Visit from Elder Nelson

Monday, November 17, 2014

Hola!
So yes we got to hear from Elder Nelson on Thursday! Elder Zaballos of the Seventy was his companion and both their wives were there too. It was just our mission and the 85 missionaries from the Buenos Aires CCM (Mission Training Center). We had the privilege of meeting Elder Nelson and I was so nervous haha. I shook his hand and he called me by name and asked how it was going! But I was too nervous and I think I just mumbled something in response haha. It was such an honor and privilege to here him speak though. He gave a good talk and told us that the bishop, ward mission leader, and family history leader need to be our best friends. His wife gave a great talk about having the eyes of our understanding opened and learning new things in the scriptures and learning more of our assignments and commitments we made in the pre-mortal life. Definitely an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I'm pretty sure a future apostle is in my mission right now because at the end Elder Nelson said that when he looks at us he sees the future leaders and maybe one day one of us will sit in his seat. So I'm calling it. It was super neat though.  He ended up talking in English so he had an interpreter but Elder Zaballos and his wife spoke in Spanish but I was able to understand enough to get the general idea of what they were saying haha. Pretty cool though, one of the interpreters served a mission in France but his mission president assigned him to learn English and promised him if he did then one day he`d use it to communicate with leaders of the church. Prophecy fulfilled. 

Today we had our zone activity for p-day so we played soccer and watched the Puss and Boots movie.

This past week was kind of slow. To be honest I feel like we`ve gotten a little lazy and just haven't been working as hard as we can or as hard as we have been. Transfers are in two weeks and I love Elder Killian and Quilmes 3 but I`m kind of ready for a change so I kind of hope I get transferred but we`ll see what happens. I'd be okay with either I suppose. Also the contract for our pension isn't getting renewed so as of right now we will be homeless by the end of the month. We need to find a place to live haha which sucks because now we will have to spend time we could be working to take time looking for an apartment and moving everything.

Sergio and Nancy came to church yesterday though! Ruben didn't come and he worked last week so we couldn't meet with him but for now I'm not too worried about him. There are gospel principles that we still need to teach him, but Blaz is a boss and keeps coming to church. We found a new family from a reference that could have some potential and we`ll find out more this week when we visit them again. The ward mission leader has a goal of 4 baptisms before the end of the year so we`re going to work hard and try to make that happen. 

Interesting and to be honest disappointing to hear about the ward boundary changes. (Merrill & I are no longer in the Santa Clara Ward where we have been for the last 29 years.) I don't like it but good thing I'll  never really have to be in the Lawrence Station Ward haha. 

I did get the birthday letters and envelopes you sent. (Finally!  Remember, we can't send packages.) THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much. Thanks for the pictures! It's so nice to have pictures of the family haha and thank you for the general conference and priesthood session talks and for the cards and letters! I loved both cards haha. The cartoons and the plan of salvation card were really good. I finally have the names of the people who sent me letters from a couple months ago haha. A while back Patricia Wilker and the Nelsons sent me a card, and then a card from Dawn Clark came but it was three separate cards signed by a bunch of people so I think it was from the Relief Society.  This time Brother Cate sent me 2 postcards and Janis Vogel, the Tkach family and Patricia Wilker sent me cards so if you could thank all of them for me and tell them I greatly appreciate it!!!

I'm sorry if I missed anything. I love you and miss you guys a lot! Thanks again for the birthday cards and everything.  It really helped a lot. Love you!

Love 

Elder McFarland

Intercambios (exchanges) With A Latin That Doesn't Speak English

Monday, November 10, 2014

Hola Hola!

 

So we found out that it's Elder Nelson (of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)  that is coming to speak to us on Thursday!! It should be pretty awesome! Except he speaks Spanish so we`ll see how much I`ll be able to understand haha.

 

Flip, I forgot to write down who wrote me letters. I promise I`ll do it next week. I won't get mail again until this Thursday when Elder Nelson comes or not until the 20th when we have interviews with President Thurgood again. Also before I forget can you guys send me some pictures!! I seriously have no photos of the family with me haha.  (Friends and family, feel free to send him pictures.)

