Dear Family,
How are you? I am well—the week has, as usual, passed quickly. I'll
quote a bit from my letter to President; some thoughts from the week:
Siento que necesito comprometerme a las metas que pongo, y que
tenemos que mostrar fe en realmente luchar por las metas de fechas,
asistencia, lecciones, etc; actualmente podemos hablar con muchos
pero nos cuesta mucho hacer que haya algo de progreso. Me puse la
meta de sí o sí hacer que alguien nuevo esté en la iglesia este
domingo. Sí o sí.
[I feel I need to commit myself more the goals I make, and that we have to demonstrate our faith and really work on baptismal dates, attendance, lessons, etc; right night we are able to talk to lots of people it takes a lot of work to make any progress. I made a goal that Yes or yes, someone new would be at church this Sunday. Yes or yes.]
En Marcos Juárez siguen bautizando. Ejercieron mucha fe hace unas
semanas en realmente hacer todo lo posible para que se bautizaran
dos chicos (Alma y Brian), pero al fin no se pudo (D y C 124:49-50).
Siento que se les está bendiciendo en esto de los seis bautismos
que tienen programados por este sábado. Me da mucho gozo ver la
obra creciendo y progresando en Marcos Juárez.
[In Marcos Juarez they continue baptizing. The exercised a lot of faith a couple of weeks ago by really doing everything possible to baptize two young men (Alma and Brian) but in the end it wasn't possible (D&C 124: 49-50). I feel that effort is what is blessing them now in that they have six baptisms scheduled for this Saturday. It gives my much joy to see the work growing and progressing in Marcos Juarez.]
Pensaba esta semana en mi misión y en lo que quisiera llegar a
ser, por el cual Ud. me ha preguntado en entrevistas anteriores y
no sabía bien qué decir en términos concretos. Una cosa concreta
que quiero ser es alguien que sí o sí bautizará adonde esté. Es
un deber del sacerdocio (D y C 20:38) y un logro importante en
invitar a todos a venir a Cristo (3 Nefi 5:13). También yo sé del
gozo que se siente haciéndolo. Reflexionaba que en mi misión me
han tocado muchos compañeros así, y quiero ser aún más eficaz en
esta obra sagrada, como lo han sido los muchos buenos ejemplos
que he visto. Élder Cranford y yo estamos practicando la enseñanza
e intentando realmente dar el cien por ciento de nuestro esfuerzo
y fe para lograr esta visión. Siento que puedo empezar meditando
en entender el proceso de la conversión, como habla Predicad Mi
Evangelio en el capitulo cuatro, más fijándonos en las metas con
mucho anhelo y viendo cómo trabajar con los miembros. Los miembros
aquí tienen ánimo pero necesitan nuestra ayudar para concentrar
sus esfuerzos, o sea, para mejorar sus habilidades y aptitudes.
[I was thinking this week in my mission in what I want to become, about what you have asked me about in past interviews and I didn't know what to say in concrete terms. One concrete thing that I would like to be is someone that yes or yes will baptise no matter where they are. It is a priesthood duty (DC 20:38) and an important challenge to invite all to come unto Christ (3 Nephi 5:13). I also know the joy that one feels doing so. I was reflecting that during my mission I have had quite a few companions like that, and I want to be even more successful en this sacred work, like the many good examples that I have seen. Elder Cranford and I are practising teaching and really trying to give 100 percent of our effort and faith to obtain this vision. I feel that I am able to start pondering about understanding the conversion process, that Preach My Gospel Chapter four speak of, focussing more on our goals with more enthusiasm and seeing how to work with the members. The member here are enthusiastic but they need our help in order to concentrate their efforts, that is to say, to improve their abilities and aptitude.]
We're looking forwards to Conference! Our goal, as mentioned is to
have at least one new person come to church this week. We'll have to
constantly talk about prophets and invite the whole world to come. I
know that it will happen.
Also, last week we had a meal with a member every day—this week we're
looking forward to the same! On another note, I would send more photos
but I realized last week that I forgot my battery charger for the
camera in Córdoba—I expect it to trickle down to Leones soon enough.
Tomorrow we're going to Córdoba for a zone conference, combined with
two other zones. Thus, we'll be heading off at 4 AM tomorrow morning
and I'll get to navigate the Córdoba bus system again—I'm very excited
for the entire event!
Love,
Elder Schlachter
