From: Elder Joshua Freeman
Subject: Wedding Week
Date: 6 June 2005 4:15:35 PM EDT

ÁHola!

This week went really well. We had Pedro and ElsaÕs marriage on Saturday, and it went really well. It was a good week.

On Monday night, we went and talked with two investigators, Santiago and Justo. But separately. We talked with Santiago about the Word of Wisdom, because he drinks quite a bit, so we invited him to start quitting, and he agreed. With Justo, we talked with him and his wife, Elusteria, about Heavenly FatherÕs plan for us. It went pretty well. And after that, we went and visited the Flia Rivas, the 1¡ counselorÕs family, and did a Noche de Hogar with them. That went really well, and must have made them want to go to church, because they went on Sunday, for the first time in a long time. So that was good.

On Tuesday morning, we had our normal Zone Meetings, and afterwards, the Hna Fleitas, one of the members, made us lunch. It was really good. In the afternoon, we had to send out the mail and then go to the Health Center so that Elder Oliveira could get his Rubella shot, because he discovered that he still didnÕt have it. After that, we got fallar-ed a bit, and went and talked with the Hno Amancio. Then we went to Pedro and ElsaÕs and taught them the lesson 2 and planned their wedding a little. After that, we got fallar-ed more, but talked with the friends of an investigator a little. Then we had to go by the capilla to get a few things we had left, then came home.

On Wednesday, we had our Correlation Meeting, and afterwards, we went and had lunch with Julio and his family. TheyÕre really Brazilian, but theyÕve lived here a long time. Anyway, lunch was really good. In the afternoon, we went to the capilla to cut the grass. It was the first time in a long time that IÕve used a lawn mower. It was an electric one, gas ones almost donÕt exist here, so it was a little interesting having to avoid the power cord, but whatever. After that, we went to Justo and ElusteriaÕs again, and we finished teaching them the lesson 1. It went really well. After that, we went and talked to Santiago, and he was more sober than weÕve ever seen him, so that was good. Then we went to EnriqueÕs, but he wasnÕt home, but one of his friends was there, so we talked to him. After that, we went to CarmenÕs and talked about Obedience. And her dog bit my finger, IÕm not sure why, I wasnÕt really doing anything to it, I just scratched its head. So after that, we went home to wash my finger and everything. Then we went and had a Noche de Hogar with the Flia Bobadilla, a member family. That was fun, and then we came home.

On Thursday morning, we had to go into Centro to talk with a judge about Pedro and ElsaÕs marriage. Then we came back and talked with some inactives before coming home and eating lunch. In the afternoon, we went and talked with the Flia Candia a little about their reading in the Book of Mormon. Then we went and reviewed the lesson 2 with the Hna Elisa. After that, we went to AdaÕs and taught her the lesson 3. She used to be progressing, but is going to go to Argentina to work, so now sheÕs thinking more about that. After that, we went to Pedro and ElsaÕs and started teaching them the lesson 4. It went really well. And after that, we went to Noche de Rama, where we played some games and it was really fun. And then we came home.

On Friday, we went back to finalize everything with the judge for the wedding. Then we went and talked with Carlos R about the Sabbath, and he said he would come on Sunday, but didnÕt. Then we went by the Flia DavalosÕ and shared a little with them about the same theme, and they also said that they would come, but also didnÕt. So the we came home and had lunch with the Flia Delgado and the Hnas. It was pretty good. In the afternoon, we went to IsabelÕs momÕs house, because they were over there, and we talked with her a little. SheÕs a nice lady. After that, we went by AdaÕs and talked with her sister, Delia, about the importance of prophets. Then we went to JustoÕs, but he wasnÕt home, but we talked with his neighbor a little. And then, we went and talked with Enrique a little, and then went and taught some more of the lesson 4 to Pedro and Elsa. It went really well, and they were super excited for their wedding, and were doing a lot to make it nice. So that was encouraging. And then we came home.

On Saturday morning, we went with the Hnas and with Julio to paint the wall of one of their investigators. It was a lot of fun. Then we came home and changed, then went and ate lunch with the Flia Gossen. It was really good. In the afternoon, we went to the capilla to decorate with the Hnas, and then went and talked with both Carmen and Enrique, and invited them to the wedding, and they came. Then we came home and got everything we needed to take, and then went to the UgarteÕs. Gustavo took us out to get Pedro and Elsa, and then we all went to the capilla. The wedding was really nice. All of her family (her mom, step-dad, 2 younger brothers and a younger sister) came, and the Relief Society made refreshments and stuff. It was good. And after everything was over, Gustavo took them all home, and we took some stuff home, then went back to their house and talked with them a little. Then  we went by the Hna ElisaÕs and talked with them, then came home. 

On Sunday morning, we went and got Pedro and Elsa and her younger siblings and we went to the church. Which was very normal. In the afternoon, we ate with the Flia Delgado and then planned. After that, we went and talked with the Hna Elisa again. Well, actually, we talked with her husband with her present. And then we gave a blessing to his mom. Then we went to CarmenÕs and she wasnÕt home, but we talked with two of her older sisters. They were pretty nice. After that, we went and finished teaching the lesson 4 to Pedro and Elsa, with Ysidro and Isabel. Then we went and talked with Osvaldo for the first time in a while. It appears his wifeÕs family told her a lot of things, because she didnÕt even want to talk to us. So we talked with them a little, and told them to read and pray again, because GodÕs opinion is what matters most. After that, we went and talked with the Flia Soley to plan their just-turned-8 sonÕs baptism, which is going to be on Thursday night. And then we went by the GossenÕs, because it was their son AleÕs birthday. He turned 27. We had some really good cake and talked and then came home.

This morning, Elder Webb and Elder Wells came to do Pedro and ElsaÕs baptismal interviews. Those went fine, so weÕll have their baptism on Saturday. After that, the entire zone came, and we had a little zone meeting, and then played volleyball and basketball. Later today, weÕre all going to Asunci—n, because we all get to go to the temple tomorrow. So weÕre all excited about that.

Mom, IÕd like to know as soon as possible whatÕs going to happen, so, I donÕt know if you could call Pte. Taylor and ask him to talk with Pte. Gavarret or something like that. I think IÕll see Pte Gavarret tonight, and if not, I will tomorrow, so IÕll ask him too. If it wonÕt work for me to go home the 18th and delay the trip to Utah one day, and if I canÕt get released in Utah, I think I would rather just go to Arizona with Dad and Cass instead of going to Utah and not being released for a long time.

In any case, time goes by way too fast, but IÕm really enjoying it while it lasts. Looks like last week will be the last e-mail, so stay tuned one more time...

I Love You Guys!!!

Love,
Josh