Hey! - May 28th

Hey family,

Well we just got back from another p day at the cataratas. It was a lot of fun once again, more than anything because we were with a great group of missionaries. It rained again though which was kind of a “damper.” Not too bad though and the sun did come out. We met a girl that came from Norway, but was going to BYU for school. We also saw a couple serving a medical mission in Brasil that came to see the waterfalls. We talked to some Australians a bit as well and they asked some questions about the church and all that. A lot of interesting people at the waterfalls! Apart from that I just played with the settings on my camera taking pictures as all was the same as the last two times. I got some interesting fotos taken. I also bought a souvenir t-shirt from Iguazú as it could be the last time I go. Not sure though.

Zone conference last week was really great. I sometimes even surprise myself with how comfortable I feel speaking and directing in front of groups of people now, even when it is not in my native language. In that sense I know the Lord has strengthened me a ton, and I will be forever grateful. We learned a lot and made some changes in the way we count lessons in the mission. Before we had to sit down, say prayers and teach, but now we need to teach, testify, make commitments and try to set an appointment. The area presidency is trying to increase the number of people the missionaries are teaching, even if it is teaching someone something in the street. I must admit that it will help a lot of missionaries as long as they keep the focus on going back to talk with people in their homes rather than just try to have a lot of lessons. We are already using a lot more of our time in the streets talking with a lot of people.

This week in church we had 11 investigators in church! Far more than I have ever had in my mission! Also the other Elders in our branch had 8 investigators in church including an old couple that says that they have been looking for the truth all their lives and want to be baptized now that they have found it! We are seeing double the number of people in church in the last couple of weeks. A little more effort and they will all be members I think. I think it has been a real booster for the little branch.

Laura María’s daughter and son in law actually know several members of the church here in Eldorado and love the church. They accepted a baptismal goal for the 21 of july. Laura María went out of town for 20 days and we won’t be able to talk with her for awhile, but meanwhile we are talking with the 3 kids and their families that all live nearby. I think they all might be the key.

The family Nuñez came to church as well. We had a great lesson with hno. Rodolfo Nuñez and I shared the definition of the Sabbath day in the back of the scriptures that talks about when a nation stops observing the Sabbath all aspects of the life deteriorate. It hit him just right and he realized he was doing things backwards and that to receive blessings temporally he needs to make a little effort and go to church every week with his kids. He came and said he felt great and slept soundly for the first time in a long while that night.

Family Candido (omar and grasiela) had some surprise visitors at 8 in the morning the past Sunday and couldn’t make it to church. They were all ready to come though. It was a holiday and so that might have had something to do with the visitors. I think they will be baptized in time. They like the church and its teachings.
I am sure that the Lord has great things in store for all these wonderful people we are teaching. If I am here to see some of those blessings great, but if not great anyways. I love to be a part of this great work and I know that I am being made stronger. It is definitely hard at times to keep plugging away. I am just trying to keep going forward with all my might. Just keep happy and motivated and finish strong is all I have got to do.

Well I am pretty much out of time now, but I want you all to know that I love you.

Elder Aaron McDonald