Family,
It is an INCREDIBLE but also overwhelming feeling to know that such a BIG change is so close, but is not quite yet here. Everything inside of me screams for me to prepare myself and organize myself for the future, but that still, small voice (sometimes aided by inspired counsels from friends and family) encourages me to keep my focus here and trust that everything back home will take care of itself. Of course, that comes with an understandable measure of preparation for needful things.
We’ve been practicing all of the things that I’ll be doing once I get home: I got some references from my beloved companion, Elder Lisonbee, for my next mission, and we’ve been practicing how I might approach a first phone call to a girl that I don’t know, but would like to take out.
Haha, we’ve even been practicing my homecoming talk and everything. I’m a little nervous and unsure about giving a whole talk in English, but I trust that the Spirit will help it to turn out well. It’s sure funny to see all of the Spanish words that just so naturally come out. We’ve been hitting each other every time we use Spanglish so that we can learn to just stick with one language.
We’ve just been having a blast, but still working hard. Five of our investigators made it to church, even though there was heavy rain. One of them, Marcelo, just has this incredible glow in his eyes and is also very talented. The other night he played us “Sweet Child of Mine” on the guitar and sang what HE thought he understood of the lyrics. It was pretty incredible. I’ll miss those experiences.
I also had an experience this week that I’d never had before. I was actually with my Office Grandson (as they say in the mission), who is the current Secretary (trained by the Secretary that I trained, haha), on a 4 day division. My companion had gone to Asuncion for a big training that ALL mission leaders took part in as part of some fundamental changes in Missionary Work from SLC. Well, since I’m old and going home, they decided to let me work the last few days of my mission.
Anyhow, as we ended the division, we had to do a bus exchange where I got off and another Elder got on. As we got to the meeting place, nobody was there. I looked around and didn’t know what to do since we can’t be alone. I called him and they were just leaving the house (the bus had arrived surprisingly fast). Well, about 10 miles later, after having tried to call the Assistants to the President (it was 1145 pm by this time), I decided to get off and catch the next bus back, and send the other Elder alone to Asuncion where he would meet up with my Office Grandson, Elder Adamson again. Well, when I got off the bus in a small Brazilian Colony, in the middle of Paraguay, alone, it was amazing the feeling of uncertainty. I waiting for about 30 minutes for a bus to come by and it never did. Well, I talked with 5 mildly drunk guys at a bar and one of them said he would take me to where I needed to go since he lived there. So, I went flying down this dark road on the back of a motorcycle and made it safely to my companion at that time. But wow, it was sure a different experience.
I received a letter from my Stake President and loved how he told me that I will be making the transition from Full Time Missionary to Full Time Disciple of Christ. I’m really not that interested in resting. I just want to be the most effective, helpful instrument that I can be in accomplishing my Father’s work for the rest of my life. See ya soon!
Elder McCarty
Monday, August 2, 2010
Last pictures sent 7/26/10
002 Baptism of Sara
003 Investigators we took to church Sunday
Me at the computer writing to you all!
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, 26 of July, 2010
Bom ba dum bum dum dum! Announcement: I’ll be reporting on august 8th in Kaysville at 11 AM. I might also talk in Orem, but I´ll let you all know.
Even up until the VERY end, or the twilight of my mission as my brother called it, the Lord is raining down His miracles. This week we met, taught, and baptized 18 year old Sara who has been prepared by her Father in Heaven. She attended church twice in a branch about 3 hours away and came to visit her member sister. We invited her to a fireside for youths, then to church, then to be baptized. She accepted the first two and decided to ask God to be sure about the last. The answers came line upon line, as they always do, and she came to know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, the Church of Jesus Christ is His true church in the earth today, that the Priesthood has been restored and finally, that one must be baptized and endure to the end to obtain salvation. What a journey.
We had planned for her to be baptized on Saturday, but then an obstacle came up, as they always do. There was trouble in the family and suddenly she and her sister had to travel hom to be with their parents. Yet her faith didn’t waver and she asked us to arrange for her baptism that very day. Her baptismal service was simple but a sweet, reassuring spirit was felt. We all knew that what she was doing was right and correct and approved by a loving Heavenly Father smiling down on her.An incredibly musically talented Elder Collura and I sang a special musical number, and she asked me to perform the baptism. She was smiling and almost glowing all throughout, but more than anything as she returned from the dressing room and we laid our hands upon her damp hair to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Though she may live far from the church where she is from, she promised to read and pray every day, and do EVERYTHING she could to be in church every Sunday. What a beautiful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One lesson that we taught to her this week was on a division with an Elder Hopoate. This big, Tongan, full of heart Elder smilingly greeted her and we began to teach. We had planned to cover the Plan of Salvation and were amazed by her willingness to listen and desire to understand. It was the day after she had received her answer about the Book of Mormon. As we taught, a powerful example came to my mind. I knew that she was away from her family and that she would empathize with the feelings of being away from home. As I talked about all of you and how overjoyed I will be to see you again, I felt the spirit testify to me and THROUGH me to her, that our heavenly reunion will be a source of such great joy that we cannot even imagine. All we have to do are those 5 simple things that our Savior taught: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End.
As Elder Hopoate and I came out of the mission, we both exhaled and were just amazed at the spirit we felt. I’ll miss those experiences, but look forward to others that will make life just as sweet after the mission and forever. I love you all and look forward to being there with you soon!
Elder McCarty
Even up until the VERY end, or the twilight of my mission as my brother called it, the Lord is raining down His miracles. This week we met, taught, and baptized 18 year old Sara who has been prepared by her Father in Heaven. She attended church twice in a branch about 3 hours away and came to visit her member sister. We invited her to a fireside for youths, then to church, then to be baptized. She accepted the first two and decided to ask God to be sure about the last. The answers came line upon line, as they always do, and she came to know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, the Church of Jesus Christ is His true church in the earth today, that the Priesthood has been restored and finally, that one must be baptized and endure to the end to obtain salvation. What a journey.
We had planned for her to be baptized on Saturday, but then an obstacle came up, as they always do. There was trouble in the family and suddenly she and her sister had to travel hom to be with their parents. Yet her faith didn’t waver and she asked us to arrange for her baptism that very day. Her baptismal service was simple but a sweet, reassuring spirit was felt. We all knew that what she was doing was right and correct and approved by a loving Heavenly Father smiling down on her.An incredibly musically talented Elder Collura and I sang a special musical number, and she asked me to perform the baptism. She was smiling and almost glowing all throughout, but more than anything as she returned from the dressing room and we laid our hands upon her damp hair to give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. Though she may live far from the church where she is from, she promised to read and pray every day, and do EVERYTHING she could to be in church every Sunday. What a beautiful experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
One lesson that we taught to her this week was on a division with an Elder Hopoate. This big, Tongan, full of heart Elder smilingly greeted her and we began to teach. We had planned to cover the Plan of Salvation and were amazed by her willingness to listen and desire to understand. It was the day after she had received her answer about the Book of Mormon. As we taught, a powerful example came to my mind. I knew that she was away from her family and that she would empathize with the feelings of being away from home. As I talked about all of you and how overjoyed I will be to see you again, I felt the spirit testify to me and THROUGH me to her, that our heavenly reunion will be a source of such great joy that we cannot even imagine. All we have to do are those 5 simple things that our Savior taught: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the End.
As Elder Hopoate and I came out of the mission, we both exhaled and were just amazed at the spirit we felt. I’ll miss those experiences, but look forward to others that will make life just as sweet after the mission and forever. I love you all and look forward to being there with you soon!
Elder McCarty
Monday, July 19, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, July 19, 2010
The time is a-tickin on. NO, of course I’m not trunky, or home-sick, etc…haha. Of course I can’t WAIT to see my family and friends and all of you. I just have one request: when I get there, I’m expecting some good solid hugs. Don’t rush it, family and friends. In fact, it’s better if you just let me determine the length of the first hug. You can let go as soon as I do…haha. Kind of joking but mostly serious.
Well, not a lot of time, but I LOVE THE MISSION. Today in District Meeting we had only a few minutes after accounting for our work and making plans to take the zone forward. We all closed our eyes and imagined ourselves back in our homes, on the couch, watching our favorite million dollar game show. We talked about all the ridiculous things that people will do win a million dollars (eat bugs, starve, fight with eachother, betray their best-friends, EVERYTHING). Then we asked them, if ALL you had to do to win a million dollars was to take 5 people to church, what would you do.
They came up with ALL kinds of crazy ideas: bringing people in off the streets. Asking EVERYBODY what is holding them back and what we can do so they can go. Promising them all kinds of blessings (the normal, spiritual ones, and even some material ones to help them bridge the gap from where they ARE to where we want them to be…like to take a picture with their family at the church and print it off and give it to them, since the Paraguayans LOVE to see pictures of themselves and their family). It was amazing to see the zone LIGHT on fire and think of EVERY idea under the sun, with which we covered the chalkboard, listing ALL of them. We had them write all of those ideas down.
Then, we had them draw a line under that list. We told them we would be taking 5 minutes to think about something else. I turned and erased everything on the board. We asked them, If you would do all that for a million dollars, if THAT was your reason, what would you do if you reason was this. We wrote up on the board: “Jesus Christ.” I sat down and we thought in silence. We asked if anybody had EVER in their mission thought of a list like that: of all the possible things to achieve a specific goal. Nobody raised their hands.
I think sometimes in life we lose sight of JUST how important it is what we are doing. I am FIRED up to do everything I can in these last two weeks to do it for HIM. I know that as I do, I will feel and hear those words at the end of my mission: Well done thou good and faithful servant. I hope you all think of your goals and ponder what would you do if you could win a million dollars, and then realize WHY you are really doing it. Have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Well, not a lot of time, but I LOVE THE MISSION. Today in District Meeting we had only a few minutes after accounting for our work and making plans to take the zone forward. We all closed our eyes and imagined ourselves back in our homes, on the couch, watching our favorite million dollar game show. We talked about all the ridiculous things that people will do win a million dollars (eat bugs, starve, fight with eachother, betray their best-friends, EVERYTHING). Then we asked them, if ALL you had to do to win a million dollars was to take 5 people to church, what would you do.
