From: Elder Joshua Freeman
Subject: Baptism week
Date: 17 January 2005 1:18:05 PM EST

ÁHola!

This week went pretty well, especially the baptism of Francisco, and some rain this weekend that gave some much-needed coolness.  

On Monday night, got fallar-ed a couple times, which was no fun. We did find the neighbor of a member, though, and answered a lot of different questions she had about the church, and left her with a Libro de Morm—n. After that, we went to JavierÕs and had a Noche de Hogar with him and his mom and his brother Lu’s thatÕs not a member. It went really well. 

Tuesday morning, we had our Zone Meetings, and those went pretty well. In the afternoon, Elder Marshall and his companion stayed so that he could do FranciscoÕs baptismal interview. That went just fine. Federico came to work with us for a little while, and we got fallar-ed and then visited an inactive. After that, we went and taught the 1» lesson to a reference lady that we met last week, her nameÕs Catalina. It went really well, and she already accepted baptism. She had met another set of missionaries a couple of weeks ago, and they gave her a Libro de Morm—n, and she was already in 2 Nefi. And we asked her if she had prayed and thought that it was true, and she told us that when she had first met the missionaries, she was having problems in her life and feels that it wasnÕt just chance that she met them, and so why would Heavenly Father put them in her path unless what we say is true? So, we always like to meet people like that. After that, we went and visited with Clides and Milciades, and that went well. Then we went to BlasÕ to meet the Karns there to pick up an order. And while they were here, they inspected our apartment. It wasnÕt too bad. After they left, we got fallar-ed, so we had some time to meet a couple of new people and also visit the Flia. Mart’nez. And then we came home.

On Wednesday morning, we went and visited the Flia. G—mez and taught their mom the Plan of Salvation. That went pretty well. SheÕs pretty nice, but doesnÕt ever come to church or anything. After that, we visited the Flia. Vega, and then came home and had lunch. In the afternoon, we went to the Flia. QuintanaÕs and taught them about the 10 commandments. Then we went to do a verification with a lady that we met last week and we read with her and her daughters and her husband listened. After that, we went to JavierÕs and planned the baptism with Francisco. Then we went to the church for Consejo de Rama and Noche de Rama. Those both went pretty well.

On Thursday morning, we went to the new church to help the Hna. Garrido clean to prepare it to be given over to the Church on Saturday. ItÕs certainly a lot nicer than the rented house weÕre in now. After that, we had lunch with the Hno. Oscar. And then we came home. The afternoon didnÕt go so well. We got fallar-ed a lot and visited some members and also taught a 1» lesson. And Elder OÕBrien lost his name tag. On Saturday he lost his first one, so now he doesnÕt have one for a little bit. So that wasnÕt too hot.

On Friday morning, we went to do divisions for the morning with the Elders of Yaguar—n. I went with Elder Graff and Elder OÕBrien went with Elder Luna. We visited a family of theirs that is going to get baptized in February, and also another member guy. Then we came home and went and had lunch with the Largostas. In the afternoon, Federico went out to work with us again, and we went to the Flia. QuintanaÕs and finished teaching the 4» lesson, so theyÕre all done with those. After that, we went and taught the 2» lesson to Catalina (from Tuesday) at the Fire Station. SheÕs a volunteer firefighter, and she showed us around everywhere. It was neat. They havenÕt actually had to fight a fire for a while, and the last time there was an emergency of any kind was on Sunday. So things were pretty tranquil. After that, we visited the Flia. Ayala (the inactives) again. Then we checked out a reference from Pte. Silvero and taught them the 1» lesson. That went pretty well. After that, we got fallar-ed a few times, then got something to eat and came home.

On Saturday, we went to FranciscoÕs to share a little and make sure everything was okay for the baptism. Then he came with us to clean the baptismal font, and we went down to the new capilla (which is only a block down from where we are now) to talk to the Hna. Garrido, and while we were there, it started raining a lot. So we helped her a little and then went to the Fern‡ndezÕ for lunch. In the afternoon, we went and made the baptismal program, and then went to the G—mezÕ because Enzo was giving a talk, and we helped him out a little. Then we came home and got everything and went to the church. Everything went really well, Leo Garrido gave the other talk and both him and Enzo did really well, especially since theyÕre only 17 and 15, they were some of the best member talks IÕve heard. It was just a really spiritual baptism, even though not a lot of people were there because of the rain. After everything was done, we went and visited the Flia. Caballero and then came home.

Yesterday, church went pretty well, but there werenÕt a lot of people. We did our planning and stuff after lunch, and then went to the Flia. QuintanaÕs. I have the book ÒGospel PrinciplesÓ in Guaran’, so we showed that to them (Clides and Milciades were there too) and sang some hymns in Guaran’. After that, we went to JavierÕs and had Correlation Meeting because he was working on Saturday. Then we went and checked out a reference and also met some new people. Then we finished the night visiting the Garrido and Mattesich families. And that was all.

This morning, we all went to Yaguar—n and played soccer at a place thatÕs owned by members. Or maybe theyÕre just the caretakers, but either way, they live there. Anyway, we also had some grilled chicken and it was pretty good.

Hey Mom, Elder Graff is from St. George, but his dad is from Cedar City. Just so you know. Also, I had a question, what do I have to do for housing and also financial aid? Is that something I need to do something about? Although I donÕt really know where I want to live at BYU. Anyway, thanks. Also, Bishop Prince asked me to share experiences with you so that you could share them in church, but I wasnÕt sure if he meant past experiences that already happened or ones that happen now. Anyway, you can tell him about the baptism, and about Catalina. And tell him Hi.

Thanks for everything. Oh, and I got Liss' package. Thanks a lot!

I Love You Guys!!!

Love,
Josh