¿Cómo andan? I am well--we've had a somewhat busy week in the
Quebrada, and every day it's a little bit colder! We're waiting for
snow, but, as my temporary companion Elder Ferro (from Calgary and
Uruguay) says, "I haven't seen it yet".
This week was transfer week, so Elder Strong is off to Córdoba
Capital, and I'm staying in the Quebrada, and... training a new
missionary! Thus I'm with Elder Ferro for a couple days in the
Quebrada until we both go to Córdoba to meet and pick up our new
companions. We're both a bit excited, and a bit nervous, but I know
that the our new Elder will be a blessing to the people here.
The motto of our Zone (the city of La Rioja) this month is something
like, "Pongamos todo en el asador," or "Let's put everything in the
(Argentine) barbeque"—the saying meaning that we'll give a 100%
effort. I considered a bit this week about how faith works, and here's
what I wrote (in Spanish):
Esta semana estaba pensando un poco de la fe--creo que es una
certeza que viene por haber hecho todo lo posible, por ser obediente,
por trabajar con diligencia, etc. Pensé en mis convenios con Dios,
y que según mi fe, o sea, mi cumplimiento de las condiciones que
Dios ha puesto, Él me bendecirá seguramente. Estoy viendo la fe
un poco así esta semana, y tratando de ser digno de recibir las
bendiciones prometidas. Veo así que convenios me ayudan a saber
que necesito hacer, y por tener los requisitos de Dios así, y un
compromiso con Él, me da la oportunidad de cumplir.
[This week I was thinking a bit about faith — I believe it is a truth that comes by having done everything possible, by being obedient, by working diligently etc. I thought about my convenants with God, and how according to my faith, that is, my complying with the conditions that God has set, He will surely bless me. I am seeing faith a bit this week, and trying to be worthy of receiving the promised blessings. I also see that covenants help me to know what I need to do, and by having God's requirement thus laid out, and a promise with Him, this gives me the opportunity to meet them.]
We also had an excellent lesson with the neighbour of a family of
recent converts, Valeria. We showed up at the member's house to find
another family visiting them, so they were there helping in the
lesson, and then the family of the Branch President arrived, etc.
Thus, we had many people who were able to testify of the truthfulness
of the work and help Valeria to feel comfortable. The same family is
also helping another woman, Victoria, to learn the Gospel, and she's
progressing very well. We've read 3 Nephi 27 a few times with her, and
though she hasn't been very much invited by us to follow the Saviour's
example and be baptised, she was introduced to the church by attending
her friend's baptism—thus, it's something that she's thinking about
and something that I know will bless her and her family. I know that
the authority required to perform a baptism and actually receive a
remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost is only present in
this church.
Happy Canada Day! I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it, and I hope
that Mom is having a good time! I love you all and I look forward to
hearing from you in the coming week!
Elder Schlachter
