October 22, 2012

Dear family and friends,

So this week was great! Our investigators are doing awesome. Federico Herrero is actually doing so well that this Friday is his baptism. It is going to be complicated because we have Zone Conference that day but we couldn't baptize him on Saturday because this week is Stake Conference and there is a Priesthood meeting at 4 and a general adult meeting at 7. So we couldn't have a baptism while the whole stake is absent. But Federico is super excited. The cool thing was that this week he showed up to church with his wife! She hasn't even listened to us once because she works ALL DAY EVERY DAY. And her only day off is our day off. So it was cool because she went to church with him. Federico is super funny. Elder Howard and I love him a lot. He always reads and always prays and gets so excited when we teach him. He loves the church and the movies we show him and it's been a blast. Lucas Santos, a 19 year old that is going to the Buenos Aires Norte mission next month is going to baptize him because he has gone with us a few times to see Federico.

As for Estelia, the lady we taught at her door, we set up an appointment with her this week and taught both her and her husband. They need to get married but when we talked about it, they were all for it. We had seen the husband a few days before and commented that we would help and he got excited. He is a hard working guy that has a scruffy beard and whose hands are always dirty. He drives this horse drawn carriage around town and hauls stuff for people. He didn't go to church like he promised but we'll get him there sooner or later. Regardless, Estelia did go and she was all dressed up in church clothes when she showed up! She loves it. All the other Relief Society sisters helped her around, sat with her, etc. She already wants to be baptized and pay tithing so she is progressing well. If she can get married in less than two weeks, she'll be baptized immediately after.

As for the missionaries that we had met, we haven't seen them.

As for our converts they are on fire!! Marcos Herràn gave the class in Priesthood yesterday. We had gone by to help him prepare it and it came out GREAT. He did a very good job and all the other brethren helped by participating and commenting on the topics that he was sharing. It was a blast to be taught by him who we have been teaching. He feels great too and is so very humble now. He is a very different man. As for Mariano Romero, he is actively participating with the Young Men`s program now and goes to church and the Young Single Adult activities all on his own. He goes to Institute each week, stake choir, and everything. This week Elder Howard and I gave him a picture frame with his baptism picture in it. We also helped this 15 year old, Gabriel (the son of Mònica that we baptized which means he is the nephew of Marcos and Marìa) he had to give his first talk. We helped him prepare it and the kid spoke for 12 minutes about service! It was great. Federico and Estelia loved the talk.

So that was my week! I love Santa Rosa so much. It is very satisfying to see the ward grow and change. The stake is growing a lot and all the youth are super excited about going on missions. It is a great atmosphere. I love it. Transfers are this Sunday so we'll see what happens! I have been here almost 6 months I think. I bought some souvenirs today just in case. I never buy stuff in my areas!

Thank you for your support and for your prayers.

I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. He was and is and lives. He is the Great Creator of this earth and dwelt on it during His personal ministry, establishing His church and doctrine which, once lost, have been restored and once again can be found in their fullness in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we establish ourselves upon that rock of our Redeemer, we will not fall. The Book of Mormon is the proof and evidence that our Heavenly Father has given us to know that that is the truth. I know it is true, and I invite all those that do not know to ask God in the name of Christ if the Book of Mormon is true. He will answer.

Love,

Elder Garrison