Letter #10

hola familia!

    okay so what a week!!!!! first we had intercambios so i had to stay in my area with hermana cheney. . . that was a fun day let me tell you!! we only got lost once for about 20 min. so that wasn't too horrid, then we went to our lesson with juan lloret. we brought a member with us obviously and,... it was HORRIBLE!!!!! first he made us wait for 30 min. while he talked to argentinian dudes, then he comes over and we start, and he seriously talks for an hour and a half, with out listening. he didn't really like hermana cheney and she didnt like him so they butted heads. then the the  member wanted to convince him that this was the truth right then and there, then hermana cheney made him pray like a child and follow her words.. and then when we waked out, hermana miriam (the member) said... "i almost asked him if he was gay because he's not married and loves pope francis... but we ran out of time and left... " oh... my... gosh.... it was a disaster!!! the day went on and on and hermana cheney is the type of girl that criticizes everything......really sweet, but to say the least, i was literally telling myself, "8 more hours till hermana argueta gets back.. only 2 more hours!!" haha :)  but this week was amazing! we seriously saw so many miracles!! we changed the way we were finding people so that we could talk to everyone and find the people that heavenly father has prepared. we have been praying really hard for the people that are ready to accept the gospel. so we have worked like crazy this week! never stopping. we didn't sit down in a single lesson. then friday was the last day that oscar could smoke.. we went to his house to drop off a letter of encouragement and to check up on him.   he was totally caught with his hand in the cookie jar!!! but saturday he stopped like he was suppose to and he came to church like always and for the first time, his eyes weren't blood shot and droopy! we are so happy! he also turned down a job because he´d have to work on sunday! so that was awesome!!! he is progressing and his baptism is this saturday!! WOOO!!!!  but later friday night, after me and hermana argueta had walked the whole day, literally contacting the most we have done so far, more than 30 people... all rejecting us. and it was 8:00 and we were STILL walking and both said... "man i wanna be home in the air conditioning eating my mango! but lets try to find 5 more people"...... so we continue on, pass oscars house once again,  turn the corner, and i see a man and woman sitting outside drinkin mate (of course) and i said, "lets talk to them hermana" so we cross and introduce ourselves and it turns out they're a family of 4.   mom, dad, and 2 sons. one is 11 the other 4. we teach them a lesson and it's just amazing!!!! they ask how they can participate in church and both accept the invitation for baptism! we were more that ecstatic!!!!  they are so special! we walked to their houses sunday morning and they were all dressed and ready to go! we are teaching them again today!!! we finally found our family!!!! 

      we also started teaching the cousin of a member of our ward last night. he is a drunk and just really wants to change his life and he feels like this is the place to do it, by finding christ. so we are working hard with him! hes a really sweet guy! needs a lot of help though. 

      Im so glad everyone had such a good time at thanksgiving! :) it made me really happy! im really sorry about your shoulder grandma.. but your a tough ol goose... (jk your not a goose or old :) but you are strong! so i hope all is well with you and gramps! i love the mission and i love serving the lord and the people of paraguay! it's the best experience ever!! seeing peoples lives change through the gospel is the best! well, I love you all!! always keep the faith!! 

Love, Hermana  McDougal