New Week 4/1/13

Family,

Well, it's the last week of the Transfer and we've broken four records in our area. We have one more to break as our goal, and we're working hard to do it.

On Saturday last, Luis was baptized. I'm trying to get it put on, the picture that is. He's awesom, a short guy with a great beard. He's got a great testimony already. I may have to wait on telling you more of the story mainly because of the time constraint we have right now. We'll actually be heading over to his house shortly for a family day activity. We'll be making them lunch, then he's going to help us make a table in his shop and we'll get to use some of his wood working machines. The one I'm most excited to work with is the lathe. He, along with Francisco, will be receiving the Aaronic Priesthood this Sunday, in between Conference sessions, and Luis may even have the opportunity right there and then to baptize his son and some nephews. We're still in the preparations and finalizing the teaching with the others, and the biggest thing that we want to help them understand is the importance of the commitments that we extend to them so often to read the scriptures and pray daily, and attend church weekly.

The baptism was performed in Lake Fagnano, as the picture testifies. It was a little chilly in the air, but Elder Rosazza and Luis both said that the water wasn't all that cold after the first few steps in. They're only actually about two meters or less out from the shore. The lake drops off quickly and no one knows how deep it is. Despite modern technology, it is still unknown.

I love you all my dear family!!!! I had to print your letters this time because of the time, so I can't answer questions from Mom and Dad, but I'mm be sure to do more in the writing next week.

Keep things "cool,"

Elder Dewsnup

--
Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup

Misión Buenos Aires Norte
Gral. Lavalle 1828
1646 San Fernando
Buenos Aires, Argentina

Time 3/25/13

Dear Family,

Well, time is of the essence and it is something that we all have a shortage of. Things seem to move faster and faster now. Without entirely intending to, I discovered I had made a calendar of my time left. It was originally intended to be a reading calendar to track where I should be daily in my reading, and then I realized how much (or little) time there really was left to me.

Not much.

This week we've had the opportunity to listen to a special conference for all of Argentina. Elders Bowen and Clayton spoke, as well as one of the members of the Primary presidency, whose name I can't remember, and Elder Nelson. All of them spoke in Spanish but the Sister. I think Elder Clayton's talk stuck out most to me from the conference, but I don't have much more time to tell about it. We've got a service that we're heading to do with one of our investigators.

On that note, we've been able to help several people continue to progress towards baptism and we are hoping to be leading a family into the waters of baptism this weekend. They've been to church before, are growing their testimonies well, and are wonderful people. And they've fed us almost every time we've been over, and they have plans to feed us a lot more too. Don't be surprised if I come home looking like I'm 8 months pregnant... But then again, there are enough hills here that with plenty of walking I'm sure that I'll be able to keep it relatively under control. It's the immediately after eating stomach that worries me.

More news will have to come next week, but know that I love you all and that you are in my prayers!

Love,
Matthew

--
Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup

Misión Buenos Aires Norte
Gral. Lavalle 1828
1646 San Fernando
Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Actual News 3/19/13

Dear Family,

And now in the news, The work here progresses, slowly but surely. We have experienced many miracles this last week as we have gone about doing good. Through service and love, we have contacted and egun to teach a wonderful family who has had contact with the church before, years ago. Many from the family were able to come to church on Sunday and most have accepted the commitments to read the Book of Mormon and Pray. It is through those three basic steps that their faith can increase and build enough to feel repentance, and from there follow the rest of the path. We are doing our best now to change our way of teaching and being so as to more fully reflect and project our beliefs in our actions as well as our words. It is in those three commitments that any person can obtain the certainty and testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.

We have not been as diligent in following up on these commitments in the past, but that has changed. We are now striving with all diligence to teach the thruths that we have been taught to all our investigators. At the same time, we are trying with our might to share the message with all. After all, the Gospel, the Good News of salvation, is a message and goal that all of us desired before. The only thing that we need to do is call the people to rememberance of the truths they have already known and deep inside desire and feel.

Patricia is still struggling with those commitments and it is our fault for not having verified better. She has investigated various other churches before and all with the same end: disconfidence and feeling cheated. We have come to the knowledge that Francisco, though he has progressed on the path, is also struggling with those commitments, but he is eager to learn more about what has now become his relegion. We will be doing all possible to help them deepen their testimony and plant the roots of the Gospel deeper into their own lives.

Another less active/part member family has at least opened the door to us more recently. We are planning on a visit with them tonight to share with them a little more about the plan of salvation and hapinnes, and we hope to help each begin to feel the truth themselves.

We also found out Sunday night that one of our investigators is a member, baptized when he was 10, but without sincere desires. He had seen the influence on his sister and saw that it was good for her, and that led he and his mother to take the steps. But after a time, the flame of testimony dimmed and now it is barely a spark. He questions in great measure the truth of Joseph Smith, which is also the interest of many of the other of our investigators, and even new members. We have plans to continue to bear testimony and share with him and his small new family the truths of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, I was able to spend some time while we waited for our ride back to Tolhuin from Rio Grande to do a little shopping, and I was able to replace the majority of my... shall we say old... shirts. In some places you could say that by looking at my shirt, I might be mistaken for a duckling... ;) But I was able to find them at a reasonable price and quality. I bought 5 shirts for $680 pesos, which is about 130 dollars total (a little more than $25 dollars per shirt!!) BONUS! Now I just need to find good quality pants and I'll be good with two pair.

I was asked to speak in Sunday meetings the last two Sundays. The previous week, it was on the Plan of Salvation, and this last Sunday it was the final Judgement. I wish I had known on Sunday what I know now. It is quite a difference, what I woud have spoken, to what I did speak.

But anyway, that about sums up the news for now. We have District Conference next Sunday and that'll prove a challenge; we will need to find the way to transport more than 20 or 30 people an hour and a half to and from Rio Grande, Satrday evening and Sunday morning. But that's the easy part. The hard part will be to actually do it.

I love you all!!!!! Keep on keepin' on.

Love,
Elder Matthew H. Dewsnup

Misión Buenos Aires Norte
Gral. Lavalle 1828
1646 San Fernando
Buenos Aires, Argentina