Hey, como andan? Haha I can tell that you all are a little bit excited about the fact that I'll be back in 8 days.. I am too! Thanks for all the messages from Madi, Chloe, Liv, Rustin, and for the Olivia G. quotes. Grandma & Grandpa Crawfords' puppy looks super cute, and so do the decorations in Chloe's room. I have something Argentine for her that would look super cute in one of the hexagons if she wants. I have a flag for you guys and one for me too, so don't worry about ordering one! I already have most of the souvenirs, I can't want to show you/give you them (: That's awesome that Michael's back and happy. He probably has a weird acento Guatemalteco though (: I'm excited to see everyone too tough and catch up with all the people I haven't seen in 18 months!
But anyways, back to missionary life- my second to last week here was pretty good, not too crazy or anything (no one was told they had to get baptized over again haha). We went to Mendoza again and had my last leadership meeting, which was awesome. The area doctor that's in Buenos Aires but is from the U.S. came and talked to us because like half our mission is really sick and there's a bunch of people getting sent home for medical issues. Then we just had a brainstorming session basically about how to work better with members and how to face the challenges that this mission is having. It was good, and it was fun/sad to see a lot of my favorite hermanas and say bye to them.
That was about the only exciting thing that happened. We had a lesson with the Catholic family and they're doing well (they didn't come to the baptism) but we're a little worried that they don't have a true desire to know if these things are true and to change if they find out that they are. They love us though and are really friendly and everything, but we're worried they'll turn into another Ibañez family. BTW the Ibañez are a little angry because we haven't visited them in a month or so because they aren't really progressing at all and aren't really willing to right now, but they asked us if we're mad at them and why we've stopped coming and blessing their house/family and sharing a message with them.. We're not sure how to tell them that our purpose isn't to make friends, but it's to find people who are looking for the truth and are willing to act. I think I'm going to write them a letter to explain it better and give it to them this Sunday when we have lunch with them. The other hnas that were here told me that when they tried to drop them they got mad and were going to call Pres. Avila and talk to him about it? Haha I don't know, we'll see how it goes. Renzo's doing well though, don't worry! We have lessons with just him to make sure he's progressing and is happy, and he is.
Damian has been in Mendoza this week and will be there until either tomorrow or Wednesday so I don't have any updates on him.
The weather has actually been super nice here this winter- I wouldn't even call it a winter because it's barely been cold at all. On Saturday there was a viento Zonda which is like a strong, hot wind that causes headaches, tiredness, and really isn't fun for people who have to walk around outside all day. But the warmth was nice and we didn't get too much dirt in our eyes. We've been making little notes for the members (active, inactive, and recent converts) lately to try to cheer them up and gain their trust, and it's been fun. We deliver them during hours that are less productive work-wise and we think it's something small that's going to help out a lot. No investigators came to church, but a less active (two active members' mom) who we've been working with for a while finally came to church! Woohoo.
Alright, well that's all the news I've got from this week.. Due to the fact that you're all probably wondering how I'm feeling about the mission ending and going home, etc., I decided to do something different to tell you about it. I've found some scriptures the past few months that relate to the subject, and so to find out what I think/feel you have to look them up and read them! Haha I figured it's a good way to get you to read your scriptures too.. So here they are:
1. How I feel about my mission- Acts 18:11, Alma 36:27, Jacob 6:72, Alma 29:9-10, Enos 1:26
2. How I feel about going home- 1 Ne 1:7 (replace Jerusalem with Gilbert), Luke 15:6, Proverbs 28:25 (the part after the colon), Alma 17:2 (after the semicolon), John 20:10
3. How I feel about the future- Mark 10:29-30, Mosiah 2:41, " 5:15, D&C 131:1-3
I hope take the time to look them up, and that you enjoy the funny ones. You can use it as your FHE lesson (:
I probably won't write another email next monday because I think it'll be more fun to make you wait to hear from me until I see you in person in 8 days! I'll be traveling to Mendoza Sunday afternoon, on Monday we're having our last interviews, shopping, and having a dinner with Pres. Tuesday we go to Buenos Aires and get to go to the temple, and then get on our flight to the US! Yay. I'll see you then!! Portense bien! I love you!! Don't get too excited!
<3,
Hna Crawford
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| last District Meeting |
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| Alicia (a recent convert) made us amazing flan with dulce de leche |
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| like I said.. everywhere. |
