Transfer Day

It´s a very sad missionary that´s writing to you today. I´m being transferred!!

Packing up

The normal thing for a new missionary is that he stays in his first area for 4-6 months. However, there had been rumors circulating lately that the zone leaders were going to be moved to the Luján area (where I am), which is the center of the Luján zone. For the zone leaders to be put in Luján, someone has to leave. And since Elder Kent and Elder Boyce are still in the middle of their 2 transfers of training, and Elder Berglund is going home, it makes sense for me to be the one to leave. The rumors were confirmed when the zone leader called last night and told my companion that we (both) need to be in the offices tomorrow morning, with our suitcases. Rats. 

I love Luján! I love the members, and the area, and our recent converts and our investigators. I was getting to know my way around! But it looks as if the Lord has something else planned for me. It´s time to trust Him, be grateful for my time and experiences in Luján, look forward to the future, and sing hymn no. 270 (I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go) to myself over and over. (Heh heh.) Yes, I´m sad to be leaving, but excited for what´s coming. And it really has been good to work in Luján, with Elder Berglund.

Andrew's thoughts about his first companion, who headed for home this week . . .

He was a good trainer. He helped me in many ways to make the transition to mission life. And he showed me what it´s like to really love the people here. Everyone here loves Elder Berglund, because he loves them.

In need of some comfort this morning, I ate my very last chocolate hug from home. :) They lasted a long time, no? (Awwwwww)


So -- fun stories from the week!

Marcelo and Teresa were baptized on Saturday! It was a fantastic event. They are so, so ready and so prepared. They have decided to close their business on Sunday so that their family can all attend church together. It will be too bad to leave them. And, equally as good, they came to church on Sunday to get confirmed.

The baptism was especially special because 3 members of the Welsh family (who I think I mentioned before -- the family found by Elder Kent and Elder Boyce) were baptized. I´m glad I got to be there for their baptism. They also are ready and prepared to live Latter-day Saint life.

Our grand baptism! 

Marcelo y Teresa, after the baptism.
They´re so ready for life in the Gospel. 

Yamila (Shameela) y Brisa, two of my very favorite little girls.
Elder Berglund baptised them the month before I came.
They are learning the Articles of Faith

More news:

Apparently I am a missionary now.
(I don´t have to wait until I´m old.) 

Apparently I contacted Kingdom Hall (the meetinghouse of the Jehovah´s Witnesses) during a large public meeting. Elder Berglund and I, having a lot of contacts to do and not much time to do it, had split up and were clapping a street, one on each side. I clapped a house, and when a man opened the door I saw inside and realized it was actually a church, cleverly disguised as a house. As I left, I saw the sign on the wall that I had missed walking up, identifying the building as the meetinghouse for the Jehovah´s Witnesses. Heh, whoops. 

Oops!

Spanish mess-ups! I accidentally told a family that the Gospel could help them find more gas in their life -- that is, gozo (joy) mixed with paz (peace). But hey, gas prices are expensive these days, so I still don´t see why they weren´t interested!

And that reminds me of a few months ago, when I asked the members who were giving us lunch if I could please have some more shoe (zapato). They told me no, but at least they gave me some more squash (zapalla).




It´s fantastic to hear from you. I love you all. Thanks for your prayers and your letters and your love.

Until next Monday! Hugs, hugs, hugs!

Elder Stockton



Memories of Luján

One of the local youths let me try on his motorcycle helmet.
He´s a cool kid.

Just after a crazy Argentine storm.
The street was a small river! 

Sailors take warning!