They came up with ALL kinds of crazy ideas: bringing people in off the streets. Asking EVERYBODY what is holding them back and what we can do so they can go. Promising them all kinds of blessings (the normal, spiritual ones, and even some material ones to help them bridge the gap from where they ARE to where we want them to be…like to take a picture with their family at the church and print it off and give it to them, since the Paraguayans LOVE to see pictures of themselves and their family). It was amazing to see the zone LIGHT on fire and think of EVERY idea under the sun, with which we covered the chalkboard, listing ALL of them. We had them write all of those ideas down.
Then, we had them draw a line under that list. We told them we would be taking 5 minutes to think about something else. I turned and erased everything on the board. We asked them, If you would do all that for a million dollars, if THAT was your reason, what would you do if you reason was this. We wrote up on the board: “Jesus Christ.” I sat down and we thought in silence. We asked if anybody had EVER in their mission thought of a list like that: of all the possible things to achieve a specific goal. Nobody raised their hands.
I think sometimes in life we lose sight of JUST how important it is what we are doing. I am FIRED up to do everything I can in these last two weeks to do it for HIM. I know that as I do, I will feel and hear those words at the end of my mission: Well done thou good and faithful servant. I hope you all think of your goals and ponder what would you do if you could win a million dollars, and then realize WHY you are really doing it. Have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Sunday, July 18, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, July 12, 2010
Our new President Madariaga is a great man. He reminds me of leaders I have had in the past that are just FULL of love and kindness, and clear in their vision of where they want to go. We had a leadership counsel with him, then interviews, then zone conferences. In a matter of 3 days he got to know every missionary in the mission, let them know about his expectations inspired them about his vision, and invited them to be united in purpose in order to achieve it.
Traveling to Asunción and back and then working like crazy to make up for the work we missed those 2 days, didn’t help the cold that had been lingering in my sinuses and throat for the past week. I’m hoping to be able to get over it today.
On Sunday, I was a little disappointed to see that Miriam stayed home from church sick, though Gustavo showed up early to meet with the Branch President about receiving the Priesthood. I was saddened again when Gustavo left before Sacrament Meeting because of a supposed emergency, of having to work to pay a debt on Monday. We went by yesterday night and stressed the importance of the sacrament. I had felt strongly about this as President Madariaga taught us to focus on ordinances, since they really are the purpose for the church’s existence and our service.
We explained to them that so many people go completely inactive just by thinking, “meh, it’s just once Sunday, what does it matter?” and lose their salvation by missing out on an ordinance that is as simple as taking a piece of bread and a cup of water from a tray to your mouth. Of course, we explained, the ordinance has a much deeper significance, which only makes it sadder when people chose not to do something so simple, yet with such grave consequences both immediately and eternally. I felt like they may have been thinking: “whoah, calm down Elder McCarty,” so I just expressed my love and told them how much I want them to be happy and together forever and that THIS is the way to do so.
We also met another pretty cool family this week, as we were visiting another inactive member. He took us to meet his neighbors and I saw the man practicing guitar. I told him I played and he asked me to teach him something. We just played and chatted for about 10 minutes as we got to know the family. We began a strong friendship and then explained what we do and how our message can help families. Marcio came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. I can tell that he felt something and we’re excited to keep teaching them. His wife promised us she’d go this week as well.
I’m pretty excited about the ward, because they’re doing activities on their own and getting some good visiting and teaching going. We had several more men in Elders Quorum and some great families are getting active again. There is no work more exciting than helping others to take the needed steps to find lasting happiness. I love you all!
Elder McCarty
Pics (sorry, bad picture week)
001 Me cutting cake at the wedding.
002 Elder Snow, Elder Brazier, and I, at the zone leader counsel. They committed me to go with them to an Iron Maiden concert when we all get back. Never been a big fan, don't really even know any of their songs, but I guess I'll have to get to know em.
003 Elder LIttle and I, long time friends from the mission. He's kind of crazy, but I love him. He comes home the change after me.
Traveling to Asunción and back and then working like crazy to make up for the work we missed those 2 days, didn’t help the cold that had been lingering in my sinuses and throat for the past week. I’m hoping to be able to get over it today.
On Sunday, I was a little disappointed to see that Miriam stayed home from church sick, though Gustavo showed up early to meet with the Branch President about receiving the Priesthood. I was saddened again when Gustavo left before Sacrament Meeting because of a supposed emergency, of having to work to pay a debt on Monday. We went by yesterday night and stressed the importance of the sacrament. I had felt strongly about this as President Madariaga taught us to focus on ordinances, since they really are the purpose for the church’s existence and our service.
We explained to them that so many people go completely inactive just by thinking, “meh, it’s just once Sunday, what does it matter?” and lose their salvation by missing out on an ordinance that is as simple as taking a piece of bread and a cup of water from a tray to your mouth. Of course, we explained, the ordinance has a much deeper significance, which only makes it sadder when people chose not to do something so simple, yet with such grave consequences both immediately and eternally. I felt like they may have been thinking: “whoah, calm down Elder McCarty,” so I just expressed my love and told them how much I want them to be happy and together forever and that THIS is the way to do so.
We also met another pretty cool family this week, as we were visiting another inactive member. He took us to meet his neighbors and I saw the man practicing guitar. I told him I played and he asked me to teach him something. We just played and chatted for about 10 minutes as we got to know the family. We began a strong friendship and then explained what we do and how our message can help families. Marcio came to church yesterday and enjoyed it. I can tell that he felt something and we’re excited to keep teaching them. His wife promised us she’d go this week as well.
I’m pretty excited about the ward, because they’re doing activities on their own and getting some good visiting and teaching going. We had several more men in Elders Quorum and some great families are getting active again. There is no work more exciting than helping others to take the needed steps to find lasting happiness. I love you all!
Elder McCarty
Pics (sorry, bad picture week)
001 Me cutting cake at the wedding.
002 Elder Snow, Elder Brazier, and I, at the zone leader counsel. They committed me to go with them to an Iron Maiden concert when we all get back. Never been a big fan, don't really even know any of their songs, but I guess I'll have to get to know em.
003 Elder LIttle and I, long time friends from the mission. He's kind of crazy, but I love him. He comes home the change after me.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, July 05, 2010
Gustavo and Miriam were converted and baptized. They are new creatures in Christ. They read daily together, mark their scriptures with their red pencil (or as they and the rest of our investigators call it, their “Fishing Pole,” for finding and pulling out those fishes of the Lord’s inspiration for them), and then share them with each other, where Miriam usually ends up explaining to Gustavo in Guarani since he is improving his Spanish. They arrive early to church, before any other member, even President Nunez and us, since we are always picking up investigators.
Their baptism was beautiful. The ward showed up in full force to support them and encourage them in their change. I love this work and feel like this family was a giant gift from God, and one of my most important challenges for these last weeks of my mission: prepare them for an eternity.
We had the baptism in the Sacrament Meeting room, moved to the baptismal font. A sweet spirit of willingness to follow God on Gustavo’s part, filled the room as he humbly smiled and his eyes glowed. It almost brings a tear to my eye to know these experiences will be coming, at least in some way to an end.
I am, however, SO grateful for friends and family that share their INVALUABLE experiences and to help me prepare my heart for this important change. My Mom helped me to be confident in the post-mission life, with her unwavering belief in me. My brother Drew helped me to feel satisfied and accomplished with the 2 years I have spent here in the mission. Other friends helped me to recognize that this is another change in an ever-changing life and to accept it as yet another call from the Lord. Thank you all. Don’t you worry, I will give it my all until the end,and will fall into your arms when I see you again! With love,
Elder McCarty
FOTOS!
007 Here's me, looking pretty fly.
001 Here we are in our sweet red brick, Paraguayan original house, eatin some french toast. DEEELISH.
Their baptism was beautiful. The ward showed up in full force to support them and encourage them in their change. I love this work and feel like this family was a giant gift from God, and one of my most important challenges for these last weeks of my mission: prepare them for an eternity.
We had the baptism in the Sacrament Meeting room, moved to the baptismal font. A sweet spirit of willingness to follow God on Gustavo’s part, filled the room as he humbly smiled and his eyes glowed. It almost brings a tear to my eye to know these experiences will be coming, at least in some way to an end.
I am, however, SO grateful for friends and family that share their INVALUABLE experiences and to help me prepare my heart for this important change. My Mom helped me to be confident in the post-mission life, with her unwavering belief in me. My brother Drew helped me to feel satisfied and accomplished with the 2 years I have spent here in the mission. Other friends helped me to recognize that this is another change in an ever-changing life and to accept it as yet another call from the Lord. Thank you all. Don’t you worry, I will give it my all until the end,and will fall into your arms when I see you again! With love,
Elder McCarty
FOTOS!
007 Here's me, looking pretty fly.
001 Here we are in our sweet red brick, Paraguayan original house, eatin some french toast. DEEELISH.
004 Elder Hopoate is a master of the Haka, as far as I can tell...and that's far. He's tryin to teach me, but I'm white.
008 We both like this pic, because we both look skinny, oh and because it's outside the Registro Civil where Gustavo and Miriam got married on Wednesady night befor their baptism.
009 Here we are at the baptism. Pte. Nunez did the baptism, hopefully it'll help him feel responsible for the family.
010 We had to twist their arm to get em to dance. But they did. ANd they KNOW how to dance.
011 Looks like so do I.
015 Today we had the first transferly Baller's Cup. We lost in triple overtime and had to hand over the cup (hand made by me and E Lisonbee).
018 So, we were good sports, and lifted the champions up so they could feel the joy. I think our area will have it locked down next change since I'm leaving and my bball skills are suffering a bit.
008 We both like this pic, because we both look skinny, oh and because it's outside the Registro Civil where Gustavo and Miriam got married on Wednesady night befor their baptism.
009 Here we are at the baptism. Pte. Nunez did the baptism, hopefully it'll help him feel responsible for the family.
010 We had to twist their arm to get em to dance. But they did. ANd they KNOW how to dance.
011 Looks like so do I.
015 Today we had the first transferly Baller's Cup. We lost in triple overtime and had to hand over the cup (hand made by me and E Lisonbee).
Top picture: 005 Here is me and Lisonbee practicing afterward. Got a case of fat face going on lately, so I'll be losing some weight.
Monday, June 28, 2010
THE ROLLA HOLLA! 28.Jun.2010
The journey of a mission seems to come full circle. As I re-read this letter, I’m amazed at how similar, yet importantly different it is from my thoughts on the plane ride to Paraguay.I just don’t want it to end here. It CAN’T. The Lord has a brilliant array of opportunities, adventures, and missions of ever greater importance in store for me. But, I don’t want to leave any of this behind. The land, the people, the work, even just the man that I’ve become—I have 1 month to take it all in, trim it down and pack it into two 30 kilo bags carried by one worn out, but still restless missionary into a world of post card memories and day dreams on P-day.
