Hey family!!! I hope everybody's doing great!! We had an awesome week. Well, the first thing to mention is that we're going to have a baptism this Friday! Woo hoo! It's the girl Abril, although everyone calls her Chachi, that's going to be baptized. (It seems like almost everyone in this country has a nickname known by everybody, not just family or friends.) We're super excited and today I called up President Cansinos and he said he'd love to accompany us to our appointment tonight with her at 7, so it'll be cool for her to get to know the branch president well. The whole family is excited, because lots of them are members, except for her adopted mom who wants to be baptized too, but can't because they aren't married. Just the same, though, she's very supportive of Chachi's baptism and is very excited. We're trying to cram in all the lessons now to have her ready, but we're not too worried for a girl her age that has a good family and friend support in the church. She's almost or possibly by now has finished reading 2 Nephi (yesterday she had finished chapter 31) in the Book of Mormon, so it's really cool to see how much she loves to read. She's a really smart girl and has a bright future ahead of her. I'll be sure and take lots of photos for you guys.
This week we also had 2 super successful and fun activities. Don't worry, I took plenty of photos at both activities; however I lent my camera to a member to take some photos so she could put them on her computer and then pass the camera back to me, but she still hasn't given it back and I can't get a hold of her, so sorry but I don't have the camera this week to send photos. Next week there will be tons, though!
Well, the first activity was a stake dance here in Ramallo! It was Friday night and it turned out really good. They did a fabulous job decorating (we helped a little but the members did the majority) and the church looked like a little "boliche mormon" which is like a Mormon dance club, and it looked really good! Tons of less active people went, and also some non members. Actually, more less actives went than actives, so it was cool to see so many new faces at the dance. The dance was in the sacrament meeting room and they had a little bar set up with "shots" of juice and things like that. All the juice was homeade by us. We made orange juice by squeezing out the juice of at least 9999999 oranges, or it seemed like that, and they also made a cool banana and orange mix after we left. Of course we didn't dance and we couldn't stay because we had to get back to the pench in time. They had empanadas and lots of cool things there, and it was very successful. The music was pretty good, too! So it was a great activity.
Then the next day, we had our soccer tournament that we had set up in Ramallo. It turned out great and about 30 people showed up. It was a good mix of about 15 kids and 15 adults so we had some great games! The Rios family showed up too, and I was super happy to see them and they were super happy to see me too. I gave Juan the dollar (for luck) and a letter I wrote them. The soccer tournament was great. Again, more less actives showed up than actives! The main teams were me, my companion, Juan and his two friends. One of them came with his girlfriend and played in alpargatas (like slippers!) and just destroyed everybody, and the other friend also just rolled up casually in pants, but he was the best goalie I've ever seen. It was a great team, but the other team was also very good. We definitely had the two best players, but the other team had 5 strong players, so they beat us 2-1, and then after that we just went around playing mixed up teams for fun. My comp and I were definitely the weak links on the team, but we still had lots of fun with it.
After that we played ping pong, while the kids just played and did whatever stuff. It was all really cool, and everyone enjoyed it.
That's great that you'll be able to come and pick me up!! It sounds super exciting and don't worry, everything you guys are planning sounds fine with me. I'm a deprived missionary remember, we're easily entertainable!!! I'm excited to be able to visit people in my old areas and to see Iguazu Falls. We have an investigator named France who's there right now! He's taking photos for us cause I told him I might go there after the mission. He accepted a baptism date for the 24th, so we'll work with him and see how it goes. He's going to send me his photos and tell me the good places to go and all that!
So the travel details sound great! It'll be good to have time to think and plan out where to go. The great thing is most of my areas are really pretty close. It feels like some areas are really far away because we have to take slow buses which make like 500 stops, but in a car I think everything's pretty close. The top areas I want to visit so far are this area (Ramallo), Rosario, Santa Fe, and Venado Tuerto (in that order of importance), although I want to go to more areas too, if there's time.
I wanted to ask you about the sending things home that you mentioned. I am planning on giving away lots of my stuff, so I should have lots of extra space in my suitcases. So I don't think I'll need to mail anything home. Let me know what you think about that.
I wanted to tell you about the root beer mix you had sent me. I've already used it up, I made a ton (all) of it a few days ago, to gift it to all the members and people, so Argentines will know the taste of root beer! So thanks for that, it was great!
Well, I really am enjoying it here and I just love all the people of this area. I better get off, but I love you all very much, and hope the best for you!
Love,
Eric
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Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
The last zone conference
Zone Conference August 26, 2011
Shrines for Gaucho Gil are common (He is the Argentine Robin Hood)
Hey family!!! How is everyone!!
