Better Late than Never - March 20th

Hey family,

Well, I hope you are not all too worried about not receiving an email yesterday. Apparently the whole South America south server went down and no one in the whole mission could use email (not to mention the rest of Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay). But we received permission to go and write you today). Wow I can never remember what happens during the week we just seem to do so much and yet all at the same time it seems the same. We did have to deal with some problems that we had in the zone and had some emergency transfers this past Monday. We were up until 1 o’clock dealing with all that. We had divisions with our district at the same time here in Eldorado. It was fun to go and teach my investigators on “my own.” One thing that has been difficult working with Elder Peterson is that we both know what we are doing and how we want to do it. So sometimes I don’t know what our plans are. Love my companion though, he is a great Elder and I have learned a bunch from him. Anyway, to end divisions we went to Iguazú to approve some apartments for the missionaries there since they are being forced out of their apartment (that seems to be happening a lot all over the mission). Turns out the owners filled the apartments though and we accomplished a whole lot of nothing. We went out and taught a bit and me and Elder Nyman had some really great lessons with some really great investigators that they have over there. Unfortunately the only bus that leaves at night leaves at 10 o’clock and is rather uncomfortable. We got back at about 1 o’clock. Luckily Wednesday was pday. We played soccer though and I got even more tired. It was a blast though.

We had 5 investigators in church last week including the Gassmann family. They loved it and are going to bring all the family for the next time. We also had Martín come for the first time, but we don’t know why his mom didn’t come since she said she wanted to. I think we can get the majority of the family there though in time. They are really awesome. Martín is the main one investigating and he is 18 I think. A really neat family.

Right now in Argentina they are celebrating “semana santa” (holy week) in preparation for Easter. Apparently they do all these things to remember what was happening during the savior’s life at this time, ending on Sunday with the resurrection. Kind of interesting, but kind of annoying as well when people don’t understand why we only celebrate the Resurrection. We just explain to everyone that we remember the Savior everyday of our lives, not just on this holy week. Part of the holy week is giving up bad habits like drinking and things for 40 days. Shouldn’t we do that every day?

I have already read the whole Liahona of Jesus Christ, but we didn’t get one in English and the two magazines are actually different in case you didn’t know. So maybe you should said one. We got a bunch of them early on to give to Investigators and members less active so I have known about it for a long while.

As you have mentioned, we have transfers that are coming up and it seems that transfers could effect us this time around (at least that is what Elder Peterson seems to be hoping) Elder Peterson really wants to train before he ends his mission in 3 months since he was in the office and hasn’t had that chance yet. We have 17 new missionaries coming in so I suppose it is a good possibility. We have a lot of chances in the zone coming up too though so we will see how all that goes down. I will probably be pulling a late night that night as well. I can’t believe transfers are already here. I feel like my mission is just starting to fly by.
Well I really am out of time right now, but I want you all to know that I love you and am truly grateful for the great examples you are in my life. I have reflected a lot on how I have grown up and I don’t know that I will ever know why it is that I was blessed to learn of the gospel from day one of my life. Thanks mom for your great testimony to me. I also know that the Savior lives. I feel more now than I have ever felt it in my life before. I feel the love he has for me and for each one of his children and am grateful for the opportunity I have to share his teachings with the people of Argentina.

Love you all,

Elder Aaron McDonald