As always, it stands true that my heavenly Father knows just where to send me to meet the people, the challenges, and the moments that are tailor fitted for my own personal joy and for the good for of the work. I’ve seen and continue seeing in a very real way how among the millions of people in the world—millions of seemingly spontaneous chain-reacting events—God orchestrates them into a soul-shaking symphony for the immortality and eternal life of man.
Miriam had been taught by the missionaries for about 6 months. She had received very special revelation from God that told her (a) that she needed to be baptized, and (b) that the man she was with was not meant to be her husband. Conflicted by those two counsels, she continued growing in testimony, saving money to prepare for marriage, a necessary step to obey the law of chastity and be baptized. Four times she saved the money and four times, unfortunate circumstances reduced her hard work to nothing: a sick child, a needy sister, or an unexpected but necessary trip to Asunciòn.
Seeing her burning testimony and love of the Book of Mormon, when I arrived here, we decided to raise something like Moroni’s standard of Liberty, but for Miriam’s soul. We went from house to house of the members, inviting them to help her in her cause. We strived to help her husband to change and to become a NEW man, so that she could obey the Lord’s counsel and marry, not THAT man, but a new, changed one.
The day arrived and we had the money needed. The plans were all in place. But, as if choreographed, 2 nights before the big day, the husband fell on his birthday after 3 months of not drinking, and hit Miriam, and was sent to jail. There he had an apparently life-changing experience and prayed his days away despite the ridicule of his cell mates. As he came out of jail several days later, he was still the same man, but he wanted to change. One week later he has kicked his before impossible vice of cigarettes, gained a testimony of the Book of Mormon and is prepared to marry Miriam and be baptized so that they can be confirmed together this Sunday. Every step in the series of events seemed unproductive, unlikely, or unwanted, but the end result is one converted family that came to church this week before any of the other members. It is amazing to see the hand of the Lord in His children`s lives.
Little Monica who was baptized last week came to church with only her 8 year old cousin, about 12 blocks. Conversion is a powerful thing.
I’ve been admittedly a little sad that I wouldn’t be able to have my final interview with President Wade. As I came to understand the importance of Priesthood Keys and the way they’ll be passed to the new President, I’m excited to see the change and to get to know President Madariaga from Argentina in my last change.
We happened to be in Asunción when this group of missionaries left, Elder Vail, a good friend was among them. Since we were in town, Pres Wade invited us to their farewell dinner and I had the chance to ask these 8 missionaries about the pearls from their interview with President Wade. Wow. The lord is really looking out for me.
Well, I love you all and wish you the best. See ya soon!
Elder McCarty
Pics
005 Changes with Elder Williamson, Dani and Rodrigo back from the office days.
011 My comp (E. Lisonbee) and I being dufusses pretending to teach
018 Trying to be a cool bridge pic, but really not that cool...failure.
Dutac THis one is me on top of a giant rock, holding the book of mormon, in case you couldn't tell.
Shluta This is a cool half japanese family. When I get home, ask me to show you the video of the cutest little japanese girl singing of all time.(Top Picture)
025 This on the other hand....EPIC. I mean, come on, look at those grass blades. Props to the Lison bizzle. (thats my companion)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, 21.Junio.2010
Dreaming of the family or home or not being a missionary most nights of the week. This week I dreamt that Dad moved to Paraguay and that it was time to go back to his house. I went, expecting a fancy, luxurious house, since everything is super cheap in Paraguay, and it was just a big empty Paraguayan house, with nothing but rickety Paraguayan chairs. So, my companion and I moved in and just had the time in our life talking and joking in this giant, empty, Paraguayan room.
Six week left. This Wednesday begins the last change of my mission. Pretty sure I’ll stay here in Pedro Juan Caballero and my companion will go. The Assistents should call us soon to give us the changes for the zone. It’s been interesting to see the different effect the end of the mission has on different Elders. Some of them get the attitude of “who cares, I’m out of here,” others spend the time searching for souvenirs and preparing and planning what they’ll do when they get home. This morning was the first real feeling of fear for the end. I guess fear is the opposite of faith, but it just seems like it’s coming to soon. I’ve kind of just felt quiet and thoughtful, but the feeling is welling up into a desire to put some goals and take advantage of these last few weeks to work with all I’ve got.
The branch continues to move forward. The Activities commitee (formed spontaneously over the last few weeks) had a fire lit in them, planned a June Party and invited all of the surrounding branches to participate. Looks like the members are getting excited for it.
President Nunez continues to work more with us and we are starting to see why he is how he is. He had been Bishop in Brasil for a LONG time and then came here, where the church is beginning and struggling and the culture is much more relaxed. He told us of his struggles to get people to go to church in shirt and tie, and to get organized and to enlist the members in service, but that nothing worked. We also had a sincere, frank conversation with his wife, who is bed-ridden and demands a lot of his time. She cried last night as she bore us her testimony and told us of her desires to serve in the church, but regret of not being able to. Now that she is the activities coordinator and makes invitations and plans activities, she is at least fulfilling a part of what she had always wanted. As we help her and get to know the family, it is incredible to see the way the PResident opens up to us. Last night we gave him a list of members we thought would work well in callings, and the most needed callings that are lacking in the branch. He humbly accepted it and promised to pray about them and fill the positions (mostly the Elders Quorum President and Ward Mission Leader). THings are looking up.
We got back in our area on Wednesday afternoon this week, tired, smelly, and feeling behind with our own investigators. It seems like the division did some good, though, because some of the Elders that were struggling to invite people to be baptized and help them get to church saw some serious progress this week. It is always a great blessing to work with missionaries that sincerely want to do this work in the Lord’s way and in the best possible way, but sometimes just need a little help to do it.
Pretty crazy experience yesterday doing contacts and a drunk man kindly received us. As he got to know us and began to speak slowly about things he had heard about the USA, he got caught up in his own story and eventually kicked us out of his house, calling us about every bad word we know in Spanish and Guarani and some we didn’t. We were on a division with a young man from the ward and tried to keep the situation cool. We didn’t respond really, just said, “ok, we came to talk about Jesus Christ and say a prayer, do you want us to or do you want us to leave?” At the end, he just wanted us to leave, I guess. Haha, one of those classic Paraguayan mission experiences.
Nine year old Monica, who’s mom is less active was baptized this week. At first we were hesitant since we didn’t know if she would be abe to continue attending church, but as she made friends with her neighbor who is an active and excited member, and she strived to say the prayer and read the Book of Mormon, she gained a strong testimony and real desires to follow Jesus Christ. One thing she had to do to follow Him was give up coffee, which her inactive mom gave her every morning. We helped her to understand the commandment, and ask her Heavenly Father for repentance and promise him not to do it again. I was able to confirm her yesterday and felt the spirit as I promised her the blessing of being a light to her family as she continues in the path she was beginning.
Tomorrow we have a big wedding and baptism planned. Miriam has saved up the money to be baptized several times and hasn’t been abe to make it. One time her baby boy got sick, another time she had to help her sister so her family could pay their bills, and another time they had to travel suddenly to Asunción. Well, they’ve been doing all they could to save up, and got a substantial part. But the members, seeing her testimony and consistency of coming to church every Sunday, and her love of the Book of Mormon, pitched in and paid enough for the entire wedding. We’re hoping they’ll be strong and committed to overcoming any obstacle to follow Jesus Christ.
Well, the work goes on. I’ll let you know how things turn out this week. I’m excited to have a new change and another new opportunity to define myself and become the best man I can be. Love you all,
Elder McCarty
Six week left. This Wednesday begins the last change of my mission. Pretty sure I’ll stay here in Pedro Juan Caballero and my companion will go. The Assistents should call us soon to give us the changes for the zone. It’s been interesting to see the different effect the end of the mission has on different Elders. Some of them get the attitude of “who cares, I’m out of here,” others spend the time searching for souvenirs and preparing and planning what they’ll do when they get home. This morning was the first real feeling of fear for the end. I guess fear is the opposite of faith, but it just seems like it’s coming to soon. I’ve kind of just felt quiet and thoughtful, but the feeling is welling up into a desire to put some goals and take advantage of these last few weeks to work with all I’ve got.
The branch continues to move forward. The Activities commitee (formed spontaneously over the last few weeks) had a fire lit in them, planned a June Party and invited all of the surrounding branches to participate. Looks like the members are getting excited for it.
President Nunez continues to work more with us and we are starting to see why he is how he is. He had been Bishop in Brasil for a LONG time and then came here, where the church is beginning and struggling and the culture is much more relaxed. He told us of his struggles to get people to go to church in shirt and tie, and to get organized and to enlist the members in service, but that nothing worked. We also had a sincere, frank conversation with his wife, who is bed-ridden and demands a lot of his time. She cried last night as she bore us her testimony and told us of her desires to serve in the church, but regret of not being able to. Now that she is the activities coordinator and makes invitations and plans activities, she is at least fulfilling a part of what she had always wanted. As we help her and get to know the family, it is incredible to see the way the PResident opens up to us. Last night we gave him a list of members we thought would work well in callings, and the most needed callings that are lacking in the branch. He humbly accepted it and promised to pray about them and fill the positions (mostly the Elders Quorum President and Ward Mission Leader). THings are looking up.
We got back in our area on Wednesday afternoon this week, tired, smelly, and feeling behind with our own investigators. It seems like the division did some good, though, because some of the Elders that were struggling to invite people to be baptized and help them get to church saw some serious progress this week. It is always a great blessing to work with missionaries that sincerely want to do this work in the Lord’s way and in the best possible way, but sometimes just need a little help to do it.
Pretty crazy experience yesterday doing contacts and a drunk man kindly received us. As he got to know us and began to speak slowly about things he had heard about the USA, he got caught up in his own story and eventually kicked us out of his house, calling us about every bad word we know in Spanish and Guarani and some we didn’t. We were on a division with a young man from the ward and tried to keep the situation cool. We didn’t respond really, just said, “ok, we came to talk about Jesus Christ and say a prayer, do you want us to or do you want us to leave?” At the end, he just wanted us to leave, I guess. Haha, one of those classic Paraguayan mission experiences.
