To the Suburbs!

Hello family and friends. 

I'm sweating again :( so that's a little bit of a downer, but that's something of little importance because lots of great things happened this week!

I was transferred! I am now in El Talar, with Elder Oyola from Perú. We get along really well so far and I really enjoy the area.  I have had the chance to meet with some of the members and feel their desires to advance the missionary work in the area. I felt a lot of the missionary spirit in Church, I think in every hour there was some comment about how we need to share the Gospel with others! I love that! I have had some ideas and the counselor in the bishopric who is our mission leader shows lots of promise. I am really excited!

 And we also have a baptism this Saturday! Even though it is an older lady who will be attending in a different ward after with her daughter, I hope it will be another boost to their ánimo (how do you say that in English?).

This week we spent lots of time in the street trying not to get too lost and also spent some extra time cleaning. You can't feel the Spirit so strong in a dirty apartment! also the toilet was broken and water would get all over the floor, but it has been fixed, and after many trips to the garbage and a few bottles of bleach later, it's starting to look pretty good! 

Also, today we played fútbol for the first time in ages (I was dreading this moment). The good news is that I've gotten better! the bad news is that I'm still the worst. It's a good thing we aren't here to share soccer to the world, or I'd be a goner. 

Also, I hope you are all as excited for GENERAL CONFERENCE as I am! I looooooove reading the conference talks, our leaders are truly inspired by God! So preparense bien and write down a few of your questions, because it's going to be good.

Love you all and will see you all soon enough!

Elder Hardcastle

Where Can I Turn for Peace?

Greetings!

This letter will act as my summary for this week and last week, because I forgot to carry my journal and forgot to write about some of the excitement. 

Okay so first we will start out with the Great Mosquito Massacre, Last week a big storm passed through Baradero in the middle of the night, and our air conditioning stopped working and just started beeping. I got up and tried turning it off, but the remote couldn't turn it off, so I had to climb up a chair and turn off the thing (air conditioning is weird here, I'll explain another day if you have interest). But, in an effort to still have cool air circulating through the room, I opened the window and let some of the cool stormy breeze in. Later that night I heard buzzing around my head. and then again. and again. And I knew- it was mosquitos. I ran downstairs and grabbed the mosquito killer spray we had and started spraying it around the room. Unfortunately, it didn't work as well as hoped, or perhaps it was too late and the damage was already done, because when I woke up I had mosquito bites all over my arms and head and neck. It was horrible. I had like 74 bites. And the little nasties were hiding all over the room, so I kept the killer spray on hand (it worked really good for direct kills) and during our morning studies I would stop every so often to kill the filthy creatures. They were FILLED with blood. I have photo proof. The good news is that my companion didn't wake up and had few bites, if any;  I don't have dengue (yet); and I killed all the mosquitos. 

These two weeks we have tried just about everything possible, I called almost every person in the Area book, we called the people in our future investigator sheets, we contacted around the church, 

and we walked. Oh, did we walk. I want to see how much I have walked here in Baradero. But Thursday was an eventful day. For starters, we had six dogs follow us, and at one point five of them at the same time! And then I found a hidden alley I hadn't even seen before so we decided to enter and contact. I contacted a house and the man that answered played the ''Look over there!'' game with us. Well, he got me to look and closed the door when we weren't looking=) It was really classy. 

Then later in the day we knocked on a door and a lady came out. Our conversation went as follow:

Elder Hardcastle: ''Hi we are from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...'' 

Lady: ''Okay, but I'm ''[other religion].''

Elder Hardcastle: ''So wouldn't you like to learn more about Jesus?''

Lady: ''No, I'm going to Church right now, that's how I'll learn.''

I had to hand it to her for answering well. I like to throw in the ''Wouldn't you like to learn about Jesus?'' question every so often, and you'd be surprised by how many people say no! It makes me sad. 

We also had a lesson with a man who couldn't accept that the Book of Mormon could have the same value as  the Bible. Even though we shared many things and testified, he kept talking in circles bringing up the same excuses, Oh well. I had prepared WELL for the lesson, so if nothing more I came out with a stronger testimony of the necessity of the Book of Mormon. Go read 2 Nephi 29 if you have any questions. 

