September 25, 2010

Hey family,
Sorry this is late, it's going to be a bit short too.
We just got back from going to the temple with Mary, an investigator. We had a lesson in the garden behind the temple, on the purpose of temples and such. It was wonderful!!!! A returned missionary was there with his fiance and they testified it was GREAT! Its such a blessing to have a temple only an hour away in bus here. Mary STILL isn't 100% sure on her baptism, but for now she has a baptismal date for the 16th that she's still praying for the strength to be ready for. She's been through so much in her life, losing her dad, her husband leaving her when they found out she couldn't have kids, etc... Its been rough but the Lord has been preparing her soooo muuuuuuuuuuch!!!! One of her greatest fears is going under water, so as soon as we conquer spiritual doubts, we have to conquer that. Also, she couldn't stand seeing our converts at the last baptism in the tiny baptismal font, so when she gets baptised she says it has to be bigger and more open, so we're off to the river!!! WOOT! heh
Gustavo and Daniela, and Nicolas and Sheyla are going to pull out a marriage date at the Legal Office downtown this next week, so they should get married within a month or so. They are progressing so incredibly well! We went over to their house and Gustavo had read EVERYTHING in EVER BOOK IMAGINABLE and was telling us about the church organization and what stake presidents, mission presidents, bishops, priests, teachers, deacons...EVERYTHING does. It was incredible how much they had read, studied, and understood! They said they'd never been happier and calmer as a pareja, and that coworkers were asking them what had changed in their life. I wish you could all be here to meet these people I love them soooo much!!!!!
We have a lesson with Joaquin's family tonight and HE's going to invite his parents and sisters to be baptised. I'm stoked. We have only taught them a little bit, but the spirit is always very strong in their home. They are really good parents and just want the best for their family. Just good honest humble people.
All in all the work rolls on like a snowball. The ward is growing fast, people are excited, and progression is constant. The work of the Lord is perfect despite us. I love it so much, and the year mark was no hump, it was a pump day. It's all uphill from here! I just hope it slows down!
Also, the church has sent out a letter recommending that parents don't pick up their sons and daughters in the mission. I feel like it would be best to be obedient to the suggestion and I think in a year I'll just go home on time and a few weeks later we could come back to Argentina and Uruguay? That way I can give hugs and besos and wear normal clothes in the summer and...well all in all I think it would be best. The only problem is that it will cost another here and back plane ticket which is super expensive. I guess we can worry about that later, but for now please don't plan and picking me up on my release date.
I love you all tons! Keep working hard!
Elder Magnusson
P.S. The travel office lady in Salt Lake that I email like every day, Chelsea Martin, her maiden name is Thatcher. Small world, eh? hahah