HAPPY SEPTEMBER!

Hola a todos...

Wow... August just flew by way too fast!!! Tranfers came last night and we were blessed that all 4 of us in Belloni are staying together. I received my card today, thanks.  Like dad said, I`m not using much money from my personal account. That`s because I really don`t need to buy a lot of things outside of the necessities and that`s all covered in my mission money. I will end up buying more things as I get closer to the end of my mission to take back home with me, but as for now. I`m learning how to manage my money better.

There were a lot of changes in the zone and I really hope that this helps turn around the zone from the hard times with baptisms here in the zone. the zone was supposed to have had 5 baptisms this change but 3 of the 5 either left town unexpectedly or decided to get back together with an old boyfriend and now are living together without being married. We were blessed to have the baptisms of Vanessa and Alison last saturday and it was great. They are very excited and they are looking forward to gonig to the temple in a year to be sealed together as a family. I love missionary work and the many blessings that these people are receiving for their decision to follow Christ and be baptized. Seeing the many changes in the lives of these people has changed my life and helped me become more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are excited for the future of Belloni with many members starting to help their friends and neighbors get to know the church more and becoming their friends in the gospel. We are expecting the baptisms of Mariel and Manuel Pintos on the last saturday of the month of september. They have started to stop smoking and told us that they want to get baptized before October so that was good news this week. sadly they did not come to church because it was raining and they have kind of a far walk to church from their house. It`s still freezing cold and rainy here in Uruguay and it looks like it will be that way for a few more days. It rained pretty hard yesterday and we were grateful for raincoats and umbrellas.

I have not only been cooking more, but I have also felt a great need to clean and organize the house lately... I don`t know what happened to the old me who wasn`t up to cooking nor cleaning. But I really enjoy doing it now and I love helping and serving others. Thanks for the pictures of your summer adventures and for sending the package that is on it`s way... don`t worry, if it left Arizona all melty it will definitely firm back up from the cold that is awaiting it here. I just might have to crush it back into chocolate chips. I love you all and am so glad to hear of all the great things that you are doing back home. Congrats on working hard on your eagle Colin. It is something that will help you and bless you on your mission and for your whole life.

I know that the church is true and that the work of the Lord is progressing. I`m excited to see the work explode as all the members in the world begin to participate as well. We are taking one giant step closer to what the Lord expects from missionary work of the world. The second coming is near and we are part of the preparation for that great day. Read the Book of Mormon daily and study preach my gospel often and the Lord will bless you with opportunities to share the gospel with others around you. The gospel is the greatest gift that we can give to our friends and family. Let us share our light with the world.

Love,
Elder Gardner