By Small and Simple Things… Family, Family, Family! Friends, Friends, Friends! How the heck are ya? Things are great down here in the motherland. I am happy and hard-working. Blessings are rainin’ down on me every day and I feel so grateful for each of you, and for a Heavenly Father that’s always hookin’ me up. This week has been great. I’ve continued strong. I’m about to come up on 21 days straight of some important new habits I want to develop. I’m already seeing myself, at night, feeling uneasy if I haven’t written in my journal, or filled out my personal progress checklist, or prayed with my companion. It seems I had those things down pretty well in the field, where my every thought is caught up in the Lord’s work, and investigators to help, and cool stories to tell. Here in the office, the typing, making phone calls, and sending faxes doesn’t exactly inspire those things naturally: we’ve got to FIGHT for them. And a fight it is. Lately I’ve been winning. Apart from that, I’ve been finding ways to go the extra mile and do things that may not exactly be under my list of responsibilites, in order to help others. President had me create a checklist to help all of the future missinoaries of the district prepare all necessary things to go on a mission. I got his permission and have been calling them and helping them fill out the forms, get dental work and Doctor’s exams, and progress spiritually. It is so gratifying to see these fellow young people, who I come to love and respect greatly for the many trials they overcome, take important steps toward such an important decision. They truly are incredible. Several weeks ago, one of these youths, Iban Ibañez from a tiny branch out in the Paraguayan desert, showed up outside of our house here in Asunción. Tired from the 8 hour bus ride, lost, and nervous for the adventure upon which he was about to embark, he knocked on my door. It was the first time I’d met him, in person. He and his father had come, since they only had money for 2 tickets. We arranged all of the last minute details and early the next morning at 4am, we took him to the airport. Without all of the fanfare and glory that should belong to a missionary leaving his home, the 4 of us stood in the empty airport as he prepared to pass through airport security. The father and the son looked into eachother’s eyes and said a thousand words in one fleeting moment. Clearly not used to showing affection, they gave an awkward hug and the boy was off, into a world that would make him a man. The father fought to hold back tears, and asked to borrow my cell phone. Weeping, he told his wife that Iban was off. He asked me to comfort her over the phone. I offered a few words of reassurement that he would be safe and would get there fine. Both parents thanked me as they wept. I realized in that moment, that our part in this work, however great or small, is a blessing so huge that we can’t even begin to comprehend it. God is giving us these experiences for a reason. I love Him for that. I am so grateful to be here. Grateful to weeping parents, that are making great sacrifices. Grateful to friends who always supported, uplifted, and encouraged me. And grateful, more than anything, to be alive and in God’s great army. That we all do our little part to deserve such infinite blessings.
With love,
Elder McCarty
056 Pancake breakfast this morning in the office kitchen. Tie tucked into my shirt.
..008 On a division with Rodrigo, and awesome young man who always goes out on divisions with us
001 A cool old car we found sitting in a green, palm-covered field.
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