Nine year old Monica, who’s mom is less active was baptized this week. At first we were hesitant since we didn’t know if she would be abe to continue attending church, but as she made friends with her neighbor who is an active and excited member, and she strived to say the prayer and read the Book of Mormon, she gained a strong testimony and real desires to follow Jesus Christ. One thing she had to do to follow Him was give up coffee, which her inactive mom gave her every morning. We helped her to understand the commandment, and ask her Heavenly Father for repentance and promise him not to do it again. I was able to confirm her yesterday and felt the spirit as I promised her the blessing of being a light to her family as she continues in the path she was beginning.
Tomorrow we have a big wedding and baptism planned. Miriam has saved up the money to be baptized several times and hasn’t been abe to make it. One time her baby boy got sick, another time she had to help her sister so her family could pay their bills, and another time they had to travel suddenly to Asunción. Well, they’ve been doing all they could to save up, and got a substantial part. But the members, seeing her testimony and consistency of coming to church every Sunday, and her love of the Book of Mormon, pitched in and paid enough for the entire wedding. We’re hoping they’ll be strong and committed to overcoming any obstacle to follow Jesus Christ.
Well, the work goes on. I’ll let you know how things turn out this week. I’m excited to have a new change and another new opportunity to define myself and become the best man I can be. Love you all,
Elder McCarty
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, 14.Jun.2010
Well, today we are going out to the farthest part of our zone, about 4 hours away, to do some divisions and help some Elders out there that are struggling. The bus leaves in 20 minutes so I'm a little stressed for time.
Setbacks this week had the zone a little stressed and feeling apathetic. In district meeting we tried to help them humbly take responsibility for the results, and to determine to do better, focusing on a raised vision of that of which we and our areas are capable.
Anyhow, in our area things are progressing and the members are taking charge of the activities. It's been great to see the changes, and that the members are getting excited. We also have some great baptisms preparing for this month.
Love ya, talk to you more next week. PROMISE!
Elder McCarty
Setbacks this week had the zone a little stressed and feeling apathetic. In district meeting we tried to help them humbly take responsibility for the results, and to determine to do better, focusing on a raised vision of that of which we and our areas are capable.
Anyhow, in our area things are progressing and the members are taking charge of the activities. It's been great to see the changes, and that the members are getting excited. We also have some great baptisms preparing for this month.
Love ya, talk to you more next week. PROMISE!
Elder McCarty
Monday, June 7, 2010
The Rolla Holla, Mon. 7, June, 2010
Burly Pres Nunez slowly stood up to the podium in Sacrament Meeting to conduct. He was wearing his thick-rimmed glasses, and spoke with his thick Brazilian accent. After announcing the activities that are getting started in the branch, he paused and said “Something very grave has happened in our branch.” The whole room went silent. “Somebody has scratched “%/!”$?” into the wood on the sacrament table.” To us, the Americans, and to his Brazilian mind, saying the worst word in Spanish in Sacrament meeting wasn’t so bad, but the congregation gasped. Haha. Probably wasn’t necessary to say the word, but just a funny, Paraguayan sacrament meeting experience.
The branch is progressing. Our work in the area is starting to pay off and the investigators that we DO take to church are beginning to enjoy the experience and learning important things to help them progress, instead of feeling lost and unsure.
We had the first successful activity this week and about 30 members came, but the whole branch was a buzz with good talk about how well it went. They are all excited to support the Activities coordinator in the other activities they’ve planned this month. Pres Nunez is also excited about the work and even came out with us on Saturday night to visit investigators. For us it was a normal visit, but he inspired me as we arrived and he was shining up his shoes, neatly combing his hair and putting on his best cologne. He is a great guy and has a great love for the people, though sometimes might have difficulty showing. I can learn a lot from him.
We were going to have District Counsel las Saturday, but the District President called and cancelled on us at the last moment. We are planning on meeting up with just him and his counsellors when they have their meeting later this week. Our deepest desire is to help establisht he church here in the PJC, so that it can really bless people’s lives.
I feel ever indebted for the way that it has blessed mine! With love,
Elder McCarty
P.S. SORRY there are no pictures. I promise to do better this week!
The branch is progressing. Our work in the area is starting to pay off and the investigators that we DO take to church are beginning to enjoy the experience and learning important things to help them progress, instead of feeling lost and unsure.
We had the first successful activity this week and about 30 members came, but the whole branch was a buzz with good talk about how well it went. They are all excited to support the Activities coordinator in the other activities they’ve planned this month. Pres Nunez is also excited about the work and even came out with us on Saturday night to visit investigators. For us it was a normal visit, but he inspired me as we arrived and he was shining up his shoes, neatly combing his hair and putting on his best cologne. He is a great guy and has a great love for the people, though sometimes might have difficulty showing. I can learn a lot from him.
We were going to have District Counsel las Saturday, but the District President called and cancelled on us at the last moment. We are planning on meeting up with just him and his counsellors when they have their meeting later this week. Our deepest desire is to help establisht he church here in the PJC, so that it can really bless people’s lives.
I feel ever indebted for the way that it has blessed mine! With love,
Elder McCarty
P.S. SORRY there are no pictures. I promise to do better this week!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Rolla Holla, Monday, 31 of May, 2010
Even being here in the Internet café, typing, makes me anxious to get out and work. It’s funny, I’ve been pretty good throughout the mission at setting clear, actionable goals and then working towards them, but now I’m almost in a frantic rush to do EVERYTHING. So, this is my note to self: calm down, choose a few simple things and do better. That’s why I love President Hinckley’s counsel to just “stand a little taller.” In the hustle and bustle of life and the mission, we can simply continue forward, serving, loving, and doing our best, and then a little more!
To follow the request of the area seventy that all missionaries move out that live on chapel grounds, we moved to a new house. We lost some things: heat, paint, walls of something other than brick, and closeness to the chapel. But at least this week we gained a new pet cat. Chester showed up on our porch day after day for some unknown reason and so my companion put a box on the front porch for him to sleep in. Things were great until one late night, getting home from the work, my companion was playing with him and…he BIT him! Yeah, we didn’t expect it. So we took away his box priviledges and called Hermana Wade, the health specialist to see if we should do anything about it, haha. I think he’ll be ok.
We’ve been focusing a lot of our efforts on helping the local leaders to run the church correctly here in the PJC. Most of them know how it should be, some of them have even done it in the past, but now, they just don’t do it. It takes lots of patience and tact but has been an incredible learning experience.
So, today in we invited the District President, Pres Villasboa to give a short talk to the zone on how to better coordinate our work with the members here in Pedro Juan Caballero District. It was great to hear about his desires to better the district and his goals to become a stake. Most of all, I think it was great for the missionaries to see that there ARE leaders who care and want to help, and for him to see that we as missionaries REALLY want to establish the church and the work we are doing to make that happen. He also invited us to attend District Leadership meetings on Saturdays
In our Branch, specifically, the members and leaders are getting excited. We were able to work with Pres Nunez to set up a schedule for weekly activities. He called an activities coordinator and she is excited to plan and prepare and with our help, invite members so that the activities are successful. The youth is getting excited as well, and enjoy the Sunday school youth classes, as well as young women’s and Aaronic Priesthood classes that weren’t being held before (which means, we teach them often, but are working to change that).
This week we had a leadership meeting and then Zone Conference in Asunciòn. Since I was there all night after the leadership conference, Pres Wade invited me to his house to help him prepare a presentation for the zone conference the following day. The presentation was to help the mission get to know our new mission President, Pres Madariaga. After finishing, Hermana Wade made us some burritos and spaghetti, American-style, and we sat around the dinner table talking about the mission, and our purpose, and the great changes that will soon be taking place. It was an incredible experience.
Then, after giving the presentation the following day in one of the zone conference sessions, Pres Wade walked slowly from the big white screen to where Hermana Wade was sitting. As he walked he sighed deeply and said, “well, this whole thing makes you feel pretty darn dispensable, doesn’t it.” We all listened intensely, as we thought that he was ANYTING but dispensable. Thoughts ran through my head from the night before, hearing that he will only train the new mission President for a period of 2 hours before flying to the States and leaving it all in Pres Madariaga’s hands.
We talked about his life quest to become an indispensable member in the Kingdom of God. He talked to us about how really being indispensable means being the kind of person who SEES a need and then FILLS it. He said, “those are the kinds of people that the angels tap on the shoulder, when help is needed.” I felt the spirit deeply and have been striving and praying to see needs and fill them, and to become that indispensable missionary and member in God’s kingdom. It has brought a new and deepened sense of purpose to my mission and to each of my days as I am about my Father’s business. I invite each of you to pray for that gift and to see needs and then to fill them. I know THAT is the way to feel real joy in life, and to experience REAL growth and progress. I love you and miss you all. Have a great week!
Elder McCarty
To follow the request of the area seventy that all missionaries move out that live on chapel grounds, we moved to a new house. We lost some things: heat, paint, walls of something other than brick, and closeness to the chapel. But at least this week we gained a new pet cat. Chester showed up on our porch day after day for some unknown reason and so my companion put a box on the front porch for him to sleep in. Things were great until one late night, getting home from the work, my companion was playing with him and…he BIT him! Yeah, we didn’t expect it. So we took away his box priviledges and called Hermana Wade, the health specialist to see if we should do anything about it, haha. I think he’ll be ok.
We’ve been focusing a lot of our efforts on helping the local leaders to run the church correctly here in the PJC. Most of them know how it should be, some of them have even done it in the past, but now, they just don’t do it. It takes lots of patience and tact but has been an incredible learning experience.
So, today in we invited the District President, Pres Villasboa to give a short talk to the zone on how to better coordinate our work with the members here in Pedro Juan Caballero District. It was great to hear about his desires to better the district and his goals to become a stake. Most of all, I think it was great for the missionaries to see that there ARE leaders who care and want to help, and for him to see that we as missionaries REALLY want to establish the church and the work we are doing to make that happen. He also invited us to attend District Leadership meetings on Saturdays
In our Branch, specifically, the members and leaders are getting excited. We were able to work with Pres Nunez to set up a schedule for weekly activities. He called an activities coordinator and she is excited to plan and prepare and with our help, invite members so that the activities are successful. The youth is getting excited as well, and enjoy the Sunday school youth classes, as well as young women’s and Aaronic Priesthood classes that weren’t being held before (which means, we teach them often, but are working to change that).
