February 16, 2010

Congrats on the call, Quinn!! That's so tight! I have a friend in another mission in the same country (the city Kaoshiong or something like that), and HIS brother is in Quinn's mission. Sweet!
First of all, changes came last night and........
Elder Grau is staying here.
I am going to Salto, the chillest area in the mission with the most baptisms, with a comp on his last change thats a legend in the mission(Elder Enciso, another Paraguayo). I'm sad to leave Sayago, but I'm leaving it after we had more baptisms in the 2 changes than it had in the 2 years previous together woot! And there's 5 more that will be baptized within the next 3 weeks. Unfortunately we haven't found anyone new in quite some time, so if they don't find a lot, pretty much the whole area book will have me and Elder Grau's names on it hahaha
E' Grau's new comp is the only European in the mission, an Italian on his second change that doesn't speak much spanish or english haha but is learning super quick because the languages are so similar.
On Sunday we got a Bishop! We thought for sure it would be Daniel Barreiro, but he first was released as counselor and instead of bishop was called to be on the High Counsel! Even better! Next he'll be a 70, then an apostol I think :) The old counselors and new and the new bishop all gave their testimonies in Sac Meeting and Daniel talked about the missionary work and said that he's seen more growth in the ward in the last 3 months than ever before, "but no thanks to us (the ward), thanks to 2 awesome missionaries..." and then layed it down on the members for only giving us 1 reference this whole change (his wife gave it, and hes gonna be baptized next week haha, references are a blast). It was great, it made us feel good, and got a lot of people excited, so hopefully it'll inspire a lot more work from the members next change.
The best part of it all, though, is the fact that the people we baptized haven't missed a single Sunday since, are active in service, attend every baptism after, mutual, Jonathan is going camping with the youth this weekend, etc... Each and every one is a diamond, and WILL stay active. WIthout doubt some of the best members and future leaders of the stake and more. Ah, sorry if I sound like I'm bragging, but Alma 26, I can boast of my Lord and his success all I want! And these converts are the best in the whole world!
I think I forgot to tell you one of my favorite stories the last time I wrote, since I forgot my agenda. We have tons of spiritual experiences and all that with lessons, but this was just too awesome and funny. Jonathan, 14, had a tongue piercing and we'd nagged on him a bunch about it, but finally we took Bednars advice he gave us and instead of saying he should take it out, we taught the plan of salvation again with an emphasis on the importance of bodies and such, committed him to remove it to be baptized and he through his hands up in the air, rolled his eyes, said fine a bit exasperated, took it out and chucked it hahahaha it was so funny!!! Him and his grandma Mabel were baptized on Sunday and I got to baptize them both.
We gained a new missionary in the zone this last week, Elder Chavez, who has that disorder where you grow up really slowly. He looks and his voice sounds like he's about 7-8 (no exaggeration), but he's so cool! REALLY funny Paraguayo, it was weird to talk to him the first time since he's doesn't quite reach my waist haha, but he's so tight.
Next time you see it at the store, or if you don't plan on watching my copy soon, could you mail me Napoleon Dynamite in the next box? Daniel served in Ogden and was always told he HAD to see it (was on the mish when it came out), but can't find it here and I told him I'd gift it to him when I could.
As for Bishop Robison, I know who he is, I've played paintball with him a number of times :)
I'm glad to hear we're in the same ward as the Herr's, I'll have a friend in the ward when I get back. Oh crap, nevermind he's not leaving for a bit more. ha eesh. Hows Candy, Orion, and my other parents over there doing?
How's EVERYONE doing? haha, did Shannon have her baby? How are the Acostas, Petersons, and all that gang?
Què volazo que la asignaciòn humanitario fue rechazado otre vez. Esperemos que su general tenga los huevos para bajar la caña a los pinchi superiores. Da.
Give grandma lots of hugs from me, and I saw an Oxygen bar in the airport once, maybe you can find out where to find different flavors of oxygen haha that'd be way tight.
Grats on the call, hope you dont get sick mom.
Kayli, sneak Lady an extra treat from me. (and Boots one less haha just kidding). I'm waiting for that letter about Supernatural.
I had no idea the Olympics started, I haven't heard a single thing. I dunno if Uruguay even participates, especially in the winter haha. I'm pretty sure that anything that's not soccer, they wouldn't have any interest, though haha
Times up, I love you all, glad to hear of your trials, the more fire and pressure, the harder and more precious the diamond.
DyC 64:33-34
-Elder Magnusson