Semana 103 - Villa Muñecas

¡Hola Todos!

Well, time is quickly slipping by, just like they all say. I finished the Book of Mormon again this last week. What can I say, it's the best book that will ever be written in all history! ¡Hay que leerlo!

It's been a little tough balancing between all the last-minute things I've been wanting to get done, and this last week will be a little tough still, but I'll make it.

We had a good visit by Elder Aidukaitis, 1st counselor in the South America South area presidency. He invited us to come to a double-stake leadership meeting to talk about how the wards need to better apply the 1st presidency's rescue-less-actives plan in our units. He finished off the meeting with a nice talk about miracles and the doctrine behind them. I hope our bishop gets to work on the things that were mentioned there because I can tell what Elder Aidukaitis said was the truth.

Argentina's provincial elections happened yesterday. Voting is obligatory, and lots of people are needed to help carry out the voting process (it's not as nice and easy as it is in the states). So unfortunately, we experienced a 30% decrease in our average sacrament meeting attendance. No one was home afterwards to visit either, so it was an interesting challenge for the week. Things should be a little more normal this week, so it'll be a little easier to finish out good!

Hope to see you all soon!

-Elder Powell-

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Semana 101 y 102 - Villa Muñecas

¡Hola Todos!
Sorry about not getting last weeks letter out. I totally spaced out and didn't realize that I didn't send it until it was too late. 2 Sundays ago, our recent baptism was ordained to the office of priest in the Aaronic Priesthood! That was a little surprise because I didn't even know about the interview he had with the bishop. I gave him a white shirt and a couple ties to start working on the sacrament next week!
We were going to have another baptism this last week, but because of unforseen conflicts in our schedules, we have to wait 2 weeks to do it. That's alright though, because that puts his confirmation on my last day--going out in white! ;)
We had interviews with President Levrino 2 weeks ago. Mine was pretty quick, nothing too special.
Elder Aidukaitis, 1st counselor in the area presidency is coming this week to give a couple firesides to the priesthood leaders and the youth and young adults. The missionaries got invited to the leadership meeting, so we'll be heading there Friday night :)
Not too much different though, just starting little by little to get things ready for my departure in two weeks! I got rid of a lot of stuff in my suitcases that I won't be bringing home, and I've started getting the members to write in my (what's it called?) farewell book...where they leave their names, contact info, and a little goodbye-note. I know that the last 2 weeks will be a little hectic, trying to say goodbye and keeping up with the work, so I'm doing the little stuff early.
Love you all!
-Elder Powell-

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Semana 100 - Villa Muñecas

¡Hola Todos!

...I can't believe I just hit the 100-week mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Break out the soda, slap on the steaks, get the fireworks ready--let's party! :P Not really, but wow, that's quite the incredible landmark.

What better way to celebrate than another baptism!!! He's a 19-year-old that is a member of a part-member family and he's so awesome! He invited lots of friends to the baptism, and even got up this last Sunday during testimony meeting and gave a very spiritual testimony! I was amazed. It felt just like 2 Nephi 31:13.

President Levrino changed around the mission key indicators this last week. It's sooo much better for us now, because he's having us look for a few less investigators to be able to see the investigators we already have more times during the week to be able to help them better in their progress. Unfortunately, I won't have too much time to put it into practice, but at least I can get the foundation ready for a "great and marvelous work" going here in the Villa. We're also now commanded to dedicate some of our time to help the recent converts and the less-active members. I think it was a good change for us.

I tried out this local wild fruit that's called a "níspero" (nee-spehroe). It tasted just like a lemon warhead candy in fruit-form!!! I loved it ;)

I was also pretty floored this week. I feel like Heavenly Father proved me wrong a couple times this week. In two different cases (one right before lunchtime, the big meal of the day, and one bright and early in the morning), we were looking for new investigators by knocking on doors. I specifically told my comp that we probably weren't going to find anyone because that's been the trend my whole mission, but we knocked during those times anyways. Sure enough, in both cases we entered into a door! So when something doesn't seem probable, if it's convenient for the Lord, He'll get you inside.

Gotta run--love you all!!!

-Elder Powell-

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Semana 99 - Villa Muñecas

¡Hola Todos!

The weather has taken a colder turn, especially with the rain we had yesterday. I still can't believe that I'm needing to use my under armour, and a huge coat right now, when just a short 9 months ago, I was dieing under 130 degree weather!

We had a pretty good week as far as the work is concerned. We have lots of good investigators from a while back that are really close to getting baptized this week, and we're also finding some interesting new investigators as well. It's kinda funky getting close to the end, because the work is pretty much the same, but at the same time, you realize that you have fairly little time left to get things done! Hope we can pull this transfer off well, especially since we're through the first of 6 weeks!

Love,

Elder Powell

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