Firstly, I'll let you know, I got my package!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very excited to get it, and I love all the contents. I'm already using the shoes which I think help with my toe problem (?) because the soles are much tougher and thicker. I'm saving the taco packets to make with some cool investigators and all the candies I've already eaten with some investigators and my comp. Thanks also for the money, which saved me from poorness! I used the 20 dollars to buy a member girl who turned 6 a really cool princess beauty kit, and then with the change we've been able to travel to get around in our area! We're out of money but should get more money Wednesday. So thanks a ton for the package and the money, it's all great stuff. I also got many dearelders, including an update from Nana and Papa, letters from you, and Jared's letters. They were great and I enjoyed them all.
By the way, I don't know about other countries but here in Argentina they don't say que andas, they say como andas. There's also a very slangy phrase meaning like, what's up, that's not used that often but that's que ondas. That way you'll be able to sound very Argentine when you come!
We had a good zone conference, although unfortunately the dying missionaries (missionaries who are ending their mission) don't get to give their final testimony like they used to, but that's okay. This rule was changed by Elder Aidukaitis, and it's sad, but I'm sure he has his reasons.
The people are doing good here. Unfortunately, that girl we were talking about, her parents aren't married! That's super sad but okay because we're going to get them married! We had a family home evening with them Saturday that was really good, and then I found out Sunday evening that they aren't married and that's why he doesn't want to come to church. That is such a huge problem here, most people just don't get married and so it makes the work harder because it is so hard to get married here. It is expensive and there is a long waiting list, because it has to be done by the government. We're going to teach them tomorrow, though, and we'll help them out.
The Rios mom is still doing good. She makes homeade bread now and sells it door to door, which is cool. Unfortunately, my companion had a disagreement with the Rios family, so we aren't passing by as much, which makes me really sad. They've called me a couple of times and we talk by phone, and they say they're doing good.
Yesterday there was a huge kid's day celebration! Apparently they haven't gotten enough celebrating these past few weeks, so yesterday they had huge parties in the parks and it was cool, although we didn't participate.
Tell Marisa and Maya happy birthday and send my love to everyone! It sounds like they had a great birthday. Anyway, I better get off, I'm out of time, but I love you all very much and am doing great here!!!
Love,
Eric
______________________________________________
Firstly, I'll let you know, I got my package!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was very excited to get it, and I love all the contents. I'm already using the shoes which I think help with my toe problem (?) because the soles are much tougher and thicker. I'm saving the taco packets to make with some cool investigators and all the candies I've already eaten with some investigators and my comp. Thanks also for the money, which saved me from poorness! I used the 20 dollars to buy a member girl who turned 6 a really cool princess beauty kit, and then with the change we've been able to travel to get around in our area! We're out of money but should get more money Wednesday. So thanks a ton for the package and the money, it's all great stuff. I also got many dearelders, including an update from Nana and Papa, letters from you, and Jared's letters. They were great and I enjoyed them all.
By the way, I don't know about other countries but here in Argentina they don't say que andas, they say como andas. There's also a very slangy phrase meaning like, what's up, that's not used that often but that's que ondas. That way you'll be able to sound very Argentine when you come!
We had a good zone conference, although unfortunately the dying missionaries (missionaries who are ending their mission) don't get to give their final testimony like they used to, but that's okay. This rule was changed by Elder Aidukaitis, and it's sad, but I'm sure he has his reasons.
The people are doing good here. Unfortunately, that girl we were talking about, her parents aren't married! That's super sad but okay because we're going to get them married! We had a family home evening with them Saturday that was really good, and then I found out Sunday evening that they aren't married and that's why he doesn't want to come to church. That is such a huge problem here, most people just don't get married and so it makes the work harder because it is so hard to get married here. It is expensive and there is a long waiting list, because it has to be done by the government. We're going to teach them tomorrow, though, and we'll help them out.
The Rios mom is still doing good. She makes homeade bread now and sells it door to door, which is cool. Unfortunately, my companion had a disagreement with the Rios family, so we aren't passing by as much, which makes me really sad. They've called me a couple of times and we talk by phone, and they say they're doing good.
Yesterday there was a huge kid's day celebration! Apparently they haven't gotten enough celebrating these past few weeks, so yesterday they had huge parties in the parks and it was cool, although we didn't participate.
Tell Marisa and Maya happy birthday and send my love to everyone! It sounds like they had a great birthday. Anyway, I better get off, I'm out of time, but I love you all very much and am doing great here!!!
Love,
Eric
______________________________________________
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Holidays
Hey family, how is everyone!! I hope everyone is doing great and enjoying their changing lives! I'm glad to see the pictures of a great birthday for Holly, and also to see the pictures of the new house.
