Well I'll get right to it. We have changes this week! I'll be ... Staying in Loma Plata! Crazy huh? I've been here a while in the Chaco (this will be my 7th change) and I'll be here for at least a little longer! Elder Garrett will be leaving for some other place. Also with him will be Elder Salazar, who came with me to the Chaco when I got here! It's kind of crazy, the fact that all the faces here are different from when I came!
The highlight by far of this week was General Conference! It was a rare opportunity to sustain the new President of the church, Russell M. Nelson, and also 2 new apostles! Some quick take-aways I got out of conference: LOVE AND SERVE OTHERS! It's so important. We literally have the church for that reason! There are so many problems in the world, and we can wait to watch more happen, or fight back and stop the problems! Everyone needs a helping hand. We shouldn't wait and say "some day, " because as Pte Eyring has told us, that just means "not this day!" We also need to watch our mouths and attitudes, and do our service meekly. Service means a lot when we do it when we want, but even more when we do it when the Lord wants! For those who don't remember, we serve in a group here in Loma Plata, which means in a tiny concrete-floored, brick-walled room, so we don't have a computer. We had to go to Filadelfia (where our Branch is) to watch the Conference, and were unable to bring others with us. It rained again this week, and with the road conditions, we almost missed the Conference. But as always, where there's a will, there's a way, and we got to see it all! Even a couple of sessions in English! The changes from Home Teaching and Visiting Teaching to the more simple, ministering is an inspired change that is similar to recent changes in missionary work, with the numbers required being taken away and replaced by the more important need of actually getting something done. Many people did their required monthly visits, but didn't understand the need to really be there for their families when needed, but now members are required to live the higher law and not just check off the monthly visit but really be a strength for those who need it. I testify that Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God, and that he is preparing us for the time when Jesus will come again (scriptures, also Gospel Principles ch. 43-44). I also testify that we need to repent because Jesus Christ wants to help us, but He only can help those that help themselves. He's knocking at the door, so let Him in! I love you all!
This week by the numbers:
1 bike stolen (Elder Garrett's; but we are hot on the trail of the thief).
[And also the number of Elder Olson's Stake Former Stake Presidents who was called as an Area Authority: Matthew Scott Harding.]
2 New apostles.
7 New temples announced--including one in Elder Garrett's home city (Layton, UT; he fell out of his chair at that announcement), one in Richmond, Va! Also in the Philipines, Nicaragua, India, Russia, and Salta, Argentina! The temple in Salta is actually super close; just a little further from me than the Paraguay temple!
93: the number of pancakes we cooked for General Conference in Filadelfia
Pictures:
1 Elder Garrett photography part 1
2 part 2 ft me making phone calls.
3 Kitchen creations featring Vienna sausage and Serrano rice.
4 With our friends Jose and Santiago. They're both super dope and Jose is progressing towards baptism. He has learned so much about repentance and the need of it; also understanding the importance of prophets. He will hopefully be batized soon!
5 We made a few pancakes for the Filadelfia members!
6 The Filidelfia chapel after conference!
7 Playing some Phase 10 waiting to write y'all.
8 We don't even have a table to cook on or store the food so here's what our pantry looks like. hahaha
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