 

Elder Killian is the District Leader so we do exchanges like every week which is pretty cool because it makes the week go by faster and I get to know more missionaries. Elder Ramos is still in the District but he is training. His hijo (the brand new missionary that he is training) is Elder Pavon who is 26 and is from Paraguay and he`s a stud. I would seriously believe it if someone told me that he had been out for18 months. I wouldn't be surprised if he`s AP (Assistant to the President) one day. I did intercambios (exchanges) with him this week and it's the first time I've been with a Latin that doesn't speak English haha, so I was worried at first at how it would go but it ended up being really good. So apparently President Thurgood met with a Seventy and they`re making one last push for the plan piloto before it finishes in December, I think. So we are now only reporting confirmations and MACAs (which are less actives with an assignment).

 

We are going to try to teach Blaz the law of chastity and the importance of marriage.   We will see if he can make some changes in his life because he is awesome.  We also found out that this whole time Manuel and Claudia have been working on the papers for Manuel's citizenship because he`s from Paraguay and it' s easier if he has citizenship to get married.  They should have that within 10-15 days and then after that it`ll be a month or so for the marriage papers or something like that so still a month and a half, more or less, until they get baptized.  We`re going to  talk to Nelida this week and see if she's really interested in being taught.  Arminda is still doing awesome. Saturday we helped put in a cement floor for her new house and Sunday she was confirmed! Oh we have a new fecha! I don't know if you remember Ruben! He is the guy that showed up to church on my first Sunday? So, we finally met with him this week and he`s a stud and we set a baptismal date for December 6th but we might try to move it up to November 29th. Either way, we`re really excited for him.  He came to church yesterday and we have another appointment on Friday with him. Also, we stopped by a less active family.  Well they`re only inactive because they have to work on Sundays but they said their son and niece want to be baptized and they`re 9 and 11 so they`re technically  investigators.  We are going to teach them and hopefully they will get baptized this transfer! Every time we go over to the Esquivel family's home, they reschedule appoitnments and they haven't come to church so they may not be interested. 

 

These next two weeks are going to be busy though. Intercambios with the Zone Leaders and Elder Nelson speaking to us this week.  Then the week after, we have interviews with President Thurgood and our ward is going to the temple so I think we are going to bring some investigators! A lot to look forward to. This transfer is already halfway through and I have a feeling the next three weeks are going to go by fast.

 

I miss you and love you guys!

Love 

Elder McFarland

Additional short emails answering some of our questions.

So today we had our district activity and just went to this shopping center thing that's in a Walmart in Avellaneda and had Subway and played some pool. I think next week is our zone activity and we`re going to go bowling at the same place. I dont sleep bad but not great. Should I be worried if I don't remember the last time I slept through the night? lol.

I shined my shoes for the first time since I got here last night haha. They were bad.

A Baptism on Elder McFarland's Birthday!!!

Monday, November 3, 2014

Hola!

This week was pretty crazy! On Tuesday, a huge storm hit and it rained like CRAZY!!!! There was also a ton of thunder and lightning. It seemed like the end of the world or something.  It was nuts.  In 12 hours it rained more than it had the past month. On Wednesday, a bunch of the streets in our area were flooded and me and Elder Killian were walking down the streets with water up to our mid thighs!! I felt like a true missionary haha. Unfortunately it affected a lot of people, especially in the villas and their houses were flooded. Natalia's got flooded but none of of other investigators. The weather has been crazy. For the better part of the last 5 days its been raining non stop, but I love it.

This week we taught the Esquivel family which we found two weeks ago. We went with the Bishop and taught them the restoration and have another appointment this week. I think they`ll all get baptized one day but I think the only one that could get baptized while I'm still here is the youngest daughter who's 16.

It was a busy week again but it was worth it because yesterday we had Arminda's baptism, finally!!

Probably the best gift a missionary could receive on his mission, a baptism. And it was made even more special because I had the privilege of baptizing her!! It was really special and I could tell how much it meant to her. The entire time I just felt an overwhelming sense of peace. It wasn't like yay for me, I got a baptism or even that I got a baptism on my birthday because really this mission isn't about me at all. It's about serving my Father in Heaven and my brothers and sisters here in Argentina. You can't do that more than preforming the ordinance of baptism whereby a child of God makes a covenant with our Father in Heaven. To have the opportunity to be a part of such a special moment for Arminda and to serve others on my birthday was really cool.  It was also cool because Blaz, Nancy and Mierta all came to church and all stayed for the baptism!!!

