Perspectives from Paraguay: I LOVE ARGENTINA!

Hola from Argentina! I just have to say how incredibly well the Lord knows me, because I am in my element, I'll tell you what. The joke in our district (the group of missionaries he is assigned to right now--about 11 missionaries) is that on the plane as everyone was getting further and further from home, Elder Yocum was getting closer and closer. It was very crazy and busy from the second we got off the plane. A lot of new people and new smells and a whole lot of a language I don't know. The 5 min drive to the CCM (the Missionary Training Center in Buenos Aires) is really all of Argentina that I've seen, but its really green and pretty, and pretty nippy in the mornings. The CCM is right next to the temple and it is gorgeous and makes my heart warm every night as I look at it. My companion is Elder W. He's 18 and from Washington. He did a year at BYU like I did. He's really smart and a great guy. He helps me out a lot with the language and we work really well together. I appreciate him so much. However you imagine a kid who's been home schooled his whole life, got his Associates degree while still in high school, and is on track to be an electrical engineer, and a kid that whenever the Latinos see him start quoting the first vision (Because he's super white and blond) then its pretty close to my companion. The other PDay (short for Preparation Day--kind of a day off of regular missionary work to do laundry, write home, and get ready for the upcoming week) I taught him how to throw a football and he's on his way to becoming a pro. I appreciate him tho because like I said he's good with the language. Both of his parents served in Paraguay too. He likes the little things like the la, el, ect. and very specific with how everything is said and making sure it's perfect, and I'm more about just trying to get the main idea out there for the Latinos to understand. So, hes exactly what I need. We've taught 3 investigators so far and have had 4 lessons together in all Spanish and we kick butt.

So the reason people say I came home is because of how much of a Latino I am and how well I fit in with everyone. In the CCM there are like 80 missionaries and 18 of them are American. Everyone else is from Brasil, Argentina, Chile, ect and speak like no English. BUT they are some of the most genuine and loving and caring people I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I was a little worried at first but they are such an awesome people! They are my best friends and I like hanging out with them because I learn so much better that way. W. and I have gotten close to this other comanionship in our room. Pontelli and Romero. They are the coolest guys ever and even though they speak as much English as I do Spanish, we couldnt be tighter. Our saying is Mi hermano de otra madre. My brother from another mother. We spend as much free time as we have together and yesterday Pontelli gave me his beloved Boca jersey, a team from Argentina, and I gave him my BYU shirt just so we wouldnt forget about eachother. We've already shed tears about them leaving this next Monday to head out to the field.

The other reason I'm a latin I guess is because there hasn't been a meal here where I haven't cleared my plate off. Every meal is like the best thing I have ever tasted. I hope it stays that way. I guess the reason everything in Paraguay is fried is because they don't have ovens like we do, so if you want something cooked you have to fry it. But breakfast every day is cereal and some kind of pastry or ham and cheese croissant. Lunch is always a stew on rice or pasta with chunks of meat or chicken and dinner is always a huge slab of meat or chicken with a killer gravy on top and some kind of potato. The eating is good to say the least.

The last reason I'm called the Latin, I figured it out after I talked to Pontelli about Americans. He said the reason Latins don't really like North Americans (You cant say I'm American here because to them they are Americans too. South American, Central American, etc. Its offensive to say you're American and they're not) but Pontelli said it's because in the USA people are just so cold to each other. You may not think so, but when you see the warmth that's down here you would think so. Every meal is like a family reunion of hugs and high fives and I love yous. These people love with their whole hearts and are so open and passionate about things, so of course I fit right in. Like I said, I love it here.

My day goes wakeup breakfast study study study lunch study class physical activity lunch study study class study plan sleep. Every. Day.....but learning a ton and theres a ton to learn right? Gotta do what the people of Paraguay need me to do right?

The Spirit is so strong here and I love it. The language is coming along and the gift of tongues is real. I know Heavenly Father sent me here to a place where I can't speak the language so I could learn that the only thing that needs to be said is the simple truths, and as long as you have the Spirit with you then that power will be felt. Let me prove it to you. I know God lives, and He loves you. He wants you to return to Him. Jesus Christ is His son and was sent to live an example, that if we follow, will let us live with God again. I know this is the truth. I know the Church that Christ founded, that has been restored, will bless your life. If we follow Christ's example we will be happy. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. All of that I can say in spanish :)

I love you all so much and promise you I can feel your prayers. They mean the world to me.

Elder Yocum