ARGENTINA!

Que Tal Amigos! I made it  to Salta Argentina and it has been so crazy adjusting from the MTC to the mission field. 

Since I last wrote, we went to the Mexico temple one last time and it was one of the most spiritual experiences I have ever had. I have such a strong testimony that it is truly the house of the Lord, and that when we go we can be closer to God than almost anywhere.

if we are seeking it, we can receive inspiration and guidance in all things. the prophet has said that the heavens are open to those who seek it and I know that this is true.

We said goodbye to our teachers Hermano Ochoa y Hermana Lopez and that was bitter sweet and they have had such an impact on my life.

(Hermano Ochoa)

on our last Sunday our district sang till we meet again and the spirit was so strong and it was definitely tough saying bye to all of them too. It was also Testimony meeting and so it was amazing too hear everyone's testimonies and how far their Spanish had progressed. Also a thought I had in our Branch meeting was how important Childlike love is and that we need to love as easily as children can. And our last devotional with the Bennets was about the savior and it was seriously so powerful and I received a witness for myself that Jesus Christ Lives. 

The next morning we flew to Buenos Aires and it was amazing because we all thought we were going to have to sleep in the airport but they took us to a hotel and gave us dinner at like 11 pm haha and then we got to call our families and that was so awesome! it was such a blessing that my whole family was home and I got to talk to everyone and it was amazing because it felt like nothing had changed and that I was there around the dinner table with them and then we were about to play a board game or something haha. But also it was a testament to me why we cant call everyday and of how important it is for us to lose ourself in this work because we need to be true disciples of Christ and leave our nets or whatever the quote is. I love and miss my family so much but after we called, Elder Perkins and I both felt like we needed to study or something and remember why we left in the first place, to bring others unto Jesus Christ.

When we landed in Salta we were met by our mission president and his wife and some other elders.. Then we spent a couple days at the mission office and ate dinner and got visa paper work and whatnot and they introduced us to the mission and then we slept at a hostel that I think is owned by a member and met our trainers and then we were assigned our companions the next day. My companion is Elder Baum and he's gringo and from Texas and he's awesome. his Spanish is muy bien so I'm excited because any question I have I can ask him in English. The mission president has the cutest kid and when they announced our assignments they came out to rocky music with their hoods on and everything haha.

Mission President & Mom & Me & my companion Elder Baum

My District

It was sad saying bye to Elder Perkins. he was such a great companion and we really bonded.

My area is in the city of Tucumán in an area called Villa Alem (Veesha A Lem) They pronounce their y´s and double L´s a few ways haha. The Spanish is very different than in Mexico but I think I like it better haha. Also there's phrases that are only unique to Argentina haha so when I go home its going to be a different kind of Spanish.    

  

The first thing we really did was weekly planning so I got to learn about the people we were teaching in our area and members of the ward. We ate lunch with the Seiman Familia and one thing is pretty constant here. The living conditions are so humbling and the food is amazing. After, the Hermana wanted help with her mutual account haha which is like tinder for Mormons. And then her brother came in and asked if we were in the military and we said no and then he started firing a tazer haha. And then we taught 5 Lessons and its been so cool because for the most part I can understand almost everything people are saying. Except when they don't really have teeth and they are just mumbling. Also all the trashes are at Eye level because there are so many stray dogs. SO  MANY! And I think of my sister every time I see one and how shed probably feed them and take all of them in. Also instead of knocking we usually just clap our hands because everyone has gates or doesn't have a door. Also We eat lunch with the members because no one eats dinner here and everyone after lunch usually takes naps. The streets are so dirty and filled with sewage a lot or trash. Also many areas people ask us why were their because its so dangerous and tell us to leave

                                                         View from Mi Casa

                                                                            Mi Casa

We also took out a wall for a family that just moved here from the states and they reminded me of my family, with how many times weve moved and that was great to do service for them. And then later that day we witnessed a baptism from the other Elders near us and on of them is from Oregon and knows my friends!

Seriously so many spiritual experiences with striving to follow the spirit and teaching by the spirit and I know that this is the Lords work and that he will guide us if we are willing to follow. 

Love you all!