New Argentine Companion (Week 78) — Called to Serve in Cuiaba

What it be Brethren and Sistren this week was freaking nutty. My new companion Elder Ciocia is just a stallion of a man. Holy freak I love the dude. He's such a hard worker and just has so many good ideas its been so insane here with him. We're taking care of the biggest Zone in the mission with 27 missionaries haahahah there are other zones with 16 kids so whoopdie doo. Also 16 of the missionaries are new here so there's a lot of lost fools. And like half of the Sisters are sick so we've got baskets full of worried young women haha. This week with transfers we spent a ton of time at he mission home helping the office dudes resolve some problems. But this week was one of the most productive weeks I've ever had and it was also probably the most tiring week I've ever had haha. I fell asleep in some of the most peculiar places I never thought it was possible to snooze. Our studies and lessons are just so productive and flow so nicely it's been incredible to see the Lord's hand so vividly in every tiny part of my life.

This week I have really focused on reading the Book of Mormon. Being on a mission has just really opened up my eyes, specificially about work. There is no substitute for hard, gnarly, acorns to the wall work. I think I truly found the importance of hard work, and the importance of work ethic, and just working to achieve your goals. Reading in "Jesus the Christ" I found a phrase that goes... “He garnered knowledge by study, and gained wisdom by prayer, thought, and effort.” That's talking about Jesus Christ. I thought that was a really cool line especially how it said "He gained wisdom through effort", or work. It then continues to say beyond question He was trained to labor, for idleness was abhorred then, as it is now... I then went to my study of the Book of Mormon and in ancient America when Alma was establishing the Church. He called Priests to care for the people. In Mosiah 18:24 it says that he commanded them to work, and depend on nobody for their support. Then in verse 26 my eyes were opened. It said that they were to labor so they could receive the grace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having knowledge of God, so they could teach with the Spirit and authority of God! It was incredibly eye opening to me to see how physical work could bring such spiritual benefit to them! There really is no substitute for good ol hard work!

It's been weird reflecting back on my mission. I go home in 5 months and this last year and a half went by just absurdly fast. I can't think of anything that I would have rather been doing than serving the Lord and I say that with the most sincere and serious tone. I truly Love my Savior Jesus Christ.

My camera decided to take the high road and leave me in the dust this week so minimal pictures were taken this week. But I hope you feel the love in the weekly letter.