Friday we had another nice testimony of the importance of our studies. We met with a less active family from Bolivia that stopped coming to church for a few problems in the branch. Just that afternoon in companionship study we had discussed the importance of going to church, so it was perfect. The Hermana also told us that she likes singing and music, so I asked if I could sing for them  Dónde hallo el solaz? (Where Can I Turn for Peace?) which we had sung that day as well! It was a nice visit and I hope they start coming to church because they are really great!

That is a wrap for this week. I love being a missionary! It is the greatest thing I have ever done. 

See you all soon enough,

Elder Hardcastle

Pictures1 and 2- Mosquito Massacre 

3- Amores family

4- Hugo and Daniela and Co.

From Puddle to Popsicle

Well well well, Happy Monday! 

I hope you are all well! this week went by super duper fast. I forgot to bring my journal to the cyber so I am trying to remember all that has happened, hold up a second....

So Iet's start with Tuesday. Tuesay we did divisiones (exchanges) with the District. I was with my good friend Elder Valbuena. He is still just an acorn in his training, but he is super great. Also, he comes from the Canary Islands, so that's pretty exotic. Haha I love him a ton and he considers himself one of my children in the mission, so that makes him another one of my adopted elders here haha. Also he told me I can go visit him over there when he gets back so that's pretty much a done deal. 

ALSO! So do you all remember that I was working with a family that needed to get married but needed to start the husband´s divorce first? yeah, well they finished their papers and turned them in! So now they just have to wait! The wife has received her answer and they went to church again this week, and their kids were the most reverent ones in the meeting! haha. I probably won't be here for the wedding or the baptism of the wife, but I am just so happy with their progress I am so sure that everything will turn out great!

Also this last week I had to do some baptismal interviews in San Pedro and while I was there I forgot my planner somewhere, so it's been hard trying to remember the meetings that we were supposed to have. Oops! I think I am the person most prone to losing things on the planet... oh well. 

AND THEN! yesterday I had to put on a sweater because it was cold. This country has the strangest weather (hence the subject line). 

That's about it for this week! I can't believe how fast the time is flying! Read your scriptures and take a nap for me, but remember that I'll see you all soon enough! (13 weeks ayyy qué loco)

Chau!

Elder Hardcastle =)

Running Around

Howdy y'all!

Well, these last two weeks have been filled with running all around the mission! We had a mission tour with Elder Levrino from the Seventy, baptismal interviews, interviews with President Smith, and another meeting in San Isidro, But we kept a good attitude through it all and This last week we were able to find quite the quantity of investigators! OPEN YOUR MOUTH haha. 

So this Mission Tour was pretty cool. Elder Levrino and his wife spoke to us A LOT about obedience and repentance. Like a lot. Much was said about the difference between the mission rules and some mission 'traditions' that aren't in line with the rules. Many misunderstandings were cleared up. Pte Smith is really doing his best to make sure we are doing all that we can so that we receive lots and lots of blessings! Personally, my favorite part of the conference was when Hna Levrino gave an object lesson about repentance. She brought cake and I got to eat some of it served to me by a missionary tied up! Interesting and satisfying. 

Also, just so you know, last Monday it rained, and I saw a DOUBLE RAINBOW ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE SKY. Too bad I didn't have my camera!

We also had a wonderful miracle this week. Two weeks ago when I went to do a baptismal interview in Zárate, I managed to obtain a referral! So this last week we went to go looking for the man (it wasn't the most specific address... complete with a quick drawing in my planner haha). We managed to find the house, but the man that answered us said that the person we were looking for wasn't home. He was nice though so we decided to take advantage to the situation to invite him to learn more, but he wasn't to interested, and we left. Well fast forward to Friday. We were headed to the bus terminal which is like thirty blocks away from our house so we called a remis (taxi), and guess who was our driver? The same guy who talked to us at the door! When we got to the terminal he asked me for the book I has showed him (el Libro de Mormón, obvio), so we arranged to visit him. Now fast forward to the next day. We get to the house and the man really opens up to us. He admits that he is really the man we were looking for in the first place, and tells us that after he first met us, he saw us like the next day or so in town, and then again when we got in his car. He decided that it could not be a coincidence and wanted to figure out what we trying to teach him. HE told us as well that he lost his wife about 16 years ago and since then has felt like a part of him was empty, we testified that he will be able to see his wife again and gave him Alma 41 to read! We are going to pass by his house again this week, pray for the best!

...So that is some of the fun from the week! Thank you all for your prayers and support! I love you! Keep on the straight and narrow, and I'll see you all soon enough!

Atte,

Élder Hardcastle

Slowly melting away.

I am grateful for air conditioning. I'll leave it at that. 

Good afternoon friends and family! It's me again. Checking in from a very soupy Baradero. My poor companion is sweating PROFUSELY. Always. But we are enjoying working together. Elder Tolentino cracks me up, we are laughing a whole bunch. 

This week was kind of strange because we did multidivisiones as a zone (multi-exchanges.) I stayed in my area and helped my friend Elder Dote from Chile get to know Baradero. But here's the kicker: we only worked from 5-9 (I sincerely hope that Dolly Pardon just sang that in your head) because..¡SORPRESA! Buses come to our area only once in a blue moon. But it was fun while it lasted. And the Next day we had to go back to Zárate to finish the exchanges, and once again we got back to Baradero just to work the late afternoon. And then the next day was Weekly planning, o sea, three more hours in the apartment. But what we could do Friday and Saturday we did, and we eagerly waited for Sunday because we had quite a few investigators that had told us that they would be going to Church.

And then Sunday came, and as usual, we were met with a curve ball. The member that was going to help us look for a family of investigators in his car slept in, making it pretty much impossible for us to look. Our progressing investigator didn't come, and another investigator with lots of potential didn't either. So I was sitting in the church at peace with my efforts, because I knew I had done all that I could, but just the tiiiiiiniest bit grumpy. Luckily one investigator came and stayed for all the meetings. Still a bit grumpy after lunch we began to work, which included visiting many of the people that were going to come but hadn’t.  As we began to visit these people, I began to feel a little bit more empathy. One investigator had made it to the door of the church but got cold feet at the last minute and didn't enter. Another didn't go because he needed to solve a problem that had occurred with another person. One family didn't go because their phones were on silent and didn't hear the alarm, but hadn't smoked the whole day, Which was big, big news! I've learned that we are all imperfect. We make mistakes. Meeting with these investigators after helped me understand their situation and know what they need to learn and do so that we can help them change to become more fully devoted followers of Christ. 

Also, today is February 20. O sea, Today two years ago I opened up my mission papers, and found out that I was called to serve in the Argentina Buenos Aires North Mission. If you stalk my Facebook, surely you will find video footage recording the grand event. I can honestly say I had no idea what I was getting myself into. ¡SORPRESA! Without a doubt this has been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. But I am so grateful for all the growth this experience has given me. I now more fully understand who I am as a human being and as a child of God, and how the Gospel of Jesus Christ helps me become more than I could be on my own. I know how the Gospel needs to be lived and how it can be applied in my life to yield wonderful results. I love being a missionary!

And that is all for this week! I hope you all have a great day and I'll see you all soon enough. =)

Elder Hardcastle =)

Que coman torta. (Let them eat cake.)

and I'm staying in Baradero! Yayy!

So Elder Mussin's visa came and he left me for the United States of America. This is the fifth companion I have booted off to the States. This last one stung a bit, knowing that he would be able to go to Cafe Rio and Jamba Juice and all that jazz, but just two transfers more after this one and I'll be headed back home. It's strange to think that I am reaching the end! 

But we are still working up a storm here in Baradero. My new companion is Elder Tolentino, from Peru, and we are getting along really great! Really humble and just goes with the flow. 

So about the title... well I have been doing some brainstorming about how I can better serve and love the people. And I was thinking and thinking, and I think that one of the attributes of love is going out of your way to help another. Elder Uchtdorf once said that love is spelled T. I. M. E. And I decided a would take away a bit of my free time at night (easy now that they give us an hour and a half) and I make cakes! I bought myself a nice little Bundt pan and was ready to get rolling. But then I ran into a dilemma, the recipe. At first I was walking through the chino (supermarket owned by Chinese folk) looking for a bizcuchuelo mix (like a quick cake mix) but couldn't find any! So, I was like well, it looks like we are going to have to do this the old fashion way. So I went over to the flour and looked on the bags to see if they had a simple cake recipe... and there was! Being a missionary has made me very domestic. But it was a really basic recipe, and I wanted something jazzy-er. So I put on my thinking cap again, and received PURE REVELATION: Stick jello mix with it. So I did some modifying to the recipe and have come out with a winner. Thus far I have made a strawberry cake, a pineapple cake, and vanilla pudding cake. I make them and the we give them to our investigators. It's hard not to love someone when you give them a cake. So far the efforts have been satisfying, and we are excited to keep up the work and to spread the love! Today I am working on a vanilla one with chocolate frosting courtesy of Nesquick chocolate milk powder. Elder Mussin left it in the apartment from when he left, and we are missionaries here on a budget. Hay que aprovechar. 

We started to teach a great family this week! They are passing through a lot of trials right now and want to get closer to Christ! They have a lot of potential, the only problem is going to be how to get them to church, because they live on the other side of town... but we'll worry about that when the time comes. One thing at a time. 

We are also working with this couple so that the husband gets divorced so they can get married! And they are making progress! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. When you find situations like this, your faith gets put into play. At the beginning I was like ''I don't know if we will be able to do this,'' But through small constant efforts, they are progressing. They have gone to church now FOUR TIMES since I've been here in Baradero, and the wife is on page 35ish of the Book of Mormon. REPENTANCE IS REAL! And they told us to come over Wednesday to eat with them. And yes, we did give them a cake. =)   Pray for them so that they can get the divorce and get married please! And then the wife can get baptized!

I love being a missionary. I love serving others. I love baking. It's fun. Well, maybe not every moment instantaneously, but all the good we do now gets turned into a blessing, which means fun in the future as well, and I like that. SO WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING GOOD!

That's all for this week, folks. See you all soon enough!

Atentamente,

Elder Hardcastle=)

Picture:

The pineapple cake

...¡hola mundo!

Feb. 6, 2017

¿Cómo anda la gente?

Wowzers, sorry for being underground. It's just that these last fews weeks have been loco crazy, so I hope to write a lot right now! Are you ready?

World Missionary Training

I am sure the majority of you all know by now the news and changes that we are going through. AND THEY MAKE ME SO HAPPY! Oh going back to the apartment is so nice now because we can just relax. But on a more spiritual note, the training was amazing, just what I needed. With the taking away of many key indicators, I feel like we can dedicate our time fully to finding people to teach the gospel to and preparing them to make important, life-saving convenants with our Heavenly Father! It has definitely helped us... we have an invesitgator pool of around 11ish people! we just need to help them keep their committments and keep repenting, and they will be golden members of the restored church!

Elders with the Elderly

So a couple of weeks ago we were talking with a eldery sister in Baradero who told us that she would go and sing to her aunt who is in a assisted living center. So we said we wanted to go sing! So she prepared a day and then we went one day, we were in divisions but everyone wanted to go and so we manned up a quadruplet and sang! It was a residency of just cute little grandmas, and they fell in love with us, the dears. haha We are going to have to go sing there again! And it was a fun and simple way to brighten up their day, and ours!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling twenty, too.

So I'm twenty now. hmm. That sounds more grown up in english. veinte just doens't have the same maturity attatched to it. I really didn't want to do anything on my birthday, just work. I had kept really secret, but then my companion spilled the beans to the Luquez family (one of my favorite families an Argentina) and they prepared me a little something=) and I had ice cream cake! and then last monday for pday they made us an asado. It was nice and they made me feel special=) but now the fun is over and THE WORK IS ON! Just kidding. I still try to work and have fun=)

San Barapedro progressing

But speaking of work, the work is, as they say here, A FUL. We have been working hard with our investigators and really trying to help them accept the Gospel, and all of them still want to learn more, and so the number just keeps building, and we have so many people to teach! Like have need to get married before they can get baptized, so we are working with that, and then the rest just need to go to church. I DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS SO HARD! but we had three in the church yesterday, and San Pedro had four, so we are happy for our slow but sure progress of our district. We have a baptism scheduled for next week, my first one in this area! I am so blessed!

 

...So as you can see, Elder Hardcastle is doing just fine here, and loving the mission. I can't believe how much the Lord blesses me. I really don't feel like I deserve it all, but he take my sorry efforts and brings them to life. Oh how great the goodness of our God! He knows us and is mindful of us. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and the love and grace he gives me. I know I have a far way to go to be perfect, but he helps me on my way and I just am so sure he loves me and wants me to keep going strong. He is my example. I love Him

Have a great day, all. and I'll SEE YOU ALL SOON ENOUGH!

Elder Hardcastle