Letter 4

Hi!  The time is going by quickly and here it is two weeks and I haven’t written.  We have been pretty busy and are learning more each day.  Loving the people and the experiences.  Although I wonder sometimes what is going on. Ron is my rock.  He is taking such good care of me and making the experience even better.

I am studying Spanish and catch words here and there but never realized how vulnerable and helpless you can feel when you really don’t understand what someone is saying.   Especially when you want to.  It has given me time to reflect and learn from these beautiful people and also put life into perspective.

I am so grateful for the faith I have and the understanding that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, also for the understanding that he loves each one of his children and only wants the best for them.  Today as I set in Relief Society I thought about the many things that the Argentina culture teaches.

They greet you with a hola and a hug and kiss on the cheek.  A smile to let you know that you are not a lone and that you are welcome.  They greet everyone that way and it’s fun to watch them go around the room. 

They are very dedicated and bring their friends and family with them.

We have the experience of working with the open chapel program which is very busy this time of the year.  It is like an open house where people can come in and see what goes on in the church.  Each ward and stake in the area plan an event  during the year where they can welcome their neighbors to come and see.  It can be very effective and touch many lives.  They have a banner of Christ in the chapel and banners in the cultural hall with missionaries explaining the basics.  The tour takes about 10-15 min.  The organizations set up rooms to show what the benefits for families are.  It’s fun to be a part of this and see how they can touch the one.

Also today was our primary program.  It brought a sense of love and calm to me knowing that no matter where you are that the little children in the gospel are learning the same songs and principles. It is so fun to watch them on the stand, smiling at parents , grandparents, friends and members singing their hearts out, and melting ours.  The music is universal.  It is fun to sing the songs in Spanish.  I can put many of the words to the music and love the Christmas songs.

Last Saturday night we had a big event in the park for the Light of Christ.  Was so fun with balloons for kids to write and attach notes on and let them go, beautiful choir and digital choir.  So fun to be there with the other missionary couples.  They are each so great and such an example of love and devotion.  Love there examples and humor. 

The temperature is getting hotter.  89 yesterday, lots of humidity.  They say it will be hot through the middle of February, sometimes into march. 

On Saturday we went to Recoleta to the artisan fair and to the cemetery.   Fun to see their wares and the cemetery is hugh and amazing.  We will go back when it’s not so hot.

Well I will close for tonight.  Our love and prayers are with you all.  We hope that this holiday season finds you remembering, serving and loving others.  What a wonderful time of year to celebrate Christ and all that he has done for us.  It’s true!

Abrazos,