Thanks also for sending me the flight plans, although since you guys are coming down here I guess it really doesn't matter. Thanks for offering to come and pick me up, I think it's a great idea. As far as where to come I believe you can come directly to the mission home, from what I've heard. Most likely you'd fly into Buenos Aires and take a bus to Rosario and from there take a taxi to get to the mission.
I couldn't write yesterday because it was a holiday here and everything was closed. It was the memorial of Jose de San Martin, but it is celebrated pretty much the same as Kids Day, which was last week. Kids Day Celebration was Saturday and Sunday, the biggest celebration being Sunday. All holidays in this country are always moved to the weekends or Monday. For Kids Day, they give small gifts, and lots of chocolate. The government even gets involved and hires those big blow-up things for kids to play in, and buys LOTS OF CHOCOLATE AND CAKE to give out to all kids. On Saturday, the government had their little stands everywhere giving out free cake and chocolate, and then Sunday the park was filled (as it always is) with the big blow-up things and foosball and whatnot, but this day was from private companies.
In the church, they also gave out little gift bags, although we didn't get any. David's a really funny guy, and enjoyed making fun of all the adults that did get the gift bags (which as he pointed out conveniently fell into the hands of the leaders.) It was a good day. No fireworks that day, also no asados except the asados that people do just because. We saw the Rios kids on Saturday, which was cool, as they went hunting in the plaza with their slingshots.
I should get my package this Friday for the zone conference in Pergamino. By the way, Elder Larson (my first son) is secretary now! It's cool because that's a good job and not just a job where they put the lazy missionaries.
We found a cool girl who's the daughter of a less active. She's super cute and fun and wants to be baptized, so we're working with her parents right now, trying to get them to come back. We thought the dad might come to church this week, but he didn't. Surprisingly of all the less active people we taught this past week, the people we least expected came, and the people we most expected didn't. For example, one guy, Jose came to church who I thought would be in jail (when we met him, he told us he was leaving the house to do a murder.) We of course taught him and helped him, gave him a blessing, and invited him to church and he came!!! I almost fell out of my chair when he walked in. Anyway, so it's cool to see random people start going to church again. It's super hard to get people to church right now, because it's been VERY COLD and even many active people struggle getting out of bed. That's because most people here have a house with no insulation or heater, and it is FREEZING COLD inside their houses.
I keep trying to download pictures but this computer won't do it. I'll keep trying.
Everyone's doing good here. We're just enjoying Ramallo and everything. Anyway, I better go, but I love you all!!!
Eric
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Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Staying!
Hey family!! How is everyone!! I hope everybody's doing great!
Well, I guess I'll let you know what you've all been waiting to hear!! Transfers!! We're both staying!! So....I think I'm going to die here. (Die is a missionary slang term which means ending your mission.) Wow!! It's crazy because all the members when I first got here told me I was going to die here, and it's looking like it might come true. I think it would be weird to put me in a new area for just one transfer after this, especially since this mission president just wants to keep everything the same it seems, so it's very likely that I'm dying here! Wow! Anyway, all transfers are revelation, so I'm excited for this.
Our investigators are doing good but nobody's really going to church, is the only problem!! We've found lots of cool people though, so I think we should have good success this transfer. At least our assistence (attendance) has gone up as we've helped less actives come back, but we would like to see some investigators show up!!!
Regarding the new house, that's great news how it is coming along. I understand a little about Argentine house construction, but American homes still confuse me as they're much much more complicated. If I was home, I'd definitely offer myself as a volunteer to help build your new home, but I'll stick to Argentine homes for now.
I still haven't gotten my package with the shoes unfortunately, but there's an elder coming here to San Nicolas from Rosario, so I'm going to call him and see if he can pick up my package and bring it for tomorrow. We got a package from Elder Page's grandmother recently, so we'll have to try and send that out to him sometime!
That's exciting that you got the flight plans for me coming home, do you mind sending me that email just to see what it looks like? I've thought a lot about the whole trip thing, and to be honest, I am okay with whatever works out best! I think I would most like to come home, be set apart, see the family, and then from there make a trip back down to Argentina all together to visit, and maybe even see Brazil, too, I don't know. However, if that is not possible, I'd love you guys to come down directly to pick me up, and it would be great for you guys to see this place and I know you both really want to.
Marisa and David, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy hearing about and seeing all the pictures of Maya. I carry with me a photo album and one of the pictures in there is a picture of you with Maya. Everybody here is excited when they see the picture of Maya and are amazed at her beauty. They all tell me that she looks like "one of those babies on the TV commercials." So you have a beautiful, famous baby.
Happy Birthday, Holly! I hope you have a great party and enjoy the time with the family. And I'm really glad that you had your anniversary last week. That's so great that you're married and sealed in the temple. In the MTC I often sat in on temple sealings and I really enjoyed them. It's such a great blessing to be sealed in the temple and it gives you such a capacity for potential!!!!! I´m excited you're going to study in St George, I hope you enjoy that also.
