Baby blessings

Two missionaries trying to follow the example of Jesus

The kitchen in the Pergamino pench

The clothes in the blue bucket on the floor are going to be hand washed

Hey family! Firstly, congratulations to Maya and Marisa and David for the baby blessing and for making the decision to have it done! I loved seeing the photos and hearing about how everything went. I'm glad the blessing went well, and that all the relatives could get together. I remember reading in the New Testament and in the Book of Mormon, when Christ said "Let the children come unto me" (I forgot exactly how it goes in English) and He blessed the little children with the power of God which he had, being the Son of God. Later, he gave that same power to his apostles, to bless the lives of others. I'm just so happy to hear about the baby blessing, because I know that the same power of God, the Priesthood, which Christ and his apostles had, has been restored on the earth for us today, and that worthy followers of Christ can receive this power to be able to bless the lives of God's children here on earth. This is that same power that's used to move mountains and heal people! I know Maya was blessed with this power of God and this is the absolute best thing that has occurred in her life so far!! I know I wasn't there, but I feel like a part of it!! I often think of all the blessings I've received as a member of the church, and that's why I'm so happy Maya is receiving these blessings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's really ironic to me is that this Sunday in church here in Argentina, we also had baby blessings! Two babies were blessed. I got to stand in the circle to bless the baby, and I felt the love of our Heavenly Father so strong. That was a special meeting, we had about 80 people there, because lots of family and friends came to see the blessings. Many people came to our church that weren't members that day.

I also had the rare opportunity to be able to conduct that sacrament meeting until the bishop came, which was shortly after the hymns, prayers and announcements, so it was a pretty cool opportunity. Bishop called me right at 9 o'clock in the morning, right when it starts, and told me that both him and his counselor were running late, and that I should start it and conduct it. I was a little nervous, but I was okay once I started. I welcomed everyone, and after the blessings, I asked the mothers of the babies that were blessed to stand up and be recognized, because that's how our ward at home always does it. Both the mothers were crying after the blessing and during the whole testimony meeting, it was a great meeting, it was really cool. So it made me feel like I was a part of Maya's baby blessing a little bit.

Well, regarding me, I'm doing good still. Tomorrow I'm going to Rosario to meet with all the district and zone leaders where we're going to have a special meeting with a Seventy, I think his name is Elder Adukatis. The next day we're also going to have zone conference with him! This week we will also have some special leadership training with President Villalba which I'm really excited for. So for that time while I am gone, my hijo (Elder Larson) will stay with some other elders that aren't going to Rosario, so he'll have his first sleepover.

My hump day was pretty good, we ate lots of empanadas and just hung out! I didn't burn anything though, but it was really fun. (Some missionaries burn a tie or a shirt to celebrate their hump day, or one-year mark, so we had asked Eric if he did.) I received all your letters and THANK YOU!!! They were awesome, I loved them all. Thanks for the tie! Thanks for all the cards, letters, they were great. Thanks also for the dvd's, although I should tell you before you send more....that I already have all the dvd's from the church, because you can get them from the mission. But thanks just the same, I gave them to my hijo who so far had none, so he's grateful too! I really loved getting all the letters and gifts and just hearing from everyone, and seeing all the notes on the tie and in the letters from the whole family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As you can see from the picture, I bought a really sweet 2 dollar orange watch to go with that orange tie!

Yes, we had the Census here, but it wasn't anything special. You just have to stay in your house that day until they come by and ask you questions and then you can leave. They asked us questions like, "Can you read?" and "Do you have a bed?" etc.

Things are going great here, but the requirements to get the Standards just changed this past week, so now you can't get the Standards unless you have a baptism and a confirmation, along with all the other dats. So that's pretty crazy! But the area's going really good and we're really enjoying it! My hijo's doing good and so is my district.

You asked so I'll explain a little bit about what it means to be a district leader. I call the companionships in my district every night to make sure they're safe, and to see if they need help or anything. Every Tuesday I teach a lesson to my district for one hour, teaching how to do a certain theme. Last week was how to teach the restoration, and the week previously was how to set goals. P.S. Thanks Dad, I used one of your articles about how to plan and set goals effectively to help teach that class. I really enjoy being district leader, I think it's fun. Also, I will do the baptism interviews for the people in my district.

Everyone keeps asking me about my ears. They are alright, but they still clog sometimes, I guess I'll just have to accept it. Maybe I'll try using that spray some more, but it just seemed like it didn't do anything when I was using it, but I could have been more faithful. I'll try using it some more, Mom.

Well, it's been a really good week, we've had a lot of fun and are helping a lot of people. I love the work, and miss you all. I love hearing from you weekly, and I especially loved hearing about the baby blessing. Thanks for all your support and all that you guys do for me!

Love,
Eric

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