This week we had a leadership meeting and then Zone Conference in Asunciòn. Since I was there all night after the leadership conference, Pres Wade invited me to his house to help him prepare a presentation for the zone conference the following day. The presentation was to help the mission get to know our new mission President, Pres Madariaga. After finishing, Hermana Wade made us some burritos and spaghetti, American-style, and we sat around the dinner table talking about the mission, and our purpose, and the great changes that will soon be taking place. It was an incredible experience.
Then, after giving the presentation the following day in one of the zone conference sessions, Pres Wade walked slowly from the big white screen to where Hermana Wade was sitting. As he walked he sighed deeply and said, “well, this whole thing makes you feel pretty darn dispensable, doesn’t it.” We all listened intensely, as we thought that he was ANYTING but dispensable. Thoughts ran through my head from the night before, hearing that he will only train the new mission President for a period of 2 hours before flying to the States and leaving it all in Pres Madariaga’s hands.
We talked about his life quest to become an indispensable member in the Kingdom of God. He talked to us about how really being indispensable means being the kind of person who SEES a need and then FILLS it. He said, “those are the kinds of people that the angels tap on the shoulder, when help is needed.” I felt the spirit deeply and have been striving and praying to see needs and fill them, and to become that indispensable missionary and member in God’s kingdom. It has brought a new and deepened sense of purpose to my mission and to each of my days as I am about my Father’s business. I invite each of you to pray for that gift and to see needs and then to fill them. I know THAT is the way to feel real joy in life, and to experience REAL growth and progress. I love you and miss you all. Have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, May 25, 2010
The office moved and now has a new address for any letters or packages (if you´re going to send them, you´d better get on it, these weeks are your last chance)
Elder Kyler McCarty
Paraguay Asuncion North Mission
Avda. Santisima Trinidad 1280 c/ Julio Correa
Asunción Paraguay
It is exciting to be a part of such a great work. This week it showed that as a zone we were more consistent in our prayers, faith, and felt need for the miracles we desired. It was incredible to see the big leaps of progress that came, which are only possible through mighty miracles of God.
We won´t be having District Meeting this week, and will have to travel all Thursday for Zone Conference, so as we Rendired, we asked the District Leaders to stress that we didn´t want to make any excuses or have any set backs because of those things. They passed that on to their districts along with several things we´ve been applying to move the zone forward and we will all be praying to see the miracles necessary to raise the bar to the next level in the zone.
The area itself is also moving forward. We were able to see a very well organized and executed baptism with the help of the ward (after insistence and careful coordination), and the overall attendance continues to increase, from 40, to 49, now to 63 last week. We have the goal of 80 in church and met and prayed with the branch President to bring it to pass. He is a good man with a humble heart. We are working with him, and plan to continue organizing and coordinating our efforts to establish the kingdom in Pedro Juan Caballero. Well love you all and miss you. Hope you have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Pics
001 Me and the Villalba brothers. Juan and Froilan. AWESOME.
002 The whole group in San Pedro
003 At changes with good ol Elder Vail and Elder Maddux, both going home ALREADY!
004 Elder Walker and I preaching outside the temple
005 Me watching the bags of like 4 Elders.
006 On the bus with giant fancy comfortable seats.
007 See what Im sayin
008 Elder Snow and I with a little chubby girl wearing my hat. Shes cute and likes to swear, oops.
010 After a big FHE at an inactive family. Most of them came this Sunday for the first time in a long time.
011 The baptism of Sunilda. She has a great testimony and will be a good solid member!
Elder Kyler McCarty
Paraguay Asuncion North Mission
Avda. Santisima Trinidad 1280 c/ Julio Correa
Asunción Paraguay
It is exciting to be a part of such a great work. This week it showed that as a zone we were more consistent in our prayers, faith, and felt need for the miracles we desired. It was incredible to see the big leaps of progress that came, which are only possible through mighty miracles of God.
We won´t be having District Meeting this week, and will have to travel all Thursday for Zone Conference, so as we Rendired, we asked the District Leaders to stress that we didn´t want to make any excuses or have any set backs because of those things. They passed that on to their districts along with several things we´ve been applying to move the zone forward and we will all be praying to see the miracles necessary to raise the bar to the next level in the zone.
The area itself is also moving forward. We were able to see a very well organized and executed baptism with the help of the ward (after insistence and careful coordination), and the overall attendance continues to increase, from 40, to 49, now to 63 last week. We have the goal of 80 in church and met and prayed with the branch President to bring it to pass. He is a good man with a humble heart. We are working with him, and plan to continue organizing and coordinating our efforts to establish the kingdom in Pedro Juan Caballero. Well love you all and miss you. Hope you have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Pics
001 Me and the Villalba brothers. Juan and Froilan. AWESOME.
002 The whole group in San Pedro
003 At changes with good ol Elder Vail and Elder Maddux, both going home ALREADY!
004 Elder Walker and I preaching outside the temple
005 Me watching the bags of like 4 Elders.
006 On the bus with giant fancy comfortable seats.
007 See what Im sayin
008 Elder Snow and I with a little chubby girl wearing my hat. Shes cute and likes to swear, oops.
010 After a big FHE at an inactive family. Most of them came this Sunday for the first time in a long time.
011 The baptism of Sunilda. She has a great testimony and will be a good solid member!Monday, May 17, 2010
The Rolla Holla, Monday, 17 May, 2010
From helping established wards in downtown Asunción stay organized and do things in the Lord´s way, to watching the Lord prepare, help progress, and organize the church from the nothingness that was San Pedro. Now I´ve been sent to help sound the call of repentance in a Branch of the church with over 500 members. This week 49 of them went, and things are looking up. Patient, consistent work from dedicated Elders is starting to pay off, and I´m excited to do my part in that effort.
Here in Pedro Juan Caballero, there are 5 branches. One of them has a total of between 10 and 15 people in church each week. I imagine the church here started much as it started back in San Pedro, with lots of excitement and solid, prepared converts from the beginning. In the excitement, 5 chapels were built, and the growth continued. For whatever reason it may have suffered set backs, the beauty is that these people have testimonies, and have them deeply. Now we´ve just got to help them remember.
We´ve been doing our best to find quality men and families to strengthen the church. One night, a man passed by on his motorcycle whistling some familiar tune. Five minutes later we came to a house and decided to get to know the family. Out came 45 year old Elisha, happy to be living, and curious about our message. He offered us coffee, or if not tea, and we settled for hot chocolate. We had a good talk about how he could be with his family that he loved so much for the eternities. As we left and continued chatting, I took my eyes for a moment off of his giant german shephard. 2 minutes later I heard him growling and felt something bruch my leg and jumped. He grabbed my pants and tore them, but somehow, maybe miraculously, my flesh escaped the jaws of death. Yikes. But don´t worry, I´m ok.
Today with the whole zone, which is very spread out, we met in our chapel with the rain pouring down on the cement outside. After an inspiring meeting and feeling our vision being raised together, we went as a zone to play soccer in a nearby field. As the rain poured down and we got soaked, I looked up at the blowing palm trees and realized how much I love this place. Pedro Juan Caballero is on the very border of Brazil and we see brazil almost everyday from our area. Lots of people speak Portuguese so I may get to learn it a little myself. I´m loving the mission and excited about the new challenges and opportunities to learn of the mission!
Elder McCarty
Here in Pedro Juan Caballero, there are 5 branches. One of them has a total of between 10 and 15 people in church each week. I imagine the church here started much as it started back in San Pedro, with lots of excitement and solid, prepared converts from the beginning. In the excitement, 5 chapels were built, and the growth continued. For whatever reason it may have suffered set backs, the beauty is that these people have testimonies, and have them deeply. Now we´ve just got to help them remember.
We´ve been doing our best to find quality men and families to strengthen the church. One night, a man passed by on his motorcycle whistling some familiar tune. Five minutes later we came to a house and decided to get to know the family. Out came 45 year old Elisha, happy to be living, and curious about our message. He offered us coffee, or if not tea, and we settled for hot chocolate. We had a good talk about how he could be with his family that he loved so much for the eternities. As we left and continued chatting, I took my eyes for a moment off of his giant german shephard. 2 minutes later I heard him growling and felt something bruch my leg and jumped. He grabbed my pants and tore them, but somehow, maybe miraculously, my flesh escaped the jaws of death. Yikes. But don´t worry, I´m ok.
Today with the whole zone, which is very spread out, we met in our chapel with the rain pouring down on the cement outside. After an inspiring meeting and feeling our vision being raised together, we went as a zone to play soccer in a nearby field. As the rain poured down and we got soaked, I looked up at the blowing palm trees and realized how much I love this place. Pedro Juan Caballero is on the very border of Brazil and we see brazil almost everyday from our area. Lots of people speak Portuguese so I may get to learn it a little myself. I´m loving the mission and excited about the new challenges and opportunities to learn of the mission!
Elder McCarty
Monday, May 10, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, May 10, 2010
Hugo and Fernando are the grandsons of Elida Garcia Villalba, the wife the humble and always incredibly happy bread salesman Juan. They live about 20 minutes walking from San Pedro, but come to visit grandma almost every weekend, and that is how we found, taught, and baptized them.
From the beginning they loved the church and felt the spirit clearly and powerfully as little children so often do. When there baptismal date approached the path to their house was blocked by giant puddles, 2 or 3 inches deep from the previous day’s rain. We went barefoot so our shoes didn’t get wet. We were on a mission to their little village of Curupayty, where we’d help their parents overcome doubts about their sons’ baptisms. They both consented and their home filled with excitement to see them take this important step towards bringing the blessings of the gospel into both their own and their family’s life.
The next day, the famous day-of-the-baptism-phone-call came and I figured something must have been wrong. As I’d suspected, the Father’s doubts had returned, and, as usual, because of negative comments from his neighbors. We prayed about it and took the leap of faith to rent a truck to take us to their house and then afterwards to the river for the baptism.
We arrived in Curupayty and talked with their father for almost 2 hours, determined not to return without his consent to allow these blessings into his family’s life. All of that talk seemed to get…nowhere. The truck we’d rented kept the clock running as he waited for us. But suddenly, as if by some unseen power, the father consented, signed the Baptismal Record, and we were off. The next day, their mother, Graciela, attended church to see their confirmation and is excited to prepare for her own baptism. Their father continues to open up to us little by little, and even invited us over for a Barbeque next weekend.
