Today we ate at TGI Fridays, I got hit by a truck trying to catch a bus (ok, it was more like ME running into the side of the truck as it sped by), fell asleep on the bus, and got here well rested and with a pain in my ribs, just in time for us both to use our hour of computer time, go do some shopping, and get back out to work!It has been a beautiful week of torential Paraguayan storms, flooded apartments, conference, after conference, after conference, and trying, unsuccessfully, to bring investigators. Being dissapointed and drousy at night, only to wake up excited and anxious to have another go the following morning. The beauty of the mission (and all of life, really), is that every time we learn something new, we have an IMMEDIATE opportunity to go out and apply it! Not just because life is FULL of inter-human and personal growth experiences, but because a loving Heavenly Father makes sure that it is so!This week we finished teaching and baptized little 9 year old Rosalina and her 8 year old sister Jasmin. It was a great experience as their aged, active grandmother stood and wept bitterly to give the closing prayer, in gratitude that these faithful, beaming young girls, were rescued from the danger of disassociation from the church because of their inactive parents. Now, the two of them are the motivation to their parents that are now rediscovering the joys of church activity. We continue to pray for them, and hope to keep teaching the whole family to one day enter the temple and experience the fulness of the blessings available to them!This week, we are hoping to baptize 16 year old Ruben, whose mother was happy for him to be talking with us, until, that is, she spoke with his aunt. He had to sternly express his desires to attend church, which is difficult for a boy who always smiles, and loves to spend time in the garden nourishing and helping plants to grow. As we taught Alma 32 and the importance of nourishing the seed of faith so that it can become ¨delicious¨ to him, it struck a chord deep within him. I am excited for his baptism and af praying fervently that his Mother and Aunt can find a soft place in their hearts to let him follow his Faith and seal it with his commitment.
12 year old Rosana, and Teresa her mother are also scheduled to be baptized this week, but we are working with them so that they can gain a testimony and be baptized for the right reasons. At times, here in Paraguay, the reputation of the church for it`s good, honest people, is only overshadowed by it`s reputation of helping those in need. This wouldn`t be a problem if it was never taken advantage of by those that are not. So, we work hard to TEACH and invite people to COMMITT to live the gospel for testimony and love of God, and for no other thing. At the end of the day, we have to take their word for it, but we work hard to show them the joy and happiness in a deep, burning testimony of the gospel and it`s restoration.I love you all! I loved what Elder Anderson said in his Conference talk: If I have ever been less than I should have in your presence, I apologize. I too ask for your forgiveness. I am ever striving to learn and am SO far from perfect. I love you all and am so grateful for all you have done to help, love and support me.
With all my Love,Elder McCarty
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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