Week Sixty-three!

One year in Argentina!!!!!

Can you believe it? It's amazing how the time seems to go faster every week. This week we got to have a conference with Elder Ceballos of the 70 from Chile. It was a really great meeting. They helped remind us to focus on teaching the doctrine. And the quote "When true doctrine is understood it will change character faster then the study of character." Something like that. The thing is that it's true. If we can help others understand the why of the doctrine, they will want to act and change. I've been talking a lot with the people about change lately. For example with Marcelo who is struggling after his baptism and trying to help him understand that it's possible to keep going and keep changing. Or with Noelia, the girlfriend of an inactive, and helping her understand that she can change, and we do change everyday. We are never the same. The world and it's influences are always changing us. We can either let the world make of us what it will or will can join with our Heavenly Father and become what He would have us be.

We're also working with a 9 year old boy Emanuel. His parents are inactive but he is so great. He reads the Book of Mormon with the cartoon drawings to help him understand. The sweetest moment was when he asked his mother to pray in the lesson. She might not be active but she followed the simple request of her child. Childeren have an amazing power with their parents. It was cute in the last lesson, he finally learned how to pray memorized. It was so cute.

I love this gospel, and I love the difference it makes in our lives. I love my Heavenly Father and know this is His message for all of his  Children. I hope you all have a wonderful week and stay warm as it gets cold there. 

con mucho amor Hna Potrie

Week Sixty-two!

Hola, 

Where does the time go? Slow down! This week was good with a few obstacles, but nothing to bad. One day all of our appointments were falling through and we stopped and sat in front of the investigators house on this old car. We were really overwhelmed and almost at the point of tears. And we thought, what do you do now? So we prayed for help, comfort and guidance. It was a prayer of a lost child talking with her father. We finished the prayer and there coming up the road was a moto with one of our investigators. We were able to teach her and her mother and twin sister showed up soon after as well. There was no doubt that Heavenly Father had heard our prayer and was there to help and guide us. It never ceases to amaze me the help that we recieve when we ask. I loved in testimony meeting, a little boy here, Enzo, shared an experience of prayer. He was home alone with his little brother and he felt his throat begin to swell. In that moment of desperation he kneeled down and prayed asking for help. No sooner had he finsished when the tightness left and he was able to breathe calmly. The Lord truly heard his prayer and was watching over him. He loves us and watches over every single one of us.

As for new and weird food, it's been pretty normal. They eat a lot of mayo. It's like their condiment of choice here. A little gross at first, but you get used to it. The other day we ate lomos. Heart attack in a box. It's a thin piece of meat about the size to cover two hamburger buns. And then they put ham, cheese, fried egg, tomatoe, letucce and lots of mayo. Ya, nasty I could feel my heart work harder after. No Jk but it's nasty when you think about it. And they all think Americans eat bad. Hahahahaha  We have lunch appointments just about everyday because that's their big meal of the day here and then we work all day after we don't take a dinner break because that's the best time to work after the siesta. Oh and to explain better, we only give kisses on the cheek to the women. Hahaha, not the men. It's the way they greet and say good bye here. Its actually rude if you don't personally greet every person with a kiss or hand shake for the men. They aren't big on hugs here. Sometimes they do, but it's not their culture really. 

Well time to say good bye till next week, 

 

Hna Potrie 

Week Sixty-one!

Welcome Tyrnn Heather Lauren Potrie!!!!!!!!! She is so cute!!! I'm so happy to hear that she made it safely into this world and that everyone is healthy and happy. She almost looks latina with that dark curly hair. Make sure to give her lots of love from me. I can't wait to meet that precious little girl. And congrats Ash and Alisha!!!!!!!!

It has been crazy hot here. Well, not that hot I guess, but lot's of humidity, which makes it feel hotter. The season of sweating has begun in Argentina when you greet people with a kiss on the cheek but it's a little sticky from the humidity. We had a really great week though. We found a new family. It's a lady and her two daughters and we are really trying to help the mom who is suffering from depression since her mom passed away. It's amazing to see how just sitting, listening and having the spirit in the room helps bring smiles to their faces and light to their eyes. We also found a new young woman. She lives next door to the YW pres and has been going to seminary in another ward. Talk about the Lord preparing the way! We got to teach her about the plan of salvation and after we asked what she thought. She said it makes a lot of sense and helps her know more of our purpose here. We don't just come to this world to die - it makes sense that there would be something more. I just love it. The plan of Salvation is perfect and when the people hear it for the first time they always say like ya that makes sense, and ya of course there would be more! We knew about this plan before we came to earth and as missionaries we get the chance to help people recognize the plan. We truly are here in this world to learn and progress. Our body is proof that we chose to come here and follow Gods plan. Sometimes we just have to work at remembering that this life isn't the end of the plan, it's only another step to become like our Heavenly Father. 

I love this gospel and this time I have to share it with these wonderful people here in Argentina. I pray that you all have a wonderful week. 

Con muchisimo amor,

Hna Potrie