Afterwards we had lunch and a cake with the Berrondo family which was fun but really it didn't feel like my birthday.

 

To be honest, it just felt like a normal day in the mission because yesterday wasn't about me or my birthday at all but it was Arminda`s day. Some people knew it was my birthday and wished me happy birthday. I won't get mail until we have interviews with the president on the 20th or on the 13th because apparently an apostle is coming out to talk to the mission!!! Unfortunately I plugged in my camera and it died so I won't be able to send pictures until next week.

One thing I was thinking of this week was in 1 Nephi 15:26-27 and Nephi says that Lehi`s mind was swallowed up in other things that he beheld not the filthiness of the water. In his dream Lehi was aware of the river. He knew it was there and knew of the dangers of it but he didn't give any more attention to it than was needed. Instead he focused on more important parts of the dream, The righteous and the good parts of it. Likewise, we need to be focused on spiritual things that will uplift us and bring us closer to Christ. We need to be aware of the adversary. We need to know that he is real and that temptation is there. But, we shouldn't give  more thought and attention to the adversary and the things of the world than is needed. Becoming preoccupied with how filthy the water is or with the things of the world and the adversary is not necessary nor worthwhile. Let our minds be like Lehi; be swallowed up in other things. Things of the Lord. Things worth our time that will uplift us and help us continue on the path back to our Heavenly Father.

I love you all. Thank you for your emails and the birthday wishes. Thank you for everything. I miss you guys a lot! Love you!

Love 

Elder McFarland

Happy Birthday (November 2)

Monday, October 27, 2014

Hola!

Thank you for the birthday wishes! GIANTSS!! (This is before the World Series win.)

I knew you wouldnt let down mom. You definitely should be working for the CIA. (I found his new companion's mom and sister on Facebook.)  That's really cool that you and his mom have a few things in common. (We both are converts and joined the Church fairly soon after graduating from high school and Elders McFarland and Killian are both the youngest boys in the family.) Elder Killian is a cool dude.

We had a lot of work this week. We found a new family Tuesday and taught them lesson 2 and tonight we are going to teach lesson 1 so we`ll see what happens! We`re excited. We also taught a lady that Elder Durham and I had talked to a few times on the street but never got a chance to actually teach her. She has a baptismal date for the 16th but she`s going to have to make some changes in her life first. Blaz came to church, only for one hour but at least he came. He was sick earlier in the week though so we weren't able to teach him. Nancy and Sergio didn't come but Mierta did! Also Arminda unfortunately wasn't able to get baptized this week. There were some concerns and then Bishop never got a chance to talk to her and get to know her so he wanted to postpone it. It was kind of a weird situation but Bishop talked to her yesterday and we feel like she's ready so I`m almost sure she should get baptized this weekend! It`d be kind of  cool if it was Sunday on my birthday! (Make sure to read the blog post for November 3rd.) 

Tuesday, Elder Killian said that was the most lessons he`s had in a day in months.  Then at the end of the week he said it's been his best week on his mission in terms of the work so that made me feel really good. I`m obviously new and have only had one other companion and I've been in the same area so I have nothing else to base my work off of but after hearing that I felt a lot better about the work Elder Durham and I did the last two transfers. We didn't meet our goals but we worked hard and left a lot of work for Elder Killian and I to continue.  Elder Killian is awesome and is loving the area and the members and the members love him so I think it's going to be a really good transfer with a lot of work.

Elders McFarland and Durham with

Hermano Rivero, the Elders Quorum President and

Jose Luis, the Ward Mission Leader

Thanks again for the birthday wishes! We`re going over to the Berrondos for lunch and then I'm not sure what we`ll do after that but I`ll let you know how it is! I miss you and love you guys!

Love
Elder McFarland

A New Companion - Elder Killian

Monday, October 20, 2014

Hey!

