A Halloween Miracle!

Hello my friends! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We were blessed this last week with the baptism of Marta (the sassy golden investigator from a few weeks ago) and her two kids! It all seemed to go by pretty quick, but I am happy and they were ready. Her kids have been coming to church now for about a month, and Marta came twice with us and had attended before, and so it was a quick miracle that's come to us, and I'm really thankful. The bishop is also pretty dang happy (Marta is his sister) and keeps saying that this baptism was truly a miracle. He also told me that he thinks that that was the reason I stayed here, and that now I will go to another area, haha. It has been five and a half months since I've had a baptism in this area, and even though four baptisms are not very many 'fruits' for what will almost be nine months in this area, I am happy because these are some of the best people I have ever met, and I am so confident in them and know there are great things in store for them. 

This was actually a pretty good week for Barrio Villa Soldati, because the other elders in the ward also baptized a family Saturday. Both of the families are killer, have good connections with the members, and have both made us asado, so you could say that the work is definitely progressing in this part of the vineyard=) 

Also, yesterday in the asado with the other elders, I tried intestine and liver. Intestine tastes better than liver grilled, if you were curious. 

On another note, I have started reading Elder J. Devin Cornish's talk from this last conference, and it has become one of my all time favorites! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed with all the stuff we have to do as missionaries and as members of the Church. The talk helps me remember that we can only do our best effort and as long as we really try and repent often, it will all be okay. AND IT'S TRUE. I know I am far from being the perfect missionary (or a perfect human for that matter), but if I look back from when I first started my mission to now, I can easily say that I have improved and have become a more dedicated follower of Christ. I wan't 'bad' before I left on my mission. In fact, I really tried to be 'good'. But in these last 16 months or so God has really blessed me and strengthened me as I've gone through this path harder by far than all the other ones I've taken. It's hard, and I'm not perfect, but it is so good. 

That's what I've got for right now folk. Have fun begging for candy tonight, and I'll see you all soon enough!

Elder Hardcastle=)

¡¡¡BAUTISMO!!!

 The bishop doing his thing

 Me almost being burned on the rear end

ASADO

We got on the roof and snapped some photos. The building in the back is an abandoned hospital (actually tons of people live there, but as far as being a hospital, it's abandoned)

Families are the best thing.

Hello everyone! How are you doing?

So these last two weeks have been a little bit weird, but really good. We are working with an investigator pool of mostly families, which is the greatest, and the families are the ones that help us see the most results, so yay! And we are working with the members, and I just want to reiterate, OTRA VEZ, that members are the key to the work. It is hard, and even though it replaces house street contacting and stuff like that, the results are there and it gives us the opportunity to help those who are struggling within the Church. 

In an effort to help my companion see how we can work through the members to find the blessings waiting for us around them, I stopped us in a moment of doing street contacting and took him to the house of a less active lady. While my companion talked with her outside and shared a spiritual thought, I went over to knock on her neighbor's door, praying to God that this opportunity could be used to show my companion how important this type of work is for us. A young mother answered the door, who had met with the elders a while ago, and accepted my Book of Mormon with a return visit! Fast forward a few visits, and now we are working with her, her partner, her mom, her sister and her partner and one of their kids! AND THE TWO COUPLES WANT TO GET MARRIED. That is pretty much better than gold to hear, so we are pretty excited to start helping them. They are a fun bunch that ask a lot of questions and I have pretty much never worked with people like them before, but I am really excited about being able to work with them and to learn how to better teach them=) But it strengthened my testimony that God answers our righteous desires, and that This is the way we are supposed to work.

This week we did a noche de hogar (family home evening) with the bishop's family, and it was really great. They invited their neighbors (a family of four) over and we watched the the short film of Joseph Smith's first vision, and it was really good, and the dad seemed to be really touched. They accepted Books of Mormon, and even though the return visit we planned with them fell through, the bishop it going to keep working with them so that they can grow in the Gospel!

Also this week as we were walking in the street we came across a more-or-less active in the street and was with a friend so we went and invited her to learn more, and the friend came to church with us yesterday! She is the first Chilean that I have met in my area, and probably one of the smartest people there as well. We talked about genetics in agriculture and the blessing of knowledge that God has given us to improve our state of living in the world while we were waiting for the bus! Buuuut, she really wasn't a fan of church (she thought it was too long), and so she probably won't come again, but hey! We gave her a chance.

We were super happy yesterday because the bishop's sister and her two kids came to church! yay! Unlike the other investigator, they really liked it, and are doing well and want to be baptized. The bishop's family and his sister's family made us an asado (Argentine barbeque) yesterday for lunch, so you could say that we have gained their confidence.  =) The sister did tell me that she is not sure if she is prepared yet to be baptized because she wants to know more, so I left her Mosiah 18 to read. We'll see if she is hesitant because she isn't ready or if she simply doesn't think she is. I just know she is going to be baptized, but it will be in her time and not ours. Maybe it will be this next Sunday, or next week. But I am pretty sure it will be soon! So I am excited for them! 

Also, on a less spiritual thought, this last week we found a bus that takes us to our area in pretty much half the time than the other one we were taking. Who knew it took only eight months to find that out! 

Also, I completed eight months in Soldati this last week. So ¡vamos Elder Hardcastle!

That is pretty much all the excitement from this week! Now I want you all to go and read the Book of Mormon this week, because it is the base of our testimony of the Savior and it is truly one of the biggest blessings we have as members of the church. I love you all and hope you have a great week! See you all soon enough! 

Hasta Luego, 

Elder Hardcastle=)

...and just in case anyone wanted to know,  this week while we were doing 12 Semanas (the training for new missionaries), and watching and a segment from the District 2, when Sisters Voyles and Zaldivar teach about tithing (which they do REALLY WELL and in like 5 minutes), I totally noticed that THEY SWITCHED NAME TAGS. Que truchas.

Anyways, that's all. Carry on with your lives.

Fat and Feliz

Well hello there!

Well we were in a little bit of a slump at the beginning of the week, and then Sunday came, and everything got better! I feel like that happens a lot in the mission, like we are working so hard with not very many results and then we get to the last day and we see small miracles! We see the fruits of our labors after the trail of our faith!

So let's talk about the stuff that happened yesterday.

Felicia has a church calling! Whooooot!  I have been waiting for this for a long time, and she is now the ward Liahona magazine coordinator. I don't really know what that means, but it is cool.  =)

The second things is that WE FOUND A FAMILY. yesssss. Oh my goodness, I was so happy yesterday because we basically struck gold. I have actually known this lady since my first transfer here in Soldati (if I remember correctly... so much time...), and I think now is her moment. She is a bishop's sister, and last transfer her husband died, leaving her with her two sons. SHE IS SO GREAT. When I first met her she told us that she was pretty into her religion, but now she admits that there are some things in it that don't correlate with the doctrine of the Bible. She also likes the doctrine of our Church because it answers her questions (duhh, it's teaches the RESTORED GOSPEL). Anywho, we went to her house yesterday and watched the Joseph Smith video with her and her kids and the bishop, and her kids and the bishop had to tell her to stop and sit down because she was too busy mom-ing us, preparing us food and making chipa and talking about how she bought cheese for really cheap, haha. But eventually she sat down and we had a good lesson. They are so loving and have desires to learn more and to act (¡aceptaron fecha!), and we see great things for them in the future! 

Now the third miracle was with this lady we met Saturday. We were walking (welcome to missionary life) and we decided to talk with this lady outside her house. She is super porteña grandma (¿viste?) but really sweet, and we began to talk with her about the Book of Mormon and she showed some interest! She also told us that she has been in her church for many years, but we continued talking with her and she accepted the book but said she would schedule another visit some other day, which usually means never. But Sunday night we saw her again as we passed her house, and after saying hi her to her she told us, ''yeah, I think I am going to go to your Church. Mine keeps asking me for too much money. I believe in tithing and offerings, but this is too much!'' SCORE. She also said she had been reading and so far had like it. So we scheduled a follow-up visit. Hope for the best!

So yeah. Those are the miracles of the week! I love being a servant of the Lord and sharing the Book of Mormon with the people in Soldati. I didn't know how much I loved the Book of Mormon or the Gospel until I saw how sad life is without it! They truly have to be the key to our happiness, not just the happiness of right now but for forever. So READ THE BOOK! And GO TO CHURCH! And SAY YOUR PRAYERS!

See you all soon enough!

¡Les Quiero!

Elder Hardcastle

E iba guiado por el Espíritu...

Good afternoon mis queridos! ¿Cómo andan?

So this week was pretty special. Transfers came, transers left, and it looks like I'll be staying in Soldati yet another transfer! But I'm not even complaining right now because I love the members here and get to finish Elder Justice's training. The other missionaries call me 'Eterno Hardcastle' y bueno, soy capo. The best thing was that I think one family thought I was going and they made us a small mountain of churros FILLED with dulce de leche and COVERED in chocolate. Mhmm. I hope we see a repeat at the end of this next transfer. =)

So Let's talk about our good friend, el Espíritu Santo for a little bit. He is going to be the main focus of my week because I truly felt like I was blessed a ton with knowing where to go and what to do. And that is a great feeling, and an assurance to me that I am doing what God wants me to do.

So my companion is great. He has been having a bit of a health problem and it has left him pretty beat. The other day we were out in the calle and were thinking that it was probably time for him to head back to the apartment because he was pretty whooped, but he is a trooper wanted to hand out Libros de Mormón first. So as we were wrapping up and walking to the bus stop, I felt to stop by the house of an old lady who was outside drinking mate with her son. This lady made it pretty apparent that she was well invested in her religion, but I decided to let her say her piece so I could share a bit as well and maybe talk to her son who seems a little more open. But then a less active lady came over that I have been trying to communicate with since forever, and we were able to talk to her! And it was definitely the needed moment, and I am pretty sure that is the reason why the impression to talk! We were then able to share with her a few promised from the Libro de Mormon on how to build up happiness. Now she just has to act and will be able to see the miracles that the restored Gospel makes in our lives!

And then Spirit was poured out in General Conference! I hope you all prepared your questions before it started, because it was really just a fiesta espiritual. Like really. Especially the Saturday morning sesión! I really loved Sister McConkie's talk about calling upon God through prayer, and aligning our will with His. Also Elder Cornish really outdid himself with his talk about putting forth our best work and even though it will never be enough, WE CAN MAKE IT! They are both definitely print-worthy. I just love conference. I received so many answers to my questions, and understood more about how to receive and recognize revelation.

And then... yesterday! So in correlation with our 12 semanas training (an extra hour of study for new missionaries) and the visión of our mission, we spent some time yesterday studying and talking about the Libro de Mormón, and how reading it and asking our Heavenly Father if it is true can answer any doubt or objection that a person has about it. Later on in the day, we were able to put that knowledge into action! We decided to contact almost every single door in the pasillo (don't know that Word in English... alley?) of a few members (the ones that made us churros). As we were nearing to the end, a was talking with a man who said he was Christian. As I was testifying about the Libro de Mormón, he interrupted me and was like 'this is all great but only the Bible is the word of God'. He was being a bit persistent, and I was not willing to give in, thank you very much, and so I told him that only if he read it and asked God if it was true would he know of the truthfulness. But I said it a lot cooler and in Castellano and my companion and I both agreed that it was a righteous spiritual 'whopping'. All in all, he didn't want a copy, but I sure left that door feeling pretty spiritually pumped up!

So that was the week I had! I hope you all know that the Gospel is so true, and all we need to is experiment with it to see the wonderously miraculous results that WILL come. ''...si es que guardáis mis mandamientos, seréis conducidos hacia la tierra prometida, y sabréis que yo soy el que os conduce'' (1 Nefi 17:13). I love the Gospel, and I love being a missionary! I love enjoying the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in my life, and I invite YOU ALL to pay more attention to His voice this week. His words of those of the Lord!

Have a safe week you guys. See you all soon enough!

Con amor,

Elder Hardcastle =)

Picures,

1 ''Truth is the fragrance of the soul''

2 and 3 Worldwide Day of Service!

