Perspectives from Paraguay: No, I'm not lucky I'm blessed, Yes!

Saying goodbye to his good friends in Paraguarí

wowowowowowowowowowowow.

Ok, so things are poppin off. First off, shout out to my favorite sister Olivia for her acceptance into BYU. Super excited and blessed to hear about that and how God is blessing her.

My heart is full of gratitude right now, for the past, present, and future.

Things are a little weird here. We finished this cambio and there was a chance of me leaving, but because of a few weird things, this next transfer we have 5 weeks. Because of this we found out earlier today that I'm leaving Paraguarí! After 3 transfers, I'm heading off toooooo

PASO YOBAI

THE PLACE TO BE, I guess. I'm going to be companions with Elder P.

What do I know about this place?

1) It is the ONLY area in our mission that has BIKES (THEY SEE ME ROLLIN)

2) In Paraguarí, learning Guarani was like a funny joking thing to get in tight with the people. In Paso Yobái, they're baptizing tribes of indigenous people who don't speak a word of Spanish.

3) It is the second furthest area from the mission home. LEJOS. (FAR)

4) I'm going to be with an Elder P from the states. Elder G told me he's one of the best, greatest missionaries that he knows here.

Elder P/Elder Yocum. Tell me that's not a match foreordained in heaven.

Safe to say, I'm really excited. I'm going to miss Paraguarí and all the amazing people and memories, but super excited for this next chapter.

It has been tough here, like I told my family a little bit, it's more than just baptizing here. We are here to "build Zion" but I learned that it's a tough thing when the inhabitants of Zion don't want to build it. It's been a lot of growing to understand the culture and show people how the gospel is one of change, not just knowledge.

It was almost too much fun this week though. I've gotten to the point where it's not just a huge stress all the time. It is fun sitting and laughing and talking to people--making jokes and being a white boy talking Guarani. Walking kilometers every day and looking at mountains and rivers. Bearing testimony and feeling the fullness of the Spirit, and at times feeling like you can catch glimpses of the heavenly beings from the other side going before you to prepare the way.

One great story from this week was a contact that we revisited in the kilometers. I didn't know the guy, Elder V had contacted him with a ZL (zone leader) when I was in ITA on divisions, but it was so funny.

We clap the door, todo tranquillo, and there's this old guy sitting way in the back who was waving his hand at us to leave and screaming at us. I turned to Elder V and laughed and said, "This is gonna be fun." We were next to Ruta 1, so there were cars going by so we couldn't tell what he was saying, so we just smiled and yelled that we couldn't hear him and entered and started walking in. We saw his son (old guy screaming at us is the dad who is 83 years old) and his son is 62 years old and this dude was just plastered, but waved us in and smiled. Elder V told me he has a DAUGHTER, who was the one we were really trying to teach. But as soon as we entered, the dad who was sitting down and screaming at us hopped up, grabbed his walker and walkered as fast as he could into the house screaming, "LOS MORMONES, LOS MORMONES" as if to warn the house that THE MORMONS ARE HERE, GET THE WEAPONS! Sooo funny! He looked sooo afraid of us. But, we had a good talk with the drunk guy who also showed us his equally drunk uncle who was 100 years old. Literally, 100 years old, who couldn't talk or hear. I got to play charades with him for a while, but just turned out he wanted water and some fruit to eat. He looked pretty comfy though--can't walk, talk, or hear, but he has a dope tiny shack in the backyard all to himself. Chillin.

Fun week here, loving the mission and learning how to be a better teacher. Super excited for this next week and that I'll be chillin with a BIKE.

Can't wait to fill you in next week.

All my love,

Elder Yocum

Here are a few pictures I got off of the mission Facebook page that were posted of his new area--Parker is not in these pictures. These were taken several weeks ago. It just gives you some images of where he will be for the next little bit: