Elder Rose - Argentina Resistencia Mission Nov. 2021 - Nov. 2023

 Today was a very special day for our family.  We got to be a part of the baptism that Luke took part in.  I shared about Sandra and Erika in my last post and how Luke asked them to be baptized.  Sandra has been attending church off and on for 20 years and has read the Book of Mormon 3 times!  It was time and I'm so grateful that she took this big step and followed the example of Jesus Christ and entered the waters of baptism today.  And it was extra special that we got to watch on Zoom!  It amazes me that we get to be so in touch with Luke while he is on his mission through technology.  

  Erika y Sandra Marassi estoy tan Féliz de la hermosa e importante decisión que tomaron sobre si el nombre de jesucristo al bautizarce les amo muchísimo estoy muy feliz por ustedes les quiero mucho con mi corazón yo les prometo que si guardan los mandamientos de Dios y sigue por el sendero de Jesucristo recibirán grandes bendiciones yo les testificó de que es así les amo hermanas _Hoy recibiste el sagrado sacramento del bautismo hoy comenzó el camino por los senderos del señor ,los Ángeles están felices y gozan de felicidad y alegría al ver que son bautizadas y eligieron seguir a Cristo . _Benditos son los que se arrepienten y son bautizados en mi nombre y se vuelve a mi HELAMAN 13:11 _En el libro de mormón se nos recuerda que el bautismo es un convenio en cuanto a ser testigos de Dios y de su reino en todo tiempo ,en todas las cosas y en todo lugar en que estuvieseis ,aún hasta la muerte, para que seáis redimidos por Nuestro padre celestial y seáis contados...

  ¡¡Felicidades Erika y Sandra!!! Un gran paso en sus vidas. Sabemos que este camino trae más felicidad que cualquier otra cosa en el mundo! ¡¡Su padre celestial y los cielos están celebrando este día! Bienvenidas a la iglesia de Jesucristo!! ¡Si quiere aprender más acerca del bautismo avíseme y la felicidad que sentimos de una nueva vida con los convenios de Dios, avíseme! Congratulations Erika and Sandra!!! A big step in their lives. We know that this road brings more happiness than anything else in the world! His heavenly father and heaven are celebrating this day! Welcome to the church of Jesus Christ!! If you want to learn more about baptism let me know and the happiness we feel of a new life with the Covenants of God, let me know!  

 Luke had told us that he was going to have Zone Conference this week.  I can't wait for Monday to hear about all these friends he made!  I love when he posts :)

 We had a great call with Luke today.  Last week I was so worried about him because he was a bit overwhelmed being the District leader, trainer, and his branch was relying on him heavily.  So I have been praying for him.  He was able to meet with his President Reber and let him know how he is feeling.  President Reber told him we're like a rubber band.  We get stretched and stretched and we have to give a little so it doesn't break.  So he is going to be meeting with a counselor soon to help.  I will continue to pray for his mental well being.   Things changed a bit in the mission because Elder Brunson went home.  Now Luke doesn't have the sisters in his district.  This will actually help a bit because they were also struggling and I think it was wearing on Luke.   Now for the miracles.  This week they had a training with an Area Authority that talked about how missionaries main goal is to teach and baptize....

 I absolutely LOVE Mondays!!!!  In fact I have learned that I need to make sure I have NOTHING planned on Monday's because I don't know if Luke is going to have stories for hours or if he needs to go and do other things.  So I just leave Mondays wide open. Today Luke was over the moon excited that Maxi came to church.  (his email tells the details) I love how much effort he put in to get him there.  I hope and pray that Maxi will continue to make changes in his life!  What a blessing the gospel is if you just grasp onto it and let Christ change you.   Luke got up in church and bore his testimony and talked about a scripture in 3 Nephi 22:10 that says "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee."  Then Luke talked about how this life is going to continue to get worse and worse but the Lord is there...

  Officially 3 months living in Argentina! No clue where the time went, but I am thankful for this journey. Lots of changes have been happening lately. Elder Ramos finished his mission, I got assigned as District leader, and now I am a trainer. It has been a rollercoaster to say the least. I have never felt so weak and inadequate in all of my life, but I am honestly thankful. There is nothing quite like a humble pie of reality. My new companion has the faith to move mountains. He might not have the experience, but I am equally as grateful for him as Elder Ramos. He is a great person. He has the will to serve the lord and I have seen quite clearly that that is just good enough for the lord.  I have been working all of my mission here in Armenia to try and get our friend Maxi to church. 3 months. He was the very first investigator I met here in Argentina and man has he come a long way. He was addicted to cocaine, living a life in the streets getting in fights, running from polic...

  Today's call with Luke brought me to tears!  Not only because I'm so proud of him for training and working so hard, but I found myself shocked at the miracle of how well Luke is speaking Spanish!  While we were talking to him his companion came in because someone had called on the phone and needed to talk to Luke.  He picked up the phone and started to speak Spanish like he had spoken it forever!  And then his companion came in to meet us and Luke was able to translate for us.  And then his companion, Elder Camacho, wanted Luke to speak to his family and meet them.  He was able to converse with them and share his feelings so clearly about how much he loved Elder Camacho and how proud he was of him.  He kept hugging him and he said things about him and would even rub his head :)  It was so sweet to see him as the senior companion in this new relationship and see him lifting his companion up as his trainer had done just a week ago.  Wow ...

 Luke's friend Natalia sent me this picture of Luke and his new companion Elder Camacho.  I can't wait to meet him on Monday and hear how the training is going!  He looks so nice!

 Luke got to meet Elder Ramos' family!  They came to pick him up and the branch had a party for them.  I noticed that Luke had red eyes.  I'm sure it was a tearful farewell.  I can't wait to talk to him on Monday to hear how it was and also to hear about his new companion!  Great pictures he posted on Facebook!