 GENERAL CONFERENCE IN ENLGISH FOR 'LOS YANKEES'

Also, Megan Weston please note that Elder Duffin and I are in the same district!

Okay bye

... I'm training again!

Greetings.

Well this week was crazy. I think I say that a lot. Well, that's because it happens a lot! So just fasten your sea tbelts, it's time to get started on this weeks roller-coaster adventure!

...so are you ready yet? Okay... ¡Vamos!

So we started out the week with exchanges with a companionship from Parque Patricios, the Brazilians, Elders Almeida and Lopes. But it was a weird exchange because all five of us were in the villa! We made two companionships and I was with Elder Sagriptani and Elder Almeida. We got to one of our lessons and met with this lady that is SOOOOO ELEGIDA. Like crazy. We were talking about the restoration and had gotten to the Book of Mormon and she told us that she and her son have been looking for a church for a while but they can't seem to find the right one. We were like WELL THIS IS WHAT YOUR LOOKING FOR. HERE, READ THis BOOK. So yeah. I expect great things from them. =) 

Then Wednesday night we received shocking news. We got a call from Presidente that Elder Sagripanti would be going to the offices, and that I was going to be Elder Justice's new trainer! We were really surprised! That next morning we shipped off Elder Sagripanti in a remis all by himself, and I put my imaginary training boots on again and we got to work! We helped a lady push her salchipapa cart to her house and BOOM. We have another family to teach. 

We also called up an old contact and BOOM. Another family. We are seeing a lot of miracles right now. Elder Justice is a great missionary and we really try to follow the Spirit to know what to do. We have really great unity which helps us be more open to following the Spirit. 

We had another great experience yesterday when we were walking past a park and felt inspired to talk to a lady who was outside with her kids. We got talking and she told us that she thought her husband was cheating on her with another woman and she was waiting in the park because she had just told him to pack up and leave. We were able to give her a Libro de Mormón and testify that it will bring her her more help then anything else, and we are going to meet with her later this week! There are so many blessings waiting for us if we stop and listen.

We were able to participate in the worldwide day of service on Saturday! The stake inside Buenos Aires city went to a Catholic hospital and did some landscaping. We got to wear these jazzy aprons that say Manos Mormones que Ayudan (Mormon Hands that Help) and I helped sand down the fence so they could put on a new coat of paint. I also helped dig a hole. So yeah. Yay for service!

Those are some of the big highlights of the week! Stay tuned for more next week. I hope you all are preparing good questions to go into General Conference with. Take advantage of this great opportunity we have to listen to the prophet's voice! 

Thanks for all your prayers and concerns for us missionaries. We love you guys!

See you all soon enough,

Elder Hardcastle

No photos because I forgot my camera. 

a las corridas

¡Hola a todos! Que semana, ¿verdad? I feel like we have been on the go for the whole thing. And since like Wednesday we don't have hot water (don't worry it's getting fixed...) , so it is back to the good ol' bucket baths! haha 

It was another week here in Soldati. Being in the trio, it really seems like every day brings on a new challenge. No two days are the same. It seemed like this week seemed to pass particularly slow, but we were able to see some miracles by the time Sunday came around (a family in the church and less actives that I have never seen that want to come back). I am trying to keep with the giving 3 LDM a day (the challenge changed to three a day), but it is hard trying to juggle that with all the appointments we have! This Friday we were able to go and do visits with one of our recent converts, Hermana Felicia. You should meet her, she is really one of the greatest people I have ever met. She went to an appointment with us, and then when we were returning to her house she led us to two referrals! One of them is a family where the father is a member but veeeeeeeery inactive. But he has a big family (like seven kids), and we are going to stop by to talk with them this Friday. This lady knows like everyone! 

