Hola Familia - October 24th

Familia,
Well really it was a great week. Of course the baptisms had nothing to do with that…Really the baptisms were great. We have been waiting for quite some time with Ignacio and Teresa and Saturday they finally got to enter into the waters of baptism. I must say that I was a bit stressed out though because I had never performed a baptism before as far as dunking the person. I think it went pretty well though. I will agree with Ryan when he says that baptisms days are great days and stressful days. The baptism was at six and we showed up at five (so did Ignacio and Teresa) but the chapel was locked! Our ward misión leader was at his house and didn´t show up until 5:45. Meanwhile we talked with an old man who wanted to bash a little bit with us. Tetigos de Jehová are great people but they are usually pretty stuck in their ways. I think I have only ever had 1 lesson with people of that faith and they cut us off and we never finished the lesson. Anyway, basically everyone showed up before the chapel was oponed. A lot of the family of Ignacio and Teresa showed up which was great. The mother of Teresa has a batismal date in november but that is not in our area. Anyway, as for the service, it went well. I played the piano and i think teresa really liked that. The baptism went well enough too. Ignacio went perfect apart from the fact that he just let his feet go. I managed fine though. Teresa took two tries but it went well. They have been so ready for so long it was great to finally see it happen. They were confirmed Sunday on mother´s day, but unfortunately their was a ton of rain and almost no one was in church. Still, I know they will be really faithful members. They love the gospel and study their scriptures every day and just continue to be amazed by it all. I really think I have learned a ton from them.
We just had a zone conference and while they did not ask me to play the piano, I gave a ¨testimonio de éxito¨ I was nervous for it because I don´t really talk much in front of large groups and it was the first time I have really related a story in front of everyone in spanish. Amazingly when I got up to share my testimony I felt completely calm and I expressed what I wanted to share without problems. I am amazed at the confidence I am gaining in myself. I really know the Lord blesses us and makes our weaknesses strong as we just seak to do his will. Seeing the changes that have happened in the lives of Ignacio and Teresa were amazing as well. I know they had a lot of pruebas in their lives because I was a part of the whole experience, but they endured quite faithfully and have really recieved blessings in their lives as a result. I know this is the power of the gospel for any person that diligent seeks the truth.
Mom, I hope you have a feeling for how it is down here now what with your experience at Rodezo grill. Every meal I eat has meat, but it is usually with noodles. Still, in the beginning of my misión it was rather problematic for me. I think i am getting use to it all though and I even am growing to like the meat a bit. I still love it when I get chicken though. The gross thing is that the people eat the fat of the meat and it is all attached to bones and whatnot. I am not a fan of huesos. I am getting the hang of it though. One thing that Argentina is known for is for it´s asados I guess. I have had the luck to never have to eat one yet. Basically it is a barbeque and they cook a bunch of meat to eat. Yuck yuck yuck. Hope I never have to eat one. As it is I think I am still gaining weight with all this meat, luckily i don´t think it really shows still. The way I figure it will all just turn into some hard muscle when I am back home excercising again.
The CDs of general conference sound like a great idea and I would love to listen to them. I need to buy some new speakers though because I have been using companions speakers for the past 4 months because the ones I took were trashy. I looked today and didn´t find anything because no one had anything for discmans. I think they just don´t know what they are talking about but anyway, another week.
I know that the gospel is true. I have seen the difference in the lives of the people that have accepted the gospel and the lives of those who have not the gospel in their lives. It is a pretty big difference in some cases. I truely believe that some are kept in darkness only because they know not where to turn to find the truth. There is so much confusion out their and for this it is all the more important that we work with all our might to find those seeking for the truth. I know the gospel has a healing power and truely brings a great deal of peace and joy into our lives in this world of turmoil. I think there are many who just don´t think that this peace of mind and true happiness exists in the world. They are wrong. I only hope I can be an effective tool in bringing some of Heavenly Father´s children to the truth. Sometimes I just feel a bit inadaquit but like I said before, it has just amazed me to see how the Lord has made my weaknesses strong as I seek to do his will and I know that he will continue to help me.
Love you all!
Elder Aaron McDonald