So yes today was transfers and as we expected Elder Durham left and he´s now in Burzaco, in the Adrogue zone, which is where we did tramites and it's super nice there. But unlike I thought, my new companion is another American! haha. His name is Elder Killian, and he's from Las Vegas.  He has been in the mission for 18 months! Sorry Mom, we don't have any pictures together yet, but I´ll make sure to send one next week! Although knowing you, you´ll know everything about him by then haha. (Yes I accept the challenge.)  To be honest, I'm a little bummed because it was going to be hard having a Latin companion, but it would have helped my Spanish a lot. So, my Spanish won't progress as fast as it would have, but at the same time I suppose it´ll be nice having another American companion and so far he seems really cool. It really suprised me though.  I don't know how often, if ever really, a North American goes his first three transfers in the field without a Latin companion. Most of the missionaries, or at least the ones getting transferred, met at the Stake Center in Banfield for the transfer meeting.  It was pretty good, but to be honest, it made me a little trunkie (homesick) haha. It's definitely going to be weird the first couple of days with a new companion after being with Elder Durham for almost 3 months. Thank Elder Durham's Mom for me, for raising such a great son because he was an awesome trainer and friend to me and she should be proud of him and the missionary he is! (Elder Durham's Mom & I are Facebook friends). We probably could have done more but, I feel like we did a lot and worked hard the past two transfers. Now me and Elder Killian should have a lot of work to continue.

Jorge and Gladys read the Book of Mormon but still don't come to church. Nothing has changed with Manuel and Claudia, but Sunday was El Dia de Madre (Mother's Day) here so we had lunch with them which was actually a lot of fun. Feliz Dia de Madre Mom! Arminda was set to get baptized but we talked to the Bishop and because it was El Dia de Madre he thought it´d be better to do it this next Sunday so more people can come. So it sucks for Elder Durham but he might come back for it.

So, this Saturday, Arminda will be getting baptized.

Nancy, Sergio and Mierta came to church yesterday!!!

Also in the picture is Gimena, who is a member of the Ward.

We dropped the hammer pretty hard on Saturday but with love and I don't know if it was that or because it was Elder Durham's last Sunday or both but they finally came! The first time they´ve come (besides Mierta) since I´ve arrived, so that was encouraging and made us pretty happy but now we need to help make sure they keep coming! We weren't able to meet with Blaz this week and he didn't come to church but we´re going to visit him tomorrow so hopefully he will keep progressing. So Elder Killian and I have a lot to do with our current investigators and visiting the less actives!

That's great that Kiersten (Elder McFarland's sister) was able to come home (from Idaho) for a couple days and go with you to Erika's bridal shower.  Weird to think you guys are planning for Scott (Elder McFarland's oldest brother) & Erika's wedding and reception! I'm getting more sad thinking that I'll miss it, but it's okay.  I'm just excited for them!

GIANTS (going to the World Series)!! That's so sick!!

I love and miss you guys!!

Love

Elder McFarland

Julia & Goyo who have been baptized for about a year now with

Hermano LaRosa who is a relatively new convert as well.

The Last Week With Elder Durham

Monday, October 13, 2014

Hey!

Haha.  That's sick the Sharks beat the Kings (opening night, in LA)!!!

The weather here is slowly starting to get warmer. I'm definitely not looking forward to summer. lolz We never cook. Well this past week we actually made empanadas!! They were actually pretty good too!! Other than that, we never cook. I`m so tired of eggs because I eat three hard boiled eggs every morning and then at night we don't really have dinner.  We used to make pizzas but we got tired of that haha.

This week we did inter cambios (exchanges) with the Zone Leaders.  Elder Davis went with me and we stayed in Quilmes 3. Then Friday it rained all day and Elder Durham's feet where wet all day so he got sick and then I got sick but we`re feeling better today.

Manuel and Claudia still have no idea about they`re marriage papers but they`re still going strong. Manuel got a new job that pays a lot better. They have to move out of their place by the 20th but I think they have a place to move into. We taught Jorge and Gladys about the Sabbath Day being holy but they run a fruit stand and they say it has to be open on Sunday.  It's hard.  I understand where they`re coming from with their fruit stand, but they just need to have faith and trust in God to not have it open on Sundays and to come to church. Blaz is a boss.  He came to church again yesterday and is in the process of making some changes in his life. Arminda should be gettting baptized this Saturday! We have a couple more lessons with her covering the commandments and then it's just the baptismal interview! We do have some investigators that aren't progressing in the Gospel and I'm really lost as to what to do with them.