I want you all to know that I love you and pray for you!!!!
Eric
____________________________________________
Well, I guess I'll let you know what you've all been waiting to hear!! Transfers!! We're both staying!! So....I think I'm going to die here. (Die is a missionary slang term which means ending your mission.) Wow!! It's crazy because all the members when I first got here told me I was going to die here, and it's looking like it might come true. I think it would be weird to put me in a new area for just one transfer after this, especially since this mission president just wants to keep everything the same it seems, so it's very likely that I'm dying here! Wow! Anyway, all transfers are revelation, so I'm excited for this.
Our investigators are doing good but nobody's really going to church, is the only problem!! We've found lots of cool people though, so I think we should have good success this transfer. At least our assistence (attendance) has gone up as we've helped less actives come back, but we would like to see some investigators show up!!!
Regarding the new house, that's great news how it is coming along. I understand a little about Argentine house construction, but American homes still confuse me as they're much much more complicated. If I was home, I'd definitely offer myself as a volunteer to help build your new home, but I'll stick to Argentine homes for now.
I still haven't gotten my package with the shoes unfortunately, but there's an elder coming here to San Nicolas from Rosario, so I'm going to call him and see if he can pick up my package and bring it for tomorrow. We got a package from Elder Page's grandmother recently, so we'll have to try and send that out to him sometime!
That's exciting that you got the flight plans for me coming home, do you mind sending me that email just to see what it looks like? I've thought a lot about the whole trip thing, and to be honest, I am okay with whatever works out best! I think I would most like to come home, be set apart, see the family, and then from there make a trip back down to Argentina all together to visit, and maybe even see Brazil, too, I don't know. However, if that is not possible, I'd love you guys to come down directly to pick me up, and it would be great for you guys to see this place and I know you both really want to.
Marisa and David, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy hearing about and seeing all the pictures of Maya. I carry with me a photo album and one of the pictures in there is a picture of you with Maya. Everybody here is excited when they see the picture of Maya and are amazed at her beauty. They all tell me that she looks like "one of those babies on the TV commercials." So you have a beautiful, famous baby.
Happy Birthday, Holly! I hope you have a great party and enjoy the time with the family. And I'm really glad that you had your anniversary last week. That's so great that you're married and sealed in the temple. In the MTC I often sat in on temple sealings and I really enjoyed them. It's such a great blessing to be sealed in the temple and it gives you such a capacity for potential!!!!! I´m excited you're going to study in St George, I hope you enjoy that also.
I want you all to know that I love you and pray for you!!!!
Eric
____________________________________________
Monday, August 8, 2011
All is well
Eric did not send any pictures this week, so I am posting these pictures that Eric's previous companion, Elder Page, had taken.
Ship on the river in Ramallo
Harvesting soybeans
Argentine pizza, with ham, red peppers and green olives
Hello family!!! It's great to be able to write another day and to tell you about my past week. I enjoy hearing about everybody's plans. That's very exciting that Holly and Scott are going to St. George to study, and that David is doing great with his job. As for your new house, I can't believe how fast it seems to me that it will be built.
Today's been pretty good so far, even though, or maybe because of, our losing our pet bird today. Like I've mentioned before, Tony is 100% my comp's bird, so he feeds it, cleans up after it, etc. I believe he's been feeding it eggs and chicken legs (raw) and he says that Tony really likes the eggs. Well, it turns out today, or possibly late yesterday, he escaped from the new habitat Elder Faldmo built for him. It's too bad but we're happy because if he escaped, it means he can fly now and is probably ready to be on his own again, a free bird.
Shortly after that, the power company came and shut our power off. It's too bad that the one area where we don't have money to pay the electric bill is the one area where the company is on top of it and actually cut the power. I've come to live in penches where the electricity hasn't been paid in years! Of course, those were only in the big cities where things are out of hand, but here in Ramallo, everything's well taken care of. Being in the Buenos Aires province, it has money, unlike for example the Santa Fe province, so it's clean, organized, and on top of things (well, at least more on top of things.) Well, it's been a month since we paid the bill, and it turns out here, that a month's the limit!! We're trying to get a hold of some more money, because for some reason our electricity bill was 900 pesos! (about $217. in US dollars.) Neither of us have close to that. We don't know why it was so expensive this month, either. So we'll be like camping without electricity for a few days, which should be pretty fun. I don't really mind too bad, although my comp says he can't live another minute without it, so we should get it fixed soon, don't worry.