We found a new house and moved into it today. It will be a bit of an inconvenience since it is about 10 blocks from the chapel, but is otherwise a great house, with plenty of space, low rent, meets the conditions of the mission, and is owned by the father of my good friend and great convert Joel Caballero.
I was amazed by the members this week and their strength. Though only about 6 women and 7 men stay for the classes after Sacrament Meeting, they have solid testimonies and support each other through visits, encouragement, and magnifying their church callings. This is a great and a marvelous work. Love you all, especially my mom. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Elder McCarty
001 Anahí, Joel’s little girl, wearing my hat and name tag.
002 Me lookin chubby with a sweet old grandma. The great grandma of Hugo and Fernando that were baptized this week.
003 Hugo’s baptism, it was a cold day, so they were especially courageous to follow the answer they’d felt from God, despite the obstacles
004 Fernando’s baptism. Little Fernando threw himself into the current after his baptism, diving headfirst into the water, and everybody laughed. He was just so excited Lol.
006 Here I am in my old room. Those brown lines, we didn’t know what they were at first, but afterwards discovered that they were tunnels made by some strange bug that made holes in the wall and tunneled to the roof. Weird.
From the beginning they loved the church and felt the spirit clearly and powerfully as little children so often do. When there baptismal date approached the path to their house was blocked by giant puddles, 2 or 3 inches deep from the previous day’s rain. We went barefoot so our shoes didn’t get wet. We were on a mission to their little village of Curupayty, where we’d help their parents overcome doubts about their sons’ baptisms. They both consented and their home filled with excitement to see them take this important step towards bringing the blessings of the gospel into both their own and their family’s life.
The next day, the famous day-of-the-baptism-phone-call came and I figured something must have been wrong. As I’d suspected, the Father’s doubts had returned, and, as usual, because of negative comments from his neighbors. We prayed about it and took the leap of faith to rent a truck to take us to their house and then afterwards to the river for the baptism.
We arrived in Curupayty and talked with their father for almost 2 hours, determined not to return without his consent to allow these blessings into his family’s life. All of that talk seemed to get…nowhere. The truck we’d rented kept the clock running as he waited for us. But suddenly, as if by some unseen power, the father consented, signed the Baptismal Record, and we were off. The next day, their mother, Graciela, attended church to see their confirmation and is excited to prepare for her own baptism. Their father continues to open up to us little by little, and even invited us over for a Barbeque next weekend.
We found a new house and moved into it today. It will be a bit of an inconvenience since it is about 10 blocks from the chapel, but is otherwise a great house, with plenty of space, low rent, meets the conditions of the mission, and is owned by the father of my good friend and great convert Joel Caballero.
I was amazed by the members this week and their strength. Though only about 6 women and 7 men stay for the classes after Sacrament Meeting, they have solid testimonies and support each other through visits, encouragement, and magnifying their church callings. This is a great and a marvelous work. Love you all, especially my mom. HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
Elder McCarty
001 Anahí, Joel’s little girl, wearing my hat and name tag.
002 Me lookin chubby with a sweet old grandma. The great grandma of Hugo and Fernando that were baptized this week.
003 Hugo’s baptism, it was a cold day, so they were especially courageous to follow the answer they’d felt from God, despite the obstacles
004 Fernando’s baptism. Little Fernando threw himself into the current after his baptism, diving headfirst into the water, and everybody laughed. He was just so excited Lol.
006 Here I am in my old room. Those brown lines, we didn’t know what they were at first, but afterwards discovered that they were tunnels made by some strange bug that made holes in the wall and tunneled to the roof. Weird.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, May 03, 2010
Friday morning the cell phone range and showed the ominous name: “Pte Wade.” In the history of my mission outside the office, this has usually meant some big change. Apparently it came down from the area Presidency that they don’t want missionaries living in the same building as the chapel any longer. So, we’ve been searching for a new house since the morning he called. There are a few options, though they are pretty far from the chapel. San Pedro is largely populated by students and since school is in session, most houses are being rented to them. Of course, I’m sure we’ll find something before this week ends and have commited to being in a different house by next Monday.
To be honest, this was a faith-trying week. It would have been easy to get discouraged as 2 excited and intelligent men we were working with (Jimmy and Edison) left town for what seemed like no good reason before their baptisms, and Raquel, who has been baptized but not confirmed, was basically grounded by her husband, deprived of her cell phone, and forbidden to talk to us. The hardest blow came when she herself told us that she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue, and felt that she had been confused, and that we should not try to contact her anymore. To top it all off, ALL of the 4 wonderful families we were blessed to find and begin teaching fell to some obstacle or set-back and weren’t able to make it to church (though the wife and 3 kids of one family came).
But the work must go on. Most of all, it was a lesson in “counting your blessings.” We were able to have 12 investigators for a total of 36 of Heavenly Father’s children in Sacrament Meeting, and will be praying and working our hearts out to have at least 1 of 3 possible baptisms this week. The members took charge of the meetings, once again, and it was another beautiful testimony meeting, followed by well-taught classes. Though perhaps not exactly the results we had hoped for, Elder Walker and I decided to kneel and return thanks at the end of the two meetings. We are cheerfully doing all that is our power and have the utmost assurance that His arm will be revealed.
Elder McCarty
To be honest, this was a faith-trying week. It would have been easy to get discouraged as 2 excited and intelligent men we were working with (Jimmy and Edison) left town for what seemed like no good reason before their baptisms, and Raquel, who has been baptized but not confirmed, was basically grounded by her husband, deprived of her cell phone, and forbidden to talk to us. The hardest blow came when she herself told us that she wasn’t sure she wanted to continue, and felt that she had been confused, and that we should not try to contact her anymore. To top it all off, ALL of the 4 wonderful families we were blessed to find and begin teaching fell to some obstacle or set-back and weren’t able to make it to church (though the wife and 3 kids of one family came).
But the work must go on. Most of all, it was a lesson in “counting your blessings.” We were able to have 12 investigators for a total of 36 of Heavenly Father’s children in Sacrament Meeting, and will be praying and working our hearts out to have at least 1 of 3 possible baptisms this week. The members took charge of the meetings, once again, and it was another beautiful testimony meeting, followed by well-taught classes. Though perhaps not exactly the results we had hoped for, Elder Walker and I decided to kneel and return thanks at the end of the two meetings. We are cheerfully doing all that is our power and have the utmost assurance that His arm will be revealed.
Elder McCarty
Monday, April 26, 2010
The Rolla Holla, Monday, April 26, 2010
The rain, persecution in San Pedro, discouragement, our own personal weakness, and so many other things had us gritting our teeth to carry on this week. Yet, we kept our hopes up and bore down in consecration in specific areas we had each chosen to stop holding back from the Lord. Though each day I felt that our work was unworthy and unfit of the lofty goal and specific miracle we were asking for, I strived to focus on my love of the people, believing that our loving Heavenly Father could concede us the miracle regardless.
As Elder Walker and I counted our Attendance in church, the people just kept coming. 10 minutes into the meeting, there weren’t enough chairs for everybody. As I counted and recounted the investigators, I could hardly believe it: 18. It was one of those tender mercies of God. Not 17, not 19, but 18 investigators in Sacrament Meeting, the exact number we had as a goal for several weeks but hadn’t until this week prayed consistently and fervently, and desired for exactly the right reasons: in order to help 18 of our brothers and sisters that we love and sincerely want to progress take the next, important step. They did and we were overjoyed. As we finished the 2 ordinations and the group filed out of our little chapel after 2 hours of meetings, Elder Walker and I just sat in awe. After some moments of silence, we decided to kneel and offer a prayer to return thanks.
Well, now we are striving to remain humble, re-calibrate and not leave ANY of what we had learned behind. The work progresses great. Elder Frutos from the office called me this week with some questions about the branch formation form, so we are excited, though willing to patiently wait for the members to have the blessing of an official branch here in San Pedro.
I have felt in these last two weeks a greater urgency to prepare the members here for the possibility of me leaving. Our little group is functioning well, and all members have, or will have by the end of the week, specific, written goal certificates (temple, mission, personal Progress, etc.) that they can display in their homes to keep them excited to progress, as well as callings or assignments, and finally, friends and nourishment by the good word of God through the visiting program we have been striving to set up. In our twice-weekly activities, we’ve been talking about important topics like pride, not taking offense, unity, and creating Zion. I honestly feel like they are ready and will be able to continue with Elder Walker’s able, consistent guidance if I am called to leave this place. Of course,
I am MORE than happy and willing to continue WHEREVER the Lord needs me most, and am confident that wherever I go, it will be where He needs me.
Elder McCarty
005 The baptism of Juan's brother, Froilan Villalba, a great man and will be a great strength to the church.
As Elder Walker and I counted our Attendance in church, the people just kept coming. 10 minutes into the meeting, there weren’t enough chairs for everybody. As I counted and recounted the investigators, I could hardly believe it: 18. It was one of those tender mercies of God. Not 17, not 19, but 18 investigators in Sacrament Meeting, the exact number we had as a goal for several weeks but hadn’t until this week prayed consistently and fervently, and desired for exactly the right reasons: in order to help 18 of our brothers and sisters that we love and sincerely want to progress take the next, important step. They did and we were overjoyed. As we finished the 2 ordinations and the group filed out of our little chapel after 2 hours of meetings, Elder Walker and I just sat in awe. After some moments of silence, we decided to kneel and offer a prayer to return thanks.
Well, now we are striving to remain humble, re-calibrate and not leave ANY of what we had learned behind. The work progresses great. Elder Frutos from the office called me this week with some questions about the branch formation form, so we are excited, though willing to patiently wait for the members to have the blessing of an official branch here in San Pedro.
I have felt in these last two weeks a greater urgency to prepare the members here for the possibility of me leaving. Our little group is functioning well, and all members have, or will have by the end of the week, specific, written goal certificates (temple, mission, personal Progress, etc.) that they can display in their homes to keep them excited to progress, as well as callings or assignments, and finally, friends and nourishment by the good word of God through the visiting program we have been striving to set up. In our twice-weekly activities, we’ve been talking about important topics like pride, not taking offense, unity, and creating Zion. I honestly feel like they are ready and will be able to continue with Elder Walker’s able, consistent guidance if I am called to leave this place. Of course,
I am MORE than happy and willing to continue WHEREVER the Lord needs me most, and am confident that wherever I go, it will be where He needs me.
