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Having Fun in the Disaster

 June 26, 2023

I heard that phrase last week from my comp in his talk in sacrament meeting, and it really stuck with me because lots of times, the mission is a big mess, and you have no clue how you'll get through it, and then you get to the point where I am right now, and this big mess just becomes your life, and you enjoy it. It becomes more of a delight than a mess.

Anyway, back to the news of the week. On Monday, at the end of p-day, we walk all the way back to our pension and drop our stuff and get right to work because we have a lot planned for the night. We start by hitting up this one member's house who is soo sweet, and she opens the door and lets us in. We get talking and it turns out our chat with this little lady lasts an hour! 😳 So, my companion and I are kind of freaking out because we need to be places, so we sprint-walk all the way to another member's house to pick up our lunch for the next day. By that time, we need to get back to the house, so we run all the way home. 

On Tuesday, we decided to hit up these points that are kind of far out. The first person we come in contact with is like really religious but doesn't go to church because her kids have medical problems so she's never home. She told us that it was lucky we got her because she's usually never there.  Tuesday was like a work-free day for Argentina citizens, so she was home because the hospital wasn't running. But this got me thinking--because if you're usually out and about with the hospital, that doesn't stop on a no-work day. The hospital can't stop working. It's impossible. But whatever. I think it was her trying to nicely say no, but it's all good. We had a really cool talk with her about faith and the plan of salvation, so even though she doesn't want anything right now, at least she has that. After that, we went to a yellow point's house. Yellow means they could have interest. So we knock and we get the forever girlfriend and she's like, "Ya, come on in." So we teach her a little and set up a thing for Friday. I say forever girlfriend because no one wants to get married here--I have no clue why--it's like there's something gross with marriage, but bro y'all do everything a married couple does, just put a ring on it! It's not hard. Like, for real Dude. Dang. Haha.

Anyways, on to the next person. This week we also taught this girl with ADHD. I don't use that term lightly. She was super high energy. I honestly wasn't expecting so much. Like right when we walked in the door, this girl starts chucking bouncy balls all around the house while the mom is telling her to not hit the TV. We manage to get an opening prayer in, and after the prayer, she brings out this stuffed dog and starts throwing it at me, haha. I toss it back to her so she can throw it back thinking maybe it will help her stay focused. Eventually, she calmed down and listened for a few minutes, but this is an expensive lesson because my companion buys this girl chocolate as a bribe. Sooo, Mom and Dad, if you see money leaving my account fast, just know it's for one of God's children, haha. Anyways, we end up having a really good lesson with them.

But, ya, that was my week. Lots of lessons, and having fun making food with my comp after the day is done. Ooo, also next week I might have a picture with some Argentine cowboy shoes because I'm getting some free from a friend, but we'll see. Be on the lookout.

Anyways, 

Love you all so much and miss you tons

Elder Mergenthaler Out 








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