Anyway, after that for Pday my comp and I went over to the church and just kicked the football (soccer ball) around and loved playing in our cleats. They're great and make soccer a whole new sport almost! After playing some soccer, we came straight here, so it's been a fun day.
This week in church was good, too. We had about 70 people in church, 5 of which weren't members. Oh, how I love baby blessings!! Well, it was in big part due to our efforts, too, having reactivated a family of 7 that came this Sunday, and other families too, but there were a few other families that came just for the blessing. We talked to them so we hope we can keep being in contact with them and they can continue coming!
I got two slingshots this week. The Rios kid, Juan, made me the first one, and then President Cansion's son Ezekial saw it and so he decided to make me one too, so I ended up with two. They've since broken, but I fixed them so they're good again. They throw really far and could definitely do some damage if misused, but for now it's just fun to have. Pictures to come, as soon as we get power I'll charge my camera and send some pics, or maybe I'll just charge it at someone's house, so look for pics next week.
My official release date still seems to be a mystery. In my interview with President Guiliani, he looked at his agenda, and he asked me if I'd like to go home the week before or after, because of that conference. (Eric was originally scheduled to be released on November 8, which now has to be changed because of a special conference which the mission presidents must attend.) I told him after, because I wanted to hit two years as a missionary and nothing less. He then asked me when I started, to which I replied November 4th. After that he looked at his big agenda again and said that actually he would be in the mission home until the 5th, and so he could release me the 4th and leave early morning of the 5th. I told him that's fine, I would be okay with either the 5th or the 15th, so we'll see how things go.
I just hope I can get my package before then! Yes, I still haven't gotten the package you sent through the Kradolfers!!! The zone leaders went in to the mission home last week, but the office elders forgot to bring the package to them, probably because it's a not a normal package through the mail and in a weird type of packaging, so they maybe didn't recognize it. So I'm out of luck for now. Maybe for transfers I'll get it.
I had my doctor's appointment scheduled for a few days ago, but as is typical here, when I went there, the secretary informed me that the doctor wasn't going to make it in that day, so all the patients for that day will just have to come back another day next week.
I enjoyed hearing how you guys are trying to be missionaries and answer people's questions. I think it's so cool that you can always be a missionary and help people your whole life. Here in Argentina, most people's questions or concerns are 1. Tithing (probably due to the obscene amounts of churches here which sole purpose is to make money), 2. A specific true church (the general belief here is that all churches are true, and that a specific church is not necessary for salvation, which of course is directly opposed to their main religion, Catholicism, but they don't even know that) and 3. Word of Wisdom. And the list could go on, but those are the major concerns. It's okay for people to have questions, doubts and concerns, as many people once doubtful, later become strong members of the church and faithful followers of Christ. I wish that people with serious doubts could just accompany me around (or any pair of missionaries) to see the miracles and hear the testimonies, both from the missionaries and from the people's conversion when they realize this is the only true church for them, and if that is, then it's the only true church for all.
Anyway, I better get off. I love you all very much!
Eric
P.S. Happy Anniversary Holly and Scott
_____________________________________________
Ship on the river in Ramallo
Harvesting soybeans
Argentine pizza, with ham, red peppers and green olives Hello family!!! It's great to be able to write another day and to tell you about my past week. I enjoy hearing about everybody's plans. That's very exciting that Holly and Scott are going to St. George to study, and that David is doing great with his job. As for your new house, I can't believe how fast it seems to me that it will be built.
Today's been pretty good so far, even though, or maybe because of, our losing our pet bird today. Like I've mentioned before, Tony is 100% my comp's bird, so he feeds it, cleans up after it, etc. I believe he's been feeding it eggs and chicken legs (raw) and he says that Tony really likes the eggs. Well, it turns out today, or possibly late yesterday, he escaped from the new habitat Elder Faldmo built for him. It's too bad but we're happy because if he escaped, it means he can fly now and is probably ready to be on his own again, a free bird.
Shortly after that, the power company came and shut our power off. It's too bad that the one area where we don't have money to pay the electric bill is the one area where the company is on top of it and actually cut the power. I've come to live in penches where the electricity hasn't been paid in years! Of course, those were only in the big cities where things are out of hand, but here in Ramallo, everything's well taken care of. Being in the Buenos Aires province, it has money, unlike for example the Santa Fe province, so it's clean, organized, and on top of things (well, at least more on top of things.) Well, it's been a month since we paid the bill, and it turns out here, that a month's the limit!! We're trying to get a hold of some more money, because for some reason our electricity bill was 900 pesos! (about $217. in US dollars.) Neither of us have close to that. We don't know why it was so expensive this month, either. So we'll be like camping without electricity for a few days, which should be pretty fun. I don't really mind too bad, although my comp says he can't live another minute without it, so we should get it fixed soon, don't worry.
