¡VAMOS AL TEMPLO!

BUENAS. ¿Cómo están todos? Nice. Well, this week was nice! The Olympics started, right? Every body here is going crazy because apparently Argentina's doing all right in basketball and tennis, and won a gold in.. Judo? Some sort of martial art. I heard Michael Phelps is an animal again this year. Good for him! I'm glad we don't watch the Olympics here because I think just the sight of all of those people swimming in a pool would make me weep. It's been a while. 

Elder McCollum and I are working hard over here in Libertad. Yesterday we met a member who hasn't been to church in longer than she can remember. She got baptised with her father, but slowly fell away, and now is working as a police officer and lives next door to her dad (who is also not going to church). The point is, we decided to teach her about the Restoration of Christ's Gospel, as there is always a sweet spirit to be felt listening to that unique message. As we related to her the words of Joseph Smith upon seeing God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ, she began to weep following the pause we took after recounting the words. She had told us a few of the reasons she had stopped coming to church beforehand, but after listening and pondering, it was wonderful to see the Spirit break through feelings of prejudice towards people and testify of things holy and happy. She told us that listening to that story helped her remember her purpose here, and the path she had chosen all those years ago when she decided to be baptised. Even though she may not be ready to return to church, it was clear that she felt the truth of that message, and the Spirit testified to us and me again that what we share is true. And I know it is! And I'm happy working to help others know as well, and work towards making such special decisions that bring them to Christ. Always be on the lookout! You never know who is ready to hear and follow the Restored Gospel. 

This week we get to go to the Temple! And I am incredibly excited. Every opportunity to go to the Lord's House is a blessing, and how grateful I am to have a family who has been to the Temple, and to have a family who is eternal. I've been translating the biography of my grandpa Johnson to do some written Spanish practice, and reading those stories with the knowledge that I can meet him and so many other members of my family who have passed is wonderful. What a reunion it will be, in the end. And I'm here so that others can feel how I feel. 

I hope all are well, and all are happy rooting for their country this week. I'm happy for Argentina, but I still know the good old USA is the best around. ¡Que Dios les bendiga!

Elder McDonald