EE.UU. te quiero a vos

Happy 4th of July my amigos!

I just want to say that I am so glad to have been born in such a great country. I really didn't understand how well we had it until I left! I am so grateful for those who through the history of the nation have sacrificed so much for our freedom. And because of this freedom, we can enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel, and how much of a blessing that is!

Today has been a pretty dang good day. During our companion study we sang the national anthem, well most of us. Elder Lucas couldn't really read the English words so fast, but he did participate! and then we went shopping at our local Jumbo because I was in need of some new shoes. I treated myself to what I am calling my Hush Airs, because they are Hush Puppies but with these weird air bubbles in them, like the Nike Airs. I'm not going to say I am going to be walking down the street with the facha pura, but they are pretty comfy. =) I will send you all a picture later on. And then to celebrate a little bit more, we went to a meaty semi-fast food place and ate some quality hamburgers. It was also a nice little moment to share the Gospel with the man at the register, because he asked me where we were from and I was able to give him a pass along card! It says in the mission manual to always be ready to share the gospel on pday!

So guess what. So you know that I told you that I killed my companion last week and would be getting a new one? Well I did. AND I WILL B KILLING HIM TOO next Tuesday. Yep. Six months are officially official here in Soldati. And I am so HAPPY. I love this place. But I am also Super sad because my new companion, Elder Lawyer, I super great. We get a long so well and I am learning so much from him, more than any other of my companions. He is pretty much the most loving person I have ever met. I'm so sad I will have to kill him in another week. =(

This week was kind of a weird week, and it rained a lot. We are going to have to get rid of basically all of our investigators because none of them are going to church. So that was kind of sad. But yesterday we had a small miracle. After church we went over to a less active family's house but they weren't home. I was like ''okay cool, let's go and try and talk with some of their neighbors.'' And then we did, and I met this really cool guy! He told me a lot of his family has died and I was able to testify of eternal families. We are going to meet with him again tomorrow, so pray for him!

This week we also got to meet our new mission president and his family. They are really a great bunch, Pte and Hna Smith with their two youngest kids. You can tell that they are really excited to be here, and the whole family is already starting to work on their Castellano! I think once they get settled in a little more they will be a super great asset for us. Pte Smith has a lot of desire which could be seen when he talked. I'm really excited to get to start to work with him!

I want a little bit of help from you guys. ALL OF YOU GUYS. I really want to work on my charity. I would like to know: What do YOU do to have charity in your day-to-day doings? Any tips or scriptures that you like would be great. I will look forward to you responses next week.

Also today I was reading in Enos, and I just want to tell you all how much I love that book. I just love the part when he gets forgiven of his sins and asks, ''Señor, ¿cómo se lleva esto a efecto?'' ''Lord, how is it done?'' From his faith in things neither heard nor seen, he was able to be touched by the hand of the Lord. What a great example for us! I want to have the faith he had to experience even more the goodness of our God. I love this Gospel. I love being a missionary. I am pretty sure I have almost never felt so far from being perfect as I do here, but I also feel such comfort in knowing that as I move forward, one step at a time, I can make big changes.

I love you all and hope you have a great week. My challenge for you all this week is to KEEP THE SABBATH DAY HOLY. How do you sanctify your Sabbath?

Envío mucho amor de Argentina. Cuídense mucho. See you all soon enough!

Elder Hardcastle