Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Rolla Holla!! Monday, 13 April 2009
.Ruben was baptized! I may not have mentioned that he is like 6 and a half feet tall, and only 16 years old! He is the sweetest 16 year old boy that I have ever met, and has strong, if simple desires to learn the little that he can in order to be a devoted follower of Jesus Christ! We struggled with his Mom that would hide every time we came by and an aunt that continually threatened to send him off to camp if he got baptized (she and Ruben`s Mom are his legal guardians). The scheduled day came and we still didn`t have permission. As we talked with him at his neighbors house (they are members) we gave him the baptismal record and told him to ask his aunt to sign it, since she wouldn`t talk to us. At one point, his Mom said she was ok with the baptism but wouldn`t sign (and the temptation and suggestion of some our leaders was to just have Ruben sign his own form). With time, the aunt also refused, and we got ready to leave, dissapointed.The beauty of all of this, and likely the design of a loving Father in Heaven to increase our Faith and try Ruben`s testimony, is that Ruben chose to overcome every obstacle and to help us find ways to make his Baptism possible. As we left, he told us to come by at 4, because the whole family would be outside for a famous Paraguayan ¨Reso¨ or prayer for their deceased grandmother. Ecstatis with Ruben`s initiative and willing to try anything, we began our fast and made a few visits until 4 oclock. We prayed under a nearby trea around the corner and went to Ruben`s house. They looked at us like we were crazy, clearly frustrated by the interuption. I felt that we should just explain who we are, our purpose, the details of our call, Ruben`s desire to get baptized, and ask her to sign. AND SHE DID! What an amazing blessing that after 3 weeks of attempts, her heart was softened so that this beloved son of a loving Heavenly Father was able to be baptized.The mission is GREAT! I am so happy! Prayer and fasting work and Heavenly Father is so willing to show us miracles in our lives! I love you all! Thank you for your love and support! Have a wonderful week! Make it one!Elder McCarty
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Rolla Holla! Testimony: The Fire Inside 4.6.09
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
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
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Rolla Holla 3-30-09
Anudda week in the life of the Paraguay Asunción North Mision. Funny how with every change in this life we go through levels of adjustment and eventually arrive at the comfort and efficiency that we found before, with a whole new set of responsibilities. I`ve found that doing so in the service of my Savior Jesus Christ has given me an added ability to adapt and develop my talents according to the requirement of the situation. As has often been said in this great work, and as I`ve learned in the last 2 weeks, which have flown by: The Lord qualifies those that he calls!
This week we were able to help a Man named Ricardo enter the waters of baptism after marrying his Wife and beginning a new life as a family in the Church of Jesus Christ. It was wonderful to see him make the change from a very relaxed, less than focused victim of his circumstances, to an excited, dedicated father of his family. This week he will be able to recieve the priesthood and bless his family with that gift of God.
Natalia and Emilio were LOTS of fun to teach. They are both very smart and sweet children. Natalia speaks some English and so often spoke to my companion who doesn`t understand Spanish, making him feel more comfortable in the lessons.
As for me, it has been really fun getting to feel really comfortable in Spanish and now working on Guarani, which seems to be the langauge of the people`s hearts here in Paraguay. People will give you this skeptical look until you bust out 2 or 3 words in Guarani and then suddenly they are your best friends. It`s great!
Tidbit: when I was in the office we had weekly meetings with President to talk about our field and office work. One week he shared with us the story of Trojan soldiers that were being led to conquer an island. They disembarked, and the first thing they did upon reaching shore was to BURN THE BOATS. That way, it became win or die...the options were very few. I have really latched onto that idea and it has helped me to DESTROY any trace of the impulse to make excuses within me. When I set goals that I know are the will of the Lord, I set them, embark, and then I burn the boats, never looking back, only forging forward. If we ever fall short, which we are certain to sometimes do, we know where the responsibility lies. That has been a powerful principle for me!
Well, this week we have zone conference and I am looking forward to taking that step back and seeing how I can improve.
I love you all and thank you for your support and help. I hope you have a great week!
Elder McCarty
This week we were able to help a Man named Ricardo enter the waters of baptism after marrying his Wife and beginning a new life as a family in the Church of Jesus Christ. It was wonderful to see him make the change from a very relaxed, less than focused victim of his circumstances, to an excited, dedicated father of his family. This week he will be able to recieve the priesthood and bless his family with that gift of God.
