Dea
rest family!
All is well! Things are still crazy and there are days where I still have to throw a hose up to the second story bathroom window to shower. It’s quite the adventure! The water problems are just about coming to an end after maybe the fifth fix. Don’t worry dad, it is supposed to get a lot hotter still! The people say that we are not even in summer yet. December and January are the months of heat apparently. Me and my comp found a little piece of paper in the street that was something from a school about how to protect yourself from sun. It said that you should avoid being outside between 11am and 6pm! Conveniently enough that’s just about all the time we are outside lol But the schedule here will change soon so that studies are in the evening. We still wear little hats.
This week me and my companion decided that we are going to have a white Christmas after all! Lots of people dressed in white that is. This is still our goal but we had a little bit of a problem this weekend. We had ten different people tell us that they were coming to church. We passed by them multiple times to remind them and get them excited and even called them before. NO ONE showed up. Not even investigators that had been coming for several weeks. It was a big lesson in agency for me. Not to say that I did everything right, I know I didn’t, but after all I can possibly do they still have that choice to follow through or not. I am beginning to understand a little bit better how the leaders of the church or even Christ must feel, doing everything possible for people who forget and reject all of your work. It makes me so sad that these people will go without the blessings this week in their lives. I can only imagine how Christ must feel.
We have a new plan for this next week and we are going to do even more if possible! One of the ways that we are going to work harder is through the members. My mission president spoke a couple weeks ago in stake conference and he gave the members five simple things that they can do to help the work. I am going to share them and perhaps you all can use them as well!
1. Faith! We have to have faith that people can change, that they will convert, that they will come to church, that when we talk about the church we will not do it alone. We have to have faith that ALL people at all times have angels working with them, preparing them to receive the restored gospel. We have to have faith that even the vilest of sinners or the strangest people can repent and be baptized. We have to have faith that with God literally everything is possible.
2. Pray and Fast! Find out the names of the investigators and their needs and really pray for them. Fast for the strength of the church. Also, pray and fast for missionary opportunities!
3. Open your Mouth! We are going to be practicing this one like a game with the people (idea of the pres). When someone says something to you, anything, you respond with something about the church. Oh darn it, there was no where to park this morning.... Oh really? One thing I like about going to church on Sunday is there is always room to park. Ouch I cut my finger!.... Oh in church this last Sunday there was someone else who cut his finger! lol It’s silly but when we say things like this (and better examples) people will ask- Oh really? and what church are you from?
4. Take care of new members and investigators! When you see people in the church greet them! If you know someone is new or learning strengthen them! Also you can pray and fast for them too or involve them in activities.
5. Testify of Jesus Christ. Take every opportunity that presents itself to testify of your Lord and Redeemer!
Hopefully through these things we can really get some work done over here in Argentina ( and in Colorado too)!
Dad we are also going to take your advice and teach people a lot better about free agency. EVERYONE here says "Si Dios quiere" Bla! no me gusta!
I am trying to learn what is cheap here and how I can eat healthy and cheap. It’s not exactly the same and I am still learning but I hope to figure out something that works. I do have a store. Just a little one that has a lot of weird stuff in it that I have never seen before. The other day I got to try a huge moldy chunk of blue cheese with a member... That was lovely. The people like different tastes here.
The other week I got a whole bunch of letters! Lots of pictures too! Many Thanks! Also, through email works too but I cant print them off just look at them. The recipes did work! Thank you very much! We have maple syrup for all our food! I am also learning other ways to cook from my buddies from Chile, Peru, and Mexico! (The other missionaries in the apartment)
Hardly anyone over here even knows what thanksgiving is lol We will not be doing anything special, I also found out that turkey here is really expensive. There is chicken everywhere though. For Christmas there will be a big conference in Cordoba! I am excited for that. Also do you know what day the Christmas message of the church is?
How goes the church over there? Are we getting any closer to calling everyone in to Zion? I am glad to hear that you all love the new ward! As a missionary I am getting to see a lot of things that are a little more "behind the scenes". It’s fun to attend council meetings and all. Always remember in the church that there is an exact correlation between the commandments and calling with blessings!
All my love!
Elder Jacob Green
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