This week we`re going to be busy visiting our investigators and then just a lot of people so Elder Durham can say goodbye. Transfers are next Monday and  he`s been here for 6 months so there's almost no way he`ll stay. I'm really nervous about my new companion.  He will most definitely be a Latin companion so this next transfer is probably going to be hard, but it`ll be good for my Spanish.

 I love you guys and miss you!

General Conference

Monday, October 6, 2014

Hola!
Tuesday we had interviews with the President Thurgood. He alternates between doing interviews and Zone Conferences for each transfer. The next Zone Conference he`s going to do something special or something for Christmas so we are going to have interviews again in 6 weeks. I got some mail that had been sent (mail goes to the Mission Office, not to his apartment). I forgot to write down who wrote me and I don't remember all of them off the top of my head so I`ll have to have you thank them for me next week.

This week we set a baptismal date for Blaz and Arminda for the 18th of October. I think Blaz's baptism will have to get set back but Arminda is definitely ready. She came to all four sessions of General Conference with us. We're still teaching Jorge and Gladys and we have to get them to come to church. Still not really sure what's going to happen with Manuel and Claudia, and if we`ll be able to baptize them before the end of the transfer. Mierta and Nancy.. well we had an awesome lesson with them Thursday. We talked about their love for Jesus Christ and asked if they loved Jesus Christ enough to make some changes in their life. The spirit was super strong and they committed to it but.. they weren't able to do it. So we went Friday and recommitted them but then we couldn't get a hold of them by phone and with everything going on we haven't had a chance to visit with them. So I think there are going to continue to be some roadblocks. But we have 6 people that should be baptized in the next month or so, so we have a lot of work to do teaching them and preparing them for their baptisms.

We went to the Stake Center in Avellaneda to watch General Conference. We were able to watch it in English in a different room with other missionaries from the United States so that was really nice. We weren't able to watch the Priesthood session which was disappointing, but man General Conference was absolutely amazing! To be honest I think it was the first General Conference I've sat down and watched all four sessions live and man have I been missing out. I don't know if it's because it's the first time I've watched all four sessions or if it's because I'm on my Mission but I thought this General Conference was one of the best. Probably a little of both. haha. I loved it. I had 3 rather specific questions/concerns before watching it and they were all answered. I think it's also the first time I`ve done that but I can truly bear witness now and testify of the power to receive personal revelation during General Conference. I`ve never been more spiritually uplifted and edified in my life. It was like talk after talk answered my questions or just brought me peace and comfort or taught me something new. I`ve tried to think of a favorite talk but I just can`t do it. haha. I think the best I can do is maybe narrow it down to my top 5. I`d probably have to say my top 5 talks were:

Elder Lynn G. Robbins - Which Way Do You Face? 
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/which-way-do-you-face?lang=eng
I think my favorite part was where he talked about knowing which way we face and how we must not fear man.

Presidnet Dieter F. Uchtdof  - Receiving a Testimony of Light & Truth https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/receiving-a-testimony-of-light-and-truth?lang=eng

Elder Jorg Klebingat - Approaching the Throne of God With Confidence https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/approaching-the-throne-of-god-with-confidence?lang=eng
His talk was sick! He just threw it down and dropped the hammer sentence after sentence. haha. It was awesome.

Elder Richard G. Scott - Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/make-the-exercise-of-faith-your-first-priority?lang=eng
The talk is about 4 tools to help us use the atonement to make us more happy (Prayer, Scripture Study, Family Home Evening & Temple Attendance)

Elder Carlos A. Godoy - The Lord Has a Plan for Us! 
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/the-lord-has-a-plan-for-us?lang=eng

I`m bummed I left my notebook in the apartment and I can't remember a lot off the top of my head right now so I`ll have to write more about it next week but needless to say I enjoyed conference a lot. Absolutely loved it and I was super sad when it was over. I can't wait 6 months until the next one. That's so awesome to see all of you guys together for it and that you saw Sister Maria Pribyl (his friend Elder Victor Pribyl's Mom). I'm not going to lie, the pictures made me a little homesick but it's okay. I hope you guys enjoyed it.

It was cool to hear all about the sports updates haha.

Today we went to the Stake Center and played soccer and had a little BBQ so that was pretty fun.

I love you guys and miss you!!

Love Elder McFarland