Natalia and Emilio were LOTS of fun to teach. They are both very smart and sweet children. Natalia speaks some English and so often spoke to my companion who doesn`t understand Spanish, making him feel more comfortable in the lessons.
As for me, it has been really fun getting to feel really comfortable in Spanish and now working on Guarani, which seems to be the langauge of the people`s hearts here in Paraguay. People will give you this skeptical look until you bust out 2 or 3 words in Guarani and then suddenly they are your best friends. It`s great!
Tidbit: when I was in the office we had weekly meetings with President to talk about our field and office work. One week he shared with us the story of Trojan soldiers that were being led to conquer an island. They disembarked, and the first thing they did upon reaching shore was to BURN THE BOATS. That way, it became win or die...the options were very few. I have really latched onto that idea and it has helped me to DESTROY any trace of the impulse to make excuses within me. When I set goals that I know are the will of the Lord, I set them, embark, and then I burn the boats, never looking back, only forging forward. If we ever fall short, which we are certain to sometimes do, we know where the responsibility lies. That has been a powerful principle for me!
Well, this week we have zone conference and I am looking forward to taking that step back and seeing how I can improve.
I love you all and thank you for your support and help. I hope you have a great week!
Elder McCarty
Monday, March 23, 2009
Yikes! Time! 3-23-09
The Rolla Holla
Well everyone! Exciting news! At the end of this change Elder Agudelo was called to serve FAR away, in one of the furthest areas, and I was left here with an Elder that arrived from Canada 6 days ago and is now my companion. He is great. We are working harder than I have ever worked in my mission and due to his limited Spanish, I have lost my voice by the end of the last 3 days.But boy have we seen the results. Heavenly Father blessed us to meet ALL of our goals (which we set high to stretch us), and has prepared us for another week of stretching and working even smarter.Yesterday as we walked a TON to visit all of the investigators that we had attend church, a young woman of maybe 24 years called us and asked us to share our message with her. She told us to wait there and went and got her husband. They seem like a promising family and we have a return appointment this Tuesday. They are 1 or 2 great families that we are blessed to be teaching right now who are likely to arrive at the sacred waters of baptsim.I feel a certain unquenchable intensity in my soul to go out and do this work with all of my vigor in the way the Lord wants it done. That is something that excites me and inspires me and at times, usually late at night, brings tears of joy to my eyes as I lay in bed exausted from a day of giving it all I`ve got. Thank you for your prayers...THEY WORK! I love you ALL!Elder MCCarty
Well everyone! Exciting news! At the end of this change Elder Agudelo was called to serve FAR away, in one of the furthest areas, and I was left here with an Elder that arrived from Canada 6 days ago and is now my companion. He is great. We are working harder than I have ever worked in my mission and due to his limited Spanish, I have lost my voice by the end of the last 3 days.But boy have we seen the results. Heavenly Father blessed us to meet ALL of our goals (which we set high to stretch us), and has prepared us for another week of stretching and working even smarter.Yesterday as we walked a TON to visit all of the investigators that we had attend church, a young woman of maybe 24 years called us and asked us to share our message with her. She told us to wait there and went and got her husband. They seem like a promising family and we have a return appointment this Tuesday. They are 1 or 2 great families that we are blessed to be teaching right now who are likely to arrive at the sacred waters of baptsim.I feel a certain unquenchable intensity in my soul to go out and do this work with all of my vigor in the way the Lord wants it done. That is something that excites me and inspires me and at times, usually late at night, brings tears of joy to my eyes as I lay in bed exausted from a day of giving it all I`ve got. Thank you for your prayers...THEY WORK! I love you ALL!Elder MCCarty
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
2.16.09 Holla and Pics
Here I am. We were going to have the final word on our changes today. However, we`re told President spent the night in his office, and has been there all morning, surely pouring his heart out to a God that both he and I know guides this work.
The rock of this church is it`s revelation from heaven: the part that lets us know we`re here right now because God wanted us here and at this very moment.I am excited to see what lessons he is preparing for me. Excited to reach out and take advantage of them. To apply my faith by doing all in my power and then following the Paraguayan model of trust that everything will turn out ok.
