10.7.13 Cerro, Uruguay

Changes are today and usually, all of the new North American missionaries stay with their trainer for 12 weeks, so I thought I was going to be with E' Camejo for at least another 6 weeks, but turns out, that's not what The Lord wanted.


This is my girlfriend Lulu!

 Elder Camejo is leaving and it's up to me to take care of this area with a missionary who goes home at the next change. Elder Camejo and I were surprised and many of the people here sobbed when they found out that he was leaving. (Remember, he has been here- in the toughest area of the mission for 8 months) I was really confused and sad because I definitely don't feel ready to help lift the burdens of these people who have so many problems. With this change, I will have more responsibility. I must encourage E' Xavier work as hard as possible because these people here deserve it after having a missionary like E' Camejo.

Conference was incredible! I first want to say one of my favorite parts...So I've been wondering a lot about why this is my first area. No elder in the mission comes here until their second year. These people have their own dialect and version of 'Ebonics/Espanol' that even natives of Monte Video can't understand- so, lucky me! Furthermore, these people who have SOOSOSOSOSOSO many problems and are so difficult to keep on the straight and narrow path. President Eyring's talk really inspired me. He spoke about the old woman who lived the gospel her whole life and had a grandson who ended up in jail because of his decisions. She asked, "Why me Lord, why do I have to bear the burdens of a wayward grandson?" The answer she received was. "I gave him to you because I knew that you would love him...no matter what´´ The Lord's purpose for me is clear about why I have been given the charge to serve these people. ´´I gave them to you because I knew you would love them no matter what´´ and its totally true. I can't communicate perfectly, but I can love them perfectly. 

I definitely noticed the emphasis on women which is exactly what was needed!!! The women in this area needed to hear how the Lord and the Brethren feel about them. We have so many investigators that just loved conference because of this. Now I want to say, THANK YOU so much for raising me correctly. I know I interfered with family scripture study & I didn't understand the importance of the sacrament. But I was raised by an incredible mother who engraved the importance of the sacrament into my mind. I often questioned why you pushed so much for us to read the scriptures and to obey our leaders. I always tell my investigators (especially the mothers) the reason my mother did all of this was because she knew!! She knew how terrible the world is... she knew how important the church was... She knew if she didn't fight as hard as she did to raise her children correctly, they wouldn't understand the blessings of the church when they needed them most. My mother knew that Satan doesn't stop fighting. My mother never gave up on me...and here I am, BEGGING these mothers to come unto the church and teach their children the things my mother has taught me. Thank you so much for raising me, mom. Thank you for fighting with us to keep us safe from the adversary. Thank you for keeping an eye single to raising us to make covenants in the temple and to worthily serve missions.