What's up?

Well, it's been a while! Now that it's getting to be cold in the states, it's warming up  here in the Patagonia. San Martin is as lovely as ever and I am enjoying it, as well as getting a little sunburned. 

I've had the blessing of seeing a few miracles here during my 4 months. In fact, just last week Hna Vasquez and I were hiking our tails off to get to a member's house when we were stopped by a man also going to his house. He asked us if we were "Los Mormónes" to which we responded that yes, we're missionaries for the church. The next words out of his mouth were "Tengo que ir a la capilla!" or " I have to go to church!" Breathless from the hike, and shocked at what we had just heard, we decided to stare. When he asked us when the meetings are we both wisely replied "Los Domingos!". Obviously he already knew church is on Sunday, so he asked again this time more specific. "¿A que hora empiezan las reuniones?" After we communicated that they start at 10 am on Sundays, we planned to talk after church to set up a day for a lesson. He entered his home and left Hna Vasquez and I to look at each other in amazement. It was really quite an experience! And guess who was at church yesterday! And we're going to go visit him tonight for his first lesson. Normally it's a struggle getting people to come to church after teaching several lessons! Church attendance isn't a habit here, and he came before having any lessons! Needless to say, my companion and I were all smiles. 

I've been here in San Martin for quite some time now and with transfers coming up this weekend, I'm preparing myself to hear the news that it's my turn to go. Secretly I'm hoping to stay here for my birthday and Christmas, but life is like that in the mission! I really have grown to love so many people here, the members are tops and it's a huge blessing to be able to be an instrument in the Lord's hands to help someone grow in the gospel. I have 5 months in the mission, but by gosh and by golly, I'm going to make the most of the next 13. 

I know without a doubt that we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. I feel His love everyday. I know that He has the best plan for us and we just need to find it and trust Him. I am grateful to be a missionary in this time and be able to share this message of happiness with my brothers and sisters in Argentina. 

For those of you celebrating Thanksgiving, enjoy some extra feasting for me, I'll probably be eating more pasta come Thursday :) But more importantly show your gratitude by serving someone. And by serving I don't mean spooning mashed potatoes on their plates ;)  An act of loving service is always appreciated and always needed. 

Have a fabulous week everyone, I love you all!

Photos with Companions

dscn1434 is intercambios in Bariloche with Hna Duarte (hna training leader)

dscn1438...guess who else was in Bariloche!!! Hermana Terry!!! YAY!

dscn 1462 my mini companion from Honduras saw snow for the first time! 

Service project hike

Last time with Hna Sparacino!

​Volcan Lanin. I hiked that sucker!

The view from Volcan Lanin, mountains to infinity and beyond!!!

The gang that hiked the volcano with the member that took us. We hiked it with materials to build shelters for future hikers as a service project.

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Packages and letter-English

Dear Missionary Families,

 

We know that missionaries love to receive emails, letters and packages from home.  We realize how important it is for missionaries to feel loved and remembered.  To help avoid problems in this regard, we have the following recommendations for your consideration:

1.      Place “Gift Money” on your missionary´s personal credit or debit card.  This is the easiest and safest way to give your missionary a gift for Christmas, his or her birthday or any other occasion.  There is no postage charge, no customs fee and no risk of a package being lost or arriving late.  Many missionaries have told us how much they enjoy being given money to buy a gift for themselves while here in Argentina.  We strongly urge you to consider this safe, inexpensive and convenient option instead of mailing a package to your missionary.

 

2.      Letters and Small Padded Envelopes.  If you send letters, cards or small padded envelopes to your missionary, it is best to send it to the mission office at the address below.  It normally requires two or three weeks for letters, cards or small padded envelopes to arrive in Argentina.  It may take an additional two weeks to be delivered to the missionary´s area of service.  Letters and small padded envelopes are not usually required to be screened through customs.  Please use this address to mail letters and small padded envelopes:

Elder or Sister Full Name of Missionary

             Misión Argentina Neuquén
             Zapla N 24 – Casilla de Correo 321
             8300 Neuquén
             Neuquén Argentina    

 

3.      Large Padded Envelopes and other Packages.  The Area Presidency has requested that parents, family and friends refrain from mailing large padded enverlopes and other packages at this time.  Argentina is experiencing issues with importation of non-domestic products.  As a result, the country has imposed very strict regulations regarding packages sent from outside of the country.  The best way to mail gifts or other momentos is by using personal debit cards and placing the money in these accounts.  Please do not send large padded envelopes and other packages until further notice.

Thank you so much for considering these guidelines.  Please share these guidelines with family and friends who might be sending letters or packages to your missionary.

We love your missionaries and are so grateful for the privilege of working with them.

Best personal regards,

President and Sister Paul R. Lovell
Argentina Neuquén Mission

Package info-Spanish

Las Cartas y Paquetes

Querida Familia del misionero,

Sabemos que a los misioneros les encanta recibir correos electrónicos, cartas y paquetes de casa. Nos damos cuenta de lo importante que es para los misioneros sentirse amados y recordados. Para ayudar a evitar problemas en este sentido, tenemos las siguientes recomendaciones para su consideración:

1. Poner "Dinero de regalo" en su tarjeta de crédito personal del misionero o tarjeta de débito. Esta es la forma más fácil y segura para darle a su misionero un regalo para la Navidad, su cumpleaños o cualquier otra ocasión. No se cobra gastos de envío, tarifa de aduanas y no hay riesgo como en los paquetes que se pierdan o lleguen tarde. Muchos misioneros nos han dicho cuánto les gusta que les den dinero para comprar un regalo para sí mismos, mientras que están aquí en la Argentina. Instamos enérgicamente a considerar esta opción segura, barata y cómoda, en lugar de enviar un paquete a su misionero. 

2. Las cartas y los pequeños sobres acolchonados. Si envía cartas, tarjetas o pequeños sobres acolchonados para el misionero, lo mejor es enviarlo a la oficina de la misión a la dirección que se encuentra debajo. Normalmente se necesitan dos o tres semanas para cartas, tarjetas o pequeños sobres acolchonados para llegar a Argentina. Pueden pasar dos semanas adicionales que se entregarán a la zona de la misión que estén sirviendo. Las cartas y sobres acolchonados pequeños no suelen ser necesarios para ser examinados por la aduana.  Las cartas y pequeños paquetes o correo enviados a la oficina de la misión debe ser la siguiente dirección:
                   
                    Elder o Hermana (Nombre Completo del Misionero)
                    Misión Argentina Neuquén

                    Zapla N 24 – Casilla de Correo 321

                    8300 Neuquén

                    Neuquén Argentina

3. Grandes sobres acolchonados y otros paquetes. . Hemos recibido noticia del Presidencia del Área que por causa de cambios en las reglas de importación de Argentina, no deben enviar mas grandes sobres acolchonados y otros paquetes.  La mejor manera de dar regalos y otras cosas a misioneros es por su tarjeta personal de débito.   No podemos recibir mas paquetes que vienen afuera del país.

 

Muchas gracias por considerar estas directrices. Por favor, comparta estas pautas con la familia y amigos que podrían estar enviando cartas o paquetes a su misionero.

Nos encantan sus misioneros y estamos muy agradecidos por el privilegio de trabajar con ellos.

 

Saluda con cariños,

 

Presidente y Hermana Lovell

Argentina Neuquén Misión