Cultures, much like people, have their strengths and their weakness. And, like people, we can choose to love them and allow the weaknesses to become endearing, or we can react in some other way. The beauty of service is that it requires one to love. The beauty of the mission is that it requires one to serve. I don`t know if it`s a poem or what but I just wrote a bunch of stuff about how I feel towards the culture down here.
A tribute to the Paraguayan people
The enduring through the eternal day.
The stomach hardening grit to brave heat, distance, and feet battering roads of rock.
The overcoming hunger in order to try to aleviate it.
The total tranquility.
The offering everybody a cool drink and friendly hand.
The toothless smiles.
The endless good.
The windowless houses.
The mountains of fried food.
The bouncing bus salesmen and their monotone voices mimicking excitement.
The meat floating in water and grease: called soup.
The corn bread prepared, as they say, ¨indian-style¨, which must include the grit and dirt from not having washed your hands, and in place of non-stick spray, is coated with paraguayan leaves, or else...sorry, it`s just not as good.
The families that are doing what they have to do to be together...forever.
The reminding me that I left a world of cars and cell phones and seemingly endless wealth to teach a people who`s suffering ended up teaching me.
The promise it all inspires in me to NEVER take for granted what I had and will have, and above all, to NEVER stop giving all I`ve got.
Thank you Paraguay,
I love you
Elder McCarty
Pictures and Descriptions
Elder Agudelo kissing a giant frog. I told him to do it and I didn`t think he actually would!
Before our lunch appointment on Sunday, waiting for the food to be ready, and Elder Agudelo sleeping!
Sunset with me just a standin there.
There are lots of these horse drawn carts down here. I asked this guy if I could take a pic and he just said Ikatu (guarani for ok).
Standing on an old building foundation overlooking a cliff and a tree filled vally.
Outside a nunnery while I was still in the office, where you can buy all kinds of sweet handmade artifacts by Guarani ¨Indios¨ out in the chaco. Nativity sets, neclaces, wooden knives, etc., of Palo Santo, or holy wood, which smells really good and is famous in Paraguay.
BIG NEWS! 3-9-09
Well, it looks like my move to the office was a little more temporary than even I thought. To be honest, that makes me very happy. I just found out that tomorrow I will be moving. You´ll never guess where I´ll be packing my bags to go for this 3rd time in one change…drum roll…back to San Jorge!! I know, crazy isn´t it!?!? I´ll get to go see all of the tear-stained faces, and eyes full of goodbyes that I left in my place of birth as a missionary. Wow! I´ll be with Elder Agudelo again. President has told me that it will be just until the end of this change (next Wednesday) and then Elder Agudelo will be going to a different area and I will be staying there with a new companion. It´ll be back to the small living space with one room of air conditioning, and a broken old camping stove. I can´t even believe how excited I am. First of all, I LOVE Elder Agudelo, and second of all, I LOVE the area and the people we taught. Some of the very same people I was helping to teach are now very close to their baptismal dates. I can´t WAIT to help them get there! Well, not much time, I´ve got to pack my bags and get ready to go. I love you all! Preparation day will be back to Monday and I´ll be on the old schedule again. Thank you so much for all each and every one of you do for me! With Love, Elder McCarty
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Pictures in the Office
I have been terrible with taking pics but Elder Guest just got a SWEET new camera so here are some from his.
Giant sweet tie
Funny green picture, we decided it looks like an alien from some movie we can´t quite figure out. 
Another green, this time either eating something or posing like a model.
A district meeting with my Comp and our district leader Elder Hansen (and random Hermanas that came to sit in on his class since it is so dang good!
Looking eager…a night after office and field work, chatting around the table.
Planning in our room after a day at the office. Elder Guest interrupts us by coming in and laying on my bed.
Another cool color function, jamming for the roommates.
He´s got the whole world in his hands. Cool color function!
Giant sweet tie
Funny green picture, we decided it looks like an alien from some movie we can´t quite figure out. 
Another green, this time either eating something or posing like a model.
A district meeting with my Comp and our district leader Elder Hansen (and random Hermanas that came to sit in on his class since it is so dang good!
Looking eager…a night after office and field work, chatting around the table.
Planning in our room after a day at the office. Elder Guest interrupts us by coming in and laying on my bed.
Another cool color function, jamming for the roommates.
He´s got the whole world in his hands. Cool color function!
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