Elder McCarty
001 Did a division this week with Juan and it was GREAT. He speaks a lot of Guarani and little Spanish but was a great missionary and is even learning to SING!
005 The baptism of Juan's brother, Froilan Villalba, a great man and will be a great strength to the church.
Monday, April 19, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, 19 of April, 2010
Today we played 2 games of 2 on 2 soccer under the pounding Paraguayan sun. We were in Santa Rosa. It stuck me as I road in the 3 hour bus ride to give District Meeting the importance of love in this work. I realized that one of the reasons God hasn’t conceded me a specific miracle I’ve been praying for, is that my motives aren’t as centered in love as they ought to be. I invited my district to set a goal as a district for Attendance in church. We had set one for the conference in Concepciòn of 30 investigators between the two companionships, and saw miracles to be able to take 41, something I KNOW I could never have done on my own. We decided we would (1) Pray daily about our specific district goal, (2) Desire it out of LOVE for those people, and for that reason only, and (3) listening to the voice of the Spirit to find those that are chosen and prepared.
My awesome Mother wrote me this week and told me this story: “a sister in the ward told of her niece who was being baptized in a swimming pool and then confirmed right afterwards. When the Elder giving the blessing said "Receive the Holy Ghost" she piped up excitedly "OH, I Got it!!" during the blessing. I thought what a joy and simplicity children have in their testimony of the gospel and their communications and interactions with spiritual things.” It made me laugh, and feel the love towards little children that I have grown to cherish so much here on the mission. It reminded me of a story from a confirmation we had this week, though interestingly different. As we confirmed the man of a family that was baptized this week, with the door open to our little meeting house (since we don’t ever want anybody to be turned away), somebody passed by and yelled out “false prophets.” That’s just one of the many different attacks we get here in San Pedro where the persecution is almost, but not quite, as great as the many mighty miracles.
An indescribable outpouring of the Spirit this Sunday. We prepared Joel to conduct the meeting, which he did, along with very clear explanations of what the meeting is, the importance of the sacrament, and how to sing the hymns for all of the new members and investigators. Wow.
Our only 2 Deacons passed the sacrament, and our only 2 Priests blessed it. Then we listened to the testimonies of the family that was baptized and confirmed this week (an elderly couple with 10 children who will be an excellent adition to our growing family here in San Pedro). Elder Walker and I sang a special musical unmber of “I Stand All Amazed” in Guarani, and I gave the last talk. It was incredible the power of the spirit that we all felt, and the number of comments after the meeting from members and investigators alike about the special feeling of the meeting (especially an excellent family who was in church for the first time and is already excited about coming again next week).
We were then able to begin having the second hour of meetings, with the men in one class and the women and children in another. We are beginning to implement Home and Visiting Teaching and have already seen some incredible results. Truly “God has given the increase” as each individual and our small group continues to progress in miraculous ways. I love this work and look forward to a lifetime of it! With love,
Elder Kyler McCarty
Pics
003: The baptism this week with the members that went as well. WOW, it was beautiful, as always here at the edge of the Rio Jejui.
004 Elder Walker and the 3 that got baptized this week: Raquel (who had to go out of town and so wasn’t confirmed yet), then Victoria, and Concepciòn. 
006 The family that was baptized this week always invites us for lunch and she is a GREAT cook. Then there is always fresh squeezed, seweetened grapefruit juice. Heterei (delish).
010 Tired of soccer pics, lol. These games I had to wear my classic, foldable sombrero to protect myself from the sun. 
My awesome Mother wrote me this week and told me this story: “a sister in the ward told of her niece who was being baptized in a swimming pool and then confirmed right afterwards. When the Elder giving the blessing said "Receive the Holy Ghost" she piped up excitedly "OH, I Got it!!" during the blessing. I thought what a joy and simplicity children have in their testimony of the gospel and their communications and interactions with spiritual things.” It made me laugh, and feel the love towards little children that I have grown to cherish so much here on the mission. It reminded me of a story from a confirmation we had this week, though interestingly different. As we confirmed the man of a family that was baptized this week, with the door open to our little meeting house (since we don’t ever want anybody to be turned away), somebody passed by and yelled out “false prophets.” That’s just one of the many different attacks we get here in San Pedro where the persecution is almost, but not quite, as great as the many mighty miracles.
An indescribable outpouring of the Spirit this Sunday. We prepared Joel to conduct the meeting, which he did, along with very clear explanations of what the meeting is, the importance of the sacrament, and how to sing the hymns for all of the new members and investigators. Wow.
Our only 2 Deacons passed the sacrament, and our only 2 Priests blessed it. Then we listened to the testimonies of the family that was baptized and confirmed this week (an elderly couple with 10 children who will be an excellent adition to our growing family here in San Pedro). Elder Walker and I sang a special musical unmber of “I Stand All Amazed” in Guarani, and I gave the last talk. It was incredible the power of the spirit that we all felt, and the number of comments after the meeting from members and investigators alike about the special feeling of the meeting (especially an excellent family who was in church for the first time and is already excited about coming again next week).
We were then able to begin having the second hour of meetings, with the men in one class and the women and children in another. We are beginning to implement Home and Visiting Teaching and have already seen some incredible results. Truly “God has given the increase” as each individual and our small group continues to progress in miraculous ways. I love this work and look forward to a lifetime of it! With love,
Elder Kyler McCarty
Pics
003: The baptism this week with the members that went as well. WOW, it was beautiful, as always here at the edge of the Rio Jejui.
004 Elder Walker and the 3 that got baptized this week: Raquel (who had to go out of town and so wasn’t confirmed yet), then Victoria, and Concepciòn. 006 The family that was baptized this week always invites us for lunch and she is a GREAT cook. Then there is always fresh squeezed, seweetened grapefruit juice. Heterei (delish).010 Tired of soccer pics, lol. These games I had to wear my classic, foldable sombrero to protect myself from the sun.
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, April 12, 2010
It’s cooling down a little in this half of the world. Even when the beating sun is out, a pleasant breeze keeps us cools as we sit under the thick shade of giant mango trees. “If I told you that this tree had the most delicious mangos in the whole world, how would you find out if it’s true?” The convenient example we use several times a day to invite people to just try it out and take one bite by sincerely reading, praying, and attending church to taste the sweetness of the truth.
Twenty-eight year old Jimi tasted it. And now, 4 days before his baptism he carries his Book of Mormon around on his old beat up motorcycle to share scriptures he’s found with his friends. His place is marked with a red pencil that we gave him as a gift and a tool to search for truth. He keeps finding more of it. However, many are called and few chose to be chosen. Even Jimi has some doubts and obstacles to overcome in these last few days before him baptism.
We watched conference one week after all of you. Though the recording skipped and the kids laughed and screamed as they played, we felt and knew that those men are called of God. The TV sat on a table made by one of our investigators, a carpenter, accompanied by a 2 liter soda bottle cut in half, full of beautiful Paraguayan flowers assembled by Blanca, who was called to be our flower coordinator.
The flowers were beautifully selected and arranged, but perhaps the most beautiful part was what they represented by simply BEING there. Immediately after her baptism, Blanca’s parents, brothers, and sisters began an unbelievable onslaught of insults, criticism, and what is often most painful – the cold shoulder. Deeply grieved by their rejection, yet sustained in her belief by a deeply seated testimony and continued nourishment and reassurance from the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, Blanca found herself torn between worlds.
She expressed to us that she wanted to stop attending church until the persecution came to an end and then she would then come back. We immediately felt that Blanca was at a cross roads and asked if we could stop by to visit her. As we talked, she bore solemn witness of God’s one true church, and that it was His will for her to continue on, but that she didn’t feel she could. We encouraged her, prayed with her, and invited her to pray for strength to do God’s will regardless of the consequences. She did, and she received. The flowers she brought will forever stand in my mind as a beautiful display of what it means to overcome opposition to humbly do God’s will.
For the first Sunday in our time here, the members took charge of preparing the chapel. Joel and Juan came early and opened the building, swept, set up the chairs, and prepared for the conference. Next week we hope to have Joel conduct and we can sit peacefully among the congregation. Progress like this is only possible with the help of a loving Heavenly Father whose work WILL be done. I feel humbled as I strive to do it in His way, and awestruck as I feel guidance from His sure and powerful hand. All my love,
Elder Kyler McCarty
Twenty-eight year old Jimi tasted it. And now, 4 days before his baptism he carries his Book of Mormon around on his old beat up motorcycle to share scriptures he’s found with his friends. His place is marked with a red pencil that we gave him as a gift and a tool to search for truth. He keeps finding more of it. However, many are called and few chose to be chosen. Even Jimi has some doubts and obstacles to overcome in these last few days before him baptism.
We watched conference one week after all of you. Though the recording skipped and the kids laughed and screamed as they played, we felt and knew that those men are called of God. The TV sat on a table made by one of our investigators, a carpenter, accompanied by a 2 liter soda bottle cut in half, full of beautiful Paraguayan flowers assembled by Blanca, who was called to be our flower coordinator.
The flowers were beautifully selected and arranged, but perhaps the most beautiful part was what they represented by simply BEING there. Immediately after her baptism, Blanca’s parents, brothers, and sisters began an unbelievable onslaught of insults, criticism, and what is often most painful – the cold shoulder. Deeply grieved by their rejection, yet sustained in her belief by a deeply seated testimony and continued nourishment and reassurance from the scriptures and the Holy Ghost, Blanca found herself torn between worlds.
She expressed to us that she wanted to stop attending church until the persecution came to an end and then she would then come back. We immediately felt that Blanca was at a cross roads and asked if we could stop by to visit her. As we talked, she bore solemn witness of God’s one true church, and that it was His will for her to continue on, but that she didn’t feel she could. We encouraged her, prayed with her, and invited her to pray for strength to do God’s will regardless of the consequences. She did, and she received. The flowers she brought will forever stand in my mind as a beautiful display of what it means to overcome opposition to humbly do God’s will.
