Big E-mail!

Fried bananas have changed my life. They cook really quickly, but are so full of flavor it becomes as close to an addiction without actually causing physical and mental attachment as is possible. Be careful. Also, homemade bread or that from the Panaderías located in the near proximity of my pension has been bought almost everyday since arrival, and whats more is that it is excruciatingly cheap and delicious. That doesn´t even take into account that the US Dollar is worth more than four pesos, meaning that five pesos of bread, or about three loaves, costs about a buck twenty or so. Heck to the yes please. Furthermore, herbal tea tastes great if you make it right and add just a tad of sugar to help the medicine go down, if you will. So far, manzanilla, or be it, chamomile is my favorite.

The work has exploded. We had yet another baptism and have about six or seven lined up and ready to go. I hope I don´t catch pneumonia from being in the font too often. That might impede the Lord´s work. On that note, I have a slightly fatal headache that kind of slowed my progress in filling in the 600 cubic foot hole in or Branch President´s backyard, as well as killing innumerable deadly scorpions with various gardening tools to prevent the untimely demise of one of my dear compañeros or Ward Members. We also sang full on belting Il Divo and like this music because that is the style of music that the family does rather well in fact, and I feel very much at home in their humble abode.

I really am starting to become very Argentine during my short, though awesome time in the country, and feel that when I leave this area, which will be in another transfer (six weeks) at the soonest, that I might say that I come from Las Malvinas Argentinas near Arenales and Monte Cristo because I blend in rather well. My soccer skills are much appreciated, though my aim has decreased throughout the years and takes its jolly good time coming back. Every P-Day at six thirty we do a Factura shootout to see who will get free Facturas from everyone else, and though I have yet to win, my abilities have refined themselves rather nicely over the past couple of weeks. That´s been a major plus in our relaxed Preparation Day lives.

I will send a truckload of pictures next week I promise, but the computer that I have this week lacks a port for my USB cable to attach my camera. Oh well.

I have grown extraordinarily in my spiritual dimensions this week, though there yet remain many a thing for me to correct and straighten out. I can be way more organized still, and getting ready on time has proved to be a struggle, though in part that is because of four people sharing one bathroom, making showers a two hour process. We had intercambios this week, and I went to work with one of the zone leaders in a more populated area, and to be honest, I am very happy with my trainer, Elder Petersen, and Arenales with its glorious countryside and sunsets, as well as the very amiable people that live here. The people in the city are much harder. I finally learned how to just listen to people and try to understand where they are coming from, which has helped immensely in our discussions as well as just being friends with people.

The only reason that I might want to leave is if the Lord were to call me back to the States at the end of my mission. Nothing before. I spend so much time just helping people that it really adds a lot of joy to my life. Try it, it´s fun.

1 Corinthians 15:29. Go do baptisms for the dead all the time. The temple rocks, and yáll have no idea how lucky you are to live within a few minutes or even hours of the temple. End of story.

Elder Lindsey

Big E-mail!

I spent a ton of time figuring out how my camera connects today, and some urgent business needed to relay itself to the Pres, so I will write the world next week in grand detail. I am alive, and played soccer, ate food, and slept after working my tail end off this week. God is good and always is on our side.
In Christ,
Elder Lindsey

Easter!

It´s P-Day again, and this week I find myself in Centro due to the President´s kindness of allowing us to visit on Elder Van Loo´s birthday. The computer place here is awesome. The walls are covered in gargantuan murals that depict events and characters from the Star Wars series, and made my day. When I look up, Darth Maul grimaces back down on me and my smile broadens significantly.

Our branch is having some scuffles right now, which I will not describe, but the branch President said it well in saying that he has felt the fires of the inferno when he came out of an interview in which the person slammed the door really loud upon storming out in disagreement. Really, the situation is petty, and the Lord can bring peace to the heart of anyone if they are willing to listen. The President asked us what we would do in the situation, and we responded that we really can´t give specific advice, though we can definitely exhort prayer and love, as well as patience, which is our message to everyone everywhere. Paul says that if you know that you have ought against your brother you should go to him and make things right before resting, and before coming to the altar. It´s hard sometimes, but just remember that the Savior underwent things that are so difficult that they cannot be borne.

