September 7, 2011

Dear family!

This week has been quite the experience. I have never cried so much in my entire life both out of joy and sorrow. We had a missionary from my district go home this last week. Actually the same night that I wrote you last week. It was really hard to say goodbye. He wanted to stay so bad but had to get some things cleared up. Later we heard from him after he got home. He said that we need to appreciate and enjoy the MTC more because the world outside is evil. He noticed a huge difference only after being here for about five weeks. How is my family doing out in that evil world?! Hopefully in it but not of it? This Elder leaving was very difficult on my whole district me included. We were all very close. Now there are five of us. It’s sort of ironic that there are three zone leaders in training right now because there are as many zone leaders as members of my district. Two companionships. That’s it.

Satan chose this trying time to throw in a few extra attacks at us. Almost all of us have been sick. And another missionary, whose testimony is in reality stronger than mine, decided he was also going home, that he did not know anything for himself and that he wanted to figure things out somewhere else. He was THIS CLOSE to going home on Sunday. It would have been completely devastating because he has no reason to leave. After talking with his father and stake president for hours and hours though he stayed, barely.

It was not until Monday night that my district really started to get back onto the uphill. My incredible teacher, Hmo Russell said he was going to let us teach him as himself to practice really teaching to the needs of real people and following the spirit. We all absolutely love him and took it very seriously. After about ten minutes to ask him questions we prepared for about ten more and then taught our teacher. The spirit in that room may have been the strongest I have ever felt. Revelation poured from the heavens! We ended up giving our teacher a priesthood blessing about some of his concerns. The elder who had almost gone home offered the blessing and it was magnificent. After the lesson he told us that if we can teach a return missionary exactly what he needs to hear to overcome the real struggles in his life we can teach the people of Argentina. He also urged us to find the same love that we have for him for all of God's children. He made us all promise him and God that we would stick through this, press forward and never give up. I wish I could really explain the impact this had on me and my district. We are all changed forever. And through us Brother Russell is going to change Argentina.

I heard something interesting from Jay Jenson of the Seventy this week. He talked about all the thought, research and time that has gone into preach my gospel and missionary work as a whole. He talked about the Six M's. It sounds like he has played an active role in the development of missionary work throughout the years. The six M's are: Mission pres., Missionary, Message, Method, Member and media. He gave us background of each and how they came to be. One thing he said stuck out to me though. He said the "member" has not yet risen to the level of the rest. I thought that was very interesting. I wish I would have been a better member missionary before coming out here. I want to challenge you all to rise! In many ways it seems like you are the missing part of the puzzle for missionary work to really get moving! Remember what Elder Holland said, all the important missionary work takes part in this dispensation! You are a part of it just like me! Don't be content to just get along we need to be changing lives! Hmo. Russell shared and interesting though about changing lives he said: Salespeople and Jehovah witnesses share messages, Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints change lives. I look forward to hearing any missionary stories from you! I am so glad that we get to be a part of this work together!

I have been learning a lot about commandments lately. I now know that obedience to the commandments is our anchor! The Lord is bound when we do what he says! Obedience should bring peace and joy and should never ever be a chore! Here on the mission we have a lot of reglas that you do not have BUT it is a commandment to be perfect and we all can do more and become better! I have seen the blessings already from increasing obedience out here. I know that you will also be blessed as you strive to keep the commandments of God both in thought and in deed!

This is real! We are part of the most epic adventure story in the history of ever! And guess what? WE ARE THE HEROS! This is the climax! This is the great battle that decides everything. People's eternities are at stake! This is real. I know that this Church is the true church of God.

I love you all more than I can ever express! Expect more letters later this week!

-Elder Green