Last Week!

¡Hola a todos!

This is my last week in Argentina. It´s a mix of emotions knowing that I will see my family after two years and recalling all of the people I met and served here. I´m not who I thought I would be, but I´ve changed so much that I can´t really recal who I was two years ago. We spent a part of today buying some last minute treats to share with my family and I´ll be packing up all of the suveniers I´ve collected. However, the most valuable thing I take home with my will be my testimony.  I know that families are for forever! This past Saturday, we got to help with another Capilla Abierta and Elder Roberts and I got to present the pamphlet about family history. I felt the spirit talking through me: "this is my favorite part about the church because it means that my family can be together forever. It has everything to do with who I am and where I´m going." We invited all of them to start learning about their ancestors and to prepare for the temple.

Diego came to church for the first time! He really liked it!

I also know that the atonement of Jesus Christ is real. Jesus suffered, died, and rose again. Because of Him, all of us will be resurrected after we die. According to our diligence and repentance, we will be able to live with God again in our families. I have felt the peace of repentance and I know that God forgives me when I change.

I know that  the Book of Mormon is true and that the fullness of the gospel was resored through the prophet Joseph Smith. I know because I read the Book of Mormon, considered it´s message, and asked God, multiple times, if it is true. Though I have to wait paciently every time, He answers through a peace that I feel. He has answered many of the prayers of the people I have visited. He answered Valeria this past week!

Missionaries preparing for the Capilla Abierta In Quitilipi. Lunch was delicious!

I know that President Monson is a prophet. I feel the peace of the Holy Ghost as I listen to his words.

I am super excited to continue with these amazing truths into the world. There is so much still left to learn and so many more people to serve. I am excited to go out and do it!

This week, I have an invitation with a scripture. In the Book of Mormon, there was a king´s servant named Abish. One day, a missionary came an preached to her king and queen. Abish had already "been converted unto the Lord for many years, on account of a remarkable vision of her father" but had not yet "made it known"(Alma 19:16-17). Once she saw the incredible miracles happening in the lives of the king and queen, she ran out into the streets inviting everyone to come and see. God doesn´t always ask us to go door to door talking to everyone, but we can follow a similar pattern. First, we must become converted. This is a constant process, not just an event. I invite you to study the scriptures and pray daily to continue the process of conversion. As you do, look for oportunities to invite others to come and see (John 1:39). Invite them to activities and to learn more. Invite them to become converted too! As you do, you will come to know God more and more and you will find greater peace in your life.

See you soon!

Elder Cloward

The Conradi family. Hermano Conradi is the District President.

Good Job

¡Hola!

The work has been a little slow this week, but Gustavo is still progressing. He accepted a baptismal date and we´re looking forward to visiting him tonight. He just seems to understand more than others that we are visiting not just to share nice stories, but to help him change and prepare for baptism.

We´re in Las Breñas!

We had a really great field trip this week that turned out to be a miracle. This past Saturday, we were asked to spend the day in Las Breñas (about 2 hours away) to help with a Capilla Abierta. We got to dress in white and teach about baptism and the Holy Ghost. In the second session, a family I had met two years ago in divisions, entered the room (see my letter from 1/25/16). I was so excited to see them! What was even more special, the whole family remembered me and my very short visit to them that long ago. It was so amazing to know that I had been able to create that kind of an impact on someone. It was God´s way of telling me "you have done many good things on your mission. Good job." 

Capilla Abierta with the Enriquez family.

I am so grateful for this opportunity God has given me to serve Him and His children. I know I could never repay Him for all He has done for me, but I am so grateful to be able to grow and find joy in this service. I know God lives. He is real and He loves us. I know that families are forever. Jesus died for us and lives again. We will all live again after this life. Through our diligence and the Grace of Jesus, we can all live with God again.

I invite each of you this week to share your testimony with someone and strengthen them with your experiences and words. As you do, you will feel God working through you and your testimony will increase.

¡Que tenga una semana feliz!

Elder Cloward

Eating out at Pizza Libre.

Asado and Repentance

¡Hola todos!

This week, we found several new potential families to teach. It´s such a wonderful experience to find someone new. You walk up to person(s), not knowing beforehand what you will say. You are constantly aware that what you say may influence whether or not they choose to learn more about the message. With many people, you can tell almost instantly that they don´t want to change their lives. But with a few, they accept to learn more and it brings a happy feeling. The really hard part is working with them and inviting them to change. They don´t know what they are missing until we invite them to come to Christ. Each of them has unique needs and interests and it´s impossible to help them with out the help of the Holy Ghost. He helps us to say exactly what every person needs.

A little bit of Argentina.

In one such encounter, a lady asked me why I was serving in a mission. I remember always wanting to, but not knowing when I would send in my mission papers. As I prayed, God answered me in a very personal way that I had to go right away. I know that God wants me here right now!

Valeria, one of the investigators here is slowly obtaining her testimony. She seems to know that the Book of Mormon is true, but she doesn´t know it yet. We´ve been visiting her in the house of the Ayala family, a couple of two return missionaries. The lessons with her are so great! Please pray for Valeria.

Today, we made asado (Argentine BBQ) with Hermano Ayala. He taught us a super easy way to start the fire and how to make a super delicious condiment on top. It was really tasty!

That looks tasty!

Asado with Hermano Ayala.

More than anything, I learned this week about humility and repentance. Our mission as missionaries is preach repentance and baptize converts. Elder Roberts and I realized that if we don´t know very well for ourselves how to repent, it is difficult to teach others. Repentance is more than just changing our behaviors, it´s changing our desires and our will, who we are. For example, we found that just reading the Book of Mormon doesn´t changing anyone, it´s applying the words to oneself, asking God if it´s true, and seeking for truth, that makes the change. I invite each of you to ponder a weakness you have and with God´s help, make plans to change not just your behavior, but your desire. As you will, the change you make will be eternal and you will grow closer to God. You will come on know Him better.

¡Que tenga una semana feliz!

Elder Cloward