October 17, 2011
¡¡Buenos!!
¿Como están? Well, I went through the Asunción Temple on Friday. Wow, it is SO beautiful and I felt so rejuvenated after being there. In the temple, we make covenants or promises with God that we will follow Him and it is also where families are sealed for time and all eternity. It is the House of the Lord and it is beautiful. While in the Temple, I was reminded of the eternal potential of each one of our Heavenly Father’s children- how He loves us and has more blessings in store for us than we can possibly imagine. But it is up to us to accept those blessings- to accept the commandments and then to work for our salvation and the salvation of others. As Elder Holland said, “Salvation is not a cheap experience!” I was surprised that mostly all of the workers were American. They are on missions, to help forward the work here. The Temple was dedicated in 2002. Little did I know when I was a little Beehive, that the Paraguay Temple was about to be dedicated and one day I would serve a mission there. (Maybe, little sisters, the temple where you will serve your mission, has not been built yet or was just recently dedicated.) I went through the whole session in Spanish and understood everything. Woot-woot for the gift of tongues! It was wonderful being in the temple with all of the other missionaries (about 40) and feeling the Spirit so strongly.
Random Paraguay fact: It is unusual for us to leave a lesson without being fed or at least given water. They usually offer us “terere” or “mate” but we aren’t allowed to drink it. The Paraguayan people are very friendly, very social and treat you just like family. Yesterday, we left lessons with a block of Paraguayan cheese and another one with a bottle of Sprite. I guess this is one reason I love Paraguayans! They speak to my heart as well as to my stomach. =)
Something cool about Paraguay is that they have lots of thunder and lightning storms. It’s a lot cooler when you are inside watching them and not outside getting soaked, but what can you do? =)
We had 5 investigators at church yesterday and all of them came with members or by themselves. Que purete! Gisel came and she should get baptized at the end of this month, along with two other teenage girls. Also, Julio, the older man, came- we were so happy! He truly wants to know Christ better. Also, a 21 year old girl named Lorena came. I think she is a chosen one- she got baptized in the Catholic Church but feels like she is missing something. We gave her a Book of Mormon and committed her to pray about it. Everyone we talk to has the opportunity to learn more and change for Jesus Christ. But being chosen means you are willing to change for Christ, to give up bad habits, sins, things that won’t bring you closer to God and replace them with obedience to his commandments. Unfortunately, Ariel didn’t come to Church. But hopefully he comes to the FHE we are planning tonight.
We also found a lady named Edith who asked if she could get baptized before we had even discussed that! Whoo! And she says she loves to read (uncommon here) and would, therefore, love to read the Book of Mormon! She went out of town this weekend but I’ll keep you updated on her progress.
Church was awesome! It was Stake Conference and the Mission President and his wife, the Temple President and his wife and Elder Patania, a Seventy (from Argentina) spoke. Argentineans know how to give great talks. They were very inspiring. It was all about the family and how we can have strong families by setting examples and living the Gospel. We spoke with a mother of four on Saturday night and she was worried about her kids and raising them in such a wicked world. Too bad she didn’t come to Church on Sunday because this Gospel is the answer to all of her worries and questions.
Happy Anniversary Becca and Jason! Whoo! Thanks for having cute babies! And to my little sisters, my little futbolistas, congrats on your great soccer seasons! It must be in the Brittner genes or something =) And T, keep up the good work with volley (that’s what they call it here in Paraguay). And congrats to Jennelle for getting married! I’m so happy for you! And Leslie I have still not heard about your wedding...write soon! Love you all!
Well, things are going well. I am happy, healthy and content. Thanks for your love and prayers and remember to stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things and in all places.
Con cariño,
Hermana Brittner
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