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4th OF JULY IN ARGENTINA

 July 10, 2023

Hey, you guys! We're back again with a week in the life of a missionary in South America! 

The week started with District P-day, which means the missionaries of Bolivar showed up at our place at like 1 a.m. They took a little out of my sleep, but I'm not mad because I got to see two of my old companions! We made empinadas and enjoyed catching up. 

On Tuesday, I got to choose who I did divisions with (Obviously prayer went into it too). I ended up working with my companion of 3 transfers, the Grand Elder Sellers. Since it was the 4th of July so, we went out and worked our butts off, singing the national anthem even though nobody understands, haha.

The next day was kind of crazy because we started the day with one of our friends who loves to ask questions, and when we get in there, we always leave late, but it's OK because it's always a good talk. After that, the afternoon was good up until we knock this house. It's all normal--teaching these little girls at their door step, but one of them kept looking at me through the whole lesson. Now I'm kind of used to "Wow, an American." stare, but this one was different. When we finish the lesson and we're shaking hands to say goodbye, the girl that was staring at me tries TO HOLD MY HAND which I immediately rejected. That night we had some really good pizza with a member so it kind of made up for the weird end of the lesson haha.

The next day, we go and pick up our new phone from the Zone Leaders because our old one was a potato. It turns out, this is the phone I will use for the rest of my mission!! How crazy no!! 🤪 But, ya that was basically Thursday because the zone leaders live far out. 

Friday morning, we had an incredible lesson. The Spirit there felt like something you could touch. During this lesson, I started to doubt my speaking skills when I heard this voice in the back of my head say, "It's OK. He'll understand." And he DID. Also, the guy is just straight gold. He said, "The Book of Mormon is on the table for a reason. I am gonna read and see what it's about."

On Saturday, my companion, Elder Espinoza, helped one of the Hermana's friends get baptized so that was super, super cool. On Sunday, my companion and I finished up our studies and went out to talk to people, but we had to rush back to the house to get oil so we could do a blessing. When we get to our house, we heard what sounded like gunshots. I didn't think much of it because most of the time the gunshot sounds are fireworks, but this time it was actual gunshots a block from our house! Kids were running. Parents were running. It was Wack. Eventually, the po-po showed up and they had these massive guns and bulletproof shield things and everything calmed down, but man was it wild. Did me and my comp leave again after that? You bet. But we had a member come get us, hahaha.

Anyways, that's my week. I hope you all have a wonderful week, and always remember that God has a plan for you. He's watching out for you and loves you!

From the epic 

Elder Mergenthaler 








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