Anyway, after that for Pday my comp and I went over to the church and just kicked the football (soccer ball) around and loved playing in our cleats. They're great and make soccer a whole new sport almost! After playing some soccer, we came straight here, so it's been a fun day.
This week in church was good, too. We had about 70 people in church, 5 of which weren't members. Oh, how I love baby blessings!! Well, it was in big part due to our efforts, too, having reactivated a family of 7 that came this Sunday, and other families too, but there were a few other families that came just for the blessing. We talked to them so we hope we can keep being in contact with them and they can continue coming!
I got two slingshots this week. The Rios kid, Juan, made me the first one, and then President Cansion's son Ezekial saw it and so he decided to make me one too, so I ended up with two. They've since broken, but I fixed them so they're good again. They throw really far and could definitely do some damage if misused, but for now it's just fun to have. Pictures to come, as soon as we get power I'll charge my camera and send some pics, or maybe I'll just charge it at someone's house, so look for pics next week.
My official release date still seems to be a mystery. In my interview with President Guiliani, he looked at his agenda, and he asked me if I'd like to go home the week before or after, because of that conference. (Eric was originally scheduled to be released on November 8, which now has to be changed because of a special conference which the mission presidents must attend.) I told him after, because I wanted to hit two years as a missionary and nothing less. He then asked me when I started, to which I replied November 4th. After that he looked at his big agenda again and said that actually he would be in the mission home until the 5th, and so he could release me the 4th and leave early morning of the 5th. I told him that's fine, I would be okay with either the 5th or the 15th, so we'll see how things go.
I just hope I can get my package before then! Yes, I still haven't gotten the package you sent through the Kradolfers!!! The zone leaders went in to the mission home last week, but the office elders forgot to bring the package to them, probably because it's a not a normal package through the mail and in a weird type of packaging, so they maybe didn't recognize it. So I'm out of luck for now. Maybe for transfers I'll get it.
I had my doctor's appointment scheduled for a few days ago, but as is typical here, when I went there, the secretary informed me that the doctor wasn't going to make it in that day, so all the patients for that day will just have to come back another day next week.
I enjoyed hearing how you guys are trying to be missionaries and answer people's questions. I think it's so cool that you can always be a missionary and help people your whole life. Here in Argentina, most people's questions or concerns are 1. Tithing (probably due to the obscene amounts of churches here which sole purpose is to make money), 2. A specific true church (the general belief here is that all churches are true, and that a specific church is not necessary for salvation, which of course is directly opposed to their main religion, Catholicism, but they don't even know that) and 3. Word of Wisdom. And the list could go on, but those are the major concerns. It's okay for people to have questions, doubts and concerns, as many people once doubtful, later become strong members of the church and faithful followers of Christ. I wish that people with serious doubts could just accompany me around (or any pair of missionaries) to see the miracles and hear the testimonies, both from the missionaries and from the people's conversion when they realize this is the only true church for them, and if that is, then it's the only true church for all.
Anyway, I better get off. I love you all very much!
Eric
P.S. Happy Anniversary Holly and Scott
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Cold weather and a pet hawk
Elder Faldmo on the streets of Ramallo
A bug on a stick...
Eric did not tell us who this child is, but it might be Santiago, who along with his uncle is one of the new investigators
This dog is on the outside looking in. Eric says there are dogs everywhere.
This picture of Elder Boon and Elder Laws was taken in the mission home 
Tony Hawk, a new petHey everyone! I hope everyone is doing great and having a great week! It seems like you have all been very busy, and that's there's lots of changes since I left! Hopefully I can find and recognize you all when I get home!! By the way, happy birthday to Nana!
I received the one dollar bills you sent in the "Lengthen Your Stride" card, and some more letters and dearelders. Thanks for those, they were great. In regards to the package being delivered through the Kradolfers, I called the offices today and they let me know it's arrived at the mission home now! Luckily, the zone leaders will be going in to the mission home on Wednesday and will pick it up for me. I'm of course very excited to get it.
This past week the weather has been crazy. We've had awesome short sleeve summer weather until suddenly, when it radically changed on Saturday. Since then it has been freezing, the coldest it's been yet!
So this week's been pretty good, regarding the branch, it's doing pretty good. We managed to get two investigators to church this week, and two inactive families to come. So we're happy that they came. The two investigators that came are great, but one is waiting on marriage, and the other is a kid whose parents don't want to come, so neither one of them is likely to get baptized anytime soon. The investigators that we most hoped to see didn't come. But it has been so cold and Argentines don't like to get up in the mornings when it is cold. We just want to see more people in church.
