From dave - 11.12.07

Hey!

Mom, thatd be great if you wanted to send those simplified hymns. thatd be cool. ill be keeping an eye out for the christmas package. thanks a bundle!

What a week this has been. action packed adventure its been. So this past friday we had the baptism of Enzo and Valentina Suarez. that was an awesome experience. it almost didn't happen either because the power went out in the church. we jimmy rigged a light somehow and the baptism went off without a hitch. Besides the fact that the water was bitter cold.

Elder Bulter Baptized the both of them. The mom and grandma came to the baptism. they were really touched. The next day when we had church they both came for the confirmation too. their story is that they had always just been listening to the lesson, but both had many doubts about stuff. when they came to the confirmation they had a great experience. the grandma was crying during the service because she said she just felt so good. later that night they both accepted a baptismal date for the 24th of december. so the whole family is going to be baptized! what a blessing.

So this week started the trek out to Carmen. Carmen is this little tiny town about 14 kilometers from murphy. so how did we get there this week, on bike. wow im out of shape. the first 14 kilometers were brutal! we were riding straight into a headwind. it took an hour and 10 minutes to get there. the bikes that we have are pieces of junk. 1 speed grandma basket bikes. not meant to go long distances. nevertheless we went.

there is a family out there who we found who are awesome! the husband is the "mayor" of the town. His name is Juan Jose and he is really excited about the church. he wants to have a mormon church in Carmen. I´ve got a really good feeling about this new little assignment. we are only going to go out there once a week or so because its pretty physically taxing.

Overall a really solid week. Im trying to work every day as hard as i can. keepin focused on the work is a key to success.

Another person that we´ve been working with is this 18 year old girl Macarena. We were a little skeptical of her at first, but this past week she showed up to church. shes very smart and interested in the gospel. she has a baptismal date for the 8th of december and we are working with her so that she makes it there.

The difference between this area and Rufino is that now we have members to help! almost every lesson has a member in it. The investigators then have friends in the church. For example the family espidula do family home evening with the family saurez every week (kids who just got baptized). and with macarena we have a 20 year old member guy who is already friends with her to come to our lessons. members are the key to helping the people realize that this church has real people in it.

the church is true.

im happy.

life is good.

with love
your friend
Elder Whiting