March 22, 2010

Hey everyone, sounds like a crazy week there, but I'm glad dad's okay!
Thats pretty dumb to get written up at 60, but I guess we always have a lesson to learn in everything.
For what it's worth, though, HAPPY BIRTHDAY yesterday. I'd send you something, but the rates to send stuff to the US is about $45 per half kilo (about 1lb) and that is a ton of money I don't have. So...birthday wishes will have to do. Cool that Steve is going to Tempe, thats where Dan is.
This week was incredible here in Salto. We had a long-time investigator finally decide to get baptized this Saturday, and another finally come to church the first time and commit to baptism next month. All in all, this Saturday is going to be a great baptismal service to end E' Enciso's mission, and I really hope I stay here another change (changes are a week from tomorrow) because there is SO MUCH work happening here!!!
The other day we spent most of it doing service because an investigator needed help cementing the interior of his house, so I learned how to do that and it was fun and I got way messy it's always a nice change to get covered in wet cement, mud, grass, whatever. haha Also, we worked on a big brick wall of a member thats adding on to their house. One of my favorite families here recently had a 4th kid and have been saving to built a second room on their house :)
We also had interviews this week which is always way fun to talk to the Prez. He and his family are really incredible people. We received an emergency kit for the apartment with food for 3 days, after what's been happening around the world. So, if you hear about any disasters in Uruguay, you will know that I'm eating well. Oats, flour, sugar, and sardines. mmmm
By the way, I DO NOT LIKE SARDINES. They are nasty little beasts.
E' Enciso gave his farewell talk in the ward on Sunday. This next Sunday he heads off to Montevideo at midnight, and I'll probably be in a trio with the other 2 that kill their comps the day before changes. This week will be mostly spent with members, recent converts, and people about to be baptized, so we probably won't be tracting at all, which will be fun. A little more chill.
Oooo, I gotta tell you about this one family. The grandma was a convert about 40 years ago and was sealed with her husband and all before he died 5 years ago, and the mom was a member most of her life, got her endowments in the late 70's and everything. Her husband was branch president about 20 kilos away but he killed himself and she went inactive. Her daughter (that happened 5 years ago) kept going active even though she went alone and was only 5 yrs old. Now shes 10 and finally got to be baptized this last week. The mom remarried 3 yrs ago, and her new husband Marselo is the funniest investigator ever. He looks like John Travolta and has a super tough guy attitude its hilarious. He's always super serious and aloof, so we try to make him laugh, and after every lesson when we invite him to church and later be baptized, he says ´'I respect all the church, dont be offended, now I really dont want to offend you, blah blah blah, but I really am not interested blah blah blah´' when finally he always has a super deep question that leads us to our next lesson perfect. He'll get baptized one day when his softens his heart. Meanwhile, his daughter will be baptized next month :)
Now myldsmail uses a gmail server, so this is my new email address that has come with this email. Now I believe I can send pics easier, so I'll probably start sending some more (dont have my cable with me now, though, just changed servers today) so all the missionaries in the world have new email addresses.
Well, I can't think of much else to say, I love you all a ton and think of you fairly often. I can feel your prayers and hope you are all enjoying the heat! Here every other day is really hot and then cool. Fall needs to make up its mind. I cant wait for winter.
I weighted myself the other day also, and still haven't changed at all still about 190, but since I don't work out more than the little 30 mins we have, and only have an elastic band to do it, I am probably getting fatter. haha
I hope you are all working hard and enjoying life :) Remember to be obedient and you'll never have another regret!

Elder Magnusson

http://www.salto.gub.uy/

Oh, and also, I talked to Elder Grau the other day, and every one of our converts is still going to church every week, all that can have callings already, and Jonathan is preparing the sacrament every week and everything! WOOT!