So, I think it was last Friday, the Rios kids shot a hawk out of the air, but didn't kill it. They tied it up to keep it as a pet. My comp really wanted it and asked for it, and they gave it to him, so since then we've had a hawk in the pench, caged inside our old trash bin. Today my comp turned the outside room thing we have into a bird habitat by nailing up screens so it can't escape, so it's no longer inside which will be nice. He named it Tony, so it could be Tony Hawk. (a famous professional skateboarder) It's been pretty cool, not many people can say they have a hawk as a pet. It's still scared of us, of course, but it's been quiet and hasn't made a sound since we've had it.
On Sunday we went to Barrio Sur, Elder Law's area, to do divisions with him and Elder Boon, and then we spent the night last night having a sleepover in the church because it was too far to get back (to the pench) in time. We slept on some wrestling mat style pads and used blankets. In our small room, we had two little gas heaters so we stayed pretty warm. It was really fun and we had a little time to just hang out in the church and watch some Mormon messages and talked and then today we played some soccer. It was a good Pday.
To answer some questions, the Rios mom is doing good but she still has to give up some things and she just isn't ready, but we'll keep working with her. And don't worry, our area's very safe and there's no danger here.
I'll have to get off now, because I'm trying to send Elder Page some pictures he took for himself with my camera, since I got a really fast computer today that's uploading and sending them good.
Love you all very much,
Eric
______________________________________________
Monday, July 25, 2011
A great week!
President and Hermana Guiliani
The birthday party for Gustavo's little son. Gustavo is a church member in the ward in Ramallo.
Another cake at the party
The birthday party was held at the church, which is the building you see in the background
This is the cheese packet mix from a box of macaroni and cheese that I had sent in a package to Eric. (I sent only the packet, since they have noodles in Argentina.) I had written the cooking instructions on the other side of the packet, and the message in red letters is the warning from the customs office.
A dog in the bus terminal in San Nicolas.Hey family!!! I hope everyone is doing great!!! We're doing great here, I think I finally got over that stomach flu thing.
Well first, we had a great week! To start, we had interviews with the new mission president, President Guiliani, which is pronounced in Castellano like Jew-lee-oni. I really enjoyed the interview and really like the new mission president. He's a very loving guy and I really enjoyed our little chat.
It was also great because of course we ate at McDonald's, since we were there in Rosario.
The most exciting part of all was that I got a package!!! I finally got that package you have been asking about, the padded envelope! Thank you very much for it!! I took pictures of it, and of various other things, but my camera's not uploading for some reason, don't worry though, because I asked my comp to send the pictures he took. It was great to get a package, especially so unexpected, because it was sent so long ago I just figured it was another lost one I'd never see. After enjoying my package for a few minutes, I think I figured out why it took so long to get here!! As I was looking at each item carefully, I read the instructions you wrote on the macaroni and cheese mix packets, which p.s., we're going to make for lunch today. Anyway, as I was reading the instructions, I looked on the back of one of the packets and written in angry Spanish letters, it said, "Next time you send something like this, we're keeping it in customs!" So we can assume they don't like mac and cheese.
Thanks for the tie, as well. It's a great choice and I've gotten good remarks on it. I've already eaten all the candy.
Anyway, my health has gotten better, but I still have had clogged ears the whole time I've been here, which makes it harder to hear. I went to the doctor during the time when I was with Elder Boon doing divisions. The doctor's visit consisted of the doctor trying and failing to speak English, and looking in my ear with that little tool all doctors have. After looking in there, he explained there's nothing wrong in the ear itself, and so the problem lies in the canal between the ear and nose, but that a number of things could cause blockage in there. He decided that putting a tuning fork on the top of my head would determine what's causing the blockage. So after hitting the fork, he put it on my head and asked where I heard it. I felt it on the side of the worst clogged ear and told him that. So then he said, "I don't know what the heck you have." So he wants me to go back in for tests in a week or two. He did say that allergies were a possible cause, but we can't be certain until the tests, according to him. Anyway, at least I have an appointment for the tests and the good news is, it is free because as he says, we're "boys with big hearts and boys with *the Word*." He apparently respects us as missionaries enough to give us free visits, although he was less than excited to learn more about what we have to teach, because we tried and he wasn't interested.
One highlight of the week was our English class. We only had 3 people come this week, but it was cool because one is now an investigator and the other is an inactive. It was a guy named Fakundo who's pretty cool. We passed by his house Friday morning and for the first time taught him with a family member who is a 10-year-old kid, who was also at the class. The kid's name is Santiago, and like all little kids, fell in love with us missionaries. We had a great chat with them, getting to know them and doing magic tricks, and afterwards a friend of Fakundo came over who had a good Mormon friend before and was very happy to see us, although a little hesitant to hear what we wanted to teach him at first. But he asked us some questions about life on other planets, and started to get excited when we answered him by explaining about how our church believes there are other planets with life, etc. So he got really interested because he has always felt that there is even though most of his friends disagree with him. So he ended up happily listening to our lesson and promised to read and pray and everything, and then went off to work.
