February 21, 2011 — Villa Dolores, Cordoba, Argentina

Dear family,

How are you? I am well, this week has felt better than the last. We've
also had various miracles. I know that the Lord directs this work, and
that there are people prepared in all parts of the world to receive
the gospel—these people are of Israel!, or, in other words, these are
people who have been given the opportunity to receive the gospel
because they will have the faith to accept it in this life, and to
choose the blessings, thus blessing their family eternally.

For example, as we were walking down the street Tuesday, Elder Melerio
contacted a young woman, thinking she was rather older (usually we
don't contact them). However, it turned out that her family had met
with missionaries previously, and she's really looking for God's help,
and her family needs the gospel. We visited them Saturday and were
definitely guided by the Spirit. I felt something of the responsibiliy
to really speak the words which the Lord would have me speak, the need
to really be His servant, His ambassador, as it were, in this sacred
work among His children.

Another special moment this week was when Elder Melerio and I happened
to be at the chapel making telephone calls—a twenty minute task.
Suddenly, we heard a knock at the door (actually, clapping), and upon
investigating, we found one of our difficult-to-find investigators. He
had had a vision in the morning which led him to visit the chapel,
despite it being Saturday morning. Thus, we had a good lesson, and
yesterday in church, he spontaneously stood up in our Gospel
Principles class to offer a prayer of gratitude that he has found the
truth he has been seeking for twenty years.

However, the thing that is most precious to me is the knowledge of
when I am being directed by the Spirit, the sustaining feeling of
confidence, of help through the Atonment. I know that only through the
help of the Saviour, through the path of His gospel, can we be clean
and worthy, and thence receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is a
manifestation of the Father's mercy, and the guide to return spotless
to our heavenly home. I especially felt the Spirit's guidance in
speaking in Sacrament meeting this week, about the need for personal
conversion in order to be a help to others.

And, to me the question recently has been how to apply the gospel. How
do we become converted? How can I be filled with love? What is the aid
of the Atonement, in practical daily terms, and how is it received?

In considering the answers, perhaps the need is to consider the
asking! No one can know of spiritual truths without revelation,
teaches Preach My Gospel, and spiritual truths, the mysteries of the
kingdom, and, in part, the practical, changing, powerful applied
principles of the gospel. This knowledge is found by studying the
scriptures prayerfully, with real intent, seeking real application,
and in sincere prayer.

I was reviewing a study journal yesterday (or so) and noted a phrase
that studying the scriptures is, "absolutely critical"—this is where
testimony, conviction and faith start, and are nurtured. I've been
considering how to improve my personal study time, and I'm trying to
focus more on the doctrine, more on the application, the principles
involved. I really want to meditate upon the word, and qualify,
through sincere exertion in faith, to receive the spiritual knowledge
that I need. I know that Heavenly Father will give more light
"liberally."

Thus, I wanted to ask each of you, how is your personal scripture
study? How are you planning to improve this week? What do you want to
learn? Please do send me a note this week—I'm looking forward to
hearing from Levi, Alex and Matthew.

If it's not going so well, I invite you to try something that my
companion started doing at a time when he wasn't studying the
scriptures—read a bit (he started with one verse) each night before
going to bed! Offer a prayer, think briefly about how you can apply
what you read. Start a habit! Let me know how it goes and what you
learned!


I'm glad to hear that you are well. Do let me know how the temple trip
goes. Thank you for writing to me! I enjoy hearing about missionary
work at home.

Thank you for offering to bring me things, but I think all I could use
right now is information! I'm seeking mission mailing addresses for
Dawson Lybbert, Tyler Keith, David Benson, Chris Benson (as of March,
I believe), and Dave Brule. I'm also seeking family addresses (aunts,
uncles, cousins). I could also use the recipe for haystacks. For Dad
in Buenos Aires, I recommend trying an alfahor. I don't much like the
triple layer chocolate and chocolate type variety—I'd go for something
simple looking!

I love you and thank you for your prayers and support,

Elder Schlachter   Photos 

P.S. I had some trouble sending photos today—I'll send this week's this
coming week.

February 14, 2011 - Villa Dolores, Cordoba, Argentina

Dear Family,

How are you? I am well, (though feeling somewhat afflicted by loud
music at the internet café we're at—next week I'll bring my earplugs!)
and we've had a good week.

We had many investigators at church yesterday, 10 rather than 4 (week
previous). We also had several miraculous contacts. For example, we
went to find a former investigator, who, it turned out, didn't live at
the expected address, but instead found a lady, Valeria, who is
separated from her children, and was feeling quite bad, and angry at
God, until she started praying and reading the Book of Mormon a few
days ago! She's now feeling a lot better, and looking forward to
baptism. We also found a couple, Cynthia and Guillermo, who stopped us
in the street to ask that we give them a Bible and visit them. We gave
them a Book of Mormon too, and they're interested to read the Book of
Mormon cover to cover! We're praying that they find the answers they
need and are receptive to the Spirit.

I apologize that I don't have much writing inspiration today. I am
sending a letter in the mail too.

Thank you very much for your letters—they do brighten my day and
encourage me. I'm glad to hear that you're doing well.

Love,

Elder Schlachter    Photos

February 7, 2011 - Villa Dolores, Cordova, Argentina

Dear family,

Thank you for your letters this week, and for fasting for me.

