Mi Familia hows everything going in tmec?
This week has been pretty fun. I come to love Paraguay more and more every day. I just can`t believe that i am here right now it seems like Paraguay has been a part of my life that I never knew was there, yet i have only been here for a little over a month. This week the Spanish has been getting better. I can really feel a difference. I get discouraged every once in a while but it usually only last for 5 min... no mas haha. I am starting to speak my mind way faster than before, so that is really helping. I dont have to think so much. I feel like it just comes.
So really fast, Mom to answer your concerns, we can talk on either the 24th or the 26th to respect the Sabbath day. So I need to know which of those days you would rather do? We will have you call us on our phone so I think that sends the cost to you haha so you might need to get some cards for long distance calls I'm not sure. I am extremely excited to talk to you all though so just let me know. I will figure more stuff out this week before next pday.
So I'll start off by telling you all a little more about Paraguay.
I dont think the people here have a knowledge of germs haha. When they offer us water, they bring out their little thermo kooler thingys and one glass cup. They fill it and pass it to my comp and when he is done they will fill it and pass it to me. There are usually some floatys and what not very fun. They also drink this thing called tere-é its like ground up grass in a cup. they fill it with water and drink it through a filter that looks some what like a metel pipe thing haha. So they all have their thermo koolers and those usually have a leather case with some designs on them, and they got their cups that can be attached to their thermos with the filters and a bunch of grass junk. It looks super gross, and everyone drinks it. They will have one per group and they just pass it around to everyone. We were at this house and the father is drinking it then he passes it to grandma who passes it to the uncle to the kids to the neighbor who was over. It is so weird haha but thats how they are. We aren´t allowed to drink it. We have a bunch of rules like that. No tere-é, no coke, and some other stuff. It is all for the better though haha.
Some times I wish I could have coke but having the rule just gives me another way to be obedient... so I appretiate that. I love being obedient. Not all elders are, but I feel like as long as I am looking for ways to be obedient, I will be blessed. IT is the same way in the church look for ways to be exactly obedient in all you do.
Ok other paraguay stuff... mango trees everywhere, so when ever we see good mangos that have fallen we eat them haha. They have ciesta. SO most people go home and sleep in the after noon. Money here is interesting its called guaranis. And it is all based off thousands so 2000 guaranis will get me an empanada. That is super cheap. That will also get me a ride on a collectivo. 3000 for a 2 liter soda. 5000 for coke. 20000 for a burger at mcdonalds. about 25 cents is equal to 2000 gs. Fun stuff.
So this last week has been so great. Yesterday we had a menos activo family at church with an investigator Fatima. We were super stoked. And guess what ....... saterday night bishop told us we were giving talks the next day. It was 1015 when we found that out and at 1030pm is when we go to bed. So we just pulled talks out of thin air like super fast haha. I got it all ready and gave it the next day. I spoke on faith in Christ and how Faith leads to action. I thought it was really sweet. I used a bunch of good scripts and stuff and a Josè Smith quote about doing what the Lords asks of us. ``Si Pidame qualquier cosa, yo Hazlo.`` something like that. He said `` If He asks me to do something I DO IT.`` I said some stuff about how our faith in Christ leads to a desire to know His teachings, and also the desire to do what He asks of us. I talked about how they need to always keep the commandments and do everything they can to show their faith in our Savior and follow Him. I then said Vaya la capilla cada domingo, Ore a su Padre Celestial y Lea las escirturas. That means Go to Church every sunday!, Pray to your Heavenly Father!, and Read the Scriptures! The way it is conjugated is in command form so the way they hear and understand it is that it is a command. Sì o Sì, yes or yes, you have to. I felt really good when I said that, and I felt the Spirit really strong. I looked around and ... no one was listening haha except a few of them. This place is crazy they have no idea. Church back at home is like walking into a fancy hotel here it is like walking into a zoo at times it is wack. But i gave a good first talk. Hakes got up and rocked their socks off. He just told them they need to step up their game and help us with the work and that the missionary work will only go forth because of the members.
I am serious the work is done best when the members help. In pmg Hinkly has a quote that says that tracting is not the best way to find people to teach, but it is by the help of the members.
So ... do your part. Help out the missionaries. Why do you think they stopped by our house all the time? It is because they want you to help. They love you and they know your potential. Please give them referances. Send them your friends. IF they are not good missionaries wait. Ask them to teach you and you will know. Just cuz a person turns the missionaries away once doesnt mean they always will. Always share the gospel even if you dont think someone needs it. Pray to find out which friends need the gospel and are ready. Then act on teh promptings of the spirit and share. You cannot expect the missionaries to just do the work all on their own, YOU ARE KEY.
I know this to be true. I wish I knew this before and this is why I am telling you this now. I wish I went with the missionaries more. I wish I gave them references. I love our family cuz we do a good job at this. We really do. Be a blessing to the missionaries. Be their friends. This work isn't a piece of cake or a walk in the park. I am enlisted I have joined the ranks and it is tough. We are all enlisted, you know what to do. Caden you are aboss when it comes to sharing the BoM. Brooke you are a boss at sharing your testimony. Mom you are a boss at giving references. Dad you are a boss and talking about the gospel at work and at service to all. Cam you are a boss at what you do haha jk you are a boss at being friends and bringing friends to church stuff. Zach is a last level boss. He can't be stopped haha.
We are finding people now so that is good. I wish we could get legit refs but it is all good. I love the people keep them in your prayers. I love my mission and am working hard. I love you all so much you are the best. I got to go but keep up the good work I want to hear about any experiences you are having. I want to hear funny stories. Lots of love.
Les amo.
Elder Carpenter
President Madariaga , Elder Carpenter, Elder Hakes, Sister Madariaga
PARAGUAY!!!
