanchez and Fede Vege, because they are really getting involved with the youth in the ward.  Their friendships make our job as missionaries so much easier! Our goal this week is to set baptism dates with these boys.

            On Sunday, I was just doing my thing, you know... leading the hymns, and immediately after the Sacrament was passed I was asked to give a talk.  Yes! In less than 10 minutes! Oh, Man! To be honest, I was hecka nervous. Luckily, I was given a few minutes to find some scriptures and put my thoughts together. Before I knew it, I was at the pulpit talking to eighty-plus people. Thanks to the Gift of Tongues, I was able to deliver my message. However, I can't remember much of what I said.  In all, it was a good experience for me and it turned out just fine.

            The work is really moving and progressing and the best part is being able to see our investigators in Sacrament Meeting with us.  I'm looking forward to this week because we are going to set some baptism dates! Yay!  

            It will be a great week! 

            Elder Roderick