We also had one day where the whole threesome went to Villa 1-11-14 for divisiones and stayed the night with the zone leaders and the other companionship there. Party for seven in their apartment. Except it's not much of a party when everyone is so tired. Also, I slept on the ground. =)

I have been seeing some blessing of opening my mouth. Last Wednesday we were teaching a man outside of his house and I was thinking 'I need to contact one of his neighbors,' I was pretty sure a couple months ago another elder had gone through the apartment building and contacted the residents, so I wasn't too motivated. But one of them was walking into his house, so I ran over to talk to him and give him a pass along card. He pretty much rejected talking to me, but I felt satisfied from talking to him. Fast forward a couple of minutes. We are still teaching this man and the neighbor came out of his house and asked what church we were from. We got talking and he had met the missionaries years before when he was living in Japan! In the same mission where my brother just got back from. And he wants us to come back so we can teach his whole family! We have an appointment with him later today. One of the greatest parts for me was when he said that he felt bad after closing the door, ''because it's like closing the door on Jesus.'' It was really gratifying to me having this man recognize the the importance of our calling as missionaries. We are truly representatives of our Savior!

The other little miracle I saw was when we were contacting at the house of a lady that we'd given a LDM to, and I asked her sister, who was leaving, if we could give her an invitation to the church (the simple church invite is a great lead into talking about the Book of Mormon I think), she showed quite a bit of interest and was planing on going to church! Until we passed by her house and she was having to take care of her sister's kids. But she had read what we left in her LDM so I think she really has desires to learn more. She has her fair share of trials right now and the Gospel could really help her. 

Those are some of the highlights of this week! I hope you are all preparing for GENERAL CONFERENCE! I was thinking the other day 'hey, conference should be coming up soon,' AND IT'S COMING UP MY FRIENDS. So go and prepare, and watch your questions be answered.  =)

See you all soon enough! 
Elder Hardcastle=)

Photos, 

1.  Fit life. Running in the rain. We ran over to this park I have wanted to visit for a long time
2.  Our post-run lunch. 

Cat Lady for the Win

Hello Family and Friends!

This week was interesting. Last pday Elder Boccazzi got a phone call that he got his flight plans, and would be leaving THE NEXT DAY. Surprise. So Tuesday we took all his stuff to Presidente Smith's house and went with Pte and Hna Smith to lunch. They took us to this fancy American restaurant, called Kansas. It was really good and it was weird seeing a menu in English. Anyways we passed a good moment with the Smiths and Pte. Smith let us in on some mission secrets about some upcoming stuff in the mission. And then it was time to go and I said goodbye to Elder Boccazzi, and said hello to my new companions, Elder Sagripanti and Elder Justice.

Same area, same Elder Hardcastle, different companions. The trio life is back again! The third time is the charm, right?

This week we started with a lot of passion. Elder Sagripanti, a district leader, got us all pumped up and got me out of my comfort zone by doing a Book of Mormon presentation in the train one day, and then singing before the leadership meeting in the subway and train with another companionship of Elders until the security told us to stop. =) He is really good at pushing me to do things that are hard for me. 

This week with this new Book of Mormon initiative we have we started with great fire. Presidente wants us to give away 8 Libros de Mormón as a companionship every day and to use it as our first contact. The first time we did it we gave away 8 books and we had so many appointments to get to the next day! With all the commotion it was hard to find time to do it again,  I am going to get back into the groove this week. I think two factors that are holding us back is organization and time management, But with a little polishing we will be potent forces to be dealt with in good ol' Villa Soldati.

I had a fun experience yesterday with a lady. We were trying to be all multidimensional and so when my companions were talking at one house, I went to contact the neighboring one. I am still trying to figure out a good way to start the contact so it comes more natural, and I saw the house had a cat sticker outside (and I love cats) and when the lady answered the door I hadn't quite prepared myself and was like, ''ummm, hi. I like your cat sticker'' but it seemed to work and we got talking and she seems so prepared! Somehow introducing the LDM food fell on the floor and she was like ''Esto es más importante que torta frita'' (This is more important than the scone). Yeah it is. By the end she was holding the Book of Mormon like it was the most precious thing in the world! We are going to pass by Tuesday, but I am holding for good things! Pray for her! She also has the most gorgeous cat. It is like the one from the grumpy cat memes, but not grumpy. =) 

Well that is about it for this week! I LOVE being a missionary, it is the most difficult thing I have ever done, but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

See you all soon enough!
Elder Hardcastle