¡EPA!

Hello people.

This weeks was a pretty fun week. Tuesday we had a ward activity presented by the missionary department; brain-child of the hermanas that we share the ward with. It was a trip through the life of Jesus, but solely through listening and touch. Things were passed around while I read a condensed version of the life of Christ found in the scriptures (for example, a baby doll for His birth, a backpack of hymn books for the atonement, and fabric for the folded linen in an empty tomb, etc.). It was really cool and the members that came really enjoyed it! 

Also, this week I got to explore more of the zone because we went to Benavidez for divisiones (exchanges). Elder Cortaza’s great and a really humble leader. We went and talked with a less active lady who wants to return to the Gospel after living many years practicing a different religion. She was with a friend who was a bit elderly but quite entertaining, even though she wasn't too interested in our message. As we were finishing up the visit I gave her one of our Easter pass-along cards which has the face of our Savior on it. Upon receiving it and observing it for a moment, she let out a joyous ''¡EPA!'', which is the Argentine equivalent of Uncle Karl's ''Yeah, buddy!''.  Jesus makes us happy, what can I say? =)

Also, the highlight was that President Nelson from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came and talked to us today. We had to wake up a bit early, but it was worth it. One of the things I love about being in this mission is that we cover the headquarters of the South America south area, so we have neat opportunities to meet some of the leaders in the Church. President Nelson wanted to shake all of our hands and so that makes two apostles of the Lord that I've shaken hands with! Haha and when I went up to shake his hand he and his wife read my nametag and Sister Nelson told me, ''Great last name!'' yep. I like it too =) It was a really neat devotional; all the area presidency (Elder Texeira, Elder Packer, and Elder Bragg) and their wives spoke to us and the Bs As west mission. Sister Nelson gave a really good talk about how the mission will prepare us for life, because it if full of great moment and less- great moments. My favorite quote from her was, ''The adversary is just so boring. He's so predictable!'' haha. And President Nelson talk a lot about our lineage being from the house of Israel and how we were foreordained to be missionaries and to bring the world his truth. And then after, since it was like the first time in a year since all the mission has been all together, we took some time to take pictures. Just some good fun for a missionary =)

That's about it for now! I hope you all have a great week! Read your scriptures! See you all soon enough!

Atentamente, Elder Hardcastle =)

A few more things that I forgot!

One of my favorite experiences from this week was Saturday morning. We went to go and contact and visit old investigators in the street France. While there I felt inspired to go talk to a couple who was selling chocolate Easter eggs. It turns out that the husband is an old investigator from about seven or eight years ago! and they want to learn more. And he makes a great chocolate egg =)

Also we taught a great family Saturday afternoon. It's a mother and her son (she's separated) and she is VERY evangelica, but we were able to have a very spiritual lesson with her, and is going to read the Book of Mormon. I'm really excited to work with her and her 19 year old son, they are very religious and are willing to change if they feel like this is the true path! I love things like this.

Okay that's it. Bye.

¡Feliz Pascua!

How y'all doing? 

Another week has come and gone here in the great Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. It started out quite strange, to be honest. After finishing up Pday we were walking and we ran across two señores who we had never met that were less actives. And they wanted to talk so we decided to go over to the church and talk there since we were close by. My companion thought they looked a bit shady but it all turned out good! And then later in the day we passsed a member in the street and were able to invite her friend to learn more! And then that day as we were walking back to the apartment another young adult came and talked to us! So, it was probably some of the three most eventful hours of my mission! haha

But let's talk more about the young guy for a second. We'll call him Miguel. He is really great! Miguel came to church yesterday and is really eager to start coming to Christ. He was an antiguo invesitgador so I looked up his record, and he met the missionaries like six years ago and lots tried but with little success. But, it just goes to show you, it's not on our time, but in God's time. 

We also had a small miracle on the same note! A couple of weeks ago we met a 16 year old who showed interest in learning more, but then afterwards we never found him at home. Then this last Friday we found him in the street and taught him a little bit about the Book of Mormon, and he accepted a baptismal date. Obviously, we can't go around teaching minors and we went to talk to his dad. Sadly, the dad said that he was not going to allow that we teach his son, that he was already teaching him ''in his own way.'' I was kind of sad at the end but thought that all will be okay, in a little bit more than a year he will be 18 and be able to have more liberty in making choices. 

This week I was able to finish the challenge that our mission president gave a us few months ago of reading Jesus the Christ. THAT IS A BIG BOOK. But it has helped me understand more about my Savior and has strengthened my testimony that He really is the Christ and this is His church. 

I hope you all have a great Easter, but don't forget the reason for the season! I love the Savior. Read about his life, watch the videos that the Church made 

(The Prince of Peace: watch it here) And think about all he has done for us. Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

Also, my trunky papers came today. So... See you all soon enough!

Elder Hardcastle

Conference Weekend is the Best Weekend

Hi (I can't think of anything more original to say)

So how are you all? This week we had lots of things going on like zone conference, a baptismal interview, a baptism, and GENERAL CONFERENCE which left us with pretty much just two full days of work. But it's all good because Conference was full of inspiration and revelation, and this week will be great. 

This week I learned that there is no such thing as an easy baptism. We have been working with this wonderful little grandma named Ester. She is the mother of a lady that got baptized about 21 years ago and is such a dear lady. I got to El Talar and the Elders had already been teaching her and she was so ready I thought, “This will be the easiest baptism ever!”  WRONG. Trying to get everything done in the Lord's way was hard, and even though there was quite a bit of opposition and stress in the process, we held to our integrity and Ester was able to be baptized before the Saturday Conference with a last minute surprise visit from Presidente Smith to support her!

Also I saw my very first Latino rap battle in the park the other day. That was pretty neat. 

And GENERAL CONFERENCE. I love listening to the leaders of this Church. They are truly inspired by our Father in Heaven. I especially enjoyed the continued theme of the Godhead and listening and following the promptings of the Holy Ghost THE FIRST TIME THEY COME. I know I am guilty of letting the little thoughts go by justifying them and putting up excuses, but Conference gave me a little nudge telling me that I need to work on acting first and asking questions later. And of course, L. Whitney Clayton gave one of my favorite talks, speaking about being obedient to the small things to see solutions to the big problems in our life. So, I ask you guys: Are you studying the scriptures daily? Are you keeping the Sabbath day holy or just going to church? Are you praying every day? If you are lacking in these things, I'd like to invite you to starting doing them=) I know that by doing these things we come can nearer to our Savior! I know I have found lots of strength and peace and joy as I have tried my best to do this.

I hope you all have a great week! See you all soon enough!

Atentamente,

Elder Hardcastle

The cutest little 84 year old Argentine grandma there is.

Huevos de Pascua