What a privilege it is to be here in the CCM de Argentina!! ¡Yo soy misionero de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días! ¡Todo está bien, siempre!
This week has flown by so insanely quickly. I am really enjoying every minute here. The days are long, but the weeks are fast. All of the elders and sisters that were here when we arrived have left for the mission field!! Today we are receiving a new batch, both of latinoamericanos and norteamericanos, which is terribly exciting. Last night, three new Latin elders arrived and we were talking to them before bed! It is so cool when I feel like I am actually carrying on conversations in Spanish. ¡El don de lenguas es real!
We have taught multiple lessons in Spanish, and we strive to constantly practice. I just LOVE learning and speaking Spanish. It is the coolest language. Honestly, it is easier to learn than French, and the pronunciation is easier! Castillarnos is the best.
Singing hymns in Spanish has been a wonderful spiritual experience. On Sunday, we had a powerful testimony meeting. It was amazing to see and hear so many testimonies of missionaries! (our sunday meetings are always in english for the north americans). We sang, "Para siempre Dios este con vos", and I felt the Spirit very strongly. What a joy! Andrew, you were right that it is an amazing spanish hymn! (it is God Be with you till we meet again, but twenty three times better)
Dad, your message cracked me up so much. I have been striving to be more exactly obedient here, because obedience brings blessings, but exact obedience brings miracles. It is just small things that can make a difference in the Spirit felt, like planning until 9:30 every night, or eating only in the comador. We taught Micol (Hna. Ríos) for the last time, which was bittersweet. She shared the story of how she taught the real Micol on her mission, and it was so powerful. She promised us that we are the Lord´s messengers, and that I can perform miracles as an instrument in the Lord´s hands. What a privilege it is to be "a prisoner of Jesus Christ", as Paul often said.
Speaking of Paul, the greatest missionary ever, the scripture that I have adopted as the motto for my mission that I hope will appear on the little plaque thing is this:
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
Everyone must read that whole epistle which is brief and filled with power!!!! I read it when I was sitting quietly in the Salt Lake airport, thinking about receiving the mantle of the mission. I testify that the gift of the Holy Ghost is very real, and that by that great gift, we need not ever fear but must instead trust in the Lord and abandon our own understanding.
Ack, I run out of time now!!!
We have powerful lessons every day here, because the Spirit is remarkably strong and our teachers are very inspired wonderful people. I have felt the Spirit in new ways out here and it is a great blessing!!!
Yo sé que Dios es nuestro Padre Celestial y Él nos ama mucho. Yo sé que Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador, y testifico que la Expiación es real.
Much love,
Thanks so much for the letters,
Dad, the moleskine notebooks are the absolute best!!!!!!!!,
Thanks for the support and prayers,
MUCH love,
--Elder Olivier
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