For the first Sunday in our time here, the members took charge of preparing the chapel. Joel and Juan came early and opened the building, swept, set up the chairs, and prepared for the conference. Next week we hope to have Joel conduct and we can sit peacefully among the congregation. Progress like this is only possible with the help of a loving Heavenly Father whose work WILL be done. I feel humbled as I strive to do it in His way, and awestruck as I feel guidance from His sure and powerful hand. All my love,
Elder Kyler McCarty
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, April 5, 2010
From the beginning of the week we put our focus and faith in our goal of investigators in church, with a special emphasis on the men and families. We saw many mighty miracles from the Lord, including unexpected people we had invited from just the night before. I know it was done by a power greater than my own, and we were able to participate in seeing these valiant investigators form the determination and then overcome the obstactles to get to church. After all, we had 6 men, a complete family, and many others of our Heavenly Father’s children in church, and with the members and children, almost didn’t fit in our small chapel. I know it was only possible by His loving kindness and mercy.
Together with the members and investigators, we are also very excited to see the conference this week. We don’t have access to a satellite and so will watch in 1 week after all of you, on a DVD they will send us from the office of the mission. We have invited the members and investigators to become even MORE consistent in their personal and family prayer and scripture study, and to prepare a few questions that they would like to have answered by the Prophet, General Authorities, and above all, the Holy Ghost. I know that as they do that (something I should strive to do every Sunday, lol), they will feel the Spirit and receive the answers they need.
Some funny experiences? The other day we were in an investigators house: 85 year old Sebastiana and her 14 year old grandaughter Guadalupe. They have been incredible example of faith, walking the 15 blocks to church each week, the first week having only been invited the night before. As we taught in half Guarani half Spanish (my Guarani is getting a lot better, though still lacks a lot), a lady cam in and sat by us. We asked her her name but she didn’t want to tell us. We resumed teaching, and 3 minutes later, she got up and began screaming and pulling her own hair. She ran out of the house yelling that she was Catolico-Apostolico-Romano. It sure surprised us, and was the first time I’ve been rejected in exactly THAT way.
We’d been wanting to clean the yard up to make a volley ball court for the activies we have each Tuesday night with Members and Investigators (we usually share some lesson, play some game to demonstrate it and then eat jello or cake that I prepare). Well, we would go out with the machete and cut part of the grass every day. The problem was that the first part we cut was grown over again by the time we got to the last part. Well, one day as we passed by on the way to a lesson, we saw 5 little boys going at our lawn with kitchen knives, some with machetes, or whatever they had. WE were surprised and asked them why. They said they wanted to make a bicycle track. So we arranged for them to have their part and to clean up our part for our volleyball court as well….hahaha! Looks like somebody’s watching over us even in the small things!
I love being a missionary!
Elder McCarty
001 This dog is not hers (that’s Cristina, one of our 10 year old converts), but she nevertheless loves to swing it around by its legs. Hahah, it cracks me up. The funniest part is that the dog keeps coming back to their house regardless.
002 Here I am with the hardest working, most clothe washing grandma of 85 years that I know, Sebastiana. 
003 Me and Juan, after his wife made a whole bunch of home made bread. Delish!
004 Elder Walker got the Famous Pee-Kay (as it’s pronounced), a bug that enters into your foot if you walk around barefoot (I’ve never got it yet, knock on wood). Here our convert Dionicia acts as nurse and she skilfully removed it, despite the odor of having walked around all day, haha. We’ll take a little more precaution in the future, who knows what the neighbors may have thought, lol. 
006 EVERYBODY gave us Chipa, the Paraguayan cheese bread, and also the homemade bread they make on Easter week. WE have TONS, and won’t be able to eat it all. But it is delicious. 
Together with the members and investigators, we are also very excited to see the conference this week. We don’t have access to a satellite and so will watch in 1 week after all of you, on a DVD they will send us from the office of the mission. We have invited the members and investigators to become even MORE consistent in their personal and family prayer and scripture study, and to prepare a few questions that they would like to have answered by the Prophet, General Authorities, and above all, the Holy Ghost. I know that as they do that (something I should strive to do every Sunday, lol), they will feel the Spirit and receive the answers they need.
Some funny experiences? The other day we were in an investigators house: 85 year old Sebastiana and her 14 year old grandaughter Guadalupe. They have been incredible example of faith, walking the 15 blocks to church each week, the first week having only been invited the night before. As we taught in half Guarani half Spanish (my Guarani is getting a lot better, though still lacks a lot), a lady cam in and sat by us. We asked her her name but she didn’t want to tell us. We resumed teaching, and 3 minutes later, she got up and began screaming and pulling her own hair. She ran out of the house yelling that she was Catolico-Apostolico-Romano. It sure surprised us, and was the first time I’ve been rejected in exactly THAT way.
We’d been wanting to clean the yard up to make a volley ball court for the activies we have each Tuesday night with Members and Investigators (we usually share some lesson, play some game to demonstrate it and then eat jello or cake that I prepare). Well, we would go out with the machete and cut part of the grass every day. The problem was that the first part we cut was grown over again by the time we got to the last part. Well, one day as we passed by on the way to a lesson, we saw 5 little boys going at our lawn with kitchen knives, some with machetes, or whatever they had. WE were surprised and asked them why. They said they wanted to make a bicycle track. So we arranged for them to have their part and to clean up our part for our volleyball court as well….hahaha! Looks like somebody’s watching over us even in the small things!
I love being a missionary!
Elder McCarty
001 This dog is not hers (that’s Cristina, one of our 10 year old converts), but she nevertheless loves to swing it around by its legs. Hahah, it cracks me up. The funniest part is that the dog keeps coming back to their house regardless.
002 Here I am with the hardest working, most clothe washing grandma of 85 years that I know, Sebastiana. 003 Me and Juan, after his wife made a whole bunch of home made bread. Delish!004 Elder Walker got the Famous Pee-Kay (as it’s pronounced), a bug that enters into your foot if you walk around barefoot (I’ve never got it yet, knock on wood). Here our convert Dionicia acts as nurse and she skilfully removed it, despite the odor of having walked around all day, haha. We’ll take a little more precaution in the future, who knows what the neighbors may have thought, lol. 006 EVERYBODY gave us Chipa, the Paraguayan cheese bread, and also the homemade bread they make on Easter week. WE have TONS, and won’t be able to eat it all. But it is delicious.
Monday, March 29, 2010
The Rolla Holla! Monday, March 29, 2010
It was the first time outside of the office that I woke up at 3 am in the morning. As I finished showering I heard a knock at the door. I saw a missed call on my cell-phone from Edson, an investigator who had his baptismal date set for that day, though he was unsure he wanted to follow through. I let him into the chapel and went to continue preparing for the 5 hour trip to Concepción.
The conference was incredible. Even the day before, on Saturday, Pres. Wade stopped through San Pedro on his way to the conference to meet the new members and some investigators. It was AMAZING to teach with him and to learn from his complete comprehension of the purpose, mission, and best way to organize the Lord’s true church on the earth. He was also amazed at how the Lord has prepared leaders and pillars for the church here in San Pedro.
We had set the goal last week in District Meeting to take 30 investigators to conference between the 2 companionships. We prayed about it all week and worked like crazy, in the Lord’s way, and saw the miracles. Together we took 41 investigators. The bus we rented was packed full, with the total of 39 people that attended the conference from San Pedro. It was truly an experience never to be forgotten.
After the incredible spiritual experience of the conference, Edson was convinced that he wanted to wait and our other 2 baptisms were still uncertain. They had all received witnesses from the Spirit and knew the church was true, but had to overcome that end-of-the-road obstacle, fear. As the other 35 that came with us to the conference prepared the baptismal room, I talked with Blanca, accompanied by her stud of a husband, and member of one month Joel. He boar powerful testimony and invited her to take the step. He said, finally, “if you get baptized today, we get sealed in the temple in one year.” Wow. As I talked with them, and afterwards with Pabla, nothing I said to either of them seemed to be working. That is, until the Spirit touched their hearts in the right moment, and they made the decision. The baptismal service was beautiful and brought to an end one of the best days of my mission.
It was sure fun taking the long trip with all of my great friends and converts, but was also stressful trying to satisfy all of their needs. We took breakfast to eat on the way (yogurt and crackers) and ate lunch at the conference (ham and cheese sandwiches). I learned a lot about how to entertain and administer to such a large group and we had lots of fun and made great memories. Every week is full of those. I’m excited for another one!
Elder McCarty
PICS
11 Walker and I and Blanca and Pabla that got baptized.
010 Our whole group in front of the chapel
008 ½ if our little group on the way to the conference.
006 Before the conference, Juan wanted me to cut his hair. Hahah.
003 Me at the top of the Catholic Cathedral bell tower.
001 A breakfast at our convert families house.
The conference was incredible. Even the day before, on Saturday, Pres. Wade stopped through San Pedro on his way to the conference to meet the new members and some investigators. It was AMAZING to teach with him and to learn from his complete comprehension of the purpose, mission, and best way to organize the Lord’s true church on the earth. He was also amazed at how the Lord has prepared leaders and pillars for the church here in San Pedro.
We had set the goal last week in District Meeting to take 30 investigators to conference between the 2 companionships. We prayed about it all week and worked like crazy, in the Lord’s way, and saw the miracles. Together we took 41 investigators. The bus we rented was packed full, with the total of 39 people that attended the conference from San Pedro. It was truly an experience never to be forgotten.
After the incredible spiritual experience of the conference, Edson was convinced that he wanted to wait and our other 2 baptisms were still uncertain. They had all received witnesses from the Spirit and knew the church was true, but had to overcome that end-of-the-road obstacle, fear. As the other 35 that came with us to the conference prepared the baptismal room, I talked with Blanca, accompanied by her stud of a husband, and member of one month Joel. He boar powerful testimony and invited her to take the step. He said, finally, “if you get baptized today, we get sealed in the temple in one year.” Wow. As I talked with them, and afterwards with Pabla, nothing I said to either of them seemed to be working. That is, until the Spirit touched their hearts in the right moment, and they made the decision. The baptismal service was beautiful and brought to an end one of the best days of my mission.
It was sure fun taking the long trip with all of my great friends and converts, but was also stressful trying to satisfy all of their needs. We took breakfast to eat on the way (yogurt and crackers) and ate lunch at the conference (ham and cheese sandwiches). I learned a lot about how to entertain and administer to such a large group and we had lots of fun and made great memories. Every week is full of those. I’m excited for another one!
Elder McCarty
PICS
11 Walker and I and Blanca and Pabla that got baptized.
010 Our whole group in front of the chapel
008 ½ if our little group on the way to the conference.
006 Before the conference, Juan wanted me to cut his hair. Hahah.
003 Me at the top of the Catholic Cathedral bell tower.
001 A breakfast at our convert families house.
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