I stand all amazed ‏ 02/20/2012 Week 54

¡I stand all amazed!

Hey family, it´s crazy that it´s already Monday once again, pero que va a hacer. We had some interesting experiences this week, and all in all Rosalia was baptized a confirmed as a member of the church! It was pretty crazy though that it worked out.....it isn´t a new surprise when something crazy happens on baptism day, but i´ve learned to expect it. every time. To me....it´s Satan trying to take one last blow to stop us, but God always prevails.
On Saturday, the baptism was scheduled for 6 o´clock, and Elder Greco and I decided to head over to the church to begin filling up the font. We began filling at around 2:45 and everything was looking good to go. Just to keep an eye on the font, we decided to finish our studies in the church house. At about 4 o´clock, when the font had about 2 feet of water max, it stopped filling. The church ran out of water.......drats. The main water tank was drained as well as two back up tanks. We needed a plan, and fast. We ended up taking a taxi to the fire department and pleaded that they could come fill up the font for us. Our prayer was answered. The big ol firetruck came and helped us fill up the font. "Our problems are solved!" I cried. But those are always famous last word. Brother Gomez, a 70 year old man in my ward, decided to handle the reins with the firehose. he said "I´ve got it under control." But the powerful water blast over took his fragile body. At this moment, I was standing at the back of the room, just about to press my finger down on my camera to take a picture, when all of a sudden i got slapped in the face by a wall of water. The hose had escaped it´s master and was whipping around the room. it was incredible. After seconds of frantic screaming, we got the hose under control, but it had taken it´s toll. Brother Gomez was sprawled on the ground after taking a devastating fall. We got him into a chair, he was bleeding from his palm, having a nice gash, and later was taken to the hospital.
Cleaning up the wet room, we prepared for the baptism...coming to find out the firefighters didn´t give us enough water..oh great. We moved forward with the service anyway, and Rosalia ended up being baptized laying down, reclined into the water, and pulled back up by a kneeling Elder Greco. Classic. success.
Rosalia was confirmed the following day, and Brother Gomez ended up breaking his arm in three places and will be having surgery this wednesday.....he took a hard one for the team, but we´re hoping to go and visit him.
That was the adventure of baptism. I truly stand all amazed at the love and blessings God offers us.
Also at our apartment, 2 owls have decided to move in with us. They live all around our house and the neighbors, and we find them staring at us at least 10 hours a day. We believe they have eaten the rat that has been infesting our living quarters, so they are warmly welcome.
It was a fun week, and a quick one. Looking forward to hitting some more pavement...i mean dirt roads this week. Make that mud, it´s raining steadily today.

Love you all! Glad to hear everyone is doing well and that you had a great trip in California. Have a great week and stay safe!

Scripture: Mosiah 5: 6-15. Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ, serving him, coming to know him, becoming like him.

Elder Winger

Attitude is a choice 02/13/2012 Week 53

Dearest Family and Friends,

As I have officially reached my one year mark this week, my mind has been raging with thoughts, feelings, and memories of all that i´ve learned throughout this past year. I´ve realized that there are two ways to look at this next year, with the time that remains. Many missionaries would find themselves saying "i still have a whole year left," but I have chosen and feel that, "I only have 1 year left." It has added a lot of urgency and focus into how short of a time span that we have to serve the Lord as a full-time missionary. The blessings I have received throughout this year have been miraculous, overwhelming, and all i desire to do this year is the Lord´s will and to serve the people here. No greater joy is found than in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This week was quite interesting. We were looking forward to a wonderful baptism on Friday, and everyone seemed really excited, when I got a phone call Thursday night. It was our investigator and she called to tell me that she did not want to be baptized the following day. We were speechless. I attempted to calm her nerves and bear my personal testimony of the need and blessings of baptism, but her choice would be the final one. The Lord knows best and we will keep working with her so that she can make this important step in her life.
This Saturday, our investigator Rosalia passed her baptismal interview and is looking forward to baptism this coming Saturday. It will be a treat, and I´m excited that my companion will have the experience of his first baptism.
Other news for the week: I once again went to the zone leaders apartment on divisions.....the same place where the truck blew up outside.....and we had another "wonderful" experience. It´s quite the story, but let´s just say that I became an officially documented witness to a drug bust. it was the real deal.
Every week, we receive a question from the Presdient´s assistants to answer every night. This past week it was "What revelation did I receive today?" As I began pondering on this question throughout everyday, I came to realize just how much guidance we are blessed with everyday. Revelation is the communication between God and his Children. There´s no other way to accomplish the communication and reach the heavens each and everyday but through sincere prayer and a personal study of the scriptures. I have strengthened my testimony that God will guide us in every aspect of our lives and give us the tools necessary to complete with our responsibilities.
Scripture: 2Nephi 25:26. I know that our Savior lives. He loves us. He is my strength and my refuge. In these latter-days i cannot and will not deny the fact that revelations and miracles are vibrant, with living prophets to guide us. Glory to God in the highest.

It has been a week of much reflection. Family and friends, thank you for your much support and prayers, they are heard.

Until week 53, con amor

Elder Winger

come to papá ‏ 02/06/2012 Week 52

He family:

So i totally just finished writing my email to you.....and it deleted. Fetch. I´ll try to rewrite what i can ha.
(p.s. mom i didn´t have time to write anything for the newsletter that´s due tomorrow....you can write one and send it in if you´d like)
My new companion, and "child", is Elder Greco from Mar de Plata, Argentina. It´s legit to have a Latin companion once again to help me practice my accent and learn Spanish better. yes. But he´s a really great elder, has really hit the ground runnin here in the field. He served as a ward missionary for 1.5 years before coming out, so i haven´t really had to explain a ton of things, so we should be able to do just a ton of work these next couple of transfers.
We have a baptism this friday, an interview on saturday for one next week, and some investigators that are looking good for the next few weeks after that. We are going to see miracles happen this transfer in Gálvez, and the Lord is really blessing us a lot with people to teach and the conversion of those people.
Story: we were walking down the road the other day, and i saw some photos posted on a window of "paradise" basically, beaches, luscious trees, gorgeous scenery, the works. As i was gazing at these photos, my companion turns to me and says "that´s Mar de Plata". fetchin lucky haha. But yeah, we get along really well.
It´s crazy to think that I´ve already been out for almost a year. The fastest year of my entire life for sure. It has really humbled me and i´ve realized the importance of getting the most out of everyday, not only for the mission, but for life. Something that all of us can apply.
I know this is the work of the Lord and that he lives! He is the Son of our Father in Heaven! I also know that God lives, we are his children, and the gospel is our way home.
Scripture: Mosiah 4:9

I´m out of time....but i love you all! thanks for your support and prayers!

Con amor,

Elder Winger