I have discovered the goodness of Aguila Alfajores, which are twice as much as a regular one, but merit in whole the money spent, everytime. Imagine really moist cake with dulce de leche (caramel on steroids), covered in non-waxy chocolate and sprinkled evenly with coconut flakes and about half the size of your fist. Maybe a little smaller. Or, imagine being able to get five loaves of bread for the equivalent of one American dollar, and it´s fresh every time. And then there is delicious ice cream that cannot even begin to be compared with that of America, due to the quality it has of being so much better. I genuinely feel for those of you who have never lived in Córdoba nor experienced the world of missionary life, and the food is the least of it.

We have many people investigating, and many more that will soon begin, even though they don´t quite know that yet. Last night we started to talk to a woman outside of her house, and it was after dark, which makes sense that she would be alarmed, so she started talking really loud to alert her son about the two men which would supposedly accost her. Enter Sebastian, a simple, loving, protecting son of about thirty years who has seen the way that the Savior changes lives and blesses the people. We then began to chat with him about what we do, and what he does, having an easy-going discussion at the end of our day. His mother seemed rather understandably frightened by us, and at first he was too, but upon further conversation he warmed up to us rather well and told us that we carry a great presence with us and thanked us for preaching the word of God to the people. We are also going back later this week. What a way to end the day.

Remember that that which comes from above is sacred, and must be treated so. Some things are not to be trifled with, including people´s self-esteem, the Lord´s word, and personal revelation. Never ever attack such things, and furthermore, never ever, nunca jamás, abuse the authority or stewardship which the Lord has given you, whether it be your body, your family, your calling, or your career, and especially when it affects the agency of others, for even God himself is required to honor our agency and created a glorious plan to uphold it while allowing us to be tested and become as Him. He is perfect, we are not yet perfect, but through Christ we will shortly become thus when He comes again to reign in the power and glory of the Almighty God.
With that very authority and responsibility which He has given me as a missionary and representative of His name and all He stands for, and in His name, I close this message with love and joy for all mankind, hoping that each one will be redeemed in Christ.

With all the humility that I know how to muster,

Elder Lindsey

The Scoop

Conference just has this way of lightening the burdens and worries of the world, lessening the grief and pain experienced, and giving the Lord´s insight to all of His children through the words of worthy, honorable men and women who study and pray long and hard to have the Spirit testify of Truth to this lost and confused world. God spoke to us this weekend, and I am ever so grateful that I had the chance to hear it in my own native tongue from the prophet himself. Richard Scott´s address on personal revelation touched my heartstrings and inspired me to seek the sweet Spirit even more so than I have been doing, and to immediately heed its promptings to witness and preach of goodness and light whenever possible. I hope that we all can do the same.

Somehow I made it for a whole month without mentioning Pritty. Mountain Dew, Sprite, Fresca, or any other citrus flavored drink should cease to exist to allow for the widespread deliciousness of Pritty. We drink this, Coca-Cola or juice from a mix at every meal without fail. The sodas here dominate those from the States, and I will probably find a way to either mail or pack some home to spread the word upon returning in 21 months. Dulce de Leche also brings much rejoicing and gladness to the hearts of many a person in this beloved country.

We had three or four investigators come to Conference, and an inactive member as well. I hope that the Lord has touched their souls as deeply as he has touched mine this weekend, because they will all be baptized and active very soon if it is so.

I find it very strange being seen as the tall one around. There are two people in my area that I have seen so far that are taller than me, and one of them is an Elder in my pension, Elder Van Loo, and the other is our Elders Quorum President. Other than that, I am the grandote. The people here are wonderful, though some of the saddest things that I have seen have been here. One of those is the man that walks around town plastered out of his mind and unable to function properly. His eyes have turned pretty yellow, and even with a limited knowledge of medical issues, I know that terrible livers can lead to that, and alcohol kills your liver faster than you can say zxcbnñkjhgfdsqwrtplsdjflghkzxczvbmpthgjlk. I pray for him often, because he really has gotten himself lost and far from the Lord, with very little hope for change due to a lack of conscious thought.

My new goal is to be a completely positive person, and to never put anyone down or draw them away from the Savior and His teachings. I have rediscovered the powerful influence of calming music and of a live, soothing voice on the effect of people´s hearts, and intend to use it more often to develop the Spirit´s tendency to abide with me, and my ability to bring it to others. May you find such a goal for yourself, always anxiously engaged in a good cause.

In Christ,
Elder Lindsey