How are you? I am well. My memory of the past week is a bit foggy, but
I do remember thinking that I'm starting to know the area somewhat,
our companionship is improving, and I've been a bit more present in
lessons (understanding, speaking, etc.), and caring for our
investigators more.

We've had some good moments with investigators this week. One, Andres,
read up to Alma in the Book of Mormon in about two days. Monica told
us, "Yes, I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet," and we found a
former investigator in the Area Book with whom we are working. My
concern is in helping them to keep on progressing, to keep learning
spiritually, to help them to build their faith and testimony into
action and a pattern of gospel living. We're focusing somewhat more on
working with members this week, in order to help them to have friends
in the gospel, and, especially, to help them to come to church!

I'm working on 'opening my mouth' to declare the gospel, and
testimony, more boldly in contacting generally, and trying to apply
the doctrines of which I am speaking of more powerfully to the people
of Villa Dolores. If I had a couple days set aside for general
preparation, after some cleaning, I think that I would read the Book
of Mormon for hours and hours. The Book of Mormon contains the words
of Christ, and I know that it is true. In a way, reading from, and
prayerfully pondering the teachings of the Book of Mormon is like
learning at the feet of the Master (to use a Biblical phrase):

  Y ésta tenía una hermana que se llamaba
  María, la que, sentándose a los pies de
  Jesús, oía su palabra. … Y María ha escogido
  la buena parte, la cual no le será quitada.
                       (Lucas 10:39, 42)


[And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, 
and heard his word…and Mary hath chosen that good part, 
which shall not be taken away from her. 
                        (Luke 10:39, 42)]
The scriptures are a fountain of revelation, and of guidance, an
invitation for the Holy Ghost to testify, to teach, to comfort. I
think that it's critical to read the scriptures daily, and I'm working
on pondering the doctrines more. I watched a talk by Elder Scott at
the MTC in which he spoke about prayer, and how to pray effectively.
One point was that when we read that Enos prayed 'all that day,' he
probably wasn't on his knees for that time! The pattern is to pray, to
ponder, then to act in faith—the cycle repeated reaps revelation, the
voice of Heaven, living waters. I am grateful that through the gospel
of Jesus Christ I can be clean from sin, and receive guidance and
comfort. I love the Saviour Jesus Christ and am grateful for His
mercy, His love, and His Atonement. Quoting Preach My Gospel
(loosely), "All that is unfair about life can be made right through
the Atonement of Jesus Christ," though really in the soul, not always
in the surroundings.

I look forward to receiving Matthew's letter, and I would be very
pleased to receive one from Alex and Levi! I do enjoy the Elder
Christmas updates, but would prefer to be forwarded them.

Hope all is well! I love you all a lot,

Elder David Schlachter   Photos

February 2, 2011 — Rio Cuarto, Cordova, Argentina

Dear Family,

How are you? I am well—a bit tired, though. We had a Zone Meeting this morning in the city of Rio Cuarto (a voyage of four hours from Villa Dolores). We'll be working with the Elders here tonight, and returning to Villa Dolores this morning at 4:30!

The week has gone quickly. I'm not sure if I'm understanding better, but occasionally I'm speaking more in lessons. I'm having some trouble expressing myself, but I'm looking for opportunities to serve my companion and to help our investigators and the people of Villa Dolores generally. I've been reading the Book of Helaman in the past couple days, and finding many principles (I've been focusing some  of my scripture marking on principles and promises lately—light green for the principles, light blue for the blessings).

One neat scripture study thought is that generally the promises of the gospel are simple and easily summarized: Live the gospel, and receive peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Of course, they're all more specific, but the general principle is that exercising faith, repenting, being baptized and keeping covenants, and maintaining the guidance of the Spirit, with perseverance, is what brings "every good thing," as Moroni puts it. I think that the challenge as a missionary is to be, first, living these principles, so as to be experiencing the fruits of the gospel (1 Nephi 11:25-ish), and then to reach out to all others, inviting them to "come to Christ," and showing them the doctrines and the principles, and helping them to have faith and learn application of the principles of the Gospel. As a missionary I am to connect the doctrines to individual needs. The oft-repeated adage here is "Teach lessons, not people," but sometimes I fear that this attitude leads to being somewhat ineffectual, like cleaning the leaves of a droopy tree that is falling in a muddy puddle. I think that the key to this principle is to teach people, by teaching the doctrine in order to satisfy their spiritual needs and bring them to Christ! This is the missionary purpose, to bring people to Christ, by helping them to receive the restored gospel. I'm working on focusing on this more!

I'm glad that you're doing well! Congratulations to Matthew on his performance, and I wish Dad continued success and revelation in his efforts to help the ward to become missionaries. 

I have sent some pictures of the kitchen (admittedly, after careful cleaning last P-Day). I'm trying with some effort to keep it consistently clean, washing the dishes, taking out the trash, wiping the counters, etc—it's a bit of a hobby! So far we've only had a few ants in the apartment, as our garbage is uncovered.

We don't have water or gas vendors, though our water is boiled or filtered before consumption, and we don't receive many sales persons, being on the second floor of our building we don't have any windows through which they can peek!

Anyhow, I must away. Thank you very much for your love and prayers, and letters (I should like to hear from my brothers too!).

Love,

Elder Schlachter   Photos