The next day there was the birthday party of a little boy that was held at the church. It was the son of Gustavo, who is a member. It was a huge party, of course, because Argentines go all out on birthdays and parties, with those blow up bouncy things and everything, so it was cool. It was a very expensive party. It's amazing to us that they spent so much, considering that there are days that the family doesn't eat because they're so poor!!! Us, as the awesome missionaries that we are, took advantage of the party by going there and we got to meet and know lots of their non member friends. We found and taught tons of people there, and found some cool people who might become investigators. We also played some ping pong. So all in all it was pretty good.
Thanks for sending me those recipes, I'm going to print it out and give it to the lady for her to use.
Well, I got to get off now, but I love you all very much!!
Eric
_____________________________________________
Well first, we had a great week! To start, we had interviews with the new mission president, President Guiliani, which is pronounced in Castellano like Jew-lee-oni. I really enjoyed the interview and really like the new mission president. He's a very loving guy and I really enjoyed our little chat.
It was also great because of course we ate at McDonald's, since we were there in Rosario.
The most exciting part of all was that I got a package!!! I finally got that package you have been asking about, the padded envelope! Thank you very much for it!! I took pictures of it, and of various other things, but my camera's not uploading for some reason, don't worry though, because I asked my comp to send the pictures he took. It was great to get a package, especially so unexpected, because it was sent so long ago I just figured it was another lost one I'd never see. After enjoying my package for a few minutes, I think I figured out why it took so long to get here!! As I was looking at each item carefully, I read the instructions you wrote on the macaroni and cheese mix packets, which p.s., we're going to make for lunch today. Anyway, as I was reading the instructions, I looked on the back of one of the packets and written in angry Spanish letters, it said, "Next time you send something like this, we're keeping it in customs!" So we can assume they don't like mac and cheese.
Thanks for the tie, as well. It's a great choice and I've gotten good remarks on it. I've already eaten all the candy.
Anyway, my health has gotten better, but I still have had clogged ears the whole time I've been here, which makes it harder to hear. I went to the doctor during the time when I was with Elder Boon doing divisions. The doctor's visit consisted of the doctor trying and failing to speak English, and looking in my ear with that little tool all doctors have. After looking in there, he explained there's nothing wrong in the ear itself, and so the problem lies in the canal between the ear and nose, but that a number of things could cause blockage in there. He decided that putting a tuning fork on the top of my head would determine what's causing the blockage. So after hitting the fork, he put it on my head and asked where I heard it. I felt it on the side of the worst clogged ear and told him that. So then he said, "I don't know what the heck you have." So he wants me to go back in for tests in a week or two. He did say that allergies were a possible cause, but we can't be certain until the tests, according to him. Anyway, at least I have an appointment for the tests and the good news is, it is free because as he says, we're "boys with big hearts and boys with *the Word*." He apparently respects us as missionaries enough to give us free visits, although he was less than excited to learn more about what we have to teach, because we tried and he wasn't interested.
One highlight of the week was our English class. We only had 3 people come this week, but it was cool because one is now an investigator and the other is an inactive. It was a guy named Fakundo who's pretty cool. We passed by his house Friday morning and for the first time taught him with a family member who is a 10-year-old kid, who was also at the class. The kid's name is Santiago, and like all little kids, fell in love with us missionaries. We had a great chat with them, getting to know them and doing magic tricks, and afterwards a friend of Fakundo came over who had a good Mormon friend before and was very happy to see us, although a little hesitant to hear what we wanted to teach him at first. But he asked us some questions about life on other planets, and started to get excited when we answered him by explaining about how our church believes there are other planets with life, etc. So he got really interested because he has always felt that there is even though most of his friends disagree with him. So he ended up happily listening to our lesson and promised to read and pray and everything, and then went off to work.
The next day there was the birthday party of a little boy that was held at the church. It was the son of Gustavo, who is a member. It was a huge party, of course, because Argentines go all out on birthdays and parties, with those blow up bouncy things and everything, so it was cool. It was a very expensive party. It's amazing to us that they spent so much, considering that there are days that the family doesn't eat because they're so poor!!! Us, as the awesome missionaries that we are, took advantage of the party by going there and we got to meet and know lots of their non member friends. We found and taught tons of people there, and found some cool people who might become investigators. We also played some ping pong. So all in all it was pretty good.
Thanks for sending me those recipes, I'm going to print it out and give it to the lady for her to use.
Well, I got to get off now, but I love you all very much!!
Eric
_____________________________________________
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