UN DOMINGO LINDO Y CALUROSO

BUEN DÍA AMIGOS. How are the United States doing? Things are getting more and more exciting around here as summer comes a long. More people to talk to in the street, more kids setting off firecrackers all day, and much more heat (My arms and upper neck are reaching "water polo tanness" levels. The rest of my body has already reached "ten hours of World of Warcraft a day" levels, due to my constant white shirt and pants outfit.)

Fun cultural anecdote on my mind. Yester-day, River and Boca (the rival football teams of Argentina) faced off in a Sunday game, which means EVERY ONE was watching it. Here football holds a place in the hearts of the people that can't really be compared with any thing in the States. It's really incredible. Any ways, here it's really easy to know if some one scores a goal. All you have to do is be some where where there are houses, and you'll be able to hear it. Every one yells the goals. Every one. Over in the US you'll get the really huge fans that yell during the Superbowl, but here it's just natural. Every few minutes Elder Winward and I got to hear a wonderful chorus of screaming voices, and I'm not being sarcastic in saying that it was wonderful. It's such a beautiful cultural phenomenon, and it unites the people so well. There were seven goals scored in the game, which means that we got a good amount of yelling. It made me smile every time we heard a goal.

Sunday morning at church was wonderful. We were blessed to have Diego and Analia come and have a great experience. Diego has been once with us, but this was the first time Analia has gotten to come, and it was such a blessing. Analia is Diego's mom (Diego is in his mid-twenties), and both of them have been so prepared by the Lord, and seeing their progress as they learn more about Christ's restored Gospel has been a huge blessing. It's an honour to be able to be the missionary to share such good news with them. It's such a joy to be able to share good news with every one! This mornign I read a really good talk from Elder Uchtdorf called "A Summer with Great-Aunt Rosa"           

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/a-summer-with-great-aunt-rose?lang=eng       

which was beautiful. It made me think a lot about the grand importance of being happy even when it's hard, and what can make us happy. It's alllllwaaayyys the Saviour and His Gospel. As we learn it, or hear it, or share it, joy is a guaranteed bonus. And imagine the joy that comes from living it! I have seen so much joy here, and felt so much joy here, and I know it's because I'm doing what I'm doing. It's not just because I'm on a two year trip to Argentina. It's because I'm here doing some thing incredibly important and I'm sharing the truth. I hope all of you know how blessed I have been by your prayers and support. I'm so grateful for my wonderful family and my wonderful Saviour and His example. His sacrifice is a gift to all of us, and His grace is sufficient for all men. 

Amor sin fin,

Elder McDonald