(written Aug 16)
Today has been a much needed P-day. I took a three hour nap and Elder
Garcia and I went out to buy some fish for him to prepare as we both
miss eating it. We bought some merluza (hake, a more mild fish) and some
shrimp that he prepared very well. We had some leftover rice from the
other day that we ate on the side. I'll attach a picture at the end. It
really hit the spot and I am feeling a little more relaxed today.
This week has been full of excitement! We received a
group of 32 missionaries including a very good friend of mine that went
home from his mission in December. I think I remember writing an entry
about how we stayed up late talking and the night before he left as his
situation was very similar to mine. Well... he is back and it was a
grand reunion. We gave eachother a big 'ol hug in the airport and when
we pulled away we both had tears in our eyes. I was so happy to see him
and catch up on all the details that weren't talked about in our email
communications. He was already an excellent missionary before leaving
and I can't imagine how good of a missionary he will be now. There was
also another missionary that returned after receiving knee surgeries and
going through therapy who I had the chance to work with one time as
well. It was great seeing him and it was a happy reunion for all.
The 30 new missionaries that we received are all
excited to be here and have brought a new light to the Mendoza mission.
They came in on tuesday night after miraculously making their flight in
Buenos Aires with confusion over a pilot strike that was going on. We
took them to the mission home where they ate dinner and then sent them
off to get a full night of sleep.
The next morning they received some trainings from
President Goates and Hermana Ashby (the mission nurse) before eating
lunch. After lunch we took them to Cerro de la Gloria (Glory Hill) which
is a historic monument for the armies that liberated Argentina from
Spain. Elder Garcia and I gave a spiritual
thought about the liberator, General San Martin, and related his story
of freeing people to our purpose as missionaries. That evening we ate
pizza and then went out into the streets near the offices to let the
missionaries have their first experiences talking to the people of
Mendoza. I got to go out with three new missionaries and we had a great
time! All the missionaries that participated had a really uplifting
experience.
On thursday morning Elder
Garcia and I had a training with all 30 of the new trainers while the
new missionaries received training on finances and other similar things
from the office elders in another room of the
church. Afterwards we ate lunch and presented everyone to their new
companions!!!! That was the most anticipated and excited part of the day
which was followed by a small training before sending them off to their
areas.
It was fun receiving such a large group but I was
happy to finally get to bed on time for the first time in a week on
Thursday night. Yesterday we had planning session with President Goates
as we prepare for the visit of Elder Francisco J. Viñas (https://www.lds.org/church/
Just a little update on my health. From the tests
that I have done so far everything has come out alright so some
possibilities have been eliminated. I will have some more in depth tests
done on Monday the 25th. My stomach still isn't all that great but I
have felt very blessed this week. Last week I was really struggling with
the fact that I wasn't able to perform my duties with enthusiasm and a
smile as I need to be able to do as a missionary. I was trying to fake
it and I couldn't even do that... this week, even though my health has
continued the same, I was actually really happy. There was a moment
every day where I realized how much joy I had in what I was doing even
with the stress, fatigue, and dull pain. In the moments that I stopped
to think about how happy I was I felt the sense of a flood of prayers
coming over me from all those that have kept me in their prayers. I want
you all to know that I really appreciate your prayers and that I had a
really good week.
I really love being here and I am happy that I am in
a place where I can continue to do what I love while receiving the
proper treatment. I am really looking forward to this week and seeing
what Elder Viñas brings to help our mission continually improve!
Here I have attached some pictures of my last few days with Elder Quadros and the lunch that Elder Garcia prepared today.
Love you guys!
- Elder Rainock
The first one is of Elder Quadros and I at an asado that the Perez family prepared for us. Super good!
The second one is a selfie of us in the elevator
that we ride up and down on to and from President's apartament. We
usually take advantage of the mirror to adjust our ties right before
seeing President as well :)
The third and fourth one shows the meal that elder Garcia prepared! Hit the spot!
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