Hey - November 26th

Hey family,

Turkey day! So sad that it doesn’t exist here. Everyone knows about it of course (probably due to movies and whatnot), but they don’t celebrate. Sad day! Anyways, I don’t think that me and Elder Cortez are going to be eating very much because our stomachs are still normalizing at this point. But I almost feel like a new person now! So over the weekend we got poisoned. Our lunch cita canceled and we had to cook for ourselves. I have become a descent cook if I do say so myself, but saturday I didn’t feel like eating due to a dull pain in my stomach during prosylyting in the morning. We cooked anyways and had enough for leftovers (sunday lunch we were planning). The meat we bought was a bit sketchy, but I have seen a lot of sketchy things in Argentina and figured it would be fine after cooking it. We only ate a little and then I started feeling bloated and uncomfortable and laid down to let my stomach settle. Come four o clock my companion laid down as well and I got up and got ready for prosylyting again. Elder Cortez said he felt like throwing up and so I gave him a few minutes and sat down and read a bit. At 415 I asked again and he said he felt like throwing up. So I jestingly said, “well throw up then!” And he said, “I can’t.” Then I ask, “well are you feeling bad enough to stay inside?” He got up and started getting ready and then went out back to get a little fresh air. Half way out the door he ran back in and to the bathroom and threw up. So I said, “that is reason enough for me to stay inside!” So I let him rest up and studied the afternoon. He continued throwing up and started having really bad diarrhea as well. I felt bad. We went and got juice and gatorade and sprite but he couldn’t hold much down. He didn’t sleep well and then we went to church the next morning and he made it through with a few trips to the bathroom. I slaughtered one of the songs we sang and felt goofy, but oh well. We went home and I had a clasic PBJ sandwhich. Then I laid down feeling uncomfortable myself again and soon enough I was in the bathroom every 15 minutes as well. Lucky not vomiting, but it was rather uncomfortable after awhile. So I could no longer hold down liquids either and we continued like that for the day. I finished my summary of the Book of Mormon though and lost desires to study and thus rested more than anything. We slept alright that night and then on monday morning decided to skip calling the hna. Del Castillo and went straight to calling the mission doctor. He told us to get Pepto Bismal (crema de Besmuto here in Argentina) and drink 120 ml. of that (don’t worry I got video!) That was a lot but seemed to do the trick. We were quite dehydrated by that time so stayed inside the rest of the day and rehydrated and got some food to energize us. Bad experience at the time, but a great journal entry. Anyways, we played a game of monopoly and I still remain undefeated here in Argentina. We studied more and rested. We went to bed early and I felt like a new person the next day. Still a bit weak, but we went to work again. Exciting no!? We fodged a lot of people but have made contact with everyone again pretty much and we are doing good. So of course the news got to pres. del Castillo and he asked about it in interviews today So that was the big events of the week more than anything. I am good now though so don’t worry!

So that is cool that James Hales is back already. I guess that makes sense doesn’t it? Is he planning on going to school this semester? That is cool about China too.

I have got the music CD you guys sent and I am sure the other is on its way to me already. Thanks a bunch! The funnies in the letters too are quite enjoyable. Every once in awhile I get a little note from Josh or Andrew and I send them a little something too, nothing to distract our focus or anything though. Sounds like they are doing way great! How time flies!

Seferino is really animated to get baptized and is making an effort at quiting drinking again. I think he can make it. Some of the Elders Quorum members offered to fast with him this time around too and want him to tell us when he is planning on doing it so they can be a part. It is something that I mentioned that he needs and they are willing to help out. I think that may just do the trick. I really really hope so.

Also we went out yesterday after being sick and found a man that just came from Buenos Aires 15 days ago and already listened to the missionaries there. He let us in in the hot and offered some water (which we politely declined). He is a great guy and has a lot of faith. He seems to follow in the Evangelical church but he likes our church and with any luck we can get him to church before other people get hold of him and taint him. A really nice, humble guy. His name is José Rodriguez and he lives alone. Which means no marriage problems! Hope all works out.

Anyways, I really don’t have much time, but thanks for all the school information. I am thinking that coming home one week early would be ideal. I have felt that way from the start. But I am afraid that he would rather I go home 3 weeks early with the rest of the group. That I am not willing to do. Plus if I go one week early he may want to change where I am working and I would be transfered out of the area for sure. Could be good and could be bad. So there are a lot of things going through my mind and I just can’t make up my mind. Lots of pros and cons. I will try and call the mission president and talk real quick. And also the mission office to see about changing flight plans